50 MF Doom Quotes From the Vaudeville Villain

By Clifton Sankofa | Published December 27, 2022

Look at these memorable quotes from one of hip-hop’s greatest artists, the late great MF Doom.

People worldwide would passionately make a case that Daniel Dumile, better known by one of his many stage names, MF Doom, is one of the greatest emcees to ever pick up a microphone.

While every fan has different criteria for what makes someone a legend, Doom certainly has solidified his status as a legend to millions of hip-hop fans.

Tell us your favorite MF Doom quote in the comment section below.

What are the benefits of reading these MF Doom quotes?

Many would agree that Doom, as a lyricist and producer, will always be remembered for being:

mysterious
creative
brilliant

With his signature metal mask and supervillain persona, Doom has created a catalog of music and content that demands acclaim.

Doom’s signature style and ability to infuse hip-hop, comic books, lyricism, and potent production with his off-brand flow made him one of a kind.

Best MF Doom quotes about his life

1. “I’ll put whatever up there for the visible eye.” — MF Doom

2. “I’m doing the shows. The stage is my canvas.” — MF Doom

3. “Just remember all caps when you spell the man’s name.” — MF Doom

4. “The mask is a slight theme for people to enjoy, and it adds mystery.” — MF Doom

5. “I spent 35 years growing up in the U.S., and it had its ups and downs.” — MF Doom

6. “The ‘Doom’ thing is to be able to come at things with a different point of view.” — MF Doom

7. “Ever since third grade, I had a notebook and was putting together words just for fun.” — MF Doom

8. “And since when the rap game had to do with killin’ a cat, what type o’ chitlins is that?” — MF Doom

9. “You could either ignore this advice, or take it from me, be too nice, and people take you for a dummy.” — MF Doom

10. “I decided the mask would just add to the mystique of the character as well as make Doom stand out.” — MF Doom

Famous MF Doom quotes from the hip-hop villain

11. “I’m incognito. It’s all-new, all fun.” — MF Doom

12. “I can’t perform without the mask or be seen without it on stage, or else it’ll distract from the whole persona.” — MF Doom

13. “Only in America could you find a way to make a healthy buck, and still keep your attitude on self-destruct.” — MF Doom

14. “I liked being able to speak to somebody and throw it back and forth, and they can’t predict what you’re going to say next.” — MF Doom

15. “I liked different etymologies, different slang that came out in different eras. Different languages. Different dialects.” — MF Doom

16. “I have no friends here apart from the dudes at my record label, and I didn’t go to school with no one. Nobody knows me.” — MF Doom

17. “I think – a lot of times in hip-hop, especially – artists get kind of pigeonholed into being ‘the guy,’ and it’s kind of limiting in a way.” — MF Doom

18. “I thought it’d be an easy way for people to see and differentiate between characters, sorta like when an actor gains weight for a role.” — MF Doom

19. “I’m always trying to show versatility. I’m juggling, and I’m flipping fire, and I’m chewing gum and rhyming at the same time… on a unicycle while playing the drums.” — MF Doom

Reflective MF Doom album quotes

20. “Being older now, grown, I’m like, ‘What do we really do that’s fun?’” — MF Doom

21. “Coming from one particular character makes, to me, the story boring.” — MF Doom

22. “I make hip-hop, but use Doom as a character to convey stories that a normal dude can’t.” – MF Doom

23. “The idea of having different characters is really just to get the storyline across, you know?” — MF Doom

24. “You have writers that write about crazy characters, but that doesn’t mean the writer himself is crazy.” — MF Doom

25. “We all tend to be in the same circles – people like my Wu-Tang brothers, or Black Thought from The Roots.” — MF Doom

26. “I’m kind of corny when you think about it. What could I rhyme about? Let me see, um, I gotta pay the rent today.” — MF Doom

27. “Everybody nowadays rhymes, but out of the people that really, really do it well, it’s still a small community of artists.” — MF Doom

28. “But I’m down with all of it. Chuck D or Danny Brown? I feel comfortable with all of them. Word up, kid! Word up, man!” — MF Doom

29. “I get that mainly from novels and that style of writing or movies where there’s multiple characters who carry the storyline.” — MF Doom

30. “Nowadays, you can just do it – have your name-brand clothes, do songs with rock n’ rollers – and it’s not considered selling out.” — MF Doom

31. “Prince Paul is another good friend; he’s like an older brother. He’ll criticize and be brutally honest with you. That’s what I like about Paul.” — MF Doom

32. “When I listen to hip-hop, I listen to Just Ice, Boogie Down Productions, Ultramagnetic MCs. I grew up in that age, and it was memorable.” — MF Doom

33. “Doom is a classic supervillain, akin to the Phantom of the Opera. It’s not about revenge so much as, like, ‘I’m back – now watch this!’ It all boils down to the music.” — MF Doom

34. “Hip-hop is so saturated with the same old same old that people always expect the guy to actually be the guy. They want you to be real and straight from the streets and all that.” — MF Doom

35. “The song ‘Bite the Thong’ in particular, with Damon Albarn, really encapsulates the whole dilemma of, ‘Hmm, should I stay on the underground when everybody else is selling out?” — MF Doom

Metal Fingaz Doom quotes

36. “Got more soul than a sock with a hole.” — MF Doom

37. “Living on borrowed time, the clock ticks faster.” — MF Doom

38. “After rocking parties they depart in a jalopy, watch the drop top poppy” — MF Doom

39. “A visual always brings a first impression. But if there’s going to be a first impression, I might as well use it to control the story. So why not do something like throw a mask on?” — MF Doom

40. “Easy as pi, three point one four, one more one false move and they’re done for” — MF Doom

41. “Don’t talk about my moms yo, sometimes he rhyme quick sometimes he rhyme slow, or vice versa. Whip up a slice o’ nice verse pie, hit it on the first try, Villain… the worst guy.” — MF Doom

42. “Dub it off your man don’t spend that 10 bucks. I did it for the advance the back end sucks.” – MF Doom

43. “This one goes out to all my peoples skippin’ bail, dippin’ jail, whippin’ tail, and sippin’ ale” — MF Doom

44. “Trust a few jewels that’s hidden in plain sight Ain’t nothing else to it, but to do it, but do it right.” — MF Doom

45. “If I had a dime for every rhymer that bust guns, I’d have a cool mil for my sons in trust funds.” — MF Doom

46. “Uh oh, it’s beer o’clock, I think I’m sober. How about we think this over, over a can of King Cobra?” — MF Doom

47. “Crime pays, no dental, no medical — unless you catch your time in county, state or federal.” — MF Doom

48. “How Doom hold heat, and preach non-violence? Shhh, he ‘bout to start the speech, c’mon, silence!” — MF Doom

49.“Golly, he’s just a pest and your worst best friend, Who mend and rip space-time fabric like polyester blend.” — MF Doom

50. “Not only was it three cracks light but too white, the test show lactose, ambisol, lecithin five types of aspirin and other kinds of medicines.” — MF Doom