Chronological Order

While it wasn't how I was introduced to MF DOOM, listening to his albums in order of release is a completely viable option. It allows you to listen to how he progressivly honed his craft in terms of storytelling as well as wordplay. Despite this, there never seems to be albums that are harder to listen to, since even since his first album he was alread considered a legend in the undergorund hiphop community. This list doesn't include all of his albums, but these are his main, most essential albums to listen to.

1. Operation: Doomsday (1999)

Dumile's first release under the name MF DOOM, and an instant underground classic. This album is especially well known for its amazing skits and samples, such as an unexpected Scooby-Doo sample of Hey!, and its many classic hits, such as Doomsday, Rhymes Like Dimes, and Gas Drawls.

2. Take Me to Your Leader (2003)

Take Me to Your Leader was released under the persona of King Gheedorah, a three headed space monster based on the creature of the same name in the Godzilla universe. This album is one of his most cinematic, with tons of sampling and storytelling, some tracks with the sole purpose of telling a story through skits. This album doesn't featire too much of Dumile rapping at all, but instead is an equal mix of Dumile, featured rappers, and skits. This album has always been one of my favorites for its creative samping of the Megalon movies, best seen on my favorite track No Snakes Alive.

3. Vaudeville Villain (2003)

My personal favorite MF DOOM album, Vaudeville Villain sees Dumile take on the persona of Viktor Vaughn, a time-travelling street hustler, stranded in the future. Suffice to say, this album is full of masterful storytelling. An outlier compared to his other albums, however, since there is not a single song on this album produced by Metal Fingers himself, yet there is still incredible production to be found on tracks like Never Dead, my personal favorite, and the high energy Saliva. This is one of DOOM's most creative albums, where he completely ignore the standards of hip hop music and creates something truly unique.

4. Madvillainy (2004)

DOOM's second most mainstream album, Madvillainy is often considered Dumile's Magnum Opus, featuring all of his staple rap characteristics: Skits and samples throughout, such as the impressive Strange Ways, intricate lyricism, wordplay, and rhyme schemes, such as on Figaro, and his amazing storytelling on tracks such as Fancy Clown and Raid.

5. MM. Food (2004)

Arguably the album that has brought the most mainstream success to DOOM, this album is full of witty and clever food references that will constanlty keep you guessing. With an interwoven story told through lyrics and strange samples, this is truly a one-of-a-kind album that is a must-listen for all Hip-Hop fans.

6. The Mouse and The Mask (2005)

One of Dumile's most creative collaborative albums, The Mouse and the Mask was made in collaboration with producer Danger Mouse and tv studio Adult Swim, who licensed all of their tv shows to be sampled within the album. With clever tv show references, and rhymes that will make your head spin, the synchronization between DOOM and Danger Mouse creates a product that shows each of their talents and lets them shine.

7. Born Like This (2009)

One of DOOM's darkest albums, gone are the cheery samples from 30's cartoons, and instead, we see Dumile drop some of the cartoonish supervillain persona. Instead, this album a lot more grounded, focusing on real world topics. I myself, even though I consider myself a MF DOOM fans, have yet to finish listening to this album, but I already have my favorites such as the smooth STILL DOPE and the high action GAZILLION EAR, and even the controversial BATTY BOYZ. While not for everyone, this DOOM album is absolutely worth the listen.

Additional Singles/Miscellaneous

Because of Dumile's one-of-a-kind rapping skills and lyricism, he is featured of many different songs that may not be related to his own albums. He also has released many lesser know projects, even compared to albums such as Venomous Villain. These are a few of my favorite MF DOOM songs that are not included in any of the aformentioned albums that I believe are woth a listen.

• Live from Planet X and Expektoration

These albums are basically just recordings of him performing some of his most famous songs at a live concert. Nothing special, but still cool nontheless

• The Chocolate Conquistadors by BadBadNotGood Ft. MF DOOM
• Lunch Break by Flying Lotus Ft. MF DOOM
• The Gas Face, by 3rd Bass Ft. Zev Love X
• Songs in the Key of Tryfe by Semi.Official Ft. MF DOOM
• RockCo.Cane Flow by De La Soul Ft. MF DOOM
• Doper Skiller by Kool Keith Ft. Viktor Vaughn