7. KMD & the origin of MF DOOM | FULL EPISODE | What Had Happened Was (Open Mike Eagle Podcast)

During his legendary run as an A&R at Elektra Records, Dante Ross signed a rap trio out of Long Island NY called KMD. After overseeing and releasing their debut album Mr. Hood, one of the members of the group, DJ Subroc, tragically died. The remaining core member of the group was Subroc's brother Zev Love X and Sub's passing would lead Zev down a dark road. He emerged from his grief as the legendary MF DOOM. Dante worked closely with the group and was a friend of DOOM throughout his life and he tells the entire story in this emotional episode.
#MFDOOM #OpenMikeEagle #Podcast
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About What Had Happened Was:
Open Mike Eagle Sits down with the legendary creators in hip-hop to discuss their life, impact, and legacy over the course of a season. Season one covers DJ Prince Paul (De La Soul, Handsome Boy Modeling School). Season two covers El-P (Company Flow, Run the Jewels) Brought to you by Stony Island Audio.

[@chinbeats6551]

Dante is highly responsible for an era in hip hop that raised me with all the artists he signed and was involved with. I look up to dude a lot.

[@Pericles777]

“Born Like This” is very underrated I fucking love it

[@mb102]

Born like this and keys to the kuffs are he's most technical. His career over all is crazy but those two albums along with danger doom are insane precision.....

[@oldwalt4645]

I first heard about Subroc's passing and the dropping of KMD from the label when I was going to school in the ATL. I bought the Nitty Gritty cassette with Plumskinzz on the b side earlier and was patiently waiting for the album release. I think I played Plumskinzz 6 months straight. The original album not coming out was a huge disappointment for me. Fast forward 10 - 12 years later and I'm hearing this buzz on the internet about some guy named MF DOOM. I didn't give it too much thought until I heard it was Zev Love X. I've been a loyal fan ever since. Hands down his career is the greatest comeback in hip hop history and an inspiration. Dante Ross is a legend and plays a critical role in IMO the most creative era in hip hop.

[@bagley232]

Mr Ross, as an older hip hop fan (i'm 59) who found MF DOOM's music in 2019, I appreciate you sharing your perspective and experiences with DOOM. understood you no longer wish to share your memories publicly, but as a fan and for the next generation of DOOM fans your history gives us the ability to really take a closer listen to his music and more deeply connect with DOOM's legacy and contribution to the culture. Fans, continue to make sure DOOM's family eats, "BUY" HIS MUSIC!!!

[@itsawrapent]

MAN!!!!!! A Del the funky homosapien/DOOM project would of been BONKERS!!!!!!!!

[@byHexted]

I think my dream track would’ve been if he hopped on that one Del song that El-P featured on and I think produced

[@Empty7able]

No doubt. It would've been epic.

[@MFgabesylar3030]

Bro, agreed! Would of been legendary. Especially both of them in their prime.

[@dno8212]

That would have been Unbelievable

[@Rileysparadox]

No... it would have not.. We knew Del personally he had a spot in NY... he came to the funeral when Subroc passed to pay his respect... but as far as an album NO... DOOMs production and lyrical skill is way passed Dels.. Remember Del was manufactured by Ice cube so that whole image was created from that first album.. Del is Del but its not exactly what you think... Trust me.. Del had many opportunities to work with my brother... Del wanted 3 grand for a verse and we said no... So there was plans but no... I told DOOM not to... Trust me most of you really don't know what really goes on... and if you really knew about sum of these so called artist you wouldn't support any of the crap.

[@chrisheiner6584]

All the roach was never dead lines have a lot more depth to me now.

[@floridahybridsnakeoildocto1335]

Wow 🤯 you're right

[@grinchoi1]

One of the best interviews I’ve seen. The whole season with Dante is excellent.

[@mistakfresh3494]

"Before he (Serch) goes and tells one of his infamous fables like writing for Rakim..." 🤣🤣

[@wheresthelie6224]

that was a complete misunderstanding. serch never said that

[@mistakfresh3494]

@@wheresthelie6224 yeah I saw the vlad interview. Seems the media just wanted to spark controversy

[@jamesr6234]

exactly lol that was wild

[@quiyaomah9]

Thank you for this piece of history. I can't imagine how hard it is to speak about a friend after he's passed.....

