There’s a good chance that those listeners familiar with MF Grimm are aware of the emcee as a result of his convoluted relationship with DOOM. There’s no shame in that and there’s probably no one willing to dispute that statement despite Grimm’s prowess as a performer.

Coming up together in New Yawk found the two hooked up on a variety of pursuits. Grimm wasn’t a proper member of KMD, but apparently financed one of its recordings as well as receiving production credit. There’re other connections, but all of it was disrupted when Grimm ran into trouble as a result of his ‘career’ slingin’ drugs.

Grimm was shot multiple times and paralyzed. Of course, as awful as that was, the fact that he was eventually sent up the river on drug charges served to further dismantle any semblance to a proper career he might have pursued.

Best known for his album The Downfall of Ibliys: A Ghetto Opera, Grimm has recently reissued the disc. And as good as it was the first time around, revisiting the disc is just as rewarding. The story behind the disc, though, is almost as entertaining as the music itself.

While in jail on that aforementioned drug charge, Grimm put up money for bail and was freed for something like a twenty four hour period. During that day out, he recorded the entirety of The Downfall. Even if the disc was just average, that would be an accomplishment worthy of untoward respect.

Included on the album is a quick guest appearance by DOOM on “Foolish.” At the time of the track’s recording, both Grimm and DOOM were obviously on good terms. While in jail, though, Grimm figured his cohort’s success would be visited upon him once he was released. That didn’t happen. Instead, DOOM had gained enough cultural cache as to go it alone – an understandable move if providing for one’s familiar usurps other considerations.

Grimm, though, takes issue with that. And from this disagreement – or at least the sense of betrayal Grimm feels – the two emcees have begun what amounts to beef. More likely than not, it won’t ever come to physical violence. With Grimm in a wheelchair, a fist fight would be odd. And figuring underground emcees as gun totters might be a bit beyond what reality is ready offer. Hopefully, it’s all peace and daisies. Whatever the case, though, good music will ensue. Or it should, at least.