Operation: Doomsday: Difference between revisions
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| name = Operation: Doomsday |
| name = Operation: Doomsday |
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| type = studio |
| type = studio |
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| artist = [[MF |
| artist = [[MF Doom]] |
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| cover = MF-DOOM-Operation.jpeg |
| cover = MF-DOOM-Operation.jpeg |
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| alt = |
| alt = |
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| venue = |
| venue = |
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| studio = |
| studio = |
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| genre = *[[ |
| genre = *[[Underground hip hop]] |
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*[[ |
*[[alternative hip hop]] |
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*[[ |
*[[lo-fi hip hop]] |
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*[[underground hip hop]] |
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| length = 58:20 |
| length = 58:20 |
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| label = [[Fondle 'Em Records|Fondle 'Em]] |
| label = [[Fondle 'Em Records|Fondle 'Em]] |
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| producer = [[MF |
| producer = [[MF Doom]] |
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| prev_title = [[Black Bastards Ruffs + Rares]] |
| prev_title = [[Black Bastards Ruffs + Rares]] |
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| prev_year = {{small|with [[KMD]]}})<br/>(1998 |
| prev_year = {{small|with [[KMD]]}})<br/>(1998 |
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| single4date = 2001<br/>(2001 re-release) |
| single4date = 2001<br/>(2001 re-release) |
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| single5 = Tick, Tick... |
| single5 = Tick, Tick... |
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| single5date = 20 January 2015<ref>{{Cite AV media notes|title=Tick, Tick...|others=MF |
| single5date = 20 January 2015<ref>{{Cite AV media notes|title=Tick, Tick...|others=MF Doom; MF Grimm|year=2015|type=liner notes|publisher=[[Day by Day Entertainment]]|location=New York, New York}}</ref> |
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'''''Operation: Doomsday''''' is the debut studio album by British-American rapper [[MF |
'''''Operation: Doomsday''''' is the debut studio album by British-American rapper [[MF Doom]], released through [[Fondle 'Em Records]] on 19 October 1999<ref>{{cite web |last1=Adams |first1=Dart |title=MF Doom 'Operation: Doomsday': A 20th Anniversary Retrospective |url=https://dartadams.medium.com/mf-doom-operation-doomsday-a-20th-anniversary-retrospective-6e08460b9330 |website=[[Medium (website)|Medium]] |access-date=12 May 2021 |date=19 April 2019}}</ref><!--- Dart Adams is a journalist for music publication Okayplayer and is considered a subject-matter expert in the field of 80's/90's hip hop; therefore, this source may be used in compliance with WP:A/S and WP:MEDIUM ---><ref>{{cite web |last1=Garcia |first1=Robert |title=Had to repost this from last year ... Dear press/Wiki: Here’s the invoice, dated August 9, 1999, for the original MF Doom debut album 'Operation Doomsday' |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/B_SWbz1jFSV/ |website=[[Instagram]] |access-date=12 May 2021 |date=22 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Garcia |first1=Robert |title=It came out 10/19/99, not today |url=https://i.redd.it/hsa2t91ygcu61.jpg |website=[[Instagram]] |access-date=12 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Ducker |first1=Jesse |title=MF Doom's Debut Album 'Operation: Doomsday' Turns 20 <nowiki>|</nowiki> Anniversary Retrospective |url=https://www.albumism.com/features/mf-doom-debut-album-operation-doomsday-turns-20-anniversary-retrospective |website=Albumism |access-date=29 September 2021 |date=19 October 2019}}</ref> and reissued by [[Sub Verse Records]] in 2001 with a slightly altered track listing.<ref>{{cite web |title=MF Doom DISCOGRAPHY |url=https://www.stonesthrow.com/madvillain/mfdoom-discography.html |website=[[Stones Throw Records|Stones Throw]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061215012448/http://www.stonesthrow.com/madvillain/mfdoom-discography.html |archive-date=15 December 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref> It was his first solo release under the MF Doom moniker after previously performing as Zev Love X in the group [[KMD]]. ''Operation: Doomsday'' is regarded as one of the most influential albums in independent hip-hop history.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/14/arts/music/mf-doom-operation-doomsday.html|title=MF Doom, Magician of Memory|work=[[The New York Times]]|first=Jon|last=Caramanica|date=14 January 2021|accessdate=15 January 2021}}</ref> A deluxe remastered version of the album was released by Doom's own Metal Face Records on 24 October 2011.<ref name="linernotesremastered">{{Cite AV media notes|title=Operation: Doomsday|others=MF Doom|year=2011|type=liner notes|publisher=Metal Face Records|id=MF1107|location=Kennesaw, Georgia}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amoeba.com/operation-doomsday-deluxe-edition-cd-mf-doom/albums/833270/ |title=Operation: Doomsday [Deluxe Edition] (CD) |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |website=[[Amoeba Music]] |publisher= |access-date=22 February 2021 |quote=}}</ref> |
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==Background== |
==Background== |
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Following his debut in the late-1980s, Daniel Dumile, then known as Zev Love X, suffered a series of unfortunate setbacks, including the death of his brother and fellow [[KMD]] member [[DJ Subroc]] and the subsequent abandonment of the group's second studio album ''[[Black Bastards]]'' by [[Elektra Records]] due to its political message and cover art.<ref name="Hultkrans">{{cite magazine |author=Hultkrans, Andrew |title=Reissues — MF Doom, 'Operation: Doomsday' |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ARpE2IRKJXMC&pg=PA76 |location= |magazine=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]] |publisher=[[Spin Media LLC]] |volume=27 |issue=4 |page=76 |date=May 2011 |access-date=}}</ref><ref name="Cordor"/><ref name="Caramanica"/> After the untimely death of his brother and the disbanding of KMD in 1993, Zev Love X left the hip-hop community and would suffer years of homelessness and despair. In 1997 he would re-emerge as MF |