[@betoq92]

Mike you’re doing gods work here

[@Empty7able]

Yes, he is. He's representing our childhood.

[@jonhrabkofilms]

Wow dude, thank you so much for bringin us these Dante Ross interviews! This is GOLD!

[@ParkayCollecttibles]

Im Really Grateful to here this Interview! RIP DOOM

[@thegivinofficial5796]

R.I.P DOOM and shout out to Dante for his passion for puttin out Great music .. and also the love he shares for the artists to this day !!!

[@tamulawrence8358]

I can't say enough what DOOMs everything meant to me, his music/vibe was with me through the most unbelievably hardest time in my life. THANK YOU.

[@thomasfrederick1492]

Thanks for this Dante! And you too Mike, l really appreciate what you are doing with this podcast! Especially being an old head, LOL.

[@Nickel138]

Legendary. Commenting early, but I know this will be good. Open Mike Eagle on KMD and MF Doom. Amazing.

[@acebutter9241]

I love the attention for the Mr Hood album. Still one of my favourites. I really love that quirky sound . I think influenced by Prince Paul. All in all a great interview with great questions and alot of emotion. I was hooked.

[@djshocase4577]

Dope content y'all. Major shout out to Dane Ross for having the vision to sign these groups that laid out the soundtrack to my teenage years. Btw, why did Onyx part ways with KMD? I think Plumskinz was the only track that he was on for the Black Bastards project..but it seems like his verse was might have been taken out...I have to go back to that album. I'd love some insight on what happened.

[@Therealkevinlittle]

Yo this podcast is FIRE 🔥 HOW DID YOU PULL THIS OFF?!

[@mrtyecee]

I've watched all of these episodes and this is some of the best content you'll find anywhere about hip-hop. You're a great interviewer and Dante Ross is a legend. Great work! 👍🏽✌🏽

[@Raisedbywolves13]

Everything still going according to plan man...

[@SurgeCess]

I keep a flick of you with the machete sword in your hand

[@quadjaysport]

Damn… Dante Ross clearly don’t fuck with Charlie Brown and MC Serch, I ain’t surprised about Serch but Charlie didnt seem like that until you rewatch the LONS interviews and peep he’s the type to be quiet unless he the loudest in the room and when you in a group with a nigga like BUSTA RHYMEEESSSSSS… I can see how that shit didn’t work

[@kuahmelallah]

He was pretty fed up with Puba too apparently. Maybe time healed some of the wounds, but stories show all 3 men were known for serious out of pocket antics.

[@quadjaysport]

@@kuahmelallah I gotta check that vid out because I do remember Grand Puba used to be wild. He'll literally never show up to shit on time, EVER. He was known for that

[@NorthStarGeneral]

Who's that Brown?? 😂

[@Itstightonyoududes]

Dante, you a BIG part of all this. Props..you DESERVE the love + great relationships you built. Much love, Thank you from tha 2WIN Cities.

[@melaninfuture]

Good stories. I always get bits and pieces of the Kurious, KMD, CM, and Heiro connection. I’m really enjoying hearing more pieces to the puzzle.

[@uncomfortabletruth7139]

Man,this show is authentic I really like the content especially talking about MF DOOM I'm a fan of his like Dilla ,Forever wish I could have personally met both of them

[@glennusher4160]

Dante is the Godfather of Hiphop groups..

[@GROVERBOX]

great, great interview. I appreciate Dante's perspective. Looking forward to reading his book.

[@MrNotaComedian]

Insightful

[@jnypaver]

Great stuff, thank you!

[@thecunninlynguist]

This was a fantastic episode

[@vvvvaaaacccc]

awesome interview.

[@sizwem.kunene1875]

I love this episode man, thank u Mike & Dante

[@XavierCoolDude]

Been watching these Dante Ross interviews. Late 80s.early 90s obsessed with hip hop and elekra was arguably my fav label-Brand Nubian,KMD, LONS, Pete Rock. KMD-Peeachfuzz & Who Me were incredible.Nitty Gritty is underrated posse cut. Dante is a walking hip hop historian. (Just gotta say that Howard Hewitt Show Me was that fire!!!

