MF Doom – Figaro: Breakdown

Credit: @Kmeron Shared Under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Verse 1:

“The rest is empty with no brain, but the clever nerd

The best MC with no chain ya ever heard

Take it from the TEC-9 holder

They’ve bit but don’t know their neck shine from Shinola”

• DOOM sets the stage by contrasting himself (“clever nerd”) with other MCs who lack substance (“the rest is empty with no brain”). He’s asserting his lyrical prowess (“best MC with no chain”) without needing flashy jewelry (“no chain”).
• “Take it from the TEC-9 holder” suggests authority and experience, possibly referencing a gun as a metaphor for his powerful lyrics.
• “Neck shine from Shinola” plays on the expression “doesn’t know shit from Shinola,” implying others lack knowledge or authenticity.

Verse 2:

“Everything that glitters ain’t fishscale

Lemme think, don’t let her faint get Ishmael

A shot of Jack got her back it’s not an act stack

Forgot about the cackalack, holla back; clack-clack, blocka”

• “Everything that glitters ain’t fishscale” warns against false allure, with “fishscale” often referring to high-quality cocaine, contrasting fake glamour with harsh reality.
• “Don’t let her faint get Ishmael” references Herman Melville’s character Ishmael from “Moby Dick,” suggesting staying focused amid distractions.
• The rest of the verse uses playful sound effects (“clack-clack, blocka”) and references to actions like shooting (“holla back; clack-clack”).

Verse 3:

“Villainy, feel him in ya heart chakra, chart-toppa

Start-shit stoppa, be a smart shoppa

Shot-a-Cop day around the way ’bout to stay

But who’d a know there’s two mo’ that wonder where the shooter go”

• “Villainy, feel him in ya heart chakra, chart-toppa” suggests DOOM’s presence and impact (“villainy”) resonating deeply (“heart chakra”) and achieving chart success.
• “Start-shit stoppa, be a smart shoppa” advises being strategic (“smart shoppa”) and avoiding trouble (“start-shit stoppa”).
• “Shot-a-Cop day” references a hypothetical event, blending dark humor and social commentary.

Verse 4:

“‘Bout to jet, get him, not a bet, dead ’em

Let ’em spit the venom said ’em got a lot of shit with ’em

Let the rhythm hit ’em, it’s stronger in the other voice

We makes the joints that make ’em spread ’em butta moist”

• DOOM plans to leave quickly (“‘Bout to jet”) and evade trouble (“dead ’em”).
• He acknowledges critics (“let ’em spit the venom”) but remains confident in his artistic vision (“let the rhythm hit ’em”).
• “Spread ’em butta moist” humorously refers to the impact of his music, metaphorically spreading like butter.

Verse 5:

“Man, please, the stage is made of panties

From the age of baby hoochies on to the grannies

Ban me the dough rake, daddy

The flow make her fatty shake, patty cake, patty cake”

• DOOM dismisses the superficial (“stage is made of panties”) and describes his appeal across generations (“baby hoochies on to the grannies”).
• He cleverly plays with words (“flow make her fatty shake, patty cake”) to emphasize his musical influence.

Verse 6:

“For fake, if he was Anita Baker’s man

He’d take her for her masters, hit it once an’ shake her hand

On some ol’ thank ya ma’am an’ ghost her

She could mind the toaster if she sign the poster”

• DOOM humorously imagines scenarios (“if he was Anita Baker’s man”) where someone exploits relationships for personal gain.
• He uses Anita Baker (a famous singer) as an example of someone whose artistry might be taken advantage of.

Verse 7:

“A whole host of roller coaster riders

Not enough tracks (Is it?) Hot enough black (For ya)

It’s too hot to handle, you got blue sandals

Who shot ya? Ooh got you new spots to vandal?”

• DOOM describes his fans (“roller coaster riders”) experiencing his music’s ups and downs.
• He questions if his style is too intense (“hot enough black”) and playfully challenges listeners (“who shot ya?”) to keep up with his creativity.

Verse 8:

“Do not stand still, boast yo’ skills

Close but no krills, toast for po’ nils, post no bills

Coast to coast Joe Shmoe’s flows ill, go chill

Not supposed to overdose No-Doz pills”

• DOOM encourages constant improvement (“do not stand still, boast yo’ skills”) and avoiding mediocrity (“close but no krills”).
• He references Joe Shmoe (a generic person) as representing widespread admiration for his lyrical prowess.

Verse 9:

“Off pride tykes talk wide through scar meat

Off sides like how Worf rides with Starfleet

Told ya, on some get-rich shit

As he gets older he gets colder than a witch tit”

• DOOM criticizes those who boast (“off pride tykes”) and makes a playful reference to “Star Trek” (“Worf rides with Starfleet”).
• He reflects on aging (“as he gets older he gets colder”) and remains focused on success (“get-rich shit”).

Verse 10:

“This is it, make no mistakes

Where my nigga go? Figaro, Figaro

O’s beats and my rhymes attack

A scary act, all black like Ms. Mary Mack”

• DOOM asserts his finality (“this is it, make no mistakes”) and refers to his collaborator (“O’s beats”).
• “Figaro, Figaro” references the opera “The Barber of Seville,” emphasizing his lyrical skill.
• “Ms. Mary Mack” adds a playful nod to a children’s rhyme, contrasting with the song’s darker themes.

Verse 11:

“Wait ’til you see ’em live on the piano

DOOM sings soprano, like, ‘Una, duociano'”

• DOOM teases future performances (“wait ’til you see ’em live on the piano”) and imagines himself singing in a high voice (“sings soprano”).

Verse 12:

“My momma told me Blast ’em and pass her her glass of Ol’ E

Not to be troublesome

But I could sure use a quick shot of double rum

No stick of bubble gum”

• DOOM recalls advice from his mother and humorously discusses drinking habits (“glass of Ol’ E” and “double rum”).
• He contrasts his desires with simplicity (“no stick of bubble gum”).

Verse 13:

“I like ice cream, we could skip the weddin’

Have a nice dream, she only let him stick the head in”

• DOOM ends with a provocative and humorous line about casual relationships and desires.