One Beer

"One Beer" is a multifaceted track that operates on several levels. At its core, it's a satirical critique of the hip-hop industry and a bold declaration of MF DOOM's lyrical superiority. The recurring phrase 'there's only one beer left' serves as a central metaphor. It symbolizes the scarcity of genuine talent and originality in a sea of generic rappers who are 'screaming all in our ears like we're deaf.' DOOM positions himself as that last, potent brew—unique and not for everyone. The song also contrasts the perceived glamour of the rap lifestyle with a more mundane reality. The opening lines, which are a playful twist on Cole Porter's 'I Get a Kick Out of You,' immediately establish this theme by swapping champagne for beer, signifying a preference for simple, unpretentious pleasures over flashy luxury. Through his intricate wordplay and non-sequitur-filled verses, DOOM paints a picture of himself as the ultimate rap villain, effortlessly outsmarting and outclassing his competition. He 'eats up all they emcees and drinks 'em under the table,' a boast of his lyrical dominance. The song's narrative is fragmented, jumping between braggadocio, social commentary, and bizarre anecdotes, all delivered with DOOM's characteristic deadpan wit. This disjointed style reflects the chaotic and often absurd nature of the world he is observing and critiquing. Ultimately, "One Beer" is a testament to DOOM's unique artistic vision, showcasing his mastery of language and his disdain for the superficiality of the mainstream rap scene.

The song begins by flipping the classic line from "I Get a Kick Out of You," rejecting champagne and other thrills for the simple pleasure of a beer. This sets the stage for a critique of the rap industry, where artists are depicted as screaming for attention, yet what's offered is singular and potent – just 'one beer left.' The narrator, presumably MF DOOM's villainous persona, asserts his dominance over other emcees, whom he can metaphorically 'drink under the table.' He portrays himself as a formidable force, holding the microphone like a weapon. His lyrics are a constant stream of fresh ideas, likened to 'eating watermelon, stay spitting new seeds.' The track then veers into a seemingly disconnected narrative about a character who, after an hour at an open bar, gets into some questionable situations, including signing an autograph on someone's backside. This vignette paints a picture of the less glamorous side of the lifestyle, a stark contrast to the braggadocio often found in hip-hop. The narrator then describes himself as an outsider, a 'crooked eye mold nerd geek with a cold heart,' who will likely be 'speaking in rhymes as an old fart.' This self-characterization emphasizes his dedication to the craft over fleeting fame. He's not too proud to engage in crude humor, yet his flow is delivered with 'nerves of steel.' The song then returns to the theme of scarcity with the 'one beer' motif, questioning where the rest of a six-pack has gone. This leads to a confrontational tone, challenging a 'herb' who tried to make off with the others. The lyrics escalate into a threat, warning others not to test him. He dismisses other rappers as 'cheerleaders,' all style and no substance. In contrast, DOOM's purpose is clear and unwavering, regardless of who is flaunting their wealth. He does it for his 'smelly hubbies,' his true fans who understand his references, like knowing 'what time it is like it's time for Teletubbies.' The narrator’s skill is rare; 'few can do it, even fewer can sell it.' He likens his performances to robberies—quick, efficient, and leaving no witnesses. The track concludes with a sense of impending action, as he arrives on the scene, ready to take over, leaving 'everybody on the floor.' The final lines depict a relentless string of 'jobs,' reinforcing his image as a professional villain in the rap game, consistently hitting his targets.

"One Beer" was produced by the legendary Madlib and was originally recorded during the sessions for his and MF DOOM's collaborative album, Madvillainy (2004). However, both artists felt the track didn't quite fit the overall tone of that project and decided to leave it off. The song was later included on MF DOOM's 2004 album, Mm..Food, released on the Rhymesayers Entertainment label. It is the only track on the album produced by Madlib. Before its official album release, "One Beer" was also released as a limited-press 7-inch single in 2004, which was given away by select online retailers with copies of Madvillainy. The beat for "One Beer" is built around a prominent sample of the 1975 song "Huit Octobre 1971" by the French jazz-funk band Cortex. An animated music video for the song, created by visual artist Anhia Zaira Santana (also known as "Distortedd"), was released on November 16, 2018, to mark the 14th anniversary of the Mm..Food album.

The rhyme and rhythm of "One Beer" are defining features of MF DOOM's distinctive style. DOOM was a master of intricate, multi-syllabic rhyme schemes, and this track is a prime example. He frequently employs internal rhymes within a single line or across multiple bars, creating a dense, interwoven sonic texture. For instance, in the lines, 'Told him tell 'em they stole it, he told her he lost it / She told him, 'Get off it', and a bunch of other more shit,' the rhyming sounds are packed closely together. His rhyme schemes are not always predictable, often defying standard verse structures and spilling over bar lines. This creates a sense of continuous, almost stream-of-consciousness flow. Rhythmically, DOOM's delivery is famously relaxed and conversational, often described as having a 'drunken' or off-kilter cadence. He rarely rushes his delivery, allowing his words to sit just behind the beat. This creates a unique tension and interplay between his vocal rhythm and the steady, looping rhythm of Madlib's beat. The beat itself is a simple, hypnotic loop, which provides a consistent backdrop for DOOM's complex and unpredictable vocal performance. This contrast between the straightforward rhythm of the music and the intricate, meandering rhythm of the lyrics is a key element of the song's appeal.

