If you like your food like you like your rap music, you’ve come to the right place. Daniel Dumile, who you probably know as MF Doom or Zev Love X for the more old-school fans among us. Zev Love X was his former alias from his days in KMD with his twin brother DJ Subroc. Despite having been born in London in 1971, Daniel had very little early connection to the UK as he was relocated to Long Island, New York at a young age.
He and his brother Dingilizwe Dumile had become interested in the small hip-hop scene that was emerging in the mid-1980s and by 1988 they had decided to form KMD. After a marked rise to fame playing packed out gigs across New York, KMD disbanded in 1993 with the shocking news that Dingilizwe had died after being struck by a car as he attempted to cross the Long Island Expressway. The album Black Bastards which KMD had been working on prior to his death was subsequently finished off and released in 2000.
After a hiatus following his brother’s untimely death, Daniel returned to rapping in 1998 under a newfound alter ego that certainly turned heads. He began appearing at open mic events wearing a metal mask resembling that of Marvel Comics supervillain Doctor Doom which is shown on his 1999 debut solo album Operation: Doomsday. It wasn’t long before he gained popularity for his lyric writing and delivery skills as well as his stage grabbing appearance. To match this newfound alter-ego, he adopted the new alias of MF Doom.
His style was a strange blend of both darker and often hilarious themes that at times came simultaneously, especially in Operation: Doomsday where he delivered his stories over strange 1980s R&B and ‘Scooby Doo’ samples. His fifth studio album Mm..Food released in 2004 was his critically acclaimed masterpiece and connotes his adoration for gastronomy in a clever concept album that he explained was “about the things you find on a picnic, or at a picnic table”. The song titles mostly reference different food and drink items and the lyrics are studded with allegory and double entendres.
This album shows MF Doom’s sense of humour as much as it shows his love of food. Sadly, we were met with the tragic news that he had passed away on October 31st, 2020. Fortunately, his spirit lives on, not just in his discography, but also in his culinary expertise.
MF Doom was once asked what his family favourite dish was and he responded with a fantastic take on a classic favourite that can be seen below.
He wrote the following regarding the delicacy: “Macaroni and Cheese is an ol’ time classic but Villainous Mac & Cheeze was concocted by wifey about three years ago. It took a couple years to perfect and you must follow the recipe exactly or else. Now Villainous Mac & Cheeze has become an MF family favorite, perfect for any holiday or special meal…enjoy and don’t forget your potholderz…”
Ingredients:
- 5 cups cooked macaroni (approx. 4 cups uncooked)
- 1 stick butter
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1tbls sugar
- One minced fresh garlic clove
- 2 cups milk
- 8 oz Colby/ Monterey Jack cheese
- 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Method:
- Cook the macaroni until done as usual. Add sugar and garlic to water. Do not overcook it. Drain macaroni in strainer.
- Place macaroni, butter, salt, pepper, milk, Colby/jack cheese, and 3 cups of cheddar cheese in a pot boil slow add bread crumbs.
- Cover everything with aluminium foil and cook for 45 minutes at 350 degrees.
- Uncover and add an extra cup of cheddar cheese across the top. Bake uncovered for another 15 minutes.