How MF DOOM Stole the Show on De La Soul's ‘The Grind Date’

“From the top of the key for three, villain.”

In that husky, low timbre, MF DOOM starts off his first of two guest verses on “Rock Co.Kane Flow,” the album closer for De La Soul’s seventh album, The Grind Date. It’s an anticipated moment, even now, 20 years since the album was released.

Jake One’s sparse, no-frills beat — just stomping and thudding drums and piano plinks — is fitting terrain for the Villain, as DOOM fills up the space with his coolly disjointed delivery. It’s essentially a DOOM track, with the MC commandeering “Rock Co. Kane Flow” to wax poetic about his pay rate for writing rhymes, mediocre MCs (and their equally mediocre jewelry) and sticking people up for their sneakers (or Atari cartridges).

That DOOM aided De La in the final minutes of The Grind Date is significant when you think about how momentous his 2004 output was. Earlier that year, Madvillainy, his classic album alongside legendary producer Madlib, was finally released after the duo first began working on it in 2002.

GET THE FULL STORY AT OKAYPLAYER

Facebook

Views: 46

Reply to This

Best guide to hip hop, soul, reggae concerts & events in San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles & New York City + music, videos, radio and more

Connect

Subscribe to E-Blast

WIN TICKETS

Earth, Wind & Fire
Friday, June 27 @ Greek Theatre, Berkeley

Macy Gray
Saturday, July 12 @ Palace of Fine Arts, SF

Thievery Corporation
Saturday, Sept 6 @ Fox Theater, Oakland

Yung Lean
Saturday, Oct 11 @ Fox Theater, Oakland

Members

Photos

  • Add Photos
  • View All

Latest Activity

realmuzik posted discussions
55 minutes ago
Editor's Pick posted a video

Raphael Saadiq - Ask of You (Official HD Video)

"Ask of You" by Raphael SaadiqListen to Raphael Saadiq: https://RaphaelSaadiq.lnk.to/listenYDWatch more Raphael Saadiq videos: https://RaphaelSaadiq.lnk.to/l...
2 hours ago
An event by Editor's Pick was featured
Thumbnail

Raphael Saadiq at Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, CA

September 8, 2025 from 7pm to 11pm
MONDAY, SEP 8An Evening WithRaphael SaadiqNo Bandwidth!One Man! One Night! Three Decades of Hits!Davies Symphony Hall San Francisco, CADoors: 7:00pm | Show: 8:00pm…See More
3 hours ago
Editor's Pick posted an event
Thumbnail

Raphael Saadiq at Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, CA

September 8, 2025 from 7pm to 11pm
MONDAY, SEP 8An Evening WithRaphael SaadiqNo Bandwidth!One Man! One Night! Three Decades of Hits!Davies Symphony Hall San Francisco, CADoors: 7:00pm | Show: 8:00pm…See More
3 hours ago
Editor's Pick posted discussions
3 hours ago
Editor's Pick posted discussions
yesterday
Editor's Pick posted discussions
Saturday
Editor's Pick posted discussions
Friday
realmuzik posted discussions
Thursday
6 events by Editor's Pick were featured
Thursday
Editor's Pick posted events
Thursday
Editor's Pick updated an event
Thumbnail

THROWBACK featuring Ren the Vinyl Archaeologist at Hello Stranger Bar, Oakland

July 9, 2025 at 9pm to July 8, 2026 at 1:45am
WEDNESDAY JULY 9 THROWBACK (2nd & 4th Wednesdays) All Throwbacks: Hip Hop, Soul/Funk, Reggae +more!Featuring Ren the Vinyl Archaeologist (True Skool)at Hello Stranger Bar, 1724 Broadway, Oakland. Doors…See More
Jul 2

© 2025   Created by Ren the Vinyl Archaeologist.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service