MF DOOM‘s widow, Jasmine Dumile Thompson, has now filed a lawsuit against the late rapper’s former label manager, Eothen “Egon” Alapatt, according to Billboard. Thompson claims that Alapatt stole 31 of MF DOOM’s notebooks that contained both lyrics from his albums, as well as ones for unreleased songs and “other creative ideations.”
Thompson filed the suit in a Los Angeles court yesterday (October 24). Before the lawsuit, she had already accused him of the theft, after posting emails on social media between MF DOOM and Alapatt. “Egon, Give the Notebooks Back,” she captioned.
According to the publication and the filing, Alapatt has admitted to having MF DOOM’s writings but is reportedly not giving them back to his estate. Instead, he allegedly wants them “donated to a university or government archive” or a “museum or other institution.”
However, the lawsuit comes because according to Thompson, this goes against MF DOOM’s wishes. “[The notebooks] were intended by DOOM to be secret and confidential,” it reads.
“Alapatt never consulted with DOOM about his acquisition of the notebooks and took advantage of DOOM’s being out the country to obtain them,” it adds, with the alleged theft taking place before the rapper’s death. He had been stuck in the UK over immigration issues, and Alapatt allegedly used this to take them sometime around 2016.
Along with seeking “significant compensation” in the lawsuit, she is also requesting a jury trial.
Since 2021, the untimely death of Hip Hop icon MF DOOM, the cult following that he created before his passing continues to keep his legacy alive and current. However, his artistic passion has been inherited by his firstborn son, Daniel Dumile Jr. As an artist, Daniel Jr. has become an established force in his own right, but as the successor of the DOOM legacy and the Metal Face brand, the depth and meaning behind the mask can only be explained by the first descendant of DOOM.
Daniel teased an exhibit dedicated to his father earlier this year, but felt that the presentation wouldn’t be complete without his signature tribute piece. When asked why he waited until now to release his tribute piece, Dumile Jr. replied, “It took a minute to get settled after I left the uk. I had the idea to produce a series of paintings in 2015. For around three years since then I would spend a chunk of my time in the states and rest abroad. Between going to work with my pops, traveling to visit elders, family losses and the pandemic, I had no time to dedicate towards what I needed to do.”
The tribute is the cornerstone of Dumile’s exhibition dedicated to DOOM; however, his explanation of the mask and the man behind its creation seems a bit deeper than how its been explained in his father’s music. The Metal Face heir’s explanation is elaborate yet practical, saying, “The piece focuses on the idea of the villain. The ellipsis after the word villain serves as an indicator of something more or something being left out.” Daniel further expounds on the villain character, saying, “Villain then ellipsis means villain, then, unexpected/unapparent. The villain character in stories shows the other side of the hero or the side that everyone may not “like”. The tribute piece consists of four main layers that build on a central idea. They all need to be recognized to get the full picture.”
Fans and critics will always look for the similarities between the father and the son to see the remnants of the art they once revered. Dumile’s demeanor, voice, and even creative process almost mirrors his dad’s. He admits that his value system of “knowledge of self” was instilled in him during the making of Operation Doomsday, adding, “The DOOM style is an off the beaten path style. I watched/listened to my father apply these ideas to his career. I try to apply them visually. The recording of Operation: Doomsday spanned from the early mid nineties to the late nineties. I was given knowledge of self from my grandmother and old dad during that period. At the same time I was being exposed to the “hood”. My dad showed me how to transfer the feeling of that situation and our ghetto life experiences, into artwork.”
After MF DOOM’s cause of death was revealed earlier this week, St. James’s Hospital in Leeds has issued an apology to the late rapper’s family for giving him substandard care. According to The Guardian, the Leeds teaching hospitals NHS trust, which operates St. James’s, said there were “missed opportunities” to properly treat his allergic reaction to a blood pressure drug he’d been prescribed.
DOOM’s wife Jasmine Dumile said that DOOM had been going through a litany of health problems including type 2 diabetes, heart failure, and kidney failure, and that after taking a drug prescribed for blood pressure, his lips, tongue, and throat swelled. On October 23, 2020, he was given adrenaline, steroids, and oxygen, appearing to improve, then rapidly deteriorating. After being put on a ventilator, he died on October 31.
