MM..FOOD (2004) - MF DOOM

 

Released on November 16, 2004, MM..FOOD is one of MF DOOM's most unique and conceptually tight albums. A wordplay-heavy project centered around food metaphors, the album showcases DOOM’s signature abstract lyricism, off-kilter beats, and comic book-inspired sampling. Despite being overshadowed by Madvillainy (his 2004 collaboration with Madlib), MM..FOOD remains a fan favorite and an essential entry in the underground hip-hop canon.

Tracklist:

1. Beef Rapp
2. Hoe Cakes
3. Potholderz (feat. Count Bass D)
4. One Beer
5. Deep Fried Frenz
6. Poo-Putt Platter
7. Fillet-O-Rapper
8. Gumbo
9. Fig Leaf Bi-Carbonate
10. Kon Karne
11. Guinnesses (feat. Angelika & 4ize)
12. Kon Queso
13. Rapp Snitch Knishes (feat. Mr. Fantastik)
14. Vomitspit
15. Kookies

The album plays with the idea of food as a metaphor for rap itself—DOOM delivers intricate rhyme schemes and cryptic wordplay while maintaining a playful and humorous tone. The production, handled largely by DOOM himself, features jazzy, offbeat samples that feel both nostalgic and innovative. Tracks are frequently interspersed with snippets from old cartoons and television specials, adding to the album’s whimsical yet sinister aura.

Key Tracks & Themes:

• Beef Rapp kicks things off with a warning against unhealthy lifestyles (both in food and the rap game) while DOOM flexes his dense, alliterative rhyme schemes.
• Hoe Cakes is a funky, bass-heavy track with a hypnotic beat where DOOM casually weaves through clever food puns.
• One Beer, produced by Madlib, is one of the most sonically interesting cuts, featuring a woozy sample and DOOM’s laid-back yet razor-sharp delivery.
• Deep Fried Frenz examines fake friendships in the music industry, using the Whodini sample from "Friends" in a way that makes it feel fresh and biting.
• Rapp Snitch Knishes is a satirical take on rappers incriminating themselves in their lyrics, featuring an effortlessly catchy hook and a memorable verse from Mr. Fantastik.
• Vomitspit is pure lyrical acrobatics over a hypnotic loop, showing DOOM at his rawest.

The Album Cover & Inspiration:
The cover art, designed by Jason Jagel and Jeff Jank, features MF DOOM sitting at a table, eating a bowl of food with a mischievous look behind his signature metal mask. The image perfectly captures the album’s essence—DOOM as the villainous chef of hip-hop, concocting something sinister yet irresistible. The food theme is more than just a gimmick; it’s a way for DOOM to critique the rap industry, consumer culture, and even his own persona.

MM..FOOD is one of the most replayable DOOM albums. It’s dense but fun, intricate yet lighthearted. The wordplay is unmatched, and the beats are some of the quirkiest in his discography. While Madvillainy is often hailed as DOOM’s magnum opus, MM..FOOD offers a more colorful and digestible experience, making it a perfect entry point into his work.

Standout tracks for me were Hoe Cakes, One Beer, Deep Fried Frenz, Rapp Snitch Knishes, Vomitspit.