Published
Mon, Jan 4, 2021, 11:43
- The news broke on New Year's Eve, though the artist born Daniel Dumile reportedly passed away in October.
Legendary masked rapper MF DOOM has died aged 49.
The news broke via the hip-hop artist's Instagram account on New Year's Eve. The post, written by his wife Jasmine, called the man born Daniel Dumile "the greatest husband, father, teacher, student, business partner, lover and friend I could ever ask for." She closed by confirming that he "transitioned October 31, 2020." The cause of death remains unknown.
Born in London in 1971 but raised in New York, Dumile was beloved for his masked persona, first adopted in 1997, and his intricate lyricism and gravelly voice. The 2004 album Madvillainy, made in collaboration with Madlib, is widely considered to be his masterpiece. Dumile also recorded with Danger Mouse, Radiohead's Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood, and Flying Lotus, with whom he was reportedly working on a new EP.
As well as MF DOOM, Dumile recorded under many aliases, including King Ghidra, Metal Fingers and Viktor Vaughn.
Listen to Madvillainy and "Lunch Break," a recent track produced by Flying Lotus and featured on Grand Theft Auto.
Here's Jasmine's post in full, and read some reactions from the electronic music community.