Pharoahe Monch "Vinyl Saved My Life: A Tribute to Biz Markie"

Pharoahe Monch shared an incredible story of the late great Biz Markie in Spin Magazine. The title of the article is Vinyl Saved My Life: A Tribute to Biz Markie, where Pharoahe recounts a tale of a stop on the The Source Magazine Tour (around 1992 if memory serves me right) with Biz Markie, Lord Finesse, Cooley Live, The Almighty RSO, Red Hot Lover Tone, Roxanne Shante and of course, Organized Konfusion with O.C. In an attempt to shadow Biz Markie while diggin' for records, Pharoahe joins Biz on what would end up being the first part of a story that stretches the night, and ends in gunfire. A series of fortunate events trace back to earlier that day and ultimately, a piece of vinyl did in fact save his life. Hear all about the story and Pharoahe's affinity for his fallen friend in the article on Spin Magazine HERE. Not only is this an incredible story, but a behind the scenes glimpse at of one of the greatest personalities in hip-hop history. Pharoahe shares, "Ehwa, Ehwa, Rrer! Ecka, Ecka, Eeee . . ." He licked his fingers each time he swiped through the book.... When he talked, he sounded exactly like his records—extremely funky. His speaking voice made you want to put a beat under his sentences." Yes! I met Biz briefly in Myrtle Beach some years back, and he was everything I anticipated and much more. R.I.P., the Funky Biz Markie, and thank you, Pharaohe Monch for this full story that I'd only early heard snippets of in the past. Nobody Beats the Biz!

th1rt3en "A Magnificent Day For An Exorcism" (Album Stream)

th1rt3en is the combative new project from legendary Jamaica, Queens rapper Pharoahe Monch joined by musical assassins Jack White drummer Daru Jones + renowned guitarist, Marcus Machado. Executive produced, written and directed by Pharoahe Monch, he shares: “th1rt3en is tired of holding hands and singing hymns. We’ve been assigned from a higher power to combat you on your own terms. In this existence head on. Here, hold this voodoo! Fuck you!” Pharoahe Monch has had a hall of fame career thus far, first as a member of the 90’s group Organized Konfusion and even more notably as a solo artist revered by his peers. Aggressive, abrasive, often irreverent and fearless with their examination of the world today, the propelling percussion, bewitching hooks, elite lyricism and brilliant guitar work makes for a sonic explosion worthy of the best of all genres. Their debut album, A Magnificent Day For An Exorcism, was released yesterday on Fat Beats Records. It's dark, moody and super lyrical! In a landscape where we are constantly being conditioned to shrink our thinking into social media’s algorithm and age demographic, the world is in need of reflection and atonement and th1rt3en is just the band to get the process started. Dig into their album below...

Pharoahe Monch "Internal Affairs" (Album Sampler, 1999)

"As one half of Organized Konfusion (OK), the 27-year-old Jamaica, Queens, N.Y., native co-sired some of hip-hop's most innovative but commercially ignored creations during his eight years of paying dues. Three albums later, and with OK on indefinite hiatus, Monch, born Troy Jamerson, sees his Rawkus Records solo debut, Internal Affairs (which features guest spots from fellow wonder mike masters Busta Rhymes, Canibus, and Common), as an opportunity to purge volatile emotions and refine his ever-evolving performance persona. "Moving into this LP," Monch says, "my goal is to develop an audience that [sees me], "He's kinda deep in the shit that he thinks about. At the same time, he likes porn, [sex], and the same shit I like.'" "Simon Says," Internal Affairs' commanding lead single, is the hottest song both on Big Apple radio and in clubland. Built off a doomsday horn riff, a freestyled do-as-Pharoahe-does chorus, and periodic exhortations to "get the fuck up!" it's that unique song that both underground-worshipping hip hop academicians and Hennessey-sipping thugs can enjoy. So how's this longtime underdog adjusting to such stratospheric recognition? "[People] haven't put the face together with the song," Monch concedes in a typically low-key manner. "I was on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn, 'Simon Says' came on the radio, and, like, eight squeegle guys were all dancing around the car. I pulled up to the light and was like 'Yo, good lookin'.' And they're like, 'What the fuck are you lookin' at?'" But Monch is unfazed. He knows that with a Busta Rhymes-directed video for "Simon Says" on the way, nobody will have problems matching tune and performer." - Vibe, 12/99. Internal Affairs is still a classic album that I keep in constant rotation, so I thought I'd share the original cassette album sampler with you on its anniversary (10/19/99) today. The flip side of the cassette was Mos Def's Black On Both Sides, which maybe I'll share separately in another post.

