Legendary rapper and producer MF DOOM has died at the age of 49, his family have confirmed.
Posting on his Instagram account, his wife Jasmine revealed that the rapper (real name Daniel Dumile) passed away on October 31, 2020 – but broke the news tonight (Thursday December 31, 2020). His cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
Jasmine wrote: “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.”
She continued: “My world will never be the same without you. Words will never express what you and Malachi mean to me, I love both and adore you always. May THE ALL continue to bless you, our family and the planet.
“All my Love. Jasmine. Transitioned October 31,2020.”
DOOM, who was known for his sharp, intricate rhymes and his signature Marvel-inspired mask, which he never removed in public, was born in London but moved to New York as a child. Before launching a solo career, he went by Zev Love X as part of the group KMD alongside his younger brother DJ Subroc and Onyx The Birthstone Kid.
The group released their debut album ‘Mr. Hood’ in 1991. Their controversial follow-up, ‘Black Bastards’, which was recorded in 1993, was shelved by Elektra Records and KMD were dropped. It came soon after Subroc was killed while attempting to cross an expressway. After being heavy bootlegged, the album was finally released in 1998 on Bobbito Garcia’s (of Stretch and Bobbito fame) Fondle ‘Em Records.
The influential rapper and producer, who performed using various monikers, went on to release six solo albums, including his acclaimed debut ‘Operation: Doomsday’ and 2004’s ‘Mm.. Food’. He also released a number of instrumental projects and a handful of collaborative albums, most notably ‘Madvillainy’ with Madlib, ‘The Mouse And The Mask’ with Danger Mouse, and ‘Czarface Meets Metal Face’ with Czarface.
While he hadn’t released a solo album since 2009’s Born Like This, he remained active in the decade that followed. Earlier this month, BADBADNOTGOOD released a collaboration with DOOM entitled ‘The Chocolate Conquistadors’, which featured in the new Cayo Perico Heist update of GTA Online.
In 2005, he featured alongside Gorillaz on the track ‘November Has Come’, taken from their UK Number One album ‘Demon Days’. Other collaborators included Ghostface Killah, Westside Gunn, Flying Lotus, The Avalanches and Radiohead.
In 2017, DOOM paid tribute to his son who passed away at the age of 14.
A number of figures from the world of music and pop culture have since paid tribute to MF DOOM – hailing him as one of the most important and influential rappers of all-time.
“I understand a great deal. But I am at a loss of spiritual understanding in this moment,” tweeted Pharoahe Monch. “Someone just stabbed all my chakras. I feel cheated and lied to. I feel selfish. It’s not fair. I’m angry. Im hollering and I’m crying and I’m sorry for that. I’m so saddened. Condolences.”
Jay Electronica wrote: “May Allah be please w our Brother MF DOOM.”
I understand a great deal. But I am at a loss of spiritual understanding in this moment. Someone just stabbed all my chakras. I feel cheated and lied to. I feel selfish. It’s not fair. I’m angry. Im hollering and I’m crying and I’m sorry for that. I’m so saddened. Condolences. pic.twitter.com/L0xobLZM9C
— PHAROAHE MONCH (@pharoahemonch) December 31, 2020
May Allah be please w our Brother MF DOOM. 🤲🏿
— J A Y E L E C T R O N I C A (@JayElectronica) December 31, 2020
Jay-Z‘s engineer and music producer Young Guru said: “I can’t believe I’m writing this. RIP MF Doom!!! Please God no more death!!”
“I heard that some authors rewrote entire novels by the greats just to see how it felt. Denzel and I made UNLOCKED talking about DOOM every single day just trying to channel an ounce of the feeling. RIP MF DOOM,” said producer Kenny Beats, while El-P of Run The Jewels simply added: “MF DOOM FOREVER”.
I can’t believe I’m writing this. RIP MF Doom!!! Please God no more death!!
