MF DOOM‘s estate has recently dropped a limited edition merch line featuring photos of and a reproduction of a page of the late rapper’s notebooks — notebooks that were the subject of a recently-resolved legal battle between DOOM’s widow Jasmine Thompson and former Stones Throw manager Eothen “Egon” Alapatt.
The Note Books Collection, available on gasdrawls.com, features t-shirts and hoodies with a photo of some of the notebooks surrounded by a DOOM mask on the front, and handwritten lyrics from the rapper’s 2004 track “Deep Fried Frenz” on the back.
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A post on the official MF DOOM Instagram account advertising the merch was met with a mixed reaction by fans.
“[W]eird to have this whole thing about how personal and important these books are to his legacy, then immediately after getting them, making a merch drop,” one person wrote.
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“….so this was the plan after you got the notebooks…? Jesus Christ lol,” commented another.
MC Paul Barman, a frequent collaborator of DOOM’s, entered the fray to defend the decision to create the merch line.
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“This is one of his illest songs and yall are lucky to see inside his notebooks,” Barman wrote. “If he were still here, he could tour to get the money that he always said he was all about. This is the first time I’ve ever responded to internet comments and I sure hope it’s the last.”
Barman was not alone in his opinion.
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“I’m glad his estate won because I’d rather see them make profit than the greedy record label. Reals fans get it,” someone commented.
The settlement between Thompson and Alapatt became public on February 28 when DOOM’s official Instagram account posted a message saying that they had worked out their differences in a “confidential settlement.”
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Both parties issued statements as well, clarifying that the notebooks have been returned to Thompson, who will “determine the next steps” for the writings.
Alapatt’s statement read: “DOOM was a dear friend to me and one of the most important artists I’ve ever known. I bought DOOM’s notebooks and kept them safe for years to ensure his powerful musical legacy could be preserved….[T]he resolution Jasmine and I have reached…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.”
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Thomas said, on behalf of herself and her family: “We are relieved to bring this chapter to a close. Over the years, there have been many public narratives concerning this matter, some of which have been misrepresented or unfairly magnified. 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.”
The notebooks, which were the subject of a lawsuit in 2023, reportedly contained written lyrics for tracks from Operation Doomsday, Madvillainy and MM…FOOD as well as other unreleased content.
“Alapatt never consulted with DOOM about his acquisition of the notebooks and took advantage of DOOM’s being out the country to obtain them,” the lawsuit reads.
Alapatt allegedly denied that he had possession of the notebooks but then admitted to having them after being confronted by DOOM. He claims that DOOM owed him $12,500 in rent and since he paid it for the late rapper, he is the rightful owner of the works.
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“Although Alapatt has professed that he ‘does not intend to publish’ the unauthorized digital copies he made, he does not have to ‘publish’ the copies of his infringing copies to be liable,” the complaint continues. “Regardless, [DOOM’s estate] alleges that Alapatt actually shared the copies of the notebook he made with others.”
