MF DOOM - The Greatest Rapper Deciphered (Part 1)

[@nickkatsoulakis6103]

I love this in depth analysis of MF DOOM’s lyrics. I haven’t gotten through all of it but wanted to add my though on his line from “Rhymes like dimes” when he says “it matters not if you’ve got a lot of what it takes to get along” he’s talking about how if you have good lyrics it doesn’t matter if you have a lot of money- this is a reference to an old song by ginger rogers called “in the money” from 1933 and the original lyrics go, “ We're in the money. We're in the money. We've got a lot of what it takes to get along.”

[@Beardqt]

that's a really cool bonus piece of info

[@LorenzowakefieldEllison]

Nice

[@TheTrainStationOG]

An ironic song to make during the depression.

[@xAlexZifko]

Helpful

[@zachyoungyuen]

mf doom is like a distant best friend, I always come back to him.

[@motioninart]

Don’t forget all caps when you spell the mans name

[@prowez]

Your distant best friend demands ALL CAPS

[@thomasdarrah9943]

All caps when you spell the man name

[@Thinkshaolin]

brah where the caps at? your keyboard literally has it's own button for that.

[@AriseFN]

@@Thinkshaolin😂

[@lingus1382]

There truly will never be another artist like MF DOOM ever again. RIP to an absolute legend

[@motioninart]

RIP the 🐐

[@metabolic2057]

Love his Poetry! Im inspired, Edit: I what genre is this? From what I understand, I can't hear hi hop, or old school rap, it sounds like "rapping" poetry hmm

[@cookdbread0542]

@@metabolic2057 i think it is hip hop. if you want similar songs listen to "Convexed" it has various artists that follow a similar slow rhyme scheme

[@NarmolSB]

@@metabolic2057 you'll never guess what the "p" in rap stands for

[@zigedelic3909]

Just a small anecdote, I was at a house party a few years ago where a bunch of dudes were in a long argument about who the best rapper of all time was. It must have been going for at least an hour, I wouldn't be surprised if it was 2+ hours. At one point it ended when one of them made a face like he was an absolute idiot and said something along the lines of "Guys, we forgot about MF Doom"

[@PorLoaf]

Thank you for making this. Seeing all the meaning and intent behind his lyrics just gives me a whole new appreciation for his work

[@motioninart]

Means a lot. Thank you for the kind words ❤️

[@seapackgaming4316]

It's not the intent and and meaning of DOOM, this is just a person trying to understand and interpreting his lyrics. You will NEVER truly understand the lyrics unless you are the person who wrote them. That said, I think he did a good job, but I would never claim to understand another persons work through a 3rd party, that's just stupid.

[@PorLoaf]

@@seapackgaming4316 I kind of figured that goes without saying. What I mean is the video highlights how much intent DOOM puts into his lyrics, regardless of the fact that the video is an interpretation. Seeing someone else's perspective on a piece of art can change how you look at it yourself, sometimes adding possible context from the author's life, or other details you may have missed. It doesn't mean you're treating that perspective as completely factual.

[@nullvoid3265]

I'm like 12 minutes in and tbe analysis is IMMACULATE. I've been sick of people talking about DOOM without actually delving into his lyrics *cough cough* absurd existence *cough cough*

[@SamTheMan666]

That's like his whole brand, a lot of the non-DOOM videos on his channel don't do so well. 👀

[@Cyktar]

I agree he can be annoying sometimes this guy is vids is amazing tho

[@Abcd-up3us]

The fact that he would have impersonators perform his own live shows, speaks more to his views on art vs fame, and his character, than anything. It shows that he hates the idea of being an idol, and wanted to destroy the idea of celebrity in the eyes of the audience. And it shows his complete lack of ego and big headedness, despite being a very beloved artist who had people willing to spend their money and time to go see him. No other artist would do that, that I can think of.

[@paulelephant9521]

If you look at what certain rap idols got up to with their celebrity and power, cough..P.Diddy, maybe he had a point that hero worship can allow bad people to abuse that power.

[@true_plays_games]

It also shows his disrespect for his fan base 😂

[@seanh9323]

If he doesn't want to perform he shouldn't, he was straight up scamming his fans.