— Young Guru (@Young_Guru) December 31, 2020
I heard that some authors rewrote entire novels by the greats just to see how it felt
Denzel and I made UNLOCKED talking about DOOM every single day just trying to channel an ounce of the feeling
RIP MF DOOM
— kennybeats (@kennybeats) December 31, 2020
MF DOOM FOREVER
— el-p (@therealelp) December 31, 2020
See more tributes to MF DOOM, who many refer to as “your favourite rapper’s favourite rapper”, below:
safe travels villain
— Tyler, The Creator (@tylerthecreator) December 31, 2020
— Run The Jewels (@runjewels) December 31, 2020
— gorillaz (@gorillaz) January 1, 2021
rIP mF dOOM ! wTF
— 💋🧛🏿♀️ (@playboicarti) December 31, 2020
MF DOOM is the standard-bearer for rappers who pen internal rhyme patterns, who use pop culture references, who spit over cartoon loops. I can't begin to list the artists who've followed his path. As a writer, the impulse to describe what you hear as "Doom-esque" is constant
— Dean Van Nguyen (@deanvannguyen) December 31, 2020
DOOM.
🕊— 9th Wonder (@9thwonder) December 31, 2020
How ironic is it the guy wearing the mask as a character most his life… dies on HALLOWEEN in the year we all had to wear masks…. smh Rest In Peace MF DOOM.
— Statik Selektah (@StatikSelekt) December 31, 2020
LONG LIVE MFDOOM 😢😢😢😢😢 #WESTSIDEDOOM pic.twitter.com/BPjN2GLgjO
— WESTSIDEGUNN (@WESTSIDEGUNN) December 31, 2020
Rest In Peace MF DOOM
— Lloydbanks (@Lloydbanks) December 31, 2020
RIP MF DOOM. Sleep well mate. ❤️
— Sleaford Mods (@sleafordmods) December 31, 2020
MF DOOM forever – Lil B
— Lil B THE BASEDGOD (@LILBTHEBASEDGOD) December 31, 2020
LONG LIVE MF DOOM
— Denzel Curry (@denzelcurry) December 31, 2020
RIP MF DOOM WTF THIS SHIT HURT BAD
— sinCere シ (@softest_hard) December 31, 2020
RIP MF DOOM
— Aminé (@heyamine) December 31, 2020
R.I.P MF DOOM I had to do it again in all caps. #RIPMFDOOM pic.twitter.com/9xZ60bhyO7
— SHABAAM SAHDEEQ (@ShabaamSahdeeq) January 1, 2021
this man dying on halloween is the most MF DOOM way to leave earth
— aida osman (@shutupaida) December 31, 2020
2020 you funky sob you just had to take another one.
RIP MF DOOM pic.twitter.com/veK11k85ij
— Swolenko: Big Swole® (@SwoleWorld) December 31, 2020
RIP MF Doom.
— DJ Akademiks (@Akademiks) December 31, 2020
One of, if not THE most, influential artists in the game. The world lost a good one. Rest in power MF DOOM 😔
— 𝐩𝐚𝐭 (@patfriick) December 31, 2020
2020 had to do us dirty one more time. RIP MF DOOM! May your sound inspire music FOREVER! pic.twitter.com/QYsz2NV0Q0
— KOTA (@KotaTheFriend) December 31, 2020
I’m so sad that MF Doom passed. He is one of my all time greats, he was always operating in a different dimension. Bon voyage to a legend. Mm.. Food all day 😔 love you villian 😔
— Ethan Klein (@h3h3productions) December 31, 2020
One of the most incredible, innovative and powerful forces has passed away. Rest in however you wish to rest. ALL CAPS when you write his name. Travel beautifully MF DOOM pic.twitter.com/rVjmp9oOnT
— George StroumbouloPHÒulos 🐺 (@strombo) December 31, 2020
Will cherish this day forever. Rest In Peace MF Doom. 💔😭🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/Z0kOp3TcsQ
— Marco Polo (@marcopolobeats) December 31, 2020
everyone has a story about they first time they heard about MF DOOM — his mythology always seemed to precede his music and then his music always seemed to outpace the hype
— Shea Serrano (@SheaSerrano) December 31, 2020
I got most of my music knowledge working at CD wherehouse Rosebank. We were allowed to borrow one CD a night to take home and listen to. One of my boys suggested I listen to MF Doom. Shout out. #RIPMFDOOM
— Dj Dimplez (@DjDimplez) January 1, 2021