During an inquest into the incident, the assistant coroner who examined DOOM said the hospital’s care plan was “not sufficiently detailed” and that when the rapper said the swelling was getting worse, a review should have taken place. While that may not have prevented his collapse or death and his adverse reaction to the drug was rare, the doctors should have noted that allergies were more common in people of African-Carribean descent and smokers — both of which applied to DOOM.
The chief medical officer of Leeds teaching hospitals NHS Trust, Dr. Hamish McLure, apologized to DOOM’s wife, who was following the inquest via video link. “I would like to offer our sincere condolences to Daniel’s family, friends, and fans at this difficult time,” he said. “I apologize that the care he received was not to the standard we would expect. Following his sad death we undertook a serious incident investigation and the report has been shared with Daniel’s family. As a result, we have put in place a number of actions and the wider learning from what happened is to be used as a teaching topic in a number of different clinical specialties. We also support the coroner’s recommendation for clearer national guidance and awareness in this area.”
On October 31, 2020, rap icon MF DOOM (real name Daniel Dumile) died at 49 years old. The cause of his death was unknown at the time, but now his wife, Jasmine Dumile, has revealed what happened.
Billboard notes that DOOM passed away after his condition “suddenly deteriorated” in the hospital. Jasmine Dumile said he was experiencing kidney disease and high blood pressure at the time, which led to weight gain and anxiety. She noted that he was prescribed ACE inhibitors to treat his blood pressure, but he developed breathing problems after two doses, which landed him in the ER due to swelling of the tongue and throat. The swelling was reportedly a “rare” side-effect and caused angiodema, according to doctors.
An inquest found that on October 21, DOOM “had complained that he couldn’t breathe and attempted to get out of his hospital bed before collapsing and suffering respiratory arrest.” Dumile said she was unable to visit DOOM in the hospital until October 31 due to COVID-19 restrictions. Of that day, she noted, “That’s when the respirator was turned off that was helping him breathe.”
Dumile’s legal team has reportedly has concerns about the care DOOM received and has asked about why there was an alleged two-hour delay in giving the rapper medication for his swelling throat, and how often medical staff at St. James Hospital in Leeds checked in on DOOM.
The three-year anniversary of British-American artist MF DOOM’s death is coming this fall. Thankfully, hip-hop refuses to let his legacy die. Stars like The Weeknd, continue to pay homage to Daniel Dumile in their own performances. Elsewhere, his widow, Jasmin, is doing what she can to seek answers for her husband’s untimely passing. According to Leeds Live, DOOM had been prescribed a new medication to treat his kidney disease and other health concerns. This ultimately led the rapper to struggle with weight gain and anxiety.
Jasmin says that after only two doses, the “Rhymes Like Dimes” artist developed breathing problems that brought him to the local A&E department. At the time, his tongue and throat began to swell. This seems to have tragically played a factor in DOOM’s death. Jasmin has concerns about the treatment her husband received at St. James Hospital, including his “buzzer” being out of reach. Due to this, Dumile was apparently unable to alert medical staff about his deteriorating condition. Instead, he had to phone Jasmin in distress as his swelling became worse.
When speaking to the Wakefield Coroner’s Court, DOOM’s widow mentioned that his room at the hospital looked as though it may have previously been used for storage. She was unable to see him throughout most of his illness due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Jasmin still did what she could to help from home. “I was not able to see him until the 31st (of October) – that’s when the respirator was turned off that was helping him breathe,” she emotionally admitted.
Little more than a week before, Dumile had reportedly complained about an inability to breathe. He attempted to get off his bed but ultimately collapsed and suffered a respiratory arrest. In light of the prolific artist’s death, the hospital trust carried out a “serious incident investigation” to pinpoint what lessons could be learned. Since posthumous appearances from MF DOOM are understandably rare, we’ve compiled a list of other rappers with a similar vibe for you to enjoy. Check them out at the link below, and tap back in later for more hip-hop/pop culture news updates.