[@glassofwater281]

It's also a funny maybe unintentional reference to Dr. Doom's clones

[@EnryEsho]

I knew there was a chance he would not show up, but when that happens to you it is not cool. I drove down 2.5 hours for a show that was supposed to stay at 9. Doors didn't open until 11. But I was still very excited because Mos def was also going to perform. Mos didn't get on until 1:30am he was up for 30 minutes but had a cool shogun type outfit. Then the doom clone came out a lil after 2. Did 2 songs and got booed off stage. He's still my favorite....

[@avon_the_trash_king6966]

Doom was on top of the whole game. RIP Vic Vaughn.

[@motioninart]

Rip the 🐐

[@hhhsp951]

At a certain point, when you get down to it, DOOM really was just a genius. Through and through. I always wonder if he kinda thought of himself as like just another dude, just like, like he felt like anyone could be him and he could be anyone, you know?

[@motioninart]

The lyricism I heard and read was just unparalleled. Super difficult to do and I don’t know too many who could come up with matching that same style. Whether or not he felt anyone could be him, maybe that was the mask idea he enjoyed having but there definitely couldn’t be anyone that replaced him.

[@hhhsp951]

​@@motioninartHe feels so larger-than-life at times. Unparalleled, indeed

[@daStonerKyd]

When I was led to you I knew you were the one for me I swear the whole world could feel you MC

[@abcnews388]

This biological male listens to mf doom?

[@imadam]

41%

[@parker_the_drummer7465]

My hat’s off to you sir, very very well done. Thank you for all the great content sharing the love of music in all it’s forms

[@parker_the_drummer7465]

P.s. please dont give up on the gizzverse!!🥺🥺🥺🥺🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@motioninart]

❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@clungebucket23]

Shakespeare-level genius... i mean... only MF bounced rhymes off Eyjafjallajokull with such nonchalance...just untouchable and i will never get over his passing...

[@Abcd-up3us]

7:35 another clever layer I figured out in Doomsday about this bar, or a more correct reading of the lyrics “men’s to the end” is that since Doom was from the UK, he’s using some UK slang as a nod to that. “Mens” is a slang for a guy you’re referencing to somebody else, and “end” is slang word for a ghetto. So he’s saying that he’s gonna take us to his troubled upbringing through his music and therefore also referencing the “audio daily double” phrase. There’s literally hundreds of ways to interpret his lyrics so there’s no way anybody could know all the references he’s making but I just wanted to add that

[@gruccinishikino12]

all caps when you spell the man's name

[@user-wg1gd5gg7s]

Lol no one says "mens" its "mans" and no one says "end" its always "ends"

[@cnut7383]

​@@user-wg1gd5gg7sdoesnt change anything

[@aVerveQuest]

Fitting "milosevic" into a verse and sampling "bukowski" is legendary on it's own. He feels like the the Dead Kennedys of rap. Doom and Most Def were criminally underappreciated

[@GHAMVs]

What a tribute to a legend

[@motioninart]

❤️

[@SnrKagemusha]

This was a joy to watch as an "old head"! Just someone taking the time to pay attention and respect to the lyrical majesty that rap, at its most refined, is. Long live the villain as he rests in peace.

[@MrMISTANOODLES]

Been listening ever since mmm…food album dropped. Still doesn’t bore me. And let’s not forget about the producer DOOM. Creative with the beats too! . Really was bummed when I read about your passing DOOM. Your many persona will live on for ever. RIP

[@christianscott8889]

Don't have the time to watch this tonight, but excited to see you upload about DOOM! Can't wait to watch this, keep up the good work!

[@motioninart]

You’re too kind. Thank you, means a lot

[@jwnmt]

Thank you so much for this series. MF DOOM has been an absolute essential artist for me for over 20 years now. I honestly believe there will never be another artist like him. Ever. Your in depth analysis of his lyrical genius has greatly increased my already considerable appreciation of his depth.

