Rapper and music producer MF Doom has died at the age of 49.
The hip-hop star – real name Daniel Dumile – was known for his elusive public image and for performing in a mask styled after the Marvel Comics supervillain Doctor Doom.
His wife Jasmine confirmed on Thursday that he had died on 31 October in a post on his Instagram page.
She wrote: “The greatest husband, father, teacher, student, business partner, lover and friend I could ever ask for. Thank you for all the things you have shown, taught and given to me, our children and our family.
“Thank you for teaching me how to forgive beings and give another chance, not to be so quick to judge and write off. Thank you for showing how not to be afraid to love and be the best person I could ever be.
“My world will never be the same without you. Words will never express what you and Malachi mean to me, I love both and adore you always. May THE ALL continue to bless you, our family and the planet.”
MF Doom’s cause of death has not been confirmed.
MF Doom was born in January 1971 in London before moving to Long Island in New York as a child.
In 1997, he began performing at open-mic events in Manhattan, obscuring his face by putting a woman’s stocking over his head before later adopting the mask featured on his debut album, Operation: Doomsday, which was released to critical acclaim two years later.
MF Doom’s sixth and final solo album came in 2009 with Born Like This, and featured production from frequent collaborator Madlib.
He also recorded full albums with artists including Danger Mouse, Ghostface Killah and Bishop Nehru.
Following the news of his death, many paid tribute to MF Doom on social media…