A Tribute to MF DOOM
“On Doomsday, 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?”
Why do I write? Because of MF DOOM. Not just DOOM, but because of rhymers like him. The emcees who imaginatively craft worlds through metaphor, clever punchlines, and hyperbole. MF DOOM was a modern-day bard. The epic universes he created could not be comprehended in a single listen. After countless plays, I still catch previously missed nuances in his rhymes. That’s why DOOM is one of my favorite storytellers and why his passing late last year felt like 2020’s final sucker punch.
DOOM passed on Halloween, but the bitter news wasn’t shared with the public until New Year’s Eve. It was as if the self-proclaimed super-villain scripted it all himself—an exit befitting the mysterious rapper who rhymed behind a chrome-colored Spartan mask.
In 1991, I was but a wee lad, yet I recall watching KMD’s video for “Peachfuzz” in awe. The rappers on the track dexterously exchanged rhyme with breezy ease. The group, consisting of Zev Love X, Subroc, and Onyx, were poised for great things.
Sadly, Subroc died after being struck by a car in 1993. The group was eventually dropped from their label, and Subroc’s bereaved sibling, Zev Love X, appeared to vanish into obscurity.
Watch KMD’s “Peachfuzz” video on YouTube:
Zev Love X reemerged in 1999, reincarnated as MF DOOM. At the time no one knew who he was. His voice had lost its youthful innocence, and he wore the now-iconic mask. Zev Love X was lyrical in the early ’90s, but he was next level as DOOM.
MF DOOM’s debut album “Doomsday” set the course for the enigmatic emcee to become the king of hip hop’s underground—a realm where verbal wit trumps the simplicity of mainstream rap. Doom’s braggadocio rhyme style was intricate and layered, clever, and funny.
“Joking rhymes, like the "Is you just happy to see me?" trick
Classical slapstick rappers need Chapstick
A lot of 'em sound like they in a talent show
So I give 'em something to remember like the Alamo
Tally-ho! A high Joker like a Spades game
Came back from five years laying and stayed the same
Saying, electromagnetic field it blocks all logic, Spock
And G-Shocks her biological clock…” -- MF DOOM “Rhymes Like Dimes”
It wasn’t until “Madvillainy,” DOOM’s 2004 collaboration with super-producer Madlib, that the world took notice. Day one fans knew that Metal Face was a special talent, but seeing him embraced by a wider audience was exhilarating. Rolling Stone included “Madvillainy” among its list of 500 greatest albums of all time. Number 365, to be exact.
Watch the “Accordion” video (from the “Madvillainy” album) on YouTube:
A myriad of tributes have appeared online since the announcement of DOOM’s death a week ago. Articles have been written, murals painted, and beautiful fan art shared on social media. The outpouring is a testament to the man who selflessly contributed so much to hip-hop culture. Although he has returned to the essence to be with his brother, his music and memory continue to inspire.
A Sampling of MF DOOM Tributes on Instagram