[@johnnys.5559]

Great video...... Hot Take: The Mouse and the Mask by DOOM and Danger is one of the best hip hop albums of all time. It often gets overlooked because he had so many good projects coming out in that 2002-2006 span. It also can seem a bit corny and outdated with the Adult Swim cartoon interludes that some folks might not understand. But if you were a somewhat young adult at the time, knew the shows (Family Guy, Futurama, Aqua Teen, Sea Lab, Space Ghost) knew the puns that were being referenced, it was a masterpiece. I still find myself playing that album before Madvillainy or Mmm Food. It's peak DOOM.

[@Bzzztoh]

why did you buy this album? i dont know why you did youre stupid.. best album for sure!!

[@motioninart]

Yeah I’m a fan of the mouse and the mask album, especially Benzo Box. Thanks for stopping by.

[@daveaf5281]

Madvillainy and Food are two of the greatest Hiphop records of all time but I find myself listening to Mouse more often. The concept is just so cool and genius and it's just far more catchy and easier to rap along with. Just my opinion. It really is impossible to pick a favorite DOOM album tbh.

[@milicevicgospodin]

​@@daveaf5281What's the concept?

[@daveaf5281]

@@milicevicgospodin umm Adult Swim.

[@spicymemes4587]

My biggest inspiration for real, something about dooms whole style just inspires me to make my own music and to make it as in depth as possible

[@brvalentine1]

Usually I don’t trust KZbinrs or any content creators who don’t pronounce DOOM’s last name correctly. I just can’t trust someone’s information who can’t even get that part right. Having said all that I chose to continue watching this video despite you’re mispronunciation and I will say that you did a great job of breaking down the lyrics. Also the visuals were cool and your information was on point. You did a great job. Thank you.

[@jimlahey9381]

Rhymes like dimes is one of the illest rap songs ever produced, no doubt about it. I've heard some people criticize the song and say it sounds like some kiddie sesame street beat or something but I think that's bullshit. The beat is definitely different than most of the classic 90s grungy raw hiphop but I think the sample is great, the flow, the lyrics, the word play, its comical and serious and fun and emotional all at the same time. I still bump this in the whip all the time.

[@RaidersDnB]

Sesame Street beat is the goal to me. Always has been. Playful fun is what real hip hop is about

[@algreen746]

3:36 just wanna say, his name is pronounced DOOM-a-lay. He says it a few times in his songs.

[@iseverythingokathome]

Yeah only bad bit bout this video. Incredible otherwise 👍

[@CLGilbert]

I didn't think I'd watch an hour long video LOL! Very nice. I find it funny in "Let me watch" that this left turn is so hilarious that someone is actually laughing in the studio on the track 😂 The type of almost sub-audible banter that doom puts on tracks can be pretty special too.

[@markphillips401]

Yak means coke not cognac in this reference. "Call him back when you need some more yak, horse shack" - you don't usually call someone for cognac.

[@markphillips401]

Also look into "Light it up like a dutch when the hash melts" - this refers to a Dutchmaster cigar rolled with weed and hash, has nothing to do with the legality of marijuana in the Netherlands.

[@motioninart]

Nice pickup.

[@Peter_Kropotkin]

And to add to that more​@@markphillips401 the Dutch will literally burst into flame when you light hash "wrong" bc of the high oily thc in the hash, to go back to his light reference.

[@davidpaul4234]

*Horshack, as in Arnold Horshack. It’s a reference to Welcome Back Kotter

[@stevecrook8994]

Thanks for making this, great work sir. Made me tear up a bit, still can't believe he is gone. RIP the all time goat DOOM

[@Pppi947]

This video deserves more love. Great analysis

[@motioninart]

Much appreciated

[@bulliemthembu5846]

i have watched all the doom vids but stil. what a fantastic thing to have given to this jaded fan. subbed. Awesome jab seriously!

[@moezuniga8714]

This is one of the best videos I’ve seen in a long time. Excellent work!

[@motioninart]

Thank you!

[@thisisMRJAMES]

He was a genius. I have listened to his music since I was a young man, and it still surprises me.

[@motioninart]

@@thisisMRJAMES ❤️

[@techmic2854]

idk why i started watching this so late. 10min in I'm hooked but i def gotta save this when i need it during my shift! good stuff!!

[@KL-zt6jx]

What a labour of love. Well done MiA!

