To the casual observer, it may seem that the defining apparel of hip-hop music is flashy jewelry and sagging pants. But the legendary M.C. MF DOOM may wear rap music’s most distinctive trademark—his mask. MF DOOM rose in the late 1990s and early 2000s from one of hip-hop’s underground stars to the heights of massive critical acclaim and mainstream recognition—and he wore his mask every step of the way!

Though known professionally as MF DOOM, the acclaimed rapper was born Daniel Dumile in London, England. After moving to Long Island, New York, Dumile became interested in New York’s burgeoning hip-hop scene as a teenager. Dumile took on the name Zev Love X, and formed the group KMD with his younger brother DJ Subroc and another MC, Rodan, in 1988. With KMD, Dumile found his first taste of underground success.

Sadly, life would never be the same for Dumile and KMD after DJ Subroc’s death in 1993. Subroc was attempting to cross the Nassau Expressway when he was struck and killed by a passing car. Dumile grieved the loss in advance of the planned release of KMD’s second album. Insult was added to injury when, less than a week after Subroc’s death, Elektra Records dropped KMD from their label. Dumile left hip-hop behind for several years starting in 1994, living, by his admission, “damn near homeless, walking the streets of Manhattan, sleeping on benches.” Dumile swore revenge “against the industry that so badly deformed him;” indeed, the vengeful triumph of a superhero or archvillain would become a typical lyrical theme for his later music.

This sort of success was in store for Dumile after he took on his enduring stage name, MF DOOM, and donned his signature mask to mark his new identity. The mask was based both on Marvel Comics super-villain Doctor Doom’s mask, and a prop mask from the film Gladiator. MF DOOM’s debut solo album, Operation: Doomsday, was a resounding critical success, but took time to gain commercial appreciation. The same was true of his next effort, MM.. Food, but when MF DOOM teamed up with producer Madlib to form the group Madviillain, his effort was rewarded. Madvillain’s Madvillainy was a commercial and critical breakthrough, and, to this day, appears on many lists of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time.

MF DOOM’s mask stands for more than just a well-regarded shadowy alter-ego. It stands for the triumph of skill and tenacity over the forces of corruption. And it makes a great costume, too! Check out MF DOOM’s gladiator-style mask at Armory Replicas.