Will the real DOOM please stand up? This may become a recurring question if DOOM continues to pull stunts like the one at his August 25th concert in London.

The masked rapper was scheduled to make an appearance at the “Livin’ DOOM” event, but instead sent out a lip-syncing doppelganger. “Livin’ Proof Crew,” the promoters of the show, released a statement explaining in full detail, the events that occurred prior to and after DOOM’s expected appearance.

From asking for a higher payment to backing out of a DJ set only to reconsider shortly after, DOOM surely had the promoters in a stupor. Even more so when he allegedly sent a fake DOOM in his place.

“As fans of DOOM ourselves, this has left a very sour taste in our mouth,” said the promoters in their statement. Many other disgruntled DOOM fans, are right there with them.

Although DOOM tried to validate his reasons behind using fake DOOMs in a 2009 interview with HipHopDX, it’s just not right. “…So when you come to a DOOM show, I’m letting all the cats know now, come to hear the show and come to hear the music,” said DOOM. He then contradicts himself with the following statement, “…If you’re coming to see a DOOM show, don’t expect to see me, expect to hear me or hear the music I present.”

So, you want to experiment with artistic expression and make people think outside the box. But this is not how to do it. Fans purchased tickets, walked, drove, biked, caught a bus or taxi to get to the venue and waited patiently for your arrival. And all you have to give them back is a sub-par performance by a guy that’s not even you? The least you could do is get a performer who at least has the same rugged and sluggish delivery.

And what happened to the reasons for originally wearing the mask? DOOM began with the costume for personal reasons that were part of an art project. Now, it’s nothing but a prop to fool people. Long story short, fans pay to see the man himself, even if we don’t know what he looks like. If we wanted to have an imposter DOOM we would put on a mask of our own, and perform for ourselves.

Now, DOOM’s a great artist and his Madvillain tape is one of the best albums to skate to, but respect your fans DOOM. You give us the real you in the studio, what makes you think we want anything less when you step out onstage?

The post disRESPECT.: Who Can Stop DOOM From Sending Impostors to His Shows? appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.