[@serenitymaurice3080]

Edit : This was so well done its amazing to see the goat get the recognition he deserves there will truly never be another like MFDOOM the only rapper I believed had a similar sound was King Geedorah but of course it was just him under a different name. no one has ever or could ever have the same sound as MFDOOM his genius is unmatched. Rip MFDOOM ,your favorite rappers favorite rapper

[@Abcd-up3us]

7:35 Doomsday’s first verse and just the bars about the jeopardy alone, though it’s quick, has a dozen different ways to interpret it or find a story in it that no one else has yet. And the jeopardy bars, even though it sounds like the start of a new metaphor, also connects to the previous bars about the lame rappers he’s saying he could kidnap. It’s crazy. Before the jeopardy bars, he’s talking from the perspective of the kidnapped lame rapper who’s giving a press release about who did it to him, when he says “um, what is MF?” because before that he’s also playing the part of a journalist at the press release who shouts out loud (like they do in real life) statements regarding what the press release is about, and says “Metal Fist terrorists claim responsibility” which then gets replied to with the what is MF line where he just says MF instead of Metal Fist. So not only is he painting a picture of a humiliated untalented rapper not knowing who MF Doom is because he’s that far above them, but he’s also giving details of himself and his mindset towards the rap game, and about the mainstream rappers at the time.

[@abrahamdrinkin3499]

Beautifully done in-depth video on the history of hip hops greatest supervillain 🤘🏻

[@thejbros3287]

3:18 Gotta love those Twin Towers. Feel like they go PERFECT with MF DOOM songs

[@ricardooliva8916]

Damn what a great listen, superb work ❤

[@LorenzowakefieldEllison]

I remember when I was introduced to this Album n college fall 2011 I transferred from one school to another cuz of a coaching change and my teammate from queens put me on…then I asked my homeboy who spit if he was hip to em and he thought doom was jus a producer had no idea he rhymed..each one teach one at its finest

[@F3PIZZA]

Tally Ho playing cards are what I use, own, and love the most! Originally only available in NYC or specialty stores such as magic shops. The Fan Back specifically is my favorite deck of all time. I’m working on collecting every color ever produced!

[@FrayTheHunter]

Man what song is added there at 31:53. I don't remember that bit and I can't find the song anywhere LMAO

[@Y38w]

This man remembered these small intircate details throughout his life and made rap lyric about them, then made 2-7 difference correlations between every single line, whether it was emitional, historical philopsical, and many more levels of corrlation I'd only have to imagine this mans pure genius. His iq must've been at least 170 truly insane i think the only way to explain this man is the garry kasparov or magnus carlson of music.

[@guelewaar7998]

Stellar work. Brillant breakdown of the penmanship and the genuis mind of hiphop best ever lyricist !

[@motioninart]

Thank you!

[@highmedic2351]

His last name is pronounced as “do-mill-ay”, not as “do-mill”. Great video!

[@motioninart]

I wish I could go back and change this. Ty for the kind words

[@circumcisionersjar]

​@@motioninartmakes a double entendre on Doomsday make sense

[@gorehammer1]

“Doom ate lay’s”

[@highmedic2351]

@@gorehammer1 which song is that again lol? 😄 Ia that the mayonnaise one?

[@gorehammer1]

@@highmedic2351 yeah microwave mayonnaise?

[@XavierPoponne]

5000th like. Thank you bringing light to a truly life changing figure.

[@StratusxdXD]

This was a great video thanks, I love content about MF DOOM

[@motioninart]

Thanks!

[@eddiegarcia1158]

@motion in art you narrated this all in the style of doom! So meta Abed Nadir would be proud.

[@motioninart]

Haha did I? I’m glad ❤️

[@AfroNinja1995]

I discovered MF Doom through Cannibal Ox, another legendary underground group, and after his verse in their collab, I was like I have to check this dude out, that wasn’t even 8 bars. The real ones don’t often need introduction and it fits his persona perfectly 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@zonashi8645]

I remember doom being one of the first rappers I found as a youth that my mom didn’t know about. she did put me on to Wu-tang and that led me too doom via the pandora app. I was hooked like 12-13 and obsessed lol. Good times

[@nox6885]

Great video and analysis bro. Just a quick correction. His name Dumile is pronounced similar to the way he says it. He pronounces it with an American accent but it pronounced: Doom-e-le but the "ay" at the end is not like "Kanye" but rather pronounced as an "eh" without an extra "y" sound at the end. It's a very common name in some Southern African countries like South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe where his dad is from. Dumile is a weird name for him because it actually means "the famous one" or the "well-known one". Crazy because he never wanted to be known in the industry like that. Hope this makes sense. Great work

[@robdielemans9189]

MF DOOM and John Balance's demise really struck me and took me a while to put it into place.

