Artist(s) That You Need To Hear: Pharoahe Monch

               Pharoahe Monch first started his career as the other half of the rap duo, Organized Konfusion. He and partner Prince Po (short for Prince Poetry) grew up in Queens, New York and decided to pursue their music careers in the late 80's. Organized Konfusion released their self-titled, debut album in 1991. Unfortunately for them, this was during the era of fellow Queens Bridge group, A Tribe Called Quest. This lead some to dismiss the group as clones, but those who listened to album would strongly disagree with that claim. The reviews for this album usually contained the highest of praises for the duo's intricate rhyming skills and lyrical content. This is especially evident in the song, "Prisoners of War", in which the duo deliver several fast-rhyming verses highlighted by Pharoahe's second verse. The group later released their sophomore album entitled, "Stress: The Extinction Agenda", in 1994. This release was as highly touted as their first endeavor, which was highlighted by lyrically deep songs like "Stray Bullet", which narrates the travel of bullets from the chambers of guns to the victims that they strike. In 1997, Organized Konfusion released their final album as a group. "The Equinox" didn't receive as high of a critical acclaim as their previous two albums, but it still got good reviews and sent the group off well.

Pharoahe Monch's Second Verse From "Prisoners of War"
Wake up to the mathematics of an erratic rap
Rejuvenator of rhyme, that sort of come automatic
Poetical medical medicine for the cerebellum
I divert em and flirt em insert em then I repel em
a breakdown, poetical shakedown
Fifty-two pick-up a stick-up so get on the floor facedown
The ammo to keep the people steppin
breakin open the vault because I'm like a verbal assault weapon
I'm mathematical, acrobatical
Attack the wack take rap to the maximum
You're strung out you're hung out when you heard the style
that I brung out of faint air must come out my mouth
where I stick my tongue out in the at-mos-phere
Take a good look at what's happening here
On the microphone, I'm RAPPIN
Pickin-em-stickin-em up, breakin-em-shakin-em up, and bashin
the lyric dictator, the aviator of antonym
All beware to prepare for the guillotine
Rhymes go express, expert, extreme
Be up to par with wisdom and intellect
Detatching one's head directly from one's neck
Still I've been illing and drilling your brain
like a villain I came in the darkness to spark the literature for sure
when I rhyme for the prisoners of war

               In 1999, Monch released his debut-solo album titled "Internal Affairs". It produced the smash hit "Simon Says" that would be played across the nation as a favorite of Djs. Unfortunately, this single used a sample from the "Godzilla" theme that was unauthorized by the owners. The album was later taken off the shelves later that year. Even though the album was recalled, it still gave Pharoahe Monch his biggest commercial success. However, the lawsuit seemed to affect Monch's view of major releases, and he wouldn't put out a full album for many years. He would release his second solo album, "Desire", (likely titled from his desire to release another album) in 2007, almost a decade after "Internal Affairs". The wait for his next project, while still four years, was not quite as long as the first. In 2011, Monch released his most recent album, "W.A.R. (We Are Renegades)". All three of his solo albums have garnered praise from fellow artists and critics alike. While his commercial view would be as a one-hit-wonder, the critical praise impact on fellow emcees would say otherwise. He even garnered a shout-out from Jay-Z when Jay said "I'm organized like the Pharoahe", in the son "Bring It On".

               With a unique rhyming style and an explosive delivery, Pharoahe Monch has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest emcees to bless the mic. Also, his ability to quickly change from rapping, to singing, back to rapping has influenced current artists like Drake. While he hasn't won a Grammy and has only had a few songs on the charts, Monch's impact is felt in a much larger manner than these accolades could ever show.

Songs to sway you: Pharoahe Monch Edition
Black Milk ft. Pharoahe Monch, Sean Price & Dj Premier- The Matrix
Pharoahe Monch- Clap (One Day)
Mos Def ft. Pharoahe Monch & Nate Dogg- Oh No! R.I.P. Nate Dogg