Inspired by the comic book villain Doctor Doom, MF DOOM was part of the underground scene, making him a cult figure in hip-hop. He was a pioneering rapper-producer, blending intricate rhythms and offbeat samples with unusual loops. This lo-fi quality coupled with his stream-of-consciousness-style of rapping often resembled jazz, with its imperfections and improvised feel. That is why the world-renowned Candlelight Jazz series is celebrating the mysterious hip-hop artist with a captivating tribute to his greatest hits.
Featuring the alternative jazz fusion band Lavender Town, this candlelit performance embodies MF DOOM’s gritty sound. As you’re surrounded by a sea of flickering candles at The Gladstone Theatre, you can unwind to iconic songs from his Madvillain days, and certainly, his tour de force Mm..Food.
Candlelight Jazz: MF DOOM & Hip-Hop ft. Lavender Town
DOOM’s music is closely linked to jazz as he often sampled jazz and soul records and experimented with beats, giving his music both a nostalgic and avant-garde vibe. Additionally, his approach to music echoes that of a jazz musician—always pushing the boundaries and valuing personal expression over polished and hyper-produced albums. His incredible artistry and mysterious persona left an indelible mark on hip-hop, making him deserving of a special Candlelight tribute.
The popular concert series has teamed up with Toronto-based band Lavender Town, a young group that similarly to MF DOOM, take inspiration from hip-hop, video game music, and pop and internet culture. Set in The Gladstone Theatre, you can hear MF DOOM’s best hits, including “One Beer”, “Doomsday” and “Rhymes Like Dimes”, through their instrumental and genre-blurring performances. The program will also include other hip-hop favourites, such as Thundercat’s “Them Changes” and “Untitled 05” by Kendrick Lamar.
This high-energy Candlelight Jazz concert bridges multiple genres and styles—MF DOOM’s jazz-infused hip-hop beats, Kendrick Lamar’s conscious rap, and Lavender Town’s heavy funk and alternative jazz fusion. It will all be made the more special thanks to the gleaming sea of candles that will sway to this eclectic array of sounds.
There will be two back-to-back performances scheduled for 6:30pm and 8:35pm at The Gladstone Theatre. Each show will last 60 minutes and doors will open 45 minutes before curtain.