MF Doom

One half of the short-lived yet influential Long Island, NY rap duo K.M.D., MF Doom, then Zevlove X, was 'missing in action' for several years following the tragic death of his brother (K.M.D. DJ Sub Roc) in 1993. Doom re-emerged in the early 2000s as an MC possessed; virulently independent and underground, Doom, aka Daniel Dumile, released a plethora of albums under various noms de plume including Victor Vaughn, Metal Fingers, and King Geedorah and collaborated with Danger Mouse (as Danger Doom), and Mad Lib (as Mad Villain). A singular dedication to his art combined with a manic creativity marks MF Doom as one of the most important hip-hop artists of the form's third decade.

• hip hop/rap