MF DOOM’s Masterpiece: MM..FOOD

By Jarris Jones
Music Journalist

If you are a hip-hop fan, then there are certain records that are universally known amongst your peers; records that stand out, stand the test of time and are used to inspire generations of musicians and music goers. When I think of an album that meets these criteria, I think of none other than MM..FOOD by the Madvillain himself, MF DOOM. DOOM wore a mask that became his trademark; the man behind the mask is Daniel Dumile, aka Metal Fingers, DOOM, or King Geedorah if you prefer to call him by his other alter egos.

Dumile would get his start in the rap game in the late 80s with a rap group named KMD. The group consisted of Zev Love X, which was DOOM’s original rap name at the time, his brother Dingilizwe “DJ Subroc” Dumile, and Jade 1. After the tragic death of his brother, Dumile disappeared from the rap game but resurfaced five years later; that is when the Villain emerged. Before he wore the mask we know and love today, he first experimented with bandanas and ski masks.

DOOM would go on record to say that he wore that mask because he wanted to be judged by his skills and not by his face. DOOM would even use sound bites from the Marvel Comics supervillain Doctor Doom, who wore a similar mask.

I wouldn’t be introduced to the genius of MF DOOM until I was a junior in high school in 2017. The first song I ever heard from DOOM was “Curls” from his record Madvillainy, which was released in March 2004. Later that same year, he released MM..FOOD on November 16, 2004; the 15-song record with a 49-minute playtime is one of the most celebrated records in the world of hip-hop.

Thanks to his witty rhymes and unique production, DOOM cemented his name in the rap game forever. Songs such as “One Beer,” “Deep Fried Frenz,” “Kon Queso,” and my personal favorite, “Rapp Snitch Knishes,” made DOOM standout from his peers and showed everyone what the rap game was missing.

The reason “Rapp Snitch Knishes” holds my number one spot is due to the famous lead guitar lick used throughout the song. The lead guitar would come from a sample of “Space Oddity,” covered by Dave Matthews. One of the things I love about the album is that almost every song has a song title named after food, and the cover art incorporates and uses food as well.

DOOM would go on to make and produce many other great albums under his different aliases. Leaving the world in the true fashion of a Villain, DOOM passed away on October 31, 2020, at the age of 49. Whenever I listen to MF DOOM, I always have a deep appreciation for the artwork and the time put behind the music he made, and I am forever grateful that he shared his art with the world. I know that no matter what era of my life I am in, DOOM’s music will always be a part of me. If he only had one fan in the world, it would be me.

Thank you, DOOM, for not only inspiring me but a whole generation of music listeners. And don’t forget to use all caps when you spell the man’s name. May you rest in peace, MF DOOM.

Featured Image from Rhymesayers Entertainment