MF DOOM's stylistic techniques in "One Beer" are a masterclass in lyrical complexity and musical ingenuity.

• Literary Techniques:
  • Intricate Rhyme Schemes: DOOM is renowned for his complex and often unpredictable rhyme schemes. He employs multi-syllabic rhymes, internal rhymes, and assonance throughout the track, creating a dense and textured lyrical fabric. For example, in the lines 'Tempt me, do a number on the label / Eat up all they emcees and drink 'em under the table,' the rhyme extends across multiple syllables.
  • Non-Linear Narrative: The song eschews a traditional, linear story in favor of a stream-of-consciousness collage of boasts, observations, and abstract vignettes. This fragmented style keeps the listener engaged and constantly interpreting the layers of meaning.
  • Irony and Satire: DOOM uses irony to critique the rap industry's tropes. Lines like 'MCs sound like cheerleaders' mock the lack of substance he perceives in his contemporaries.
  • Allusion: The song opens with an allusion to the classic song 'I Get a Kick Out of You,' immediately subverting it to fit his own narrative. He also references the children's show 'Teletubbies,' an absurd juxtaposition that is characteristic of his unique sense of humor.
• Musical Techniques:
  • Sample-Based Production: The beat, crafted by Madlib, is built on a hypnotic loop from 'Huit Octobre 1971' by the French jazz-funk band Cortex. This sample provides a laid-back, jazzy foundation that contrasts with the intensity of DOOM's rapping.
  • Vocal Delivery: DOOM's vocal delivery is relaxed and conversational, yet rhythmically complex. He often raps in a slightly off-kilter, behind-the-beat flow, which gives his verses a unique, 'drunken' cadence and makes his intricate rhyme patterns sound effortless.
  • Use of Skits and Samples: The song incorporates vocal samples from old cartoons and movies, a hallmark of DOOM's production style. The closing skit, where Dr. Doom declares himself master of the world, reinforces his supervillain persona and the song's theme of domination.

"One Beer" stands as one of MF DOOM's most iconic and beloved tracks, contributing significantly to his legacy as a titan of underground hip-hop. While not a mainstream chart-topper, its influence is deeply felt within the genre. The song is celebrated for its masterful lyricism and the hypnotic Madlib production, which samples the French jazz-funk band Cortex's "Huit Octobre 1971". This sample introduced Cortex to a new generation of listeners and has been used by other artists since, including Tyler, the Creator. "One Beer" is a standout track on the critically acclaimed album Mm..Food, which is often cited as one of DOOM's best works and a classic of the 2000s. The song's unique, off-kilter flow and dense, internal rhyme schemes have been studied and emulated by countless aspiring lyricists. Years after its release, the track's cultural relevance was reaffirmed with the release of an official animated music video in 2018, fourteen years after the album's debut, which garnered significant attention online. In August 2024, "One Beer" posthumously received a Gold certification from the RIAA, a testament to its enduring popularity and impact. The track perfectly encapsulates the enigmatic, witty, and lyrically dense style that made MF DOOM a revered and influential figure in hip-hop.

"One Beer" is rich with symbolism and metaphors that elevate it beyond a simple hip-hop track.

• The 'One Beer': This is the central and most significant metaphor. It represents rarity and authenticity in a saturated market. While other rappers are 'screaming all in our ears,' DOOM presents his unique, potent style as the last remaining quality option. It also symbolizes a preference for simple, genuine pleasures over the excessive and superficial luxuries often glorified in hip-hop, as established by the opening lines that favor 'brew' over 'champagne.'
• Eating and Drinking Competitors: DOOM frequently uses gustatory metaphors to assert his dominance. The line 'Eat up all they emcees and drink 'em under the table' is a vivid image of him lyrically consuming and outlasting his rivals. Similarly, the simile 'it's like he eating watermelon, stay spitting new seeds' creatively illustrates his endless creativity and constant generation of new rhymes and ideas.
• The Mic as a Weapon: The line 'I crush the mic, hold it like the heat, he might toss it' is a direct metaphor for the power of his words. The microphone becomes a weapon in his hands, showcasing his control and the dangerous potential of his lyrical skill.
• Supervillain Persona: Throughout the song, DOOM maintains his supervillain alter ego. He 'plots shows like robberies' and ends the track with a skit where he assumes control of the world's leaders. This is a broader metaphor for his ambition to dominate the rap game, not through conventional means, but through cunning and superior intellect.

The most prominent recurring phrase in "One Beer" is the line, 'There's only one beer left.' This phrase appears at the beginning of the first verse and its sentiment is echoed in the third verse with the line, 'how there's only one left? The pack comes in six.' This recurring motif serves as the central theme of the song, symbolizing the scarcity of authentic and high-quality hip-hop in a mainstream culture of excess. It underscores the idea that what MF DOOM offers is rare and valuable. Another recurring element is the theme of consumption as a metaphor for dominance. This is seen in the line 'Eat up all they emcees and drink 'em under the table,' and later with the simile, 'it's like he eating watermelon, stay spitting new seeds,' which represents his endless well of creativity. The entire song is also framed by DOOM's supervillain persona, which is a consistent motif throughout his body of work. This is reinforced by the use of audio samples from old Fantastic Four cartoons featuring Doctor Doom, particularly the outro where the villain declares his mastery over the world. This recurring persona provides a consistent narrative lens through which to interpret the song's braggadocio and critiques of the rap industry.