MF Doom, Prolific Masked Underground Rapper, Dead At 49

Daniel Dumile, the hip-hop artist who performed in a metallic mask under the moniker MF Doom for decades, has died, his family member reported on Thursday (December 31). According to a note posted to his social media accounts, Doom died on October 31; no cause was given.


His partner, Jasmine, penned the statement that started, start all things by giving thanks to THE ALL!" And was addressed to "Dumile."


"The greatest spouse, father, teacher, student, firm partner, lover and friend I may ever ask for," it reads. "Thank you for all of the things you have shown, taught and given to me, our children and our family member. 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 ideal person I may ever be. My world will never be the same without you. Words will never express what you and Malachi mean to me, I love both and enjoy you routinely. May THE ALL continue to bless you, our family member and the planet."


Born in London and raised in New York soon after his family member relocated to New York, Doom spent his early years in music as Zev Love X in the rap sort KMD with his brother, DJ Subroc, in the early 1990s. One of his earliest appearances was on 3rd Bass's "The Gas Face" in 1989. Right after his brother's death, Doom reemerged as a formidable underground hip-hop presence, donning what became his signature mask similar to that of Marvel Comics villain Doctor Doom. "A visual habitually brings a first impression," he told The New Yorker in 2009. Nevertheless if there's going to be a first impression I might as well use it to operate the story. So why not do something like throw a mask on?”


In the annals of music history, Doom is perhaps best known for 2004's Madvillainy, one of the most celebrated hip-hop albums of all time. A group effort with DJ and producer Madlib, the duo called themselves Madvillain, and their debut album showcased a panoply of subterranean sounds that, as well as fellow visionary J Dilla, helped solidify a moody sonic vocabulary for the genre rooted in unexpected samples and hazy beats. They released a remix album in 2008.


An incredibly prolific artist, his discography went well behind Madvillainy. He released six solo albums under various aliases, additionally to other collaborations with folks like Danger Mouse, Westside Gunn, Czarface, Jneiro Jarel, Bishop Nehru, and also a series of instrumental albums. A producer and also a MC, Doom made music for other artists like Ghostface Killah and Joey Badass well.


and also Danny Brown, he featured on The Avalanches's peppy hit "Frankie Sinatra" in 2016. Earlier in December, he released a slightly psychedelic new teamwork with BadBadNotGood entitled "The Chocolate Conquistadors."


Fellow artists and fans are distributing their love for Doom on social media.