[@melechular]

MF DOOM… the gift that keeps on giving.

[@motioninart]

Just in time for Christmas

[@bobowl6656]

there’s only 1 MF DOOM left MF DOOM, MF DOOM

[@Basharnl]

Pass the Peas is also a well known record by The J.B.'s (James Brown's band)

[@motioninart]

Great pickup

[@martinespejo1091]

23 mins in and im impressed by te analysis, just incredible, and the research from the obscure references like the gorilla ones must have been though. Anyways, great video, just makes me like DOOM even more than I already like him, if he was my top 1 rapper now he’s further from ever being reached by any other. MF truly the goat.

[@SeanLKearns]

DOOM and Tupac, are chillen up in heaven explaining what the 90s were like to X and Juice.

[@motioninart]

Rip

[@KL-zt6jx]

His rymes are so dense and heavy. Damn. 38:32 That mask has to be made of lead, just as dense and heavy as his lyrics Rest in power villain

[@aresgodofwar7401]

RIP the real Goat still can't believe he is actually gone 😢 MF Doom for life!

[@stefan11804]

One of the greatest hip hop artists ever

[@Offfi96]

nice vid! Still waiting on another Gizzverse though :)

[@motioninart]

;(

[@chadmcclain3462]

Hip hops best villainy & lyrical genius 🫡💯💪🏾

[@motioninart]

Agreed

[@huntervelicky7502]

Very well done

[@motioninart]

Thank you 🙏

[@mn9xn]

that was a good video ONG

[@motioninart]

[@rustyxof]

MF DOOM* is the [Villian] hero hip hop needs.

[@motioninart]

🫡

[@benjaminimganya7743]

Remember all CAPS when you mention his name

[@KL-zt6jx]

You don't really need to use all caps ✌️

[@Viktortheslickster]

Man I’m excited for this if you can’t tell by the name ❤

[@motioninart]

@@Viktortheslickster welcome my brother ❤️

[@xAlexZifko]

😂ello

[@timaldridge6505]

Fantastic video. I'd never heard of MF Doom but I'm on the bandwagon now.

[@motioninart]

❤️

[@Gamerboy-dk9ld]

Remember ALL CAPS

[@bcrtrx]

he was really on another level

[@motioninart]

Insane level

[@omen_of_rock]

R.I.P. DOOM Not a big Rap fan, but honestly DOOM, Wu, Tribe & other select artists that slip through my radar made me obsessed. Also like to shout out my #1 homie that put me on over a decade ago, MajinDestyn!!!

[@jordymultiverse.]

🔥🔥🔥🔥 had so much fun

[@motioninart]

Yee boi

[@yungty7321]

To paraphrase pro era “those who know DOOM know DOOM it wouldn’t be him if he was mainstream”

[@motioninart]

❤️

[@basementmadetapes]

Excellent work. To me, DOOM, Black Thought, Aesop Rock, Yassin Bey and Homeboy Sandman sit at the highest tier of emcees

[@VictorPorter-m6t]

I was a lil late on MF DOOM but when l got wind of him he instantly went in my top 5 list.... Rakim The D.O.C. Redman MJG and DOOM... DOOM took Sean Price off my list and turned him and Devin the Dude into honorable mentions🐣™️💯

[@KL-zt6jx]

You got a great list 💯🤌

[@anakinsolo4529]

Your breakdown was fuckin amazing!

[@AndrewLaFondMusic]

'Pass The Peas like they used to say' is a reference to the song Pass The Peas by The JB's

[@motioninart]

Nice pickup

[@IndomitableBeastKing]

It's crazy how long it took to break down doomsday.

