Dangerdoom: Dynamic Duo of Hip-Hop!
No, hes not some reject from a throwback Fantastic Four knockoff, but in fact they are one of the most original hip-hop artist duos ever! At this moment I am listening to their album Occult Hymn for that extra inspiration to tell these villains story correctly. Dangerdoom’s whole style and persona is totally original and fresh when compared to the vast majority of cookie cutter hip-hop artist. Everything about them screams a passion for the art instead of the worship of the money.
First, lets take a look at the mask, and how he takes on the role of a comic book villain. The Mask represents the artist Daniel Dumile better known as MF Doom or Metal Fingers Doom. This type of alter-ego presentations is something missing from the hip-hop genre. The most we get these days is another name *cough* Beyonce, but this guy gives you entertainment in the person he becomes when he raps. I mean today with rap your either a drug dealer, a pimp, or a hustler. This is getting tired and old, and its nice to bring some genuine entertainment by creating a character that you can enjoy. Dangerdoom is also taking hip-hop back to its original roots as a form of entertainment and not a testament to how hard or real you are in the streets.
Lyrically MF Doom carries this persona further with songs charged with comic fantasy, and at other times just plain comical. This can be clearly heard on the album Occult Hymn done in collaboration with Adult Swim. All the tracks are based on various shows in the Adult Swim lineup. Dangerdoom has a way with words that I would call magical if in fact I believed in magic. Since I don’t a better way to put it is genius. If you listen too fast it may sound like gibberish, but upon listening a few more times and slowing down enough to really listen you find MF Doom’s lyrical prowess meets and exceeds those self proclaimed greats.
The beats on his tracks are of the best quality to say the least. If MF Doom doesn’t get you lyrically the Mouse’s music will. The music behind the voice is blended and mixed with surgical precision. The man holding down the control room for MF Doom is Brian Joseph Burton better know as Danger Mouse. And this is the origin of title The Mouse and the Mask. Listening to the care in the production of the tunes it is no wonder Danger Mouse received a Grammy nomination for best producer. If you would care to know the origin of these two characters take a look at the above images which tells the history of both of them.