The flyer for the album release party and more below...

Lugz Promo Commercials (1999-2001)

Lugz first made a name for itself in October of 1993, bringing its first line of boots to market, with the initial product consisting of two styles of boots, a quilted vest and a pair of jeans. Soon Lugz was endorsed by key players from the world of hip hop and continued to do so through out the years. One such collaboration led Lugz to breathe life to a whole new category of footwear with the introduction of the first ever celebrity-endorsed “Funk Master Flex” urban driving shoe. This was only the beginning as support then lead to a collaborative line with hip-hop superstar Bryan “Baby” Williams, aka “Birdman” with his own series of sneakers and boots. Seen as a money-grab throughout the industry, these collaborations looked funny in the light. Before that, however, there were numerous advertisements and collaborative commercials between hip-hop artists and Lugz. Some spots ran between around 1999-2001, and included artists like 50 Cent, De La Soul, Erick Sermon, Pharoahe Monch, KRS-One and Rahzel, among others. Pharoahe Monch rewriting "Simon Says" for Lugz always hurt my feelings, but I understood the business, lol. You can revisit those specific tracks below, but please don't take it too seriously, lol. Hopefully it doesn't get taken down.

Organized Konfusion "Stress: The Extinction Agenda" (8/16/94)

The title ["Stress--The Extinction Agenda"] explains their album in two ways... The first part of the title, "stress", represents the time frame from before they finished their debut LP up until now and simply reflects all of the different ups and downs the group went through. Stress in the form of five deaths in their crew, disappointing sales from their first album resulting in money being short, disappointing listeners who did not want to figure out and appreciate their music. Prince explains the second part of the title, "Extinction Agenda" -- "extinction means to put something out permanently and we're trying to tell people that whatever's stopping you from getting ahead you gotta make them extinct, put them on the side, make them stay there, let them be dead. It also means Organized is gonna go all out, and do whatever we gotta do to get where we gotta go". "Stress--The Extinction Agenda" is as much about struggle as it is about how to deal with it. The two songs that best exemplify the dichotomy of their title would be "Stress" and "Black Sunday". In "Stress" they energetically shout in the chorus the directive to "Krush, Kill, Destroy Stress". In "Black Sunday", the group reflects on what they had to do to get where they are and being thankful for it, but still realizing they have a way to go to get where they want to be. Other key conceptual songs that fulfill the albums meaning are "Fight for Life", "Maintain", "Stray Bullet", and "Why". "Fight for Life" and "Maintain" tell people to do just that. "Stray Bullet" is about the unfortunate growing incidences of innocent bystanders, young and old, being struck and murdered by bullets that have missed their criminal targets. "Why", which is a sureshot anthem, is about as Prince explains "some girl shit where girls try to play n!@@-- out who have their shit on point!" 

....But of course it wouldn't be Organized Konfusion without the confusion and the rest of the album is a testament to why they are considered pioneers on the cutting edge at lyrical mastery and innovation. On "Bring It On", Monch rips a phoenetical freestyle frenzy with a pronounced stuttering style for the duration of three lines on his verse (warning: this should not be tried at home!) On "Extinction Agenda", Prince flexes a boast rap but takes it to the extreme where wack MCs fall off in a "scenario of a barren land... and you see limbs and body and he's corroded". The album rounds off with two pleasant surprises -- "Thirteen" which is a Monch solo and "Bounce" which is Prince's solo. "Bounce" features quick cameos from their boys OCee and Q-Tip from A Tribe Called Quest on the chorus. ... In a time where most Hip-Hop artist have big singles but disappointing albums Organized Konfusion offer a refreshingly complete package and show the sum can and should be greater than its parts. In a time also where most Hip-Hop artists depend heavily on gimmicks and/or portraying gangsters or politicians that they are not, Organized Konfusion show that you can draw from within and still be accepted. "We put our hearts and souls in it. While we gettin' payed at the same time we want to be real." - Bio, 1994. Also, check out 2DBZ's great look back at the album in 2015. One of my favorite projects [ever], read the full biography of O.K. below. As of today, the LP is not available on streaming platforms, but I trust they are working on it! MORE.

