A limited-edition merchandise line featuring images and a reproduction of a page from the late rapper’s notebooks, which were the focus of a recently concluded legal dispute between DOOM’s widow Jasmine Thompson and former Stones Throw manager Eothen “Egon” Alapatt, was recently released by the estate of MF DOOM.
Available on gasdrawls.com, the Note Books Collection includes t-shirts and sweatshirts with handwritten lyrics from the rapper’s 2004 song “Deep Fried Frenz” on the back and a picture of some of the notebooks encircled by a DOOM mask on the front.
Fans had conflicting reactions to a post on the official MF DOOM Instagram account promoting the merchandise.
One commenter said, “[W]eird to have this whole thing about how personal and important these books are to his legacy, then dropping merchandise right after getting them.”
After you received the notebooks, this was the plan, right? Jesus Christ, haha,” said another.
MC One of DOOM’s regular collaborators, Paul Barman, joined the debate to support the choice to develop the merchandise line.
Barman wrote, “You guys are fortunate to see inside his notebooks because this is one of his best songs.” He could travel to earn the money he always claimed to be all about if he were still here. I sincerely hope that this will be the last time I reply to comments on the internet.
Barman was not alone in his opinion.
“I would rather see his estate get money than the avaricious record label, so I am happy they won. “Real Madrid supporters understand,” someone said.
On February 28, DOOM’s official Instagram account sent a statement stating that Thompson and Alapatt had reached a “confidential settlement,” making the settlement public.
The notebooks have been returned to Thompson, who will “decide the next steps” for the contents, according to comments released by both sides.
According to Alapatt’s statement, “DOOM was one of the most significant musicians I have ever known and a close friend of mine. In order to ensure that DOOM’s tremendous musical legacy could be preserved, I purchased his notebooks and kept them secure for years. The resolution that Jasmine and I have reached is a major victory in safeguarding the origins of a once-in-a-lifetime talent. I trust Jasmine to decide what to do with DOOM’s journals going forward, and I am honored to have helped preserve some priceless musical reminders of his life.
On her own and her family’s behalf, Thomas stated: “We are glad to finish this chapter. This issue has been the subject of numerous public narratives throughout the years, some of which have been inappropriately exaggerated or misinterpreted. Even if there were disagreements along the way, we are thankful that Egon was able to save DOOM’s priceless journals and that they are finally being returned as part of this conclusion.
According to a 2023 lawsuit, the notebooks included unreleased material in addition to drafted lyrics for songs by Operation Doomsday, Madvillainy, and MM…FOOD.
According to the lawsuit, “Alapatt exploited DOOM’s absence from the country to obtain the notebooks and never consulted DOOM about his acquisition of them.”
Alapatt apparently denied possessing the notebooks, but after DOOM challenged him, he acknowledged having them. He asserts that he is the legitimate proprietor of the works because he paid the $12,500 in rent that DOOM due him for the deceased rapper.
“Alapatt does not have to ‘publish’ the copies of his infringing copies to be held accountable, even though he has stated that he ‘does not intend to publish’ the unauthorized digital copies he made,” the case goes on. In any case, according to [DOOM’s estate], Alapatt did in fact distribute copies of the notebook he created to other people.