Following his debut in the late-1980s, Daniel Dumile, then known as Zev Love X, suffered a series of unfortunate setbacks, including the death of his brother and fellow [[KMD]] member [[DJ Subroc]] and the subsequent abandonment of the group's second studio album ''[[Black Bastards]]'' by [[Elektra Records]] due to its political message and cover art.<ref name="Hultkrans">{{cite magazine |author=Hultkrans, Andrew |title=Reissues — MF Doom, 'Operation: Doomsday' |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ARpE2IRKJXMC&pg=PA76 |location= |magazine=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]] |publisher=[[Spin Media LLC]] |volume=27 |issue=4 |page=76 |date=May 2011 |access-date=}}</ref><ref name="Cordor"/><ref name="Caramanica"/> After the untimely death of his brother and the disbanding of KMD in 1993, Zev Love X left the hip-hop community and would suffer years of homelessness and despair. In 1997 he would re-emerge as MF Doom, covering his face at shows and releasing singles on [[Bobbito Garcia]]'s label [[Fondle 'Em Records]].<ref name="Hultkrans"/> The three singles released generated enough buzz for Garcia to agree to sign Doom for an album. |
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==Recording and production== |
==Recording and production== |
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''Operation: Doomsday'' was produced by Dumile, mostly over a three-week period in which he stayed at Garcia's apartment and borrowed his [[Akai]] [[Akai MPC|MPC2000]] workstation.<ref name="Fu">{{cite web |last1=Fu |first1=Eddie |title=Knowledge Drop: MF |
''Operation: Doomsday'' was produced by Dumile, mostly over a three-week period in which he stayed at Garcia's apartment and borrowed his [[Akai]] [[Akai MPC|MPC2000]] workstation.<ref name="Fu">{{cite web |last1=Fu |first1=Eddie |title=Knowledge Drop: MF Doom Recorded ‘Operation: Doomsday’ On A Borrowed MPC In Three Weeks |url=https://genius.com/a/mf-doom-recorded-operation-doomsday-on-a-borrowed-mpc-in-three-weeks |website=[[Genius (company)|Genius]] |access-date=16 June 2023 |date=20 April 2019}}</ref> His eccentric record production maintains a left-field finish, often invoking mid-1980s [[quiet storm]].<ref name="Caramanica"/><ref name="Cordor"/> He incorporated a variety of musical styles onto the album, featuring an at times abstract mixture of 1980s [[Soul music|soul]] and [[smooth jazz]] [[Loop (music)|loops]] with vintage [[drum break]]s.<ref name="Alternative Press"/><ref name="Cordor"/><ref name="Draper"/> Doom's usage of smooth jazz loops served to alleviate muffled recording sounds while integrating [[cartoon]] samples and [[Sampling (music)|snippet]]s.<ref name="Draper"/><ref name="Caramanica"/> For the most part, MF Doom included minimal [[percussion]] to complement his musical selections, often rapping over their original musical backdrops.<ref name="Caramanica"/> |
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==Music and lyrics== |
==Music and lyrics== |
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As an [[underground rap]] album, ''Operation: Doomsday'' is a [[Lo-fi music|lo-fi]] recording, with MF |
As an [[underground rap]] album, ''Operation: Doomsday'' is a [[Lo-fi music|lo-fi]] recording, with MF Doom producing [[Bedroom music|bedroom]] [[Electro (music)|electro]].<ref name="Cordor"/><ref name="Draper"/> Despite being an earthly work born from tragedy, it revisits the [[cartoon]] pleasure of late-1980s [[Hip hop music|hip-hop]].<ref name="Draper"/> The debut album features dense [[rhyme scheme]]s over tracks composed from a collage of [[R&B]], cartoon [[Sampling (music)|samples]] and [[elevator music]].<ref name="Hultkrans"/><ref name="Powell"/> It is embroidered with an array of samples and snippets, ranging from [[Hanna-Barbera]] cartoon series ''[[Fantastic Four (1967 TV series)|Fantastic Four]]'' and ''[[Scooby-Doo]]'' to 1982 hip-hop film ''[[Wild Style|Wildstyle]]'' to English [[sophisti-pop]] band [[Sade (band)|Sade]].<ref name="Draper"/><ref name="Caramanica"/> ''Operation: Doomsday'' indulges in [[quiet storm]] [[ballad]]ry that evokes a sense of loss, expressing [[smooth jazz]] [[Loop (music)|loops]] which bring balance to muffled soundscapes.<ref name="Caramanica"/><ref name="Draper"/> Throughout the album, MF Doom effectually rhymes over the original musical backgrounds atop minimal [[percussion]].<ref name="Caramanica"/> |
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The |
The backstory of ''Operation: Doomsday'' is similar to that of [[Marvel Comics]] supervillain [[Dr. Doom|Dr. Doom]], with a series of terrible setbacks and tragedy culminating in the birth of a villainous persona.<ref name="Cordor"/><ref name="Christgau"/> After suffering the devastating death of his brother and the dropping of his group from their record label, MF Doom, formerly known as Zev Love X, was left emotionally scarred. His lingering pain manifested in the form of a masked hip-hop supervillain who wishes to rule the world for its own good on ''Operation: Doomsday''.<ref name="Cordor"/><ref name="Christgau"/> In addition, the debut album features thematic [[Hip hop skit|skits]] and interludes which continue the comic book narrative beginning in the opening track all through to a [[spoken word]] monologue by E. Mason alongside [[Guest appearance#Contemporary music|guest appearance]]s from MF Doom's [[Monsta Island Czars]] collective.<ref name="Cohen"/><ref name="Juon">{{cite web|author=Juon, Steve 'Flash' |title=MF Doom :: Operation: Doomsday |url=http://www.rapreviews.com/2000/10/mf-doom-operation-doomsday/ |work=RapReviews |publisher= |date=October 25, 2000 |accessdate=March 21, 2021}}</ref> |
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With an erratic [[thought process]], MF |
With an erratic [[thought process]], MF Doom delivers sharp-witted [[stream-of-consciousness]] rhymes in a deteriorating yet steadfastly murky [[Rapping#Flow|flow]].<ref name="Caramanica"/><ref name="Hultkrans"/><ref name="Chesman"/> At the center of ''Operation: Doomsday'' lies a bent towards [[Free form poetry|free-form]] lyricism and [[Pop culture|pop-culture]] references.<ref name="Chesman"/> Doom uses a raw and lyrically dexterous [[Rapping|delivery]] to recite palatable, off-kilter rhymes containing obscure references.<ref name="Cordor"/> His abstract rapping is laced with disparate [[word association]] grounded by [[tongue-in-cheek]] humor.<ref name="Chesman"/> Much of the album's lyrical content displays MF Doom in emotional disorder. The solo debut album acts as a lengthy exercise in [[Music therapy|musical therapy]], with death hanging over throughout, both musically and lyrically.<ref name="Caramanica"/> Drawing from the weight of his past, ''Operation: Doomsday'' is compact with frank, sincere lyrics and hard, piercing rhymes.<ref name="Cordor"/> |