San Francisco based Super7, the premier pop-culture design house and producer of lifestyle-oriented collectibles and toys, has teamed up with MF DOOM’s estate and Rhymesayers Entertainment to launch today their Operation: Doomsday themed collectible ReAction figure. One of Hip-Hop’s most beloved anti-heroes, the ever-inventive MF DOOM received widespread praise for his sharp, candid rhymes, as well as his choppy, sample-heavy production style. This 3.85″ articulated MF DOOM ReAction figure is inspired by the cover art from his celebrated 1999 debut album Operation: Doomsday and features his signature hoodie and mask, as well as a microphone accessory. Decades later, MF DOOM is still celebrated for all facets of his work and influence. In the face of tragedy, DOOM re-infiltrated the rap game on his own terms, and crafted an instant cult classic. Operation: Doomsday stands as a testament to the power of betting on yourself against all odds, making this a must-have for hip-hop collectors.
Additionally, the DOOM estate is releasing a limited run apparel line, including Operation: Doomsday inspired t-shirts and hooded sweatshirts, for adults and youth, as well as a baby onesie. Visit Gasdrawls.com for more information.
MF Doom, a titan in the underground hip-hop scene, held a net worth of $1 million US dollars in 2023, according to Celebrity Net Worth. This masked legend’s impact on rap extended far beyond his financial gains. But how did he amass that wealth before his death in 2020? We’ll be exploring his career and business moves.
Foundations Of MF Doom’s Net Worth
NEW YORK – JUNE 28: Rapper MF DOOM performs at a benefit concert for the Rhino Foundation at Central Park’s Rumsey Playfield on June 28, 2005 in New York City. (Photo by Peter Kramer/Getty Images)
Born Daniel Dumile in 1971, MF Doom started his music career in the late ’80s as a member of the group KMD. After the group disbanded, he re-emerged in the late ’90s as MF Doom, releasing the critically acclaimed album Operation: Doomsday, thus setting the stage for his financial success.
The Driving Force Behind MF Doom’s Net Worth
NEW YORK – JUNE 28: Rapper MF DOOM performs at a benefit concert for the Rhino Foundation at Central Park’s Rumsey Playfield on June 28, 2005 in New York City. (Photo by Peter Kramer/Getty Images)
Doom’s unique style, characterized by complex lyricism and use of comic book-themed alter egos, captivated the underground hip-hop community. His albums, like Madvillainy and MM..FOOD, were commercial successes and significantly contributed to his net worth. Collaborations with other artists, including Madlib and Danger Mouse, also expanded his musical reach and financial gain.
Beyond Music: Other Contributors
Long Beach, N.Y.: The late hip-hop MF Doom’s family and friends hold signs in support of him posthumously being honored with a street renamed for him in his hometown of Long Beach, New York on July 31, 2021. (Photo by J. Conrad Williams Jr./Newsday RM via Getty Images)
In addition to his music career, MF Doom capitalized on his iconic persona through merchandise sales, which added to his net worth. His distinctive mask has become a coveted item among fans, further bolstering his financial standing. Moreover, MF Doom’s forays into producing and his guest appearances on tracks by other artists provided additional sources of income, contributing to his net worth.
Reflections On MF Doom’s Net Worth
While assessing Doom’s net worth, one must recognize his enormous influence on hip-hop. Despite not achieving mainstream fame, his innovative style and lyricism inspired a generation of artists. His net worth is a testament to his success in carving out a unique niche within the industry. MF Doom’s commitment to his craft and artistic integrity were his career’s hallmarks. He prioritized creative freedom over commercial success, which has added to his legendary status in the industry.
Conclusion/TLDR
While $1 million US dollars in 2023 underlines Doom’s financial success, his worth as an artist is immeasurable. His unique approach to hip-hop, influence on other artists, and commitment to artistic expression are integral to his legacy. The journey to his current net worth is a story of perseverance, creativity, and dedication. As MF Doom’s influence continues reverberating through the rap scene, his net worth serves as a reminder of his significant contributions to the industry.
April 20, 1999, marks the day that the eclectic and iconic MF Doom launched his career with his debut record Operation Doomsday.
