Shadows of Tomorrow: Nice & Nasty Vaz Speaks About M.F. DOOM's Early Career & Booking His First "Secret" Show (The Witzard Interview)
Honestly, it doesn't even feel like there's a proper way to elegize an eccentric and extremely talented artist such as MF DOOM, who meant so much to so many of us for so many years for so many different reasons as truly unique as DOOM himself. So, what better way to pay tribute to The Man, The Myth, THE MASK himself than by speaking to those closest to him? With a heavy heart, I proudly present Shadows of Tomorrow; a new recurring column in tribute to DOOM in an effort to re-tell the tall tales, strange stories, and lesser-known tidbits of The Metal Face Villain himself. R.I.P. Daniel "MF DOOM" Dumile Thompson.
Since MF DOOM's "Coffin Nails" recently appeared within the official Raedio Presents: Biden + Harris 2021 Inauguration Playlist and today is, in fact, Inauguration Day, we figured what better day to go live with our first interview as part of Shadows of Tomorrow? We were fortunate enough to speak with Nice & Nasty Vaz AKA DJ Nasty Vaz, who was very close to MF DOOM during the earliest stages of his career. Vaz was a DJ, B-boy, graffiti writer, journalist, producer, and radio personality on The Nightrain on 89.9 WKCR FM in the late 90's.
Nice & Nasty Vaz is associated with the CM & TCK Crews, produced for emcee Yak Ballz, was once the manager at Bobbito's Footwork, and was publsihed in Rap Pagers, and was the senior editor and a contributing writer for Subculture Magazine. Vaz recently explained to us within a series of Instagram Direct Messages that he "helped manage his very early career as M.F. DOOM after his first [released] 12-inch on Fondle 'em" and notes he "was also responsible for his first ever live perormance as M.F. DOOM." Scroll down to read or conversation with Nice & Nasty Vaz concerning M.F. DOOM.
I. How did you first meet KMD's Zev Love X, later known as MF DOOM? How did working at Bobbito's Footwork play into your relationship with MF DOOM?
Nice & Nasty Vaz: I met DOOM at Bobbito's Footwork. At the time, I was the manager. I worked very closely with Bobbito Garcia during the Footwork/Fondle 'em years in the mid to late 90's. He came into the store unannounced after we got the test press. I recognized him right away. I was a huge KMD fan. He introduced himself and I was star-struck.
II. How did you go about coordinating Zev's first live appearance as MF DOOM? When and where was his debut live performance held?
Nasty Vaz: Shortly after his first official release on Fondle 'em—"Dead [Bent]," "Gas [Drawls]," "Hey!"—as M.F. DOOM, I approached him about doing a live performance at a show I was organizing at The Nuyorican Poets Café. I was the co-host of a new Hip-Hop radio show on 89.9 WKCR called The Nightrain featuring DJ Eli Escobar, Apex from [Dujeous], and Kinetic from The Arsonists. The purpose of the showcase was to promote the radio show. DOOM had not performed in front of a live audience in many years, although, he was very close to [Bobbito].
He asked me to be the connection between him and the Underground Hip-Hop scene in NYC. He asked for me to filter out any bullsh*t and co-sign any upcoming potential live performances and promoters. He knew, at the time, I had crazy tight ties to the Underground Hip-Hop scene in NYC. Naturally, I was super-hyped. For the showcase, DOOM and I decided not to add his name to the bill. We thought it would add to the mystery. At the time, no one knew M.F. DOOM was Zev [Love] X from KMD. He wanted to separate the two.
III. Who else was on the bill for said first MF DOOM show way back in 1998?
Nasty Vaz: Mazzi, J-Treds, Dujeous, Bad Seed, Mynd Crukz, Pumpkinhead/P.H. WiseGuy & Gaston, The High & Mighty, 7L & Esoteric with Virtuoso, Mr. Lif, Yeshua [daPoED], and Ken Boogaloo [with] DJ's Mr. Len & Ken Sport.
IV. At this point in time, MF DOOM wasn't wearing his now widely-known metal face mask, correct? If not, how exactly was he concealing his true identity?
Nasty Vaz: He wore a stocking cap over his eyes and nose to conceal his identity.
V. How did DOOM's debut 12-inch featuring "Dead Bent," "Gas Drawls," and "Hey!" come to fruition on Bobbito Garcia's then-label, Fondle 'em?
Nasty Vaz: DOOM & Bobbito had a long history and friendship together. DOOM had joints he wanted to release. At that time, who else, but Bob and Fondle 'em? There was early talk about, potentially, releasing [KMD's] Black Bastards, as well.
VI. What would you pinpoint as the exact moment you knew MF DOOM had successfully "broken" onto the Underground/Indie Hip-Hop scene?
Nasty Vaz: It was inevitable once DOOM decided to release new music. His talent was undeniable. Releasing his debut on Fondle 'em [and] getting played on the famed Stretch Armstrong [& Bobbito] Show hosted by Bobbito and The CM Famalam Show with Bobbito & Lord Sear, also, helped!
VII. According to DOOM himself, what was the "M.F." in M.F. DOOM originally intended to stand for... "Metal Face?" "Metal Fingers?" "Mother F****n'?"
Nasty Vaz: CM was a crew. The elite or core members of CM were given the prefix M.F. or [Mother] F***in'. It represents a very high rank in CM, like a general's patch, Criminal Minded was a respected and feared crew originating in Uptown Manhattan in NYC.
VIII. How would you say MF DOOM's time spent as a graffiti artist affected his later career as an emcee/producer?
Nasty Vaz: He was a true artist. I believe the graff side of him influenced the visuals of all KMD & DOOM content. He, also, developed a tight relationship with the writer KEO X-MEN [SCOTCH79th] shortly after the first single release. They worked together on all the DOOM album covers and the development of The Mask.
IX. Within our previous conversations, you mentioned DOOM was part of the Manhattan-based CM Crew. Who else was part of said graffiti crew, along with yourself and DOOM?
Nasty Vaz: Criminal Minded [or The Constipated Monkeys] is a large crew. The crew spans throughout the Hip-Hop game. Artists, like MF Grimm, [Kurious], Lord Sear, Kadi, [and Benn] Grimm. Writers, like Devs, Niceo, Seeps, [and] Oak with strong affiliations with graffiti crews RFC & 5MH. B-boys and DJ's, like Mr. Len & Bobbito. Many talented people throughout the whole spectrum of Hip-Hop. I was honored when DOOM put me down.
X. When was the last time you spoke with or hung out with DOOM prior to his untimely death this past October, and if so, what did you two discuss?
Nasty Vaz: DOOM & I lost contact shortly after he put out [MADVILLAINY]. We stayed in touch through KEO X-MEN from time to time.
XI. Upon his untimely passing at 49 years young, what would you like the world to know about your long-time friend, client, the man, the myth, the legend, the man behind the Mask, Daniel Dumile Thompson?
Nasty Vaz: First and foremost, I want to say I was fortunate and blessed for DOOM to entrust my opinions early in his career as the persona M.F. DOOM. DOOM was a very humble, well-natured, and private human being. DOOM had a good heart and always treated me like an equal, even though I had no business even being down with him. I will treasure the time I got to know him. CMob!