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==Release and promotion== |
==Release and promotion== |
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After the departure of [[KMD]] from their label [[Elektra Records]], MF |
After the departure of [[KMD]] from their label [[Elektra Records]], MF Doom released his solo debut album, ''Operation: Doomsday'' through the [[Independent record label|independent]] record label [[Fondle 'Em Records]] in 1999. The studio album was re-released through [[Sub Verse Music]] in 2001.<ref name="linernotes2001">{{Cite AV media notes|title=Operation: Doomsday|others=MF Doom|year=2001|type=liner notes|publisher=[[Sub Verse Music]]|id=SVM13|location=New York, New York}}</ref> |
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It was announced on 16 December 2010 that ''Operation: Doomsday'' was being reissued in 2011. The reissue cover was designed by Jason Jagel, who did the art for ''[[Mm..Food]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.juxtapoz.com/Current/jason-jagel-for-mf-doom-operationdoomsday-reissue |title=Jason Jagel for MF |
It was announced on 16 December 2010 that ''Operation: Doomsday'' was being reissued in 2011. The reissue cover was designed by Jason Jagel, who did the art for ''[[Mm..Food]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.juxtapoz.com/Current/jason-jagel-for-mf-doom-operationdoomsday-reissue |title=Jason Jagel for MF Doom operation:doomsday Reissue |access-date=20 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100120112423/http://www.juxtapoz.com/Current/jason-jagel-for-mf-doom-operationdoomsday-reissue |archive-date=20 January 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It was reported that there were licensing issues with the original artwork, which was designed by the famed graffiti writer Keo X-Men,{{citation needed|date=March 2021}} that caused problems with reissuing. [[Stones Throw Records]] stated that Doom was working on a track-listing for the reissue.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://stonesthrow.com/news/2009/12/a-peek-at-mf-doom-operation-doomsday-reissue-2010 |title=A peek at MF Doom's Operation Doomsday reissue in 2010 |access-date=20 January 2010 |archive-date=10 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910215656/http://www.stonesthrow.com/news/2009/12/a-peek-at-mf-doom-operation-doomsday-reissue-2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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==Critical reception== |
==Critical reception== |
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{{Album ratings |
{{Album ratings |
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| rev1 = [[AllMusic]] |
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]] |
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| rev1Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="Cordor">{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/operation-doomsday-mw0000068448 |title=Operation: Doomsday – MF |
| rev1Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="Cordor">{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/operation-doomsday-mw0000068448 |title=Operation: Doomsday – MF Doom |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=12 May 2016 |last=Cordor |first=Cyril |archive-date=18 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120718054458/http://www.allmusic.com/album/operation-doomsday-mw0000068448 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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| rev2 = ''[[Alternative Press (magazine)|Alternative Press]]'' |
| rev2 = ''[[Alternative Press (magazine)|Alternative Press]]'' |
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| rev2Score = 3/5<ref name="Alternative Press">{{cite magazine |author=Alternative Press |title=Indies |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BBQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA65 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |location= |publisher= |date=May 5, 2001 |volume=113 |issue=18 |page=65 |access-date=}}</ref> |
| rev2Score = 3/5<ref name="Alternative Press">{{cite magazine |author=Alternative Press |title=Indies |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BBQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA65 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |location= |publisher= |date=May 5, 2001 |volume=113 |issue=18 |page=65 |access-date=}}</ref> |
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| rev4Score = (favorable)<ref name="Drumming">{{cite magazine |author=Drumming, Neil |title=Reviews |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ICsEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA85 |magazine=[[CMJ New Music Monthly]] |location= |publisher= |date=May–June 2001 |volume= |issue=93 |page=85 |access-date=}}</ref> |
| rev4Score = (favorable)<ref name="Drumming">{{cite magazine |author=Drumming, Neil |title=Reviews |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ICsEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA85 |magazine=[[CMJ New Music Monthly]] |location= |publisher= |date=May–June 2001 |volume= |issue=93 |page=85 |access-date=}}</ref> |
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| rev5 = ''[[Muzik]]'' |
| rev5 = ''[[Muzik]]'' |
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| rev5Score = 5/5<ref>{{cite journal |title=MF |
| rev5Score = 5/5<ref>{{cite journal |title=MF Doom: Operation Doomsday (Subverse, USA) |journal=[[Muzik]] |issue=74 |date=July 2001 |last=Ashon |first=Will |page=145}}</ref> |
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| rev6 = ''[[NME]]'' |
| rev6 = ''[[NME]]'' |
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| rev6Score = 6/10<ref>{{cite journal |title=MF |
| rev6Score = 6/10<ref>{{cite journal |title=MF Doom: Operation Doomsday |journal=[[NME]] |date=30 June 2001 |page=41}}</ref> |
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| rev7 = ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' |
| rev7 = ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' |
