Following allegations that lyric books belonging to MF DOOM were not in the possession of the late artist's family, his widow has confirmed that multiple attempts were made at retrieval before his 2020 passing.
In a statement provided to Complex, Jasmine Dumile claims that DOOM's lyric books are in the possession of Eothen "Egon" Alapatt, a former DOOM associate who is now the president and founder of reissue label Now-Again Records.
Alapatt — who is also the creative director of the J. Dilla Estate and a co-founder of Madlib Invazion, the production company and label of the revered producer — previously served as the general manager of Stones Throw Records from 2000 to 2011, and is credited with Project Coordination on Madlib and MF DOOM's collaborative album as Madvillain, 2004's Madvillainy.
While it is unclear how the lyric books came into Alapatt's possession, Dumile's statement confirms that she and DOOM's team have made previous attempts to recover them before DOOM's passing in October 2020.
"We can confirm Eothen 'Egon' Alapatt is illegally in possession of rhyme books owned by MF DOOM," Dumile's statement reads [via Complex]. "There have been many unsuccessful attempts to get these back prior to DOOM's passing. 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. Unfortunately, Egon is not the only former associate abusing the likeness, art and life's work of DOOM, more will be said at the appropriate time."
Dumile's statement to Complex arrives following initial allegations of DOOM's rhyme book theft from Talib Kweli, who also accused Alapatt of trying to block the release of Black Star's Madlib-produced album, No Fear of Time, late last month.
"Today all I want to know is why Egon stole MF DOOM rhyme book and refuses to give it back to DOOM family, even after MF DOOM passed away," Kweli wrote in an Instagram caption (August 31). "MF DOOM officiated this mans wedding FOR FREE, but then later stopped rocking with him because of his devil ways. Someone tag nowagain and [ask] Egon why he stole MF DOOM rhyme book, he got me blocked. The era of the culture vulture is OVER."
In a subsequent post made today, Kweli wrote that "MF DOOM widow is not lying" about Alapatt's actions, adding, "The full story of how dastardly Now Again Records founder Eothen "Egon" Alapatt is has yet to be told, but soon come."
Alapatt was, quite literally, instrumental in connecting Madlib and DOOM. As the executive recalled to Pitchfork's Jeff Weiss in 2014 upon Madvillainy's tenth anniversary, "I told my friend that Madlib's been making beats and I needed to get them to DOOM to get Madlib back into rap again," sharing how he sent a collection of Madlib instrumentals to said friend in Kennesaw, GA, to pass along to DOOM in Atlanta.
In the weeks that followed, arrangements were made to get DOOM and Madlib working together on the West coast. Weiss writes that "one of several quasi-managers then orbiting the DOOM solar system demanded plane tickets to LA and $1,500 for three songs over Madlib beats," to which Stones Throw agreed.
Alapatt recalled to Pitchfork that upon DOOM reaching Stones Throw HQ, "The first thing his manager did was get me in my bedroom, which was also the office, and corner me about the 1,500 bucks. I realized that if she was in here, then DOOM was with [Madlib], and the longer I kept up this charade with her, the longer they'll vibe and maybe it all might work out."
It is safe to say things worked out considering the critical acclaim Madvillainy received, and we sincerely hope things work out when it comes to MF DOOM's lyric books being returned.
In a statement provided to Complex, Jasmine Dumile claims that DOOM's lyric books are in the possession of Eothen "Egon" Alapatt, a former DOOM associate who is now the president and founder of reissue label Now-Again Records.
Alapatt — who is also the creative director of the J. Dilla Estate and a co-founder of Madlib Invazion, the production company and label of the revered producer — previously served as the general manager of Stones Throw Records from 2000 to 2011, and is credited with Project Coordination on Madlib and MF DOOM's collaborative album as Madvillain, 2004's Madvillainy.
While it is unclear how the lyric books came into Alapatt's possession, Dumile's statement confirms that she and DOOM's team have made previous attempts to recover them before DOOM's passing in October 2020.
"We can confirm Eothen 'Egon' Alapatt is illegally in possession of rhyme books owned by MF DOOM," Dumile's statement reads [via Complex]. "There have been many unsuccessful attempts to get these back prior to DOOM's passing. 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. Unfortunately, Egon is not the only former associate abusing the likeness, art and life's work of DOOM, more will be said at the appropriate time."
Dumile's statement to Complex arrives following initial allegations of DOOM's rhyme book theft from Talib Kweli, who also accused Alapatt of trying to block the release of Black Star's Madlib-produced album, No Fear of Time, late last month.
"Today all I want to know is why Egon stole MF DOOM rhyme book and refuses to give it back to DOOM family, even after MF DOOM passed away," Kweli wrote in an Instagram caption (August 31). "MF DOOM officiated this mans wedding FOR FREE, but then later stopped rocking with him because of his devil ways. Someone tag nowagain and [ask] Egon why he stole MF DOOM rhyme book, he got me blocked. The era of the culture vulture is OVER."
In a subsequent post made today, Kweli wrote that "MF DOOM widow is not lying" about Alapatt's actions, adding, "The full story of how dastardly Now Again Records founder Eothen "Egon" Alapatt is has yet to be told, but soon come."
Alapatt was, quite literally, instrumental in connecting Madlib and DOOM. As the executive recalled to Pitchfork's Jeff Weiss in 2014 upon Madvillainy's tenth anniversary, "I told my friend that Madlib's been making beats and I needed to get them to DOOM to get Madlib back into rap again," sharing how he sent a collection of Madlib instrumentals to said friend in Kennesaw, GA, to pass along to DOOM in Atlanta.
In the weeks that followed, arrangements were made to get DOOM and Madlib working together on the West coast. Weiss writes that "one of several quasi-managers then orbiting the DOOM solar system demanded plane tickets to LA and $1,500 for three songs over Madlib beats," to which Stones Throw agreed.
Alapatt recalled to Pitchfork that upon DOOM reaching Stones Throw HQ, "The first thing his manager did was get me in my bedroom, which was also the office, and corner me about the 1,500 bucks. I realized that if she was in here, then DOOM was with [Madlib], and the longer I kept up this charade with her, the longer they'll vibe and maybe it all might work out."
It is safe to say things worked out considering the critical acclaim Madvillainy received, and we sincerely hope things work out when it comes to MF DOOM's lyric books being returned.
