Street in Long Beach to be renamed 'MF DOOM Way' in honour of late rapper

A street in New York will be renamed in honour of late rapper MF DOOM, according to the City Council of Long Beach.

The street will be named ‘KMD – MF DOOM Way’, honouring both the rapper (real name) Daniel Dumile) and the '90s hip hop group KMD he formed with his brother Dingilizwe ‘DJ Subroc’ Dumile.

Known for his intricate wordplay, signature metal mask, and "supervillain" stage persona, the British-American rapper became a major figure of underground hip-hop in the 2000s.

The avenue will run between Long Beach Boulevard and Riverside Boulevard, where the rapper and his brother spent their childhood.

The dedication was given permission on July 6 after much lobbying from Dr. Patrick C. Graham, a professor, public and social sector leader and a former schoolmate of DOOM. A petition and presentation by the ‘KMD – MF DOOM Way Committee’ was led by KMD dancer Jason ‘J-Quest the Boogieman’ Massey.

“The honouring of Daniel Dumile, the artist known as MF DOOM, is part of a tradition that must include the hip hop generation,” Dr Graham said to HipHopDX.

“His hip hop lyricism represents some of the culture’s best linguistic metaphors, garnering intergenerational and interracial admiration. His life and art symbolise the resilience we need in our present context.”

On December 31st, 2020, it was revealed that the rapper and producer had passed away on Halloween - with the cause of death yet to be confirmed by his family.

A full-length posthumous album with American hip hop supergroup Czarface, Super What?, was released in May 2021. Dublin rapper Rejjie Snow also released 'Cookie Chips' in July featuring the hip-hop icon.