The following is an email interview received via DOOM's management, in response to questions submitted by EYE WEEKLY. It has not been altered or edited.
Do you intend to create new characters completely separate from DOOM and those that already exist, such as Ghidra? Why or why not?
The characters have always been here. Some you know of and some you have yet to meet.
I understand youגre about to reissue Operation: Doomsday. Looking back at DOOM and how heגs changed as a character since the beginning, where do you see him going in the future? For example, would you show DOOM confronting the aging process, or is he like a superhero who stays roughly the same age in every subsequent story?
Every age that he's been he still is. He is speaking to the youth from an older point of view. Next record he might be a toddler. Word.
What made you decide to move from New York to Atlanta?
Here on the dark side of Jupiter, the weather is great around this time of the year. Atlanta and New York are both home as well.
A particular rhyme from גBallskinג (גHe wears a mask so when he dons his face / Each and every race, could absorb the bassג) reminded me of musicians like Sun Ra and P-Funk who said they were aliens, which some people thought was because being aliens meant you could live among the human race without having to deal with racial politics. Is that why DOOM wears the mask? (If not, can you clarify what the line means?)
It's "dogs his face." It means when his face is distorted, you will pay attention to the music.
Youגve said that the reason to come to a DOOM concert is to listen, not to watch. If I come to a DOOM show and close my eyes, what will I hear that I canגt hear on a DOOM album? How will the experience be different?
When you have a bunch of like-minded people together in the same place to enjoy music, there is an exchange of energy amongst us all. That dynamic makes it a unique experience for the listener as well as the artist.
Are there any record labels that you would like to work with for a second album? Will the next Madvillain album come out on Stones Throw? Isnגt it a lot of work to find a new label every time?
Sure. We'll work with any labels in the whole world as long as they treat their employees fairly.True. Stones Throw for the next Madvillain record. Workin on some more stuff for Lex/EMI. Good situations present themselves naturally.
Regarding the next Madvillain, do you and Madlib work together in the same room, or do you record your contributions separately?
Both.
How did you hook up with Empress Stahrr and John Robinson? Do you plan to work with either of them in the future, and if so, on what?
We always do good work together. You'll hear more in your future.
Have you turned down requests from other MCs for your beats or verses? If so, which ones, and why?
Nope. I'll work with everybody.
Your collaboration with Jake One was incredible. Are there any producers out there youגd like to hook up with whom you havenגt yet?
Yep. Whoever we haven't hooked up with yet.
Outside of hip-hop, what writers or other types of artists do you admire, and why?
Johnny Cash, John Coltrane, and John Beluschi. [sic]
How do you think youגll be remembered? Do you think your reputation will grow after youגre gone?
Energy can never be created or destroyed. Always did, does, and will exsist.
Have you ever considered returning to doing music as Daniel Dumile, and making it more directly autobiographical?
Why or why not? Huh? I'm not sure what you mean. He's always him.
You're in Heaven right now, God.
Create the universe you dream of. http://www.mindbenderlovesyou.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
at this and at his mad short, non committal answers.
