Milestones: MM.. FOOD by MF DOOM
MF DOOM's fifth album showcases his exceptional talent as a rapper and producer, solidifying his status as one of the most talented dual threats.
Marking the culmination of an extraordinary and unconventional series of albums in hip-hop history, Daniel “MF DOOM” Dumile unveiled MM.. FOOD two decades ago. Within a span of just under eighteen months, he delivered four essential projects, each under a distinct alias. Following his innovative ventures with King Geedorah’s Take Me to Your Leader, Viktor Vaughn’s Vaudeville Villain, and Madvillain’s Madvillainy, DOOM revisited the style that first defined him. DOOM presents the next chapter in his saga, continuing his quest for total domination. During the skits between the songs on the album, he incorporates more samples from the aforementioned Spider-Man vs. Dr. Doom episode and other cartoons and records featuring the Metal Fingers as the main antagonist. As an added bonus, many songs are food or drink-themed, or at least share a title with something related to food and/or alcohol.
Possessing an exceptional talent for sampling, DOOM has consistently demonstrated his ability to extract the perfect segments from a wide array of sources, whether they be well-known R&B hits or the soundtracks of obscure anime. His skill in transforming these snippets into flawless tracks is unparalleled, with only the early to mid-‘90s top-tier producers coming close to matching his prowess. Harnessing his keen ear for sampling, DOOM masterfully showcases his talent throughout MM.. FOOD, beginning with the opening track, “Beef Rapp.” Drawing from an episode of the 1980s Spider-Man cartoon, he ingeniously reworks its music and vocal snippets to propel the song’s narrative. On the microphone, DOOM is at his best, infusing his clever rhymes with a barrage of pop culture references, all delivered through his signature slurred style.
While pairing late ‘70s and early ‘80s Quiet Storm R&B with hard-hitting hip-hop drums like his debut solo album, DOOM crafts a unique soundscape. He sometimes incorporates beatboxing, as heard on the album’s first single, “Hoe Cakes.” DOOM skillfully chops the vocal percussion from J.J. Fad’s classic track and layers it with an instrumental intro from Anita Baker’s “Sweet Love.” Incorporating a participial phrase to set the tone, DOOM’s production style shines in tracks like “Kon Carne” and “Deep Fried Frenz.” Continuing his affinity for beatboxing, he blends the intro of Just Ice’s “LaToya” with a snippet from Sade’s “Is It a Crime,” while the latter fuses the drum track and vocals from Whodini’s “Friends” with a horn breakdown from Hubert Laws’ “Friends and Strangers.”
Among the standout tracks on MM.. FOOD is “Rap Snitch Knishes,” a sharp critique of self-incriminating rappers. Featuring the enigmatic Mr. Fantastik, the song mocks those who unwittingly become their own adversaries in court through careless lyrics. Mr. Fantastik, DOOM’s longtime friend and collaborator, delivers what is likely his final performance here, having moved to Atlanta shortly before DOOM himself made the move from New York. DOOM’s mastery of sound collage is evident in his storytelling through diverse vocal samples. On the track “Potholderz,” DOOM collaborates with Count Bass D, his longtime friend and fellow Atlanta native. The duo crafts a dynamic piece over an up-tempo and eccentric loop of Billy Butler’s “400 Girls Ago,” exchanging verses that deliver fresh energy to their audience.
“One Beer,” produced by Madlib, is an intriguing track that didn’t make it onto the Madvillainy album. Instead, it was released by Stones Throw as a limited 45 RPM after Madvillainy came out. The song features DOOM rapping over “No Games” by Jaylib, a standout from the Champion Sound album released in 2003. By reimagining a track originally touched by Jay Dee, DOOM crafts it into a distinct creation that stands firmly as his own. Utilizing sped-up segments of Cortex’s “Huit Octobre 197,” the song opens with DOOM humorously slurring through “I Get a Kick Out of You.” He then dives into a lengthy verse rich with stream-of-consciousness imagery, making the track uniquely his rather than a Madvillain piece.
MM.. FOOD concludes on a high note with two standout tracks. “Vomitspit” features DOOM delivering an extended verse over a piano sample, while “Kookies” delves into his humorous take on internet pornography addiction, cleverly weaving in references to various cookie brands and sweet treats. Initially, “Kookies” included samples from the Sesame Street closing credits, featuring Cookie Monster and The Count. However, later album versions replaced this with a minimalist drum track. This album showcased DOOM’s unique style and inventive production. It inspired a new wave of rappers drawn to his eccentricity and distinct approach, solidifying his status as a leading artist of his era.
Standout (★★★★½)