IN MEMORY OF MF DOOM.
As 2020 drew to a close, the world was hit with the devastating news that Daniel Dumile, better known as MF DOOM – the man behind one of the most distinctive sounds and voices in hip-hop – had tragically passed away earlier in October.
The musician holds as distinctive a voice in hip-hop, as Charles Mingus in Jazz or Captain Beefheart in Rock. Dumile’s approach to the genre challenged all prior conventions of what a rapper should be; transcending the dominant mainstream sensibilities within hip-hop yet meeting the prevalent machismo with his unique brand of bravado. Armed with an eccentric concept, offbeat inflections, and a wildly unpredictable flow, Dumile introduced us to his now-infamous alter-ego MF DOOM on his 1999 debut ‘Operation: Doomsday’.
MF DOOM was able to reveal an oddity within his subject matter and wordplay that was a refreshing step away from the pimp-ist and chauvinistic sensibilities of his contemporaries. Instead, his music concerned itself more with pop culture than street realism. It took the blueprint from such mediums as comics, old monster movies, and cartoons and translated them into the realm of sound through collagic production. Serving up rhyme schemes, puns, and patterns that had never been explored before in a non-sequitur style, he quickly established himself as one of the most unique voices within the genre.
Upon revisiting DOOM’s tracks, it is still hard to believe that some date back almost 20 years. Sounds from Operation: Doomsday are as fresh today, speaking volumes to how groundbreaking and forward-thinking the music and Dumile’s production were before the turn of the millennium.
Although the MF DOOM character would often try to keep his personality separate from Dumile’s own story, the story behind the mask and Dumile’s rise to acclaim is an inspirational story of perseverance through personal tragedy. In the early 1990s, Dumile felt betrayed by the music industry. As part of the hip-hop group KMD, Dumile was grappling with being dropped from Elektra records after their sophomore album was shelved for controversial and radically charged album art. This news came only months after the passing of his younger brother and fellow KMD bandmate. Finding himself disillusioned and let down by the industry, Dumile disappeared.
After almost half a decade of silence, he re-emerged determined to make his own space in the hip-hop underground and seek his form of revenge. Armed with an iconic, zany production style and wonky beats, Dumile utilised the timbre of his deep and raspy New York-accented voice as an instrument in its own right, serving up internal rhyme schemes with an unmistakable braggadocious charm, marking the birth of MF DOOM.
Despite the acclaim that DOOM received, Dumile never fell victim to his success. He never once seemed governed or pressured by the public or his peers. As a result, he was able to stay dedicated and undeterred from his unconventional creative vision, rapping under several aliases and exploring whatever darkly comic and menacing subject matter he desired rather than pander to what was expected of him. Dumile always seemed unimpressed by the glamour and notoriety so many of his contemporaries chased, all the while never sounding like he was trying too hard. Although as a lyricist his output is practically unparalleled, his apathetic attitude and effortless delivery only made his audacious rhyme schemes and sharp wit even more effective.
Dumile’s many personas – whether it’s supervillain MF DOOM, Machiavellian Viktor Vaughn or even the three-headed kaiju King Geedorah – each represent his rebellion against commercialisation and the expectation of an “artist”. Through these identities, Dumile took a step further away from egoism and the importance of the artist themselves, discarding all conjecture, to place primary focus on the sound, mythos, and lyricism of his work above all else.
Perhaps after considering all the above, It is unsurprising that MF DOOM is often referred to as “your favourite rapper’s favourite rapper”. He has solidified himself as an icon in the independent rap scene and the king of underground hip-hop by challenging preconceptions. Dumile decimated the concept of ego and cemented his reputation as one of the best MCs to have ever lived; someone who can play the villain, whilst offering a sense of belonging and escapism to a community of misfits through comforting fiction. Dumile has gifted the world a seemingly endless trove of creativity and mystique, and it is a true testament to his genius that within his body of work and beyond, there is always something new to be discovered – be that an unknown project or collaboration, or a sly double-entendre within lines. Although his personal story has come to a close, the legacy and creative influence of MF DOOM will always persevere and his presence in the industry will undoubtedly be felt for generations.
“Ever since the womb ‘til I’m back where my brother went, that’s what my tomb will say. Right above my government Dumile. Either unmarked or engraved, hey, who’s to say?”
EXPLORE THE MUSIC OF DANIEL DUMILE BELOW:
HALF CUT TRIBUTE BY DJ PICNIC.