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| rev7Score = 8.9/10<ref name="Cohen">{{cite web |url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/15359-operation-doomsday/ |title=MF |
| rev7Score = 8.9/10<ref name="Cohen">{{cite web |url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/15359-operation-doomsday/ |title=MF Doom: Operation Doomsday |work=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |date=25 April 2011 |access-date=12 May 2016 |last=Cohen |first=Ian |archive-date=29 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429164824/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/15359-operation-doomsday/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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| rev8 = ''[[Record Collector]]'' |
| rev8 = ''[[Record Collector]]'' |
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| rev8Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="Draper">{{cite journal |url=http://recordcollectormag.com/reviews/operation-doomsday |title=MF |
| rev8Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="Draper">{{cite journal |url=http://recordcollectormag.com/reviews/operation-doomsday |title=MF Doom – Operation Doomsday |journal=[[Record Collector]] |issue=388 |date=May 2011 |access-date=12 May 2016 |last=Draper |first=Jason |archive-date=10 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510125059/http://recordcollectormag.com/reviews/operation-doomsday |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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| rev9 = ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' |
| rev9 = ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' |
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| rev9Score = 8/10<ref name="Caramanica">{{cite journal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=50Phz-C_VzIC&pg=PA152 |title=KMD: Black Bastards / M.F. Doom: Operation Doomsday |journal=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]] |volume=16 |issue=8 |date=August 2000 |access-date=12 May 2016 |last=Caramanica |first=Jon |author-link=Jon Caramanica |pages=152–54 |archive-date=1 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101190659/https://books.google.com/books?id=50Phz-C_VzIC&pg=PA152 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
| rev9Score = 8/10<ref name="Caramanica">{{cite journal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=50Phz-C_VzIC&pg=PA152 |title=KMD: Black Bastards / M.F. Doom: Operation Doomsday |journal=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]] |volume=16 |issue=8 |date=August 2000 |access-date=12 May 2016 |last=Caramanica |first=Jon |author-link=Jon Caramanica |pages=152–54 |archive-date=1 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101190659/https://books.google.com/books?id=50Phz-C_VzIC&pg=PA152 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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| rev10Score = B+<ref name="Christgau">{{cite news |url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cgv701-01.php |title=Consumer Guide |work=[[The Village Voice]] |date=7 August 2001 |access-date=12 May 2016 |last=Christgau |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Christgau |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304043123/http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cgv701-01.php |url-status=live }}</ref> |
| rev10Score = B+<ref name="Christgau">{{cite news |url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cgv701-01.php |title=Consumer Guide |work=[[The Village Voice]] |date=7 August 2001 |access-date=12 May 2016 |last=Christgau |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Christgau |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304043123/http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cgv701-01.php |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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Upon its release, ''Operation: Doomsday'' garnered praise from contemporary [[music journalism|music journalist]]s, and has since achieved status as a [[cult classic]].<ref name="Cohen"/> ''[[Alternative Press (magazine)|Alternative Press]]'' said the debut, "Places an insightful spin on |
Upon its release, ''Operation: Doomsday'' garnered praise from contemporary [[music journalism|music journalist]]s, and has since achieved status as a [[cult classic]].<ref name="Cohen"/> ''[[Alternative Press (magazine)|Alternative Press]]'' said the debut, "Places an insightful spin on Doom's history on the rap game ... the mish-mashed musical styles that MF incorporates lend a bit of variety, and the generally lo-fi production values give the album character. Refreshing..."<ref name="Alternative Press"/> Writing for ''[[The Village Voice]]'', rock critic [[Robert Christgau]] remarked, "As concept, this could get tedious fast, but as a few skits it's one more scenic sonic on an album that reaches its high point when it samples not just the ''[[Scooby-Doo]]'' theme but [[Scooby-Doo (character)|Scoob]] himself, thus acknowledging that, as Scoob knows so well, some villains are just plain evil."<ref name="Christgau"/> He concluded, "Right, the album never comes into full focus. But it does flow, as music and as signifying. Message: this smart guy had some horrible setbacks and came out on the other side. A [[role model]], you might say."<ref name="Christgau"/> [[AllMusic]]{{'}}s Cyril Cordor stated, "For the hardcore Doom fans, the recorded-in-the-basement quality is appealing and representative of his persona as the underdog who 'came to destroy rap.' ... Even though this album is certainly not for everyone, you can easily respect from where the man is coming."<ref name="Cordor"/> Jason Draper of ''[[Record Collector]]'' opined, "Doom may have become more accomplished – not least recording with [[Madlib]] and [[Danger Mouse (musician)|Danger Mouse]] – but this outside attack launched the bomb, and made MF Doom the [[Leftfield hip hop|leftfield]] hero that he remains today."<ref name="Draper"/> |
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''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]''{{'}}s Ian Cohen described the album as |
