![]() Sex and violence are not avoided, but not flaunted, either. Conspicuous consumption and materialism are noticeably absent and presumably irrelevant. He is not, however, a typical mainstream rapper who happens to have exceptional skills. The album covers a plethora of moods and subjects, but it never feels like he is resentfully boasting about his own superiority or chastising the failures of the rest of culture. Pharoahe Monch also has a gift for avoiding the insufferability that tends to infect some high minded independent hip hop. Everything can be followed and enjoyed line to line, but the retrospective accumulation is what dazzles. Though it takes multiple listenings to begin to grasp a great deal of what Pharoahe Monch is doing with his words and how he says them, it is never impenetrable. ![]() It is a little bit overwhelming, but not oppressively so. Every track is dense with layers of metaphor, pun, reference, punchline, and linguistic dexterity. The delivery is peerless, booming and energetic without ever seeming to shout, relaxed and prodigiously nimble and quick tongued, confidently dancing around complex clusters of words and ideas that would tie up and vex even a competent, experienced rapper, then adjusting, skewing, and twisting this skill set to make specific songs and verses distinct. As refreshing and crisp as the music can be, however, the words cannot help but be the show. The rhymes are not allowed to overwhelm canny production and beats by 99 Fingaz, the Alchemist, Black Milk and others including Monch himself. That was over seven years ago, and label red tape has prevented Pharoahe Monch from delivering his follow-up until now.ĭesire confirms that Pharoahe Monch is indeed one of the greatest emcees alive, not a legend inflated in his absence. The famous sample that song was based around, from the Godzilla films, was unfortunately not cleared by the label, leading what should have been a triumph to be ceased and desisted, complicating the distribution of a promising, classic first album. That album's leadoff single, Simon Says, was a monster anthem, indelibly commanding the world to get the fuck up. ![]() After an innovative run as half of the underground duo Organized Konfusion in the 90s, his solo debut, Internal Affairs, was released on Rawkus when they were still the strongest, most prominent force in independent hip hop. Pharoahe Monch, leading up to the release of his long awaited disc, Desire, has been a notable victim of industry boondoggling. "The Truth" contains samples of "Cristo Redentor" by Harvey Mandel.Pharoahe Monch Desire (Street Records Corporation / Universal)."God Send" contains samples of "Iggin Me" by Chico DeBarge, and "Excentrifugal Forz" by Frank Zappa."The Light" contains samples of "Mi Cosa" by Wes Montgomery, and "Summer Wishes, Winter Dreams" by George Benson."The Next Shit" contains samples of "Espani Cani" by Sid Bass."No Mercy" contains samples of "The Trap" by Jerry Goldsmith."Simon Says" and "Simon Says (remix)" contains samples of " Godzilla vs."Rape" contains samples of "Candy Man" by Quincy Jones."Queens" contains samples of "Til the Cops Come Knockin" by Maxwell."Behind Closed Doors" contains samples of "Aftermath" by Quincy Jones."Intro" contains samples of "Blues and The Abstract Truth" by Oliver Nelson."Simon Says" (Remix) (featuring Lady Luck, Method Man & Redman, Shabaam Sahdeeq & Busta Rhymes)Ĭlifford Smith, Jamerson, Marcus Vialva, Reginald Noble, Shanel Jones, Smith Kirkland, Jamerson, Lonnie Lynn, Jr., Talib Greene "The Truth" (featuring Common & Talib Kweli) ![]() "God Send" (performed by Organized Konfusion) A limited edition vinyl release was also released on June 5, 2020.Īlan Maman, Eric Murray, Jamal Grinnage, Jamerson To commemorate the album's 20th anniversary, it was reissued on October 19, 2019, becoming available digitally and on streaming services for the first time. Rawkus, as well as its then-parent label MCA Records, were later folded by the Universal Music Group into Geffen Records. The album is out of print because of Pharoahe Monch's refusal to record for the Geffen Records label after Universal Music Group acquired Rawkus Records from Priority. The album spawned the Hot 100 hit " Simon Says". Monch creates a harder sound than heard on the previous Organized Konfusion records. Internal Affairs is the solo debut from former Organized Konfusion member Pharoahe Monch, released on Rawkus Records and Priority Records.
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