Written by written by @bryce
Intro
MF DOOM is an artist that needs to introduction. If you’re a fan of Hip Hop, then you’re most certainly a fan of the supervillain. Daniel Dumile, better known by his stage name DOOM was a rapper and record producer known for his intricate wordplay using unconventional rhymes, and his iconic production style blending many different genres of samples and of all things, old superhero cartoons. Over the course of his many years as an artist he’s released a huge catalogue of music under the MF DOOM name and his many pseudonym’s.
That’s why today I wanted to take a bit of time to talk about each and every album in his discography. What better way to do that than with a personal ranking of his albums? Ranking MF DOOM albums is a bit of a challenge given the variety and depth of his work. Every project showcases him for his incredible work in its own way, be it lyrically or through his productions. So keep in mind, that even with some albums being at the bottom of the list, I still think that they’re fantastic pieces and they all deserve a listen.
If you want to read more about hip-hop and different artists, then I’d highly suggest checking out my other content here on The Groove Grounds. I’ve got posts about all different kinds of artists, and a lot about vinyl records. And that’s not all either, The Groove Grounds is also a place to meet other music lovers! I’d love for you to check it out!
With that being said, let’s get into the list shall we?
9. Key to the Kuffs
“Key to the Kuffs,” a collaboration with Jneiro Jarel under the moniker JJ DOOM, is often seen as one of DOOM’s most experimental and very interesting works, but sadly this leads to some major inconsistency. Jarel’s production is very unique, and may not resonate with all listeners. All of this together makes an album that is still pretty good, but is less cohesive than other MF DOOM albums. It sometimes feels like DOOM’s presence is taking a backseat to the production from Jarel, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it can definitely make it challenging if you’re just looking for a classic DOOM experience.
“Key to the Kuffs” definitely has moments where it shines, like “Guv’nor“, or “Banished“, as one cohesive album it doesn’t quite reach the same heights as his other albums. It’s experimental and innovative, and overall still a good listen every now and then, but comes together to feel a bit disjointed and messy overall, putting it in the last place, and the 9th best MF DOOM album of this ranking.
8. Venomous Villain
“Venomous Villain” is the second album released under the Viktor Vaughn alias. (We’ll talk about the first one later, don’t worry.) As with any DOOM album, it showcases his lyricism, as well as production from himself and a suite of other producers. The album has some gems, such as “R.A.P. G.A.M.E.“, “Doper Skiller” with Kool Keith, and “Back End“. But, it feels kind of unambitious, like an afterthought. This, in combination with the fact that it’s not available on streaming services and was surrounded by the release of two of his highest rated albums means that it’s kind of just fallen into obscurity.
“Venomous Villain” still holds a place in the hearts of fans who appreciate DOOM’s different personas and villainous delivery. It’s definitely not as grand as other projects, and is quite overshadowed by its peers. This unfortunately dooms it to being the 8th best MF DOOM album. However, if you’re a big DOOM fan and haven’t listened to this one, then you definitely should give it a go.
7. Born Like This
“Born Like This” is notable for its darker, apocalyptic themes and deeper vocal delivery. It’s truly DOOM at his most villainous. It features some of DOOM’s most introspective and intense work. Tracks like “Gazzillion Ear” and “That’s That” really showcase how unmatches his wordplay can be, and tackle heavy themes with his unique perspective. It also features two tracks produced by J Dilla, which is just a match made in heaven. This makes it one of the most significant MF DOOM albums.
However, “Born Like This” hasn’t aged the best due to one notable track, “Batty Boyz“. It’s a very problematic and controversial track, containing mass amounts of homophobia. Many have cited the track as being a jab to the “overly flamboyant superheroes of the past” and that it’s just the character and not Dumile himself, which may be true, but it’s something to consider when listening.
6. The Mouse and the Mask
“The Mouse and the Mask“. A collaborative effort between DOOM and Danger Mouse producing all of the tracks, pulling samples from various shows that aired on Adult Swim. These samples can make the production feel very fun and diverse, but can also feel distracting at times, and may feel a bit dated. It also suffers some of the same problems discussed on “Key to the Kuffs“, mainly a slight lack of consistency.
Nevertheless, “The Mouse and the Mask” is beloved for its beats and humorous lyrics. Tracks like “Sofa King“, “Crosshairs“, and “Benzi Box” are fan favorites, showcasing the chemistry between DOOM and Danger Mouse. The album’s whimsical nature and clever references make it a standout in DOOM’s catalog, even if it doesn’t reach the heights of his more serious works.
5. Take Me to Your Leader
Released under yet another pseudonym, King Geedorah’s “Take Me To Your Leader” is a cinematic and colorful release. It aims to paint a monster-movie kind of vibe, not unlike the Kaiju monster “King Ghidorah” the pseudonym’s namesake comes from. “Take Me To Your Leader” is a very feature heavy album when compared to some other MF DOOM albums, which may take away from the experience for some, but it’s still a DOOM album through and through.
It’s an ambitious project showcasing DOOM’s talent for creating immersive and conceptual albums. It has a an impressively cohesive and thematic narrative, and very high highlights like “Fastlane“, “I Wonder“, and “Anti-Matter“. Despite the collaborative nature of the album, it still presents some of DOOM’s most impressive and compelling stories, and some of his most unique sounding production.
