The reclusive, prolific, and revered hip-hop cult figure known as MF DOOM has passed away at age 49, as revealed by his wife Jasmine on his Instagram page earlier today. Known for his highly intricate wordplay, legendary concept albums, and wholly larger-than-life persona, his influence has permeated through various generations of musicians and his passing has served as a massive blow to the hip-hop and music community.
rIP mF dOOM ! wTF
— 🧛🏿♀️ (@playboicarti) December 31, 2020
safe travels villain
— Tyler, The Creator (@tylerthecreator) December 31, 2020
His cause of death has yet to be revealed but it was disclosed that the rapper, whose real name was Daniel Dumile, transitioned on October 31st of this year.
Daniel Dumile was born in London but was raised in Long Island, New York after moving there with his family in the 70's. He started rapping under the moniker Zev Love X and formed the hip-hop group KMD alongside his brother DJ Sub Roc and eventually signed to Elektra Records. The group dropped their debut album Mr. Hood and then the controversial follow up Black Bastards before getting dropped by the label 1993. Shortly after, DJ Subroc tragically passed away in a hit and run accident.
Following the tragedy, Zev took a hiatus from music and disappeared for about 5 years, re-emerging in 1998 with a whole new persona as MF DOOM with a whole supervillain origin story and signature metal mask. He went on to become an underground hip-hop legend with an unprecedented string of projects from his 1999 debut Operation: Doomsday, to his breakthrough collaborative album with producer Madlib, Madvillainy, which has been touted as one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all-time.
DOOM created a whole musical universe filled with comic book show samples, off-beat and highly inventive beats, a keen oddball sense of humor mixed with cryptic songwriting, and a whole cast of fictional characters that would make appearances throughout most of his projects. His music has influenced a whole generation of artists, including Flying Lotus, Tyler The Creator, Earl Sweatshirt, Joey Bad@$$, Open Mike Eagle, Danny Brown, Lupe Fiasco, and so many may more.
RIP to another Giant your favorite MC’s MC .. MF DOOM!!
crushing news…— QTip (@QtipTheAbstract) December 31, 2020
I know we are in a pandemic but we have to celebrate DOOM. Just playing the music isn’t good enough.
— YASUKE (@flyinglotus) December 31, 2020
Thanx DOOM…I learned so much from you about the art of rapping. Studied and analyzed you for years as recently as a few days ago. I wish I could’ve met you to tell you that. ❤️🙏🏾…here’s some raps…rest easy…Amin… pic.twitter.com/1njyEArfzT
— TAPE TAPE & HOUSE EP NOW PLAYING (@LupeFiasco) January 1, 2021
All these new rappers don't talk to me till u memorize "Beef Rap" by MF DOOM word for word
— Danny Brown (@xdannyxbrownx) April 18, 2017
"To Dumile, The greatest husband, father, teacher, student, business partner, lover and friend I could ever ask for. Thank you for all the things you have shown, taught and given to me, our children and our family. Thank you for teaching me how to forgive beings and give another chance, not to be so quick to judge and write off. Thank you for showing how not to be afraid to love and be the best person I could ever be. My world will never be the same without you." – Jasmine Dumile
