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MF DOOM's Widow and Former A&R Settle Dispute Over Handwritten Notebooks

MF DOOM's Widow and Former A&R Settle Dispute Over Handwritten Notebooks

Valeriy Bagrintsev Valeriy Bagrintsev
4 minute read

MF DOOM's Widow and Former A&R Settle Dispute Over Handwritten Notebooks

The resolution of the dispute over MF DOOM's handwritten notebooks has been achieved, returning them to his widow, Jasmine Dumile Thompson.

Rapper MF DOOM. Credit - Peter Kramer

The Dispute Over the Notebooks

MF DOOM's handwritten notebooks are once again in the hands of his widow, Jasmine Dumile Thompson, effectively concluding a legal battle between her and the rapper's former A&R, Eothen "Egon" Alapatt. This dispute can be traced back to 2023 when Thompson filed a lawsuit targeting Alapatt, accusing him of copyright infringement, fraud, intentional misrepresentation, and unjust enrichment. The case emerged shortly after DOOM's passing in 2020, during which Alapatt acquired several of DOOM's handwritten notebooks.

In a recent turn of events, the notebooks have been returned to Thompson, signaling an amicable resolution to the conflict. The news was shared via MF DOOM’s official social media accounts managed by his estate, and both parties expressed their relief and gratitude in statements following the resolution.

“We are relieved to bring this chapter to a close,” Thompson stated. “Over the years, there have been many public narratives concerning this matter, some of which have been misrepresented or unfairly magnified.”

Reflections on the Legacy

Thompson continued, “While differences did arise along the way, we acknowledge that Egon preserved DOOM’s invaluable notebooks and are grateful to now have them returned as part of this resolution. As a family, our focus remains steadfast on celebrating DOOM’s extraordinary legacy — his unparalleled artistry and his lasting impact on music and culture. We hope that this resolution serves as a step forward in continuing to honor his memory.”

Alapatt also shared his thoughts, emphasizing his deep connection with DOOM. “DOOM was a dear friend to me and one of the most important artists I’ve ever known,” he said. “I bought DOOM’s notebooks and kept them safe for years to ensure his powerful musical legacy could be preserved.”

He added, “My only goal has always been to showcase DOOM’s lasting musical genius, and the resolution Jasmine and I have reached regarding DOOM’s notebooks represents a significant triumph in protecting the genesis of a once-in-a-lifetime talent. I am proud to have played a role in saving some precious markers of DOOM’s life in music and trust Jasmine to determine the next steps for his notebooks.”

Remembering MF DOOM

The underground rap scene lost a legend when MF DOOM, born Daniel Dumile, passed away on October 31, 2020. He was only 49 years old. His widow later revealed that he died from angioedema, a rare and severe reaction to blood pressure medication.

Around the same time, Leeds Hospital issued an apology to the rapper’s family concerning the quality of care he received before his death. Thompson alleged that medical staff failed to adequately monitor her husband, which she believed contributed to his demise.

Since DOOM's passing, the music industry has worked collectively to honor his memory. His posthumous contributions include a feature on the album Cheat Codes, created by Danger Mouse and Black Thought, along with plans for a biography titled The Chronicles of DOOM: Unraveling Rap’s Masked Iconoclast.

FAQs

  • What were the main allegations against Eothen Alapatt?
    Thompson accused Alapatt of copyright infringement, fraud, intentional misrepresentation, and unjust enrichment related to the notebooks.
  • What is the significance of MF DOOM's notebooks?
    The notebooks contain valuable insights into his creative process and are essential to preserving his artistic legacy.
  • How did the legal dispute end?
    The notebooks were returned to Thompson, marking an end to the legal battles over their ownership.
  • What was MF DOOM's real name?
    His real name was Daniel Dumile.
  • How did MF DOOM pass away?
    He died from a severe reaction to his blood pressure medication known as angioedema.

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