''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]''{{'}}s Ian Cohen described the album as Doom's "warmest and most benevolent work, almost entirely bled of the angrier material that would mark future releases." Their review of the 2011 reissue also called the album "a must-hear in just about any format."<ref name="Cohen"/> In his review of the 2011 reissue, [[Nathan Rabin]] from ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' argued that since its initial release ''Operation: Doomsday'' has "attained mythic status; its legend has grown in proportion to its relative unavailability, and to Doom’s ascent to cult godhood."<ref name="Rabin"/> On the album's 20th anniversary, ''[[Stereogum]]'' described it as "an immediately engaging display of [Doom's] raw talent as both a rapper and producer, as well as an engrossing origin story for the most popular of his many alter-egos."<ref name="SG 1">{{cite web |last1=Lyons |first1=Patrick |title=Operation: Doomsday Turns 20 |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2040515/mf-doom-operation-doomsday-turns-20/reviews/the-anniversary/ |website=[[Stereogum]] |access-date=3 January 2021 |date=19 April 2019}}</ref> In a less enthusiastic review, ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' writer [[Jon Caramanica]] claimed, "Sewn together with snippets from the ''Fantastic Four'' and ''Wildstyle'', the album is a rambling exercise in musical therapy."<ref name="Caramanica"/> He concluded, "But Doom ain't no joker: he’s merely fulfilling KMD's mythology ... six years too late."<ref name="Caramanica"/> |
||
===Accolades=== |
===Accolades=== |
||
Line 100: | Line 99: | ||
|''[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]'' |
|''[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]'' |
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|US |
|US |
||
|25 Best Long Island Rap Albums<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2012/07/the-25-best-long-island-rap-albums/mf-doom-operation-doomsday|title=The 25 Best Long Island Rap Albums – 5. MF |
|25 Best Long Island Rap Albums<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2012/07/the-25-best-long-island-rap-albums/mf-doom-operation-doomsday|title=The 25 Best Long Island Rap Albums – 5. MF Doom, Operation: Doomsday (1998)|date=8 July 2012|access-date=25 January 2017|work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|archive-date=25 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130625222353/http://www.complex.com/music/2012/07/the-25-best-long-island-rap-albums/mf-doom-operation-doomsday|url-status=live}}</ref> |
||
|2012 |
|2012 |
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|5 |
|5 |
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Line 116: | Line 115: | ||
|37 |
|37 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
|100 Best Indie Hip-Hop Records of All Time<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.factmag.com/2015/02/25/the-100-best-indie-hip-hop-records-of-all-time/96/|title=The 100 best indie hip-hop records of all time – 06. MF |
|100 Best Indie Hip-Hop Records of All Time<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.factmag.com/2015/02/25/the-100-best-indie-hip-hop-records-of-all-time/96/|title=The 100 best indie hip-hop records of all time – 06. MF Doom – Operation: Doomsday(Fondle 'Em, 1999)|date=25 February 2015|access-date=25 January 2017|work=[[Fact (UK magazine)|Fact]]|archive-date=28 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150228221319/http://www.factmag.com/2015/02/25/the-100-best-indie-hip-hop-records-of-all-time/96/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
||
|2015 |
|2015 |
||
|6 |
|6 |
||
Line 122: | Line 121: | ||
|''[[Hip Hop Connection|Hip-Hop Connection]]'' |
|''[[Hip Hop Connection|Hip-Hop Connection]]'' |
||
|US |
|US |
||
|The 100 Greatest Rap Albums 1995-2005<ref>{{ |
|The 100 Greatest Rap Albums 1995-2005<ref>{{cite magazine|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line --> |title=Top Albums 1995–2005|date=March 2006|issue=198|magazine=[[Hip-Hop Connection]]|pages=45–74}}</ref> |
||
|2006 |
|2006 |
||
|3 |
|3 |
||
Line 134: | Line 133: | ||
==Legacy== |
==Legacy== |
||
''Operation: Doomsday'' has been heralded as an [[Underground music|underground]] classic that established MF |
''Operation: Doomsday'' has been heralded as an [[Underground music|underground]] classic that established MF Doom's rank within the [[underground hip-hop]] scene during the early to mid-2000s.<ref name="Cordor"/> The album has had a vast, long-lasting influence on contemporary underground rap and independent hip-hop artists.<ref name="Cohen"/><ref name="Chesman"/> Writing for streaming service [[Tidal (service)|Tidal]], Dylan Green and Donna-Claire Chesman called the album, "a blueprint for all of independent rap."<ref name="Chesman"/> They cite the "dusty cartoon samples" of its lo-fi production, MF Doom's preference for keeping [[anonymity|anonymous]], his "stream-of-consciousness flows" and the [[Self-sustainability|self-sustainance]] ethos that led to self-producing the entire studio album himself as essential elements both driving ''Operation: Doomsday'' as well as serving a source of inspiration for countless artists worldwide.<ref name="Chesman">{{Cite web|url=https://tidal.com/magazine/article/mf-dooms-operation-20/1-54901|title=MF Doom's 'Operation: Doomsday' is the Blueprint for Independent Hip-Hop|last1=Green|first1=Dylan|last2=Chesman|first2=Donna-Claire|work=[[Tidal (service)|TIDAL Magazine]] |date=April 20, 2019|accessdate=January 3, 2021}}</ref> |
||
==Track listing== |
==Track listing== |
||
All tracks were written and produced by [[MF |
All tracks were written and produced by [[MF Doom]]. |
||
{{Track listing |
{{Track listing |
||
| headline = Side Zero<ref name="linernotes">{{Cite AV media notes|title=Operation: Doomsday|others=MF |
| headline = Side Zero<ref name="linernotes">{{Cite AV media notes|title=Operation: Doomsday|others=MF Doom|year=1999|type=liner notes|publisher=[[Fondle 'Em Records]]|id=FE-86|location=New York, New York}}</ref> |
||
| all_writing = |
| all_writing = |
||
| title1 = The Time We Faced |
| title1 = The Time We Faced Doom |
||
| note1 = Skit |
| note1 = Skit |
||
| length1 = 2:04 |
| length1 = 2:04 |
||
Line 165: | Line 164: | ||
| length2 = 4:05 |
| length2 = 4:05 |
||
| title3 = Red and Gold |
| title3 = Red and Gold |
||
| note3 = featuring [[MF |
| note3 = featuring [[MF Doom|King Ghidra]] |
||
| length3 = 4:43 |
| length3 = 4:43 |
||
| title4 = The Hands of |
| title4 = The Hands of Doom |
||
| note4 = Skit |
| note4 = Skit |
||
| length4 = 1:52 |
| length4 = 1:52 |
||
Line 176: | Line 175: | ||
{{Track listing |
{{Track listing |
||
| headline = Side Two |
| headline = Side Two |
||
| title1 = |
| title1 = Doom, Are You Awake? |
||
| note1 = Skit |