4. Operation: Doomsday
“Operation: Doomsday” is an absolute classic. It’s the debut of the MF DOOM character, the first time that we see Dumile’s reinvention as the hip-hop villain that we know today. “Operation: Doomsday” is known for it’s very jazzy sound, featured front and center in tracks like “Doomsday“, or “Rhymes Like Dimes” It feels very youthful, and has a bit of a less put and amateurish feel to it. This can put off some listeners, but some might actually find it charming. The villain persona isn’t developed near as much as it is in other future works but that’s to be expected given that it’s the characters very first appearance.
It may have some rough edges, but this album is a gem. It’s a cornerstone of the DOOM that we know today, and it’s an incredible introduction to the artist as it perfectly captures the humorous and introspective rhymes he’s known for.
3. MM…FOOD
When it comes to MF DOOM albums, “MM…FOOD” is a fan favorite, and considered his best work by many. It’s an incredibly consistent project, and as you might guess based on the title, it’s all about food. It’s very creative, full to the brim with food puns and the excellent production we’ve come to expect from him. It’s very playful, incredibly accessible, and easily one of DOOM’s most enjoyable listens.
The clever wordplay and production makes “MM…FOOD” a standout in DOOM’s discography. Tracks like “Beef Rap” and “Rapp Snitch Knishes” are humorous, thought provoking, and showcasing of DOOM’s abilities. He’s an entertainer, and you will definitely be entertained, but he’s still an incredible wordsmith. This album is an absolute classic, and has definitely cemented it’s spot in the top.
2. Madvillainy
“Madvillainy” is a collaboration with producer Madlib, and is considered by many to be the very best work of both artists, their magnum opus even. It’s very abstract and loose, inventive, and most importantly it’s very villainous. It has some of DOOM’s most intricate verses on top of some of Madlib’s best beats. There is a really strong chemistry between the two that makes for an absolute masterpiece of an album, as if the stars aligned for the two of them to make this together.
The duo’s synergy can be heard very strongly throughout the album on every track, however tracks like “All Caps” and “Accordion” are the highlights. With it’s Madlib’s innovative production and DOOM’s masterclass in lyricism, “Madvillainy” really pushed boundaries in the hip-hop space. It has a fragmented, almost collage like structure that shows a willingness to take risks, making it an incredible, and groundbreaking work that continues to influence artists and fans alike. It’s by far one of, if not the best MF DOOM album.
Honorable Mentions
Before I get to my number 1 pick, we’re gonna go through some honorable mentions. If you’re a big fan, you might’ve noticed that we’ve omitted some MF DOOM albums. This could’ve been for many reasons, be it that DOOM’s not the primary artist and took a producer role, or it’s purely instrumental and so on. Let’s talk about a few of them shall we?
Metal Fingers Presents: Special Herbs, The Box Set vol. 0-9
The “MF” in DOOM’s stage name stands for many things, and can even change depending on who you ask. “Metal Faced’, “Money Folder”, “Mad Flows” or “Manhattan’s Finest”, but when he steps in to produce his beats it stands for “Metal Fingers”. The “Special Herbs” series is a collection instrumental albums featuring some of DOOM’s most iconic beats stripped of vocals, letting listeners dive in to his unique production style. The box set features over 80 tracks totaling to about 2 hours and 45 minutes in length. It’s a great way to really appreciate his production, and is great to turn on in the background while you’re working.
Czarface Meets Metal Face and Super What?
“Czarface Meets Metal Face” and “Super What?” are two albums made in collaboration with the supergroup Czarface released in 2018 and 2021 respectively. Both projects are heavy on the comic book theming, and feature production from Czarface, bringing their dynamic energy to DOOM’s enigmatic style. It makes for tracks that are both lyrically dense, but incredibly engaging and fun.
Nehruviandoom
“NehruvianDoom” is an album made in collaboration with the young rapper Bishop Nehru, where DOOM plays the role of producer, and kind of like a mentor. It’s a fresh feeling project with Nehru’s rhymes over DOOM’s classic production. It helps display the influence that MF DOOM has influenced many rising artists in the game.
1. Vaudeville Villain
And at number 1 spot in our ranking of MF DOOM albums, we’ve got “Vaudeville Villain“. It’s the first album released under the Viktor Vaughn alias, and has a gritty and straightforward approach devoid of any gimmicks. DOOM’s flow is relentless and dense, making it a favorite for many hip-hop purists that may have an appreciation for its raw approach.
“Vaudeville Villain” stands out for its intense, narrative-driven tracks and its dark, atmospheric production. Songs like “Lickupon” and “Saliva” demonstrate this at a full force, showcasing his ability to create very vivid experiences. The album has an uncompromised vision which really makes it standout in his discography. It’s what got me into his music, and in my eyes really cements him as a legendary artist. It is my personal best MF DOOM album.
Conclusion
So what do you think of the ranking? Do you agree or do you disagree? Make sure to let us know. This ranking of MF DOOM albums is of course very subjective, and was very difficult to make. DOOM is a legendary artist with a fantastic discography, every album is amazing in it’s own right and deserves a listen if you haven’t given it a chance before. Even the albums at the bottom of the ranking are appreciated.
MF DOOM’s impact on hip-hop is undeniable, and his work continues to inspire and challenge listeners. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to his music, I hope you found some insight in reading this ranking. If you like MF DOOM and want to listen more, similar artists, I’d like to recommend the rapper J-Live, who you can learn more about here on The Groove Grounds. And if you haven’t ever listened to Vaudeville Villain, you can take a listen with the link below. Thanks for reading!
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