Pharoahe Monch "Desire" (June 26, 2007)

"Raised on the infamous Southside of NYC's Queens borough, a young Monch caught the Hip-Hop bug early as the culture born in the Rotten Apple. It would be while attending art school that Pharoahe would find his calling as an emcee, and eventually co-founded the rap duo Organized Konfusion. It was here that a still young Pharoahe began to display his full potential for the first time, transforming himself into a superhero emcee, painting vivid verbal pictures on cuts such as "Stray Bullet" whilst amazing listeners with his unpredictable-but-flawless flow on the jaw-dropping "Hypnotical Gases". Now settled at Steve Rifkind's SRC Records, Pharoahe Monch, one of Hip-Hop's most gifted lyricists, is ready to reintroduce himself to a rap world crying out for genuine artists with his long-awaited album, Desire. At a time when a rapper's image and financial status appear to capture the attention of fans more than lyrical content and creative production, Pharoahe has refused to "dumb-down" his new project, choosing instead to adhere to the rules and principles he learnt growing up in Hip-Hop's Golden Age: be original, be true to yourself and be as skillful as possible on the mic device. But... don't expect to hear Monch stuck in a time-warp on Desire."

"With beats from the likes of Mr. Porter, The Alchemist, Detroit's Black Milk and long-time collaborator Lee Stone, the lyrical king of Queens is definitely looking to move the art form of Hip-Hop forward with this album. "I think the approach I took to making some of the songs is still underground," offers Monch when asked about the creative process behind Desire. "But in terms of arrangements and the song-writing, I wouldn't say it's commercial, but it's a bigger approach than I've taken in the past." Aside from lyrics about politics, love, sex and survival in the modern world, it's the sheer sonic scale of Desire that's impressive. There's a cinematic quality to the music, with the album's central theme developed through a series of dramatic interludes linking tracks together. Desire finds Pharoahe Monch wanting to be labeled only as an emcee and a true artist. But even if he achieves that goal and receives the mainstream critical acclaim his talent deserves, you still get the impression that Monch will never rest on his laurels. "When you become totally satisfied and you think you've reached perfection," he ponders, "then where do you go from there?" Desire, the album proves why Pharoahe Monch's name will be mentioned as one of the greatest emcees of all-time." - Ryan Proctor. Taken from the promotional newspaper that was released with Desire... you can see some of the original scans from it below. Listen to the album above or click HERE.

Mark 563 "Hip-Hop Coloring Book" (East Coast Edition)

After the overwhelmingly popular Hip Hop Coloring Book, Mark 563 is back with Hip Hop Coloring Book: East Coast Edition. It’s a fun activity book for kids and adults. The book features a selection of Mark 563’s own illustrative takes on some of Hip Hop’s most important figures – from early pioneers like Busy Bee, to 90s NYC profiles like Nine and newer stars like Cardi B – all ready to be colored in. The 50 pages are packed with illustrations of legendary East Coast rappers, spanning from the Golden Era through to today’s rap superstars. A perfect gift for anyone interested in Hip Hop and popular culture! Hip Hop Coloring Book: East Coast Edition is marker friendly! Use your favorite markers without the risk of ruining the illustration on the other side of the paper. Hip Hop Coloring Book: East Coast Edition is the latest in Dokument Press' popular coloring book series, with themes such as graffiti, skateboarding and low-riders. You can/should order your copy HERE!

Pharoahe Monch "Internal Affairs" (20th Anniversary)

Universally recognized for his mastery of multisyllabic wordplay, Pharoahe Monch has embarked on a career spanning over 25 years. A career that has him lyrically morphing into the cold and heartless life of a bullet in 3 stages: “Stray Bullet” on Organized Konfusion; “When the Gun Draws” on Desire and “Damage” off of PTSD; illustrating the perspective of a fetus in the womb of a mother who is a drug abuser (“Invetro”) — to the inspirational biopic tale of living life as a child, with chronic asthma (“Still Standing”, featuring the Grammy award-winning vocalist extraordinaire, Jill Scott). In this 25+ year journey to stay committed to the culture of lyricism—and hip hop in an ever-changing paradigm that has the music industry once again pushing to the forefront the low-hanging fruit of disposable artists, Pharoahe’s consistency as an artist has been an inspiration to countless artists and led to his first Grammy in 2017. As with Mos Def's Black On Both Sides, we are celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Pharoahe's Rawkus Records debut, Internal Affairs, this year. I'm updating this post to now include DJ Filthy Rich's tribute mix, where he shares: "In my opinion, this is a Top 3 Rawkus Records release, featuring Pharoahe Monch's complex polysyllabic rhymes over production from Diamond D, Alchemist, DJ Scratch, Lee Stone and even Pharoahe himself. This mix features album cuts, original samples and my own blends. Shout out to the talented artist Dan Lish, who reworked his original Pharoahe art for the cover for this tribute." 10+ years ago, I interviewed Pharoahe Monch (at random) for BHHF; I was unprepared but down to build when I was asked to do it. You can watch that interview HERE (don't judge me!) and listen to Filthy Rich's tribute mix below...