[@diegoayala3224]

Yo yo peace and thank you for the interview on my brothers Doom and Raheem aka subroc 🙏🏼 RIP . Pretty much on point But we are all from Long Beach actually Hudson St was just renamed MF Doom way blvd Dante thanks for the good memory and honesty onyx sent me this a while ago I’m just now watching it i still miss my brothers 2 much and shit be hard 2 watch and listen 2 but great interview keep up the good work from the entire GYP .

[@slimoslimsonowski197]

Much respect for Dante and yourself , LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE

[@B-Nice]

Thank you for this Mike!!! Dante was involved in so much of the music that raised me!

[@alteredhiphop7332]

Great interview.

[@BSANTANA1]

Just discovered your series. Just what I’ve been needing. Great content.

[@ozziewilson-vo]

Really loved this!! Dante's the truth!!

[@Empty7able]

Big ups to this interview. This is much appreciated. The real never dies.

[@MegaVern1]

Appreciate all of these videos with you guys!!!! The knowledge and back stories!

[@platogenova9573]

3rd time back listening to these. Thanks Mike. Ross’s favourite word is cognisant.

[@findingforever72]

This interview was absolutely everything!! Respect ✊🏾✊🏾

[@The_Music_cave]

Dante is one of my favorite people growing up.. my sons middle name is Dante because of him❤

[@trzarector]

The insight this series provides is nuts! Always wanted to hear Dante's stories as I always saw his name on the Elektra labels. Elektra was always a label that I loved. Also dude produced Dope on Plastic? I long wondered how House of Pain and Sadat X linked up... I guess I know now.

[@erwinrogers9470]

Classic 🔥

[@jeffreypeterson8386]

Respect

[@kuahmelallah]

So much sadness in the KMD/Doom story that involves a lot of people.

[@ToddRodSkimmins]

No words…👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[@deanivan3951]

MF Doom, Slick Rick And Monie Love Three Dope British Emcees!

[@MFgabesylar3030]

DOOM NY as fuck haha. He may have been born in the UK. But he was 100% an NY rapper

[@lamontricks1074]

Love the Peach fuzz video

[@Qfakts]

Great Conversation! DOOM ALL CAPS!!

[@RobertMunro-wb6jb]

That subroc 12” on fondle em . It sounded like a roc & stop smoking that s#!t ! Is an absolute gem and those doom 12” pre operation dooms day with the little changes in the mix & beats ! Definitely hunt them if like me your a completist

[@brolickscholar3083]

Dante Kicking actual facts…..✊🏽

[@marvinphotog8602]

I don't think he lost his contract, I think he found a way out.

[@RubenGarcia-kw1cv]

Dela skit Dante Isa scrub remember that now I'm introduced to him great guy very interesting didn't know who de la was talking about back then lol

[@GoofyFootersRule]

Great ques 3:48

[@JOEYNOSEBEATS]

I saw that card at an amusement park called Rocky Point. Summer 1991: KMD, Leaders, Brand Nubian (minus Puba).

[@dogsandyoga1743]

3:13 Howard Hewitt caught a stray 😂

[@sloburnjo]

Ha, all these years and I thought he was a brother ! LoL. He like the DEF JAM duo is a legend.

[@redsimmons6791]

Peach Fuzz dropped when I was 13/14. Song means alot because that’s when i started getiing into Females strong✊🏽✅. The hair was starting to grow in certain areas also👌🏽😎

[@yehoshuanathaniel573]

Kmd was also influenced by Dr . York

[@kuahmelallah]

As was Jay-Z, Jaz, and Tragedy

[@dedrickkirkem1685]

We are from LONG BEACH< NEW YORK, NOT Lakeview! We made the video "WHO ME" in Lakeview in MC Onyx's father's barber shop! Get it right Dante!

[@sereal2091]

Bro you were in KMD?

[@diegoayala3224]

Yea he was dancer and Quest 2

[@copywrite9120]

Dante is a God

[@brolickscholar3083]

Madliberator!! MF Grimm and MF Doom!!!

They are not rappers they are mcs

[@gbenoit761]

Truth. If you don't know, learn the difference peoples!

