Mf Doom is still your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper.
MF Doom was the ultimate anti-hero of hip hop. The quintessential anti-rapper. In a genre mired in celebrity and fame, Doom resolved to remain underground. In a genre predicated on a rapper’s image, Doom sported a mask, shrouding his personal life in mystery. These days, fans demand more and more of artists, including unlimited access to their faves’ personal lives. In contrast, Doom trolled his fanbase: he is infamous for sending out imposters to perform for him at concerts.
After the tragic passing of his brother, Daniel Dumile took a break from music; soon afterwards, Elektra Records dropped him; eventually, he found himself homeless, barely making enough to scrape by. It was at this point Dumile vowed revenge on, in his own words, “the industry that so badly deformed him.” From that vow, The Villain emerged.
Despite renouncing the fame and celebrity that comes with hip hop superstardom, Doom has made a name for himself. Despite being underground, he is perhaps the most influential and popular ‘underground’ rapper ever. Even if the average hip hop fan doesn’t know who he is, there is a reason he’s called “your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper”. In honor of Dumile, here is a collection of artists talking about hip hop’s most mysterious superstar.
Tyler the Creator and Earl Sweatshirt
Earl & Tyler often cite Doom as a major influence in their music. Odd Future, supergroup that exploded on the scene in the early 2010s, was a group of outsiders and self-proclaimed weirdos. Like MF, they renounced mainstream sensibilities, and by doing so, attracted a large cult following. Doom paved the way for their unorthodox rise to hip hop stardom.
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Doom’s impact is clearest on Earl; his intricate rhyme schemes, dense wordplay, and off-kilter flow all reek of the Villain. Most of all, Earl has increasingly taken more risks in his music. Take Feet of Clay, a project so experimental it is almost unlistenable to most hip hop fans. Some argue that Earl intentionally sabotaged his own career to stay true to his craft. Like Doom, Earl’s music takes the path less traveled. He is content making unconventional art, even though he loses fans by doing so. Like Doom, he’s a weirdo: it makes him all more special to fans who stick around.
Drake
Drake has been the symbol of mainstream hip hop for the last decade. So the thought that Doom of all people would be among his faves seems ludicrous to many hip hop purists. However, there is overwhelming evidence to prove it.
Yes, you read that right.
Critics often accuse Drake of selling out his artistry for crossover appeal, and originality for sales. Doom represents the complete opposite, forgoing fame to stay true to his craft. Regardless, it doesn’t change the fact that Drake is a huge Doom fan.
In an instagram story last year, Drake gave a short list of hip hop artists he looked up to. In addition to The Roots, Phonte and Slum Village, MF Doom himself made the list. Drake has referenced the rapper’s music several times in his rhymes and on social media. There is even this old Drake homage to Doom’s classic song “All Caps”.
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Mos Def (aka Yasin Bey)
Mos Def is a hip hop veteran in his own right. Yasin is infamous for being a top tier lyricist, earning himself a spot in the old head hall of fame. So his admiration of Doom, as a legendary wordsmith himself, carries a lot of weight.
Here is a video of Mos Def fanboy-ing over Doom bars.
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Joey B4da$$$ and Capital STEEZ
Joey B4da$$$ and Capital STEEZ are also rappers who cite the Doom as an influence. Both have multiple tracks over MF Doom instrumentals. Beyond that, Doom has had a clear impact on the music put out by the Pro-Era collective. In sound, feel, and aesthetic, the two, particularly the late Capital STEEZ, takes a lot of cues from the villain. Though the 90s sound is not special to Doom, you can definitely feel his presence in their music.
Childish Gambino
Childish Gambino is another rapper who sang praises of The Villain. He cites MF Doom and The Pharcyde as main influences: “MF Doom, when we were in college, like me and DC, that’s all we listened to freshman year, sophomore year. MF Doom. And it was great because he had this — his thing was like, he had a cool voice, he was rapping about comics, but also he was doing punchline rap way before anybody was doing it. Before Lil Wayne got a hold of it.” Paste Magazine
The Boondocks
Unrelated, but several of Doom’s greatest hits are all over The Boondocks. Dumile’s greatest hits is practically the soundtrack of the show. Aaron McGruder is obviously a fan. So Doom is also your favorite TV producer’s favorite rapper!
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Hip hop still reels from the passing of our dear Dumile. But the impact and legacy of his rhymes will stand the test of time.
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