The long-standing battle over MF DOOM’s personal notebooks has officially come to an end. On February 28, the late rapper’s official Instagram account announced that his widow, Jasmine Thompson, and former Stones Throw Records manager Eothen “Egon” Alapatt have reached a confidential settlement, finally resolving their dispute over DOOM’s handwritten lyrics and notes.
A Controversial Legal Battle Over Hip-Hop History
The notebooks, which contain lyrics from some of DOOM’s most iconic albums—including Operation: Doomsday, Madvillainy, and MM…FOOD—were the subject of a lawsuit filed in 2023 by DOOM’s estate. According to the lawsuit, Alapatt acquired the notebooks while DOOM was out of the country, never consulting the rapper before claiming ownership.
When confronted, Alapatt initially denied having the notebooks but later admitted to possessing them. His justification? He claimed that since DOOM allegedly owed him $12,500 in rent, he had covered the cost and, therefore, had the right to the materials. Additionally, the lawsuit alleged that Alapatt made unauthorized digital copies of the notebooks and may have shared them with others, raising concerns about potential copyright infringement.
Statements From Both Parties
With the dispute now settled, both Thompson and Alapatt have issued statements acknowledging the resolution and confirming that the notebooks have been returned to DOOM’s estate.
Alapatt, who once worked closely with DOOM during his time on Stones Throw, stated:
“DOOM was a dear friend to me and one of the most important artists I’ve ever known. I bought DOOM’s notebooks and kept them safe for years to ensure his powerful musical legacy could be preserved. The resolution Jasmine and I have reached represents a significant triumph in protecting the genesis of a once-in-a-lifetime talent. I am proud to have played a role in saving some precious markers of DOOM’s life in music and trust Jasmine to determine the next steps for his notebooks.”
Meanwhile, Thompson, speaking on behalf of herself and DOOM’s family, expressed relief that the matter had been put to rest:
“We are relieved to bring this chapter to a close. Over the years, there have been many public narratives concerning this matter, some of which have been misrepresented or unfairly magnified. While differences did arise along the way, we acknowledge that Egon preserved DOOM’s invaluable notebooks and are grateful to now have them returned as part of this resolution.”
What Happens Next?
With the notebooks finally back in the hands of DOOM’s estate, the question remains: what will become of their contents? Thompson will now determine how to handle the unreleased material, which could mean future posthumous releases, museum exhibitions, or archival projects that honor DOOM’s lyrical genius.
The resolution marks a significant moment for hip-hop history, ensuring that DOOM’s creative legacy remains intact and respected. Fans can now look forward to how the estate chooses to share or preserve these handwritten artifacts of one of the most innovative and enigmatic figures in rap history.