MF DOOM (born Daniel Dumile, 1971–2020) was a British-American rapper and producer widely regarded as one of the most technically gifted MCs in hip-hop history. He performed wearing a metal mask modelled on the Marvel Comics villain Doctor Doom, a persona he adopted after the death of his brother and rap partner Subroc in 1993. He released classic albums including 'Operation: Doomsday' (1999), 'Madvillainy' (2004, with Madlib), and 'MM..FOOD' (2004).

MF DOOM died on October 31, 2020, though his death was not publicly announced by his family until December 31, 2020. He was 49. The cause of death was not officially disclosed by his family. He died in London, where he had been living after being denied re-entry to the United States in 2010 following a visa issue.

Why did MF DOOM wear a mask?

MF DOOM adopted his metal mask after a period of personal crisis following the 1993 death of his brother and creative partner Zev Love X (Subroc) in a car accident. The mask — modelled on Marvel's Doctor Doom — became both armour and persona, allowing him to perform as a character rather than as himself. He occasionally sent imposters to perform in the mask on his behalf, a tactic he called 'sending DOOM' that became legendary and controversial in hip-hop.

The Supervillain Who Killed Himself to Live

Genre: hip-hop, underground, MF DOOM, abstract, 1990s, 2000s

February 21, 2026

After tragedy derailed his career, a rapper reinvented himself as MF DOOM—a masked supervillain who forever changed underground hip-hop.

Tracks

1. Peachfuzz — KMD
2. Who Me? — KMD
3. Doomsday — MF DOOM, Pebbles The Invisible Girl
4. Rhymes Like Dimes — MF DOOM, DJ Cucumber Slice
5. Dead Bent — MF DOOM
6. Accordion — Madvillain, Madlib, MF DOOM
7. Meat Grinder — Madvillain, Madlib, MF DOOM
8. All Caps — Madvillain, Madlib, MF DOOM
9. Rapp Snitch Knishes — MF DOOM, Mr. Fantastik
10. Figaro — Madvillain, Madlib, MF DOOM

Read the full story on UpTune →