@@gbenoit761 most to all do not know but one's who do still going along with the rapper title

[@lamontricks1074]

I love KMD Mr. Good album I brought it when it came out I wore it out Lol

[@charlesevans4368]

Peachfuzz

[@christophercondoll5471]

This was my joint! 🔥

[@thebigoilkanlarry]

Its a year late but I kinda want to hear the 3rd Bass story from Dante. He almost implies that Search is as political as Charlie Brown was in this one which is what alot of people say.

[@Raisedbywolves13]

Shout out the whole G.Y.P GET YOURZ POSSE J-Quest Al-Quest Ahmed Otis Diego Shamone E Double 80 DEKA Lou@Roc Dim Ride the cosmic to the Godz who transitioned Rasul Subroc (Dingalizwe) DOOM Kev...

[@solutionspecialist8303]

Dante os way better that search forget his going forward everyone needs a day job but it sucks working for fast food and energy drinks when you produced tea monks but at least.... He sets is straight regard the Mr bobo.... As limited as he is about props to Pete atleast he sets it straight about Mr bobo that really props Pete forever...

[@paullessard2239]

OME wearing an ALL t. ALL!

[@davidelsholz494]

When is the MC Paul Barman episode gonna happen?

[@sak2881]

Hi, loving the series I’m working my way through every one. This is my first comment I’ve always seen Dante’s name on inside credits since waaaay back to finally put a face to the name is pretty cool. I find Madvillan Dooms (actually both) most over rated album. Madlib has done some of the realest and sickest hip hop ever, been on to madlib since ‘04 doom as Doom in ‘02 I came across the MF ep for the first time.. I just can’t get into Madvillan. I find the second half more enjoyable but it’s so quick the albums over then. I find, in general, ppl mention that album as some amazing achievements where if anyone became a household name of that lp it was Doom.. there’s better for both artists.. the two obvious for me Viktor Vaughn & Food.. & madlib..? Whatever throw the two Quasi’s in the ring. Done. And the remixes, the remix of that album is just as bad in my opinion unfortunately I don’t understand it I find it interesting their that abstract still I guess that even after all this time when I try and play them I’m left wondering what the f* is this?

[@BlackDotLiving]

I think that was the whole point

[@thegivinofficial5796]

29:22 mysteriouse killing ?

[@copywrite9120]

"It wasn't meant to be" a bad cop out

[@Raisedbywolves13]

Look up 80 DEKA he is a member of G.Y.P

[@brolickscholar3083]

MF Grimm

[@dedrickkirkem1685]

and sub didnt get hit on the l.i.e. it was 878

[@XyGemini]

You knew DOOM and Subroc personally?

[@protoolsboy]

Dante Ross gets a Gas face😂

[@deonnadyson]

Wow

[@Raisedbywolves13]

80 DEKA... WAS PIVOTAL FOR THE GIVING THEM THE RECORDS 100%FACTS!

[@germxv]

Damn, Charlie brown was a big time playa hater!!

[@solutionspecialist8303]

Actual facts have no overstanding over Pete ever Pete and puba should have just handled it they both would have benefited Mash it up now these days few have the voice and style and Pete always stands out Even if you mash up that mf doom Scooby track with pete it stands out slice in all 3rd bass Pete solo verses he just climbs If we were in the 80 or 90$ and gave a g advance for skate vid Pete mash up people would kill it.... They were already blasting Pete nice way before the CBS crew on the skate scene across the SW....... As Ryan simonetti was producing stevo before he was famous Hey Valdez check his video the legend of Joey Valdez he got more props on the skate scene than any after 90s Dante Ross ever got any of his artists.... The skaters are not a market it's a community with it's own mf dooms and legacy and loyal listeners and a Pete nice or ouba on a skate video is forever.. none of the nwo energy drink fake hip hop will ever make it to a skate demo ever All the people want is justice old school underdogs project blowed Pete nice vl not Pete rock leaders of the new daddy long everyone knows the inside stories on the disfunctional party crowds and hyped spin off infight bobo shit

[@Raisedbywolves13]

Subroc became Dead Roach... Aka Kingalizwe

[@Raisedbywolves13]

80 DEKA gave DOOM and Subroc... the records for Black Bastards....

[@Raisedbywolves13]

Onyx... Fixing his flattop Damn i hate that flattop.. Wudup Alonzo... Shout out to Phil the Barber