| note1 = Skit |
||
| length1 = 1:13 |
| length1 = 1:13 |
||
Line 186: | Line 185: | ||
| title4 = The Mic |
| title4 = The Mic |
||
| length4 = 3:04 |
| length4 = 3:04 |
||
| title5 = The Mystery of |
| title5 = The Mystery of Doom |
||
| note5 = Skit |
| note5 = Skit |
||
| length5 = 0:24 |
| length5 = 0:24 |
||
Line 203: | Line 202: | ||
| length4 = 2:59 |
| length4 = 2:59 |
||
| total_length = 58:20 |
| total_length = 58:20 |
||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
{{Track listing |
|||
| headline = Side Three (2001 re-release)<ref name="linernotes2001">{{Cite AV media notes|title=Operation: Doomsday|others=MF DOOM|year=2001|type=liner notes|publisher=[[Sub Verse Music]]|id=SVM13|location=New York, New York}}</ref> |
|||
| title4 = I Hear Voices |
|||
| length4 = 3:03 |
|||
| note4 = Part One) (Bonus Track |
|||
}} |
|||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
==Personnel== |
==Personnel== |
||
Credits are adapted from the albums' liner notes.{{efn|The three major releases of this album on [[Fondle 'Em Records]], [[Sub Verse Music]], and Metal Face Records each have different credits in their liner notes.<ref name="linernotes"/><ref name="linernotes2001"/><ref name="linernotes2008">{{Cite AV media notes|title=Operation: Doomsday|others=MF |
Credits are adapted from the albums' liner notes.{{efn|The three major releases of this album on [[Fondle 'Em Records]], [[Sub Verse Music]], and Metal Face Records each have different credits in their liner notes.<ref name="linernotes"/><ref name="linernotes2001"/><ref name="linernotes2008">{{Cite AV media notes|title=Operation: Doomsday|others=MF Doom|year=2008|type=liner notes|publisher=Metal Face Records|id=MF86|location=Kennesaw, Georgia}}</ref>}} |
||
=== 1999 Fondle 'Em Records release === |
=== 1999 Fondle 'Em Records release === |
||
'''Personnel''' |
'''Personnel''' |
||
* [[MF |
* [[MF Doom|MF.Doom]] – production |
||
'''Additional personnel''' |
'''Additional personnel''' |
||
* [[MF |
* [[MF Doom|Daniel Dumile]]{{efn|Credited as "MF.Doom" on the 2008 Metal Face Records re-release.}} – executive production |
||
* [[MF Grimm|Percy Carey]]{{efn|Credited as "MF.Grim"<!--- Not "Grimm" ---> on the 2008 Metal Face Records re-release.}} – executive production |
* [[MF Grimm|Percy Carey]]{{efn|Credited as "MF.Grim"<!--- Not "Grimm" ---> on the 2008 Metal Face Records re-release.}} – executive production |
||
* Big Lou – executive production |
* Big Lou – executive production |
||
Line 229: | Line 220: | ||
'''Artwork''' |
'''Artwork''' |
||
* [[MF |
* [[MF Doom|Doom]] – illustration |
||
* Scotch 79 – art direction |
* Scotch 79 – art direction |
||
Line 235: | Line 226: | ||
'''Personnel''' |
'''Personnel''' |
||
* [[MF |
* [[MF Doom|Metal Fingers Doom]] – production |
||
* [[Bobbito Garcia|D.J. Cucumber Slice]] – cuts {{small|(3)}}, additional vocals {{small|(3)}} |
* [[Bobbito Garcia|D.J. Cucumber Slice]] – cuts {{small|(3)}}, additional vocals {{small|(3)}} |
||
* Big Lou – co-production {{small|(10)}} |
* Big Lou – co-production {{small|(10)}} |
||
Line 243: | Line 234: | ||
'''Additional personnel''' |
'''Additional personnel''' |
||
* Metal Fingers |
* Metal Fingers Doom – mixing |
||
* [[MF Doom|MF |
* [[MF Doom|MF Doom]] – executive production |
||
* [[MF Grimm]] – executive production |
* [[MF Grimm]] – executive production |
||
* Big Lou – executive production |
* Big Lou – executive production |
||
* Bobbito – executive production |
* Bobbito – executive production |
||
==Charts== |
|||
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
|||
|+ Chart performance for ''Operation: Doomsday'' |
|||
! scope="col"| Chart (2021–2024) |
|||
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |
|||
|- |
|||
{{album chart|Scotland|38|date=20210604|rowheader=true|access-date=10 December 2024}} |
|||
|- |
|||
{{album chart|UKDigital|42|date=20210108|rowheader=true|access-date=10 December 2024}} |
|||
|- |
|||
! scope="row"| UK Albums Sales ([[Official Charts Company|OCC]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-sales-chart/20210604/7511/|title=Official Albums Sales Chart Top 100|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|access-date=10 December 2024}}</ref> |
|||
| 37 |
|||
|- |
|||
{{album chart|UKIndependent|13|date=20210604|rowheader=true|access-date=10 December 2024}} |
|||
|- |
|||
{{album chart|UKR&B|2|date=20210604|rowheader=true|access-date=10 December 2024}} |
|||
|- |
|||
{{album chart|Billboard200|109|artist=MF Doom|rowheader=true|access-date=10 December 2024}} |
|||
|- |
|||
{{album chart|BillboardIndependent|17|artist=MF Doom|rowheader=true|access-date=10 December 2024}} |
|||
|- |
|||
{{album chart|BillboardRandBHipHop|34|artist=MF Doom|rowheader=true|access-date=10 December 2024}} |
|||
⚫ | |||
==Notes== |
==Notes== |
Latest revision as of 13:08, 10 December 2024
Operation: Doomsday | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by | ||||
Released | 19 October 1999 | |||
Recorded | 1997–1999 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 58:20 | |||
Label | Fondle 'Em | |||
Producer | MF Doom | |||
MF Doom chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from Operation: Doomsday | ||||
|
Operation: Doomsday is the debut studio album by British-American rapper MF Doom, released through Fondle 'Em Records on 19 October 1999[2][3][4][5] and reissued by Sub Verse Records in 2001 with a slightly altered track listing.[6] It was his first solo release under the MF Doom moniker after previously performing as Zev Love X in the group KMD. Operation: Doomsday is regarded as one of the most influential albums in independent hip-hop history.[7] A deluxe remastered version of the album was released by Doom's own Metal Face Records on 24 October 2011.[8][9]
Background
[edit]Following his debut in the late-1980s, Daniel Dumile, then known as Zev Love X, suffered a series of unfortunate setbacks, including the death of his brother and fellow KMD member DJ Subroc and the subsequent abandonment of the group's second studio album Black Bastards by Elektra Records due to its political message and cover art.[10][11][12] After the untimely death of his brother and the disbanding of KMD in 1993, Zev Love X left the hip-hop community and would suffer years of homelessness and despair. In 1997 he would re-emerge as MF Doom, covering his face at shows and releasing singles on Bobbito Garcia's label Fondle 'Em Records.[10] The three singles released generated enough buzz for Garcia to agree to sign Doom for an album.