Coming off of his time as half the former duo KMD, Doom wasn’t ways the quirky character with the humorous rhetoric we know and love him as today. He suffered a great deal after the loss of co-KMD emcee, and younger brother, Subroc, after he was struck by a vehicle. Years would pass before DOOM would take his identification for Marvel character “Dr. Doom” and turn it into his own hip hop persona with the release of Operation Doomsday in 1999.
Containing 19 tracks, the album was blended together with skits from Hanna Barbera’s 1967 classic cartoon series Fantastic Four. Between the skits and the guest-starring of underground Hip Hop’s finest emcees and producers, like that of Cucumber Slice and MF Grimm, the album became an instant classic.
The odd blending of cartoon classics that were a staple of the generation’s childhood and underground lyricism only extended his already vast audience of Hip-Hop’s truest heads. With this, the album paved the way for his lineage of work that has become legendary for both the classic Hip-Hop listener and the new school crowd.
After a recent social media post by the son of the late MF DOOM, the question has been raised as to who inherits the legacy of the infamous Metalface mask?
Daniel Dumile Jr., who holds the namesake of his father who is best known as the Madvillian MF DOOM, posted a picture of a handwritten letter that is allegedly penned by the late rapper/artist that states that his son shall inherit all of his “possessions, assets and interests” when he passes away. Unfortunately, DOOM died on Halloween 2020, but his death wasn’t announced until exactly two months later on New Year’s Eve, with his wife and record label making the delayed announcement.
With the fact that DOOM did not have a will and this letter was never officially notarized, it leaves room for doubt in the court of public opinion to the validity of the letter as well as possible misappropriation of the assets of one of Hip Hop’s most intriguing figures. Graff artist KEO XMEN was the unofficial point person for the continuum of the popular DDOM throwie, but Dumile Jr. contends that KEO’s rendition of the DOOM is merely a carbon copy of the original.
Daniel, a visual artist, is slated to create a memorial project in the name of his father this upcoming year, but the decision as to who will ultimately be left to inherit and control the legacy of the world famous metal mask.
MF DOOM’s family continues to seek the return of the late enigmatic rapper’s rhyme books. Since his passing in 2020, DOOM’s family released several statements, alleging that Eothen “Egon” Alapatt, Now-Again Records founder and DOOM’s former manager, has held onto the notebooks and ignored requests for their return. DOOM’s widow, Jasmine Dumile, opened up in 2022 about the several attempts to regain possession of the books following the rapper’s death. Apparently, this is an issue that DOOM dealt with in the years prior to his death.
“We had hoped after DOOM transitioned Egon would do the right thing and return the books to the family but he has continued to ignore these requests,” Dumile said in a statement obtained by TMZ. “Unfortunately, Egon is not the only former associate abusing the likeness, art and life’s work of DOOM.” Shortly after, Talib Kweli echoed these sentiments when he referred to Egon as a “culture vulture” who “stole MF DOOM’s rhyme book,” despite officiating MF DOOM’s wedding.
Unfortunately, the issue surrounding the rhyme books has yet to be resolved. Jasmine Dumile shared a slew of photos on DOOM’s official Instagram account revealing exchanges with Egon over the notebooks. “Peace E. Hope you’re well,” reads an email sent to Egon on August 16, 2016 from the alias Karlo Metal-Franks. “Any word from [redacted] on my belongings. I really need those notebooks.”
“I have no idea where [redacted] is,” Alapatt wrote in response. “As I told [redacted] when she contacted me… He disappeared when his family sold the building, which, from what I understand, has been gutted. I know from working with [redacted] that they carted away dumpsters full of stuff.” A week later, Jasmine provided an address where the notebooks should be sent to.
The post shows another email DOOM sent Alapatt in Jan. 2017. “I also come to find out my notebooks are in your possession. Let me know the cost of storage so we can promptly reclaim these items. I do appreciate the safe keeping and return of ALL the notebooks and any other property belonging to DOOM in your possession. We are interested in keeping good relations with you as the future unfolds.” Check the post above. We’ll keep you posted on any updates surrounding the missing notebooks.