[@motioninart]

Tell me about it

[@anakinsolo4529]

Respect the love!🫡👏👏👏

[@xolaningubane3014]

MF DOOM choose himself in an industry that doesn't care about the artist he didn't lose himself trying to please the industry instead he approached the art the way he wanted to and made money from it

[@motioninart]

Best way to do it ❤️

[@KL-zt6jx]

01:02:00 The calling of women all these denigrating names in rap needs to end. Good that they used these lyrics

[@hibbs1712]

Fantastic.

[@motioninart]

❤️

[@coryalanthwaite6955]

Hell Yeah !

[@motioninart]

[@HasmulaBToxic]

I never even heard of this dude and I’m a huge rap and hip hop fan

[@motioninart]

He thrives in the underground

[@Chonk666]

Why am i reading every comments like its a doom lyric

[@dopaminetxmusic8215]

Doom= hip hop genius

[@motioninart]

Agreed.

[@ryanlear1843]

Newest Kendrick album just dropped and I’m still fawning over my favorite rapper favorite rapper lol

[@11219tt]

Do you have a video series on Aesop Rock yet? In my opinion Aesop is the only one that may rival DOOM in terms of poetic lyrics.

[@motioninart]

I’m ashamed to say I’ve never heard of him. Is there a recommended album to check out?

[@11219tt]

@@motioninart "The Impossible Kid" would be his most critically acclaimed piece of art. But a good starter song for you would be his verse on a song dedicated to MF DOOM. Song called "Ask Anyone."

[@CliffSedge-nu5fv]

​@@motioninart Albums: Skelethon, Impossible Kid, Spirit World Field Guide, Integrated Tech Solutions Songs: Dorks, Gauze, Klutz, Daylight/Nightlight, None Shall Pass, Gopher Guts, .. dozens more. No one has more words than Aes.

[@KL-zt6jx]

53:00 Yeah, you need to melt hash a bit before crumbling it into your sigarette lol

[@BenzoMerranzan]

The conundrum MF Doom is similar to that of Nitty Scott

[@noelsweet1772]

The norm Macdonald of rap

[@motioninart]

Haha what a way to put it

[@disla__]

It was literally a audio comic book session

[@quantum_beeb]

Mf doom and Aesop rock are in the stratosphere

[@CliffSedge-nu5fv]

DOOM, Aesop, Busdriver - most lyrically dense artists to rock a mic.

[@motioninart]

Worth checking out the other two?

[@brianban110]

my favorite rapper ever

[@LeonsHarmonica]

Only a matter of time till you made an MF doom detail, looking forward to this!

[@motioninart]

Let me know what you think

[@artistjim114]

It’s your duty for 2 names. Cannibal Ox.

[@motioninart]

Artist?

[@honkeykong9592]

Im hear because chat gpt said this was somebody I wrote like (him and Saul Williams) but I had never heard of them so I’m interested to see the similarity if any.

[@BigChungus-gz9vw]

Ok buddy

[@motioninart]

Somebody you wrote like?

[@akiraasmr3002]

50:53 Doom said it lol No Diddy!!!

[@j1w170]

In the naked city Rappers get so giddy That's no Diddy The Way He Takes No Prisoners and Show No Pitty......

[@motioninart]

He predicted it before anyone else

[@GeekinGecko]

ALL CAPS FUCKING GOD DAMNIT

[@anakinsolo4529]

Best ever💪

[@daStonerKyd]

DOOM and B.I.G are my G.O.A.Ts.

[@motioninart]

🐐 meets 🐐

[@vteknique]

Yo he said No Diddy way earlier 🤯

[@motioninart]

@@vteknique where is this? timestamp?

[@xolaningubane3014]

Is there a part 2 coming?

[@motioninart]

it's on the channel already :) see madvillainy: the legend of MF DOOM (part 2)

[@xolaningubane3014]

@@motioninart got ya

[@zandisiwetayi9977]

Correction on his last name's pronunciation. It's Doom-eel-eh, not Doom-il. Not to overlook the incredible effort and passion you put into the video, of course.

[@motioninart]

I wish I could have noticed this mistake earlier on. Thank you though.