Recording and production
[edit]Operation: Doomsday was produced by Dumile, mostly over a three-week period in which he stayed at Garcia's apartment and borrowed his Akai MPC2000 workstation.[13] His eccentric record production maintains a left-field finish, often invoking mid-1980s quiet storm.[12][11] He incorporated a variety of musical styles onto the album, featuring an at times abstract mixture of 1980s soul and smooth jazz loops with vintage drum breaks.[14][11][15] Doom's usage of smooth jazz loops served to alleviate muffled recording sounds while integrating cartoon samples and snippets.[15][12] For the most part, MF Doom included minimal percussion to complement his musical selections, often rapping over their original musical backdrops.[12]
Music and lyrics
[edit]As an underground rap album, Operation: Doomsday is a lo-fi recording, with MF Doom producing bedroom electro.[11][15] Despite being an earthly work born from tragedy, it revisits the cartoon pleasure of late-1980s hip-hop.[15] The debut album features dense rhyme schemes over tracks composed from a collage of R&B, cartoon samples and elevator music.[10][16] It is embroidered with an array of samples and snippets, ranging from Hanna-Barbera cartoon series Fantastic Four and Scooby-Doo to 1982 hip-hop film Wildstyle to English sophisti-pop band Sade.[15][12] Operation: Doomsday indulges in quiet storm balladry that evokes a sense of loss, expressing smooth jazz loops which bring balance to muffled soundscapes.[12][15] Throughout the album, MF Doom effectually rhymes over the original musical backgrounds atop minimal percussion.[12]
The backstory of Operation: Doomsday is similar to that of Marvel Comics supervillain Dr. Doom, with a series of terrible setbacks and tragedy culminating in the birth of a villainous persona.[11][17] After suffering the devastating death of his brother and the dropping of his group from their record label, MF Doom, formerly known as Zev Love X, was left emotionally scarred. His lingering pain manifested in the form of a masked hip-hop supervillain who wishes to rule the world for its own good on Operation: Doomsday.[11][17] In addition, the debut album features thematic skits and interludes which continue the comic book narrative beginning in the opening track all through to a spoken word monologue by E. Mason alongside guest appearances from MF Doom's Monsta Island Czars collective.[18][19]
With an erratic thought process, MF Doom delivers sharp-witted stream-of-consciousness rhymes in a deteriorating yet steadfastly murky flow.[12][10][20] At the center of Operation: Doomsday lies a bent towards free-form lyricism and pop-culture references.[20] Doom uses a raw and lyrically dexterous delivery to recite palatable, off-kilter rhymes containing obscure references.[11] His abstract rapping is laced with disparate word association grounded by tongue-in-cheek humor.[20] Much of the album's lyrical content displays MF Doom in emotional disorder. The solo debut album acts as a lengthy exercise in musical therapy, with death hanging over throughout, both musically and lyrically.[12] Drawing from the weight of his past, Operation: Doomsday is compact with frank, sincere lyrics and hard, piercing rhymes.[11]
Release and promotion
[edit]After the departure of KMD from their label Elektra Records, MF Doom released his solo debut album, Operation: Doomsday through the independent record label Fondle 'Em Records in 1999. The studio album was re-released through Sub Verse Music in 2001.[21]
It was announced on 16 December 2010 that Operation: Doomsday was being reissued in 2011. The reissue cover was designed by Jason Jagel, who did the art for Mm..Food.[22] It was reported that there were licensing issues with the original artwork, which was designed by the famed graffiti writer Keo X-Men,[citation needed] that caused problems with reissuing. Stones Throw Records stated that Doom was working on a track-listing for the reissue.[23]
Critical reception
[edit]Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [11] |
Alternative Press | 3/5[14] |
The A.V. Club | A[24] |
CMJ New Music Monthly | (favorable)[25] |
Muzik | 5/5[26] |
NME | 6/10[27] |
Pitchfork | 8.9/10[18] |
Record Collector | [15] |
Spin | 8/10[12] |
The Village Voice | B+[17] |
Upon its release, Operation: Doomsday garnered praise from contemporary music journalists, and has since achieved status as a cult classic.[18] Alternative Press said the debut, "Places an insightful spin on Doom's history on the rap game ... the mish-mashed musical styles that MF incorporates lend a bit of variety, and the generally lo-fi production values give the album character. Refreshing..."[14] Writing for The Village Voice, rock critic Robert Christgau remarked, "As concept, this could get tedious fast, but as a few skits it's one more scenic sonic on an album that reaches its high point when it samples not just the Scooby-Doo theme but Scoob himself, thus acknowledging that, as Scoob knows so well, some villains are just plain evil."[17] He concluded, "Right, the album never comes into full focus. But it does flow, as music and as signifying. Message: this smart guy had some horrible setbacks and came out on the other side. A role model, you might say."[17] AllMusic's Cyril Cordor stated, "For the hardcore Doom fans, the recorded-in-the-basement quality is appealing and representative of his persona as the underdog who 'came to destroy rap.' ... Even though this album is certainly not for everyone, you can easily respect from where the man is coming."[11] Jason Draper of Record Collector opined, "Doom may have become more accomplished – not least recording with Madlib and Danger Mouse – but this outside attack launched the bomb, and made MF Doom the leftfield hero that he remains today."[15]
Pitchfork's Ian Cohen described the album as Doom's "warmest and most benevolent work, almost entirely bled of the angrier material that would mark future releases." Their review of the 2011 reissue also called the album "a must-hear in just about any format."[18] In his review of the 2011 reissue, Nathan Rabin from The A.V. Club argued that since its initial release Operation: Doomsday has "attained mythic status; its legend has grown in proportion to its relative unavailability, and to Doom’s ascent to cult godhood."[24] On the album's 20th anniversary, Stereogum described it as "an immediately engaging display of [Doom's] raw talent as both a rapper and producer, as well as an engrossing origin story for the most popular of his many alter-egos."[28] In a less enthusiastic review, Spin writer Jon Caramanica claimed, "Sewn together with snippets from the Fantastic Four and Wildstyle, the album is a rambling exercise in musical therapy."[12] He concluded, "But Doom ain't no joker: he’s merely fulfilling KMD's mythology ... six years too late."[12]
Accolades
[edit]Publication | Country | Accolade | Year | Rank |
---|---|---|---|---|
About.com | US | 100 Best Hip-Hop Albums[29] | 2015 | 97 |
Complex | US | 25 Best Long Island Rap Albums[30] | 2012 | 5 |
Consequence of Sound | US | Top 20 Hip-Hop Solo Albums[31] | 2013 | 9 |
Fact | UK | The 100 Best Albums of the 1990s[32] | 2012 | 37 |
100 Best Indie Hip-Hop Records of All Time[33] | 2015 | 6 | ||
Hip-Hop Connection | US | The 100 Greatest Rap Albums 1995-2005[34] | 2006 | 3 |
Spin | US | Best Reissues of 2011[16] | 2012 | 8 |
Legacy
[edit]Operation: Doomsday has been heralded as an underground classic that established MF Doom's rank within the underground hip-hop scene during the early to mid-2000s.[11] The album has had a vast, long-lasting influence on contemporary underground rap and independent hip-hop artists.[18][20] Writing for streaming service Tidal, Dylan Green and Donna-Claire Chesman called the album, "a blueprint for all of independent rap."[20] They cite the "dusty cartoon samples" of its lo-fi production, MF Doom's preference for keeping anonymous, his "stream-of-consciousness flows" and the self-sustainance ethos that led to self-producing the entire studio album himself as essential elements both driving Operation: Doomsday as well as serving a source of inspiration for countless artists worldwide.[20]
Track listing
[edit]All tracks were written and produced by MF Doom.
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "The Time We Faced Doom" (Skit) | 2:04 |
2. | "Doomsday" (featuring Pebbles the Invisible Girl) | 4:58 |
3. | "Rhymes Like Dimes" (featuring DJ Cucumber Slice) | 4:18 |
4. | "The Finest" (featuring Tommy Gunn) | 4:01 |
5. | "Back in the Days" (Skit) | 0:46 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Go with the Flow" | 3:36 |
2. | "Tick, Tick…" (featuring MF Grimm) | 4:05 |
3. | "Red and Gold" (featuring King Ghidra) | 4:43 |
4. | "The Hands of Doom" (Skit) | 1:52 |
5. | "Who You Think I Am?" (featuring X-Ray, Rodan, Megalon, K.D., King Ghidra, and Kong[a]) | 3:24 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Doom, Are You Awake?" (Skit) | 1:13 |
2. | "Hey!" | 3:47 |
3. | "Operation: Greenbacks" (featuring Megalon) | 3:49 |
4. | "The Mic" | 3:04 |
5. | "The Mystery of Doom" (Skit) | 0:24 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Dead Bent" | 2:22 |
2. | "Gas Drawls" | 3:46 |
3. | "?" (featuring Kurious) | 3:09 |
4. | "Hero vs. Villain (Epilogue)" (featuring E.Mason) | 2:59 |
Total length: | 58:20 |
Notes
- MF Doom is credited as a feature on the tracks "Red and Gold" and "Who You Think I Am?" under the alias "King Ghidra".
Personnel
[edit]Credits are adapted from the albums' liner notes.[b]
1999 Fondle 'Em Records release
[edit]Personnel
- MF.Doom – production
Additional personnel
- Daniel Dumile[c] – executive production
- Percy Carey[d] – executive production
- Big Lou – executive production
- Bobbito – executive production
Artwork
- Doom – illustration
- Scotch 79 – art direction
2001 Sub Verse Music re-release
[edit]Personnel
- Metal Fingers Doom – production
- D.J. Cucumber Slice – cuts (3), additional vocals (3)
- Big Lou – co-production (10)
- X-Ray da Mindbenda – co-production (2, 14)
- Pebbles the Invisible Girl – additional vocals (2, 14)
- Ill-Clown – co-production (4)
Additional personnel
- Metal Fingers Doom – mixing
- MF Doom – executive production
- MF Grimm – executive production
- Big Lou – executive production
- Bobbito – executive production
Charts
[edit]Chart (2021–2024) | Peak position |
---|---|
Scottish Albums (OCC)[37] | 38 |
UK Album Downloads (OCC)[38] | 42 |
UK Albums Sales (OCC)[39] | 37 |
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[40] | 13 |
UK R&B Albums (OCC)[41] | 2 |
US Billboard 200[42] | 109 |
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[43] | 17 |
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[44] | 34 |
Notes
[edit]- ^ Feature credits in the 2001 re-release are listed as King Ceasar, Rodan, Megalon, Kamakiras, and Kong
- ^ The three major releases of this album on Fondle 'Em Records, Sub Verse Music, and Metal Face Records each have different credits in their liner notes.[35][21][36]
- ^ Credited as "MF.Doom" on the 2008 Metal Face Records re-release.
- ^ Credited as "MF.Grim" on the 2008 Metal Face Records re-release.
References
[edit]- ^ Tick, Tick... (liner notes). MF Doom; MF Grimm. New York, New York: Day by Day Entertainment. 2015.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Adams, Dart (19 April 2019). "MF Doom 'Operation: Doomsday': A 20th Anniversary Retrospective". Medium. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
- ^ Garcia, Robert (22 April 2020). "Had to repost this from last year ... Dear press/Wiki: Here's the invoice, dated August 9, 1999, for the original MF Doom debut album 'Operation Doomsday'". Instagram. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
- ^ Garcia, Robert. "It came out 10/19/99, not today". Instagram. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
- ^ Ducker, Jesse (19 October 2019). "MF Doom's Debut Album 'Operation: Doomsday' Turns 20 | Anniversary Retrospective". Albumism. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
- ^ "MF Doom DISCOGRAPHY". Stones Throw. Archived from the original on 15 December 2006.
- ^ Caramanica, Jon (14 January 2021). "MF Doom, Magician of Memory". The New York Times. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
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External links
[edit]- Operation: Doomsday at Discogs (list of releases)