An original advert from Internal Affairs + the artwork for the mix are below...

Book Of Rhymes Podcast: Pharoahe Monch (Episode 7)

Book of Rhymes is a brand new podcast, hosted by Donwill of Tanya Morgan and executive produced by Classic Material x Mika. After successful episodes with Black Moon, Smif-N-Wessun, Benny The Butcher, Marco Polo & Masta Ace and more, the Book of Rhymes podcast is back with episode 7 featuring Southside Queens' own, Pharoahe Monch of the legendary group Organized Konfusion. Listen as they dig into the background one of the greatest lyricists from Simply II Positive MCs to Organized Konfusion to solo material; building on writing techniques and lots more. 

J.Period "The Live Mixtape" (Top 5 MCs Edition)

"J.PERIOD’s Live Mixtape is a first-of-its-kind Hip Hop mixtape, performed and recorded live onstage - in one take - by some of Hip Hop’s most celebrated MCs, and one of its most groundbreaking DJs. Recorded LIVE in New York City, The Live Mixtape [#Top5MCs Edition] features three legendary MCs—Rakim, Pharoahe Monch & Black Thought of The Roots—in an epic display of microphone mastery, seamlessly mixed by J.PERIOD, and re-igniting the timeless Hip Hop debate: Who’s your Top 5 MCs? Guest appearances include: Smif N Wessun, Black Sheep, Stro Elliot and Mumu Fresh." (Updated, 2020: the original audio I posted below was removed, then a new project with a similar title was released on Spotify. Hopefully it's the same project? Either way, I've updated the link).

Pharoahe Monch "Evolve" (The Source, 1995)

"The majority of us don't even recognize that Amerikkka is outgrowing its need for our generation. Now, some might say Amerikkka has used us enough. True, but with the numerous, recent government attacks on welfare, senior citizens aid and educational programs, we at least need to be more useful to ourselves and our families. When your world is encompassed within a six block radius, you are limiting your knowledge to that circumference. If in this psychological circle around your being, you find total paradise as such - $10 for weed, $1 for Phillies, $2 for a 40 oz. and $3 for chicken wings and pork fried rice - you are indeed living a shallow existence monetarily and spiritually. As MCs, we have a definite voice of power. Our words will be forever immortalized on vinyl, tapes, CDs, etc., for generations to peep beyond our own existence. No, it is not every MC's responsibility to bring wisdom to the light because creativity shouldn't be limited to just teaching. However, if you possess the ability to open someone's eyes, move masses and expand their world but you refuse to, then you have forsaken your gift from The Most High. As it stands now, our industry does not reward intellect over ignorance, especially when the negative influences are a billion dollar commodity. The youth have to reach out for more and demand better from life and art. If we don't, our culture will implode - growing smaller until we ultimately cease to exist." - Pharoahe.

Organized Konfusion "Bring It On" (Buckwild Remix)

And to the Organisms ... Prince Po and Pharoahe Monch have been releasing music for 30 years! Going back to their Simply II Positive MCs days, then as Organized Konfusion, and still now as solo artists. Pharoahe Monch is one of the greatest technical lyricists our culture has ever witnessed. Po always held his own and proves his ability time and again on his solo releases. If you ask me for a list of greatest verses of all-time ?? ... Pharoahe's verse on 'Bring It On' (specifically over Buckwild's '96 remix) will get an immediate mention! I've never heard anyone disagree with me on this either!

"Incisions are made into the brain and then I begin to give em

A lobotomy, follow me!

I'm shapin your br-ayi-yi-ya-in ... li-li-li-li-like ... pot-der-der-der-ery ...

ALL OVER THE TRACK!"

Organized Konfusion "The Equinox" (Rap Pages, 10/97)

"Before 90's Hip-Hop fell victim to all-too-familiar loops, monotonous production and humdrum orators, the gifted Organized Konfusion lyricists, Pharoahe Monch and Prince Poetry, were already prepping heads for the forthcoming stress lurking around the corner. Coming straight outta Queens, New York - a land which already gave us the likes of A Tribe Called Quest, Nas and Mobb Deep - Organized Konfusion undertook the task of giving listeners a taste of exquisite verbal semantics. yet, unlike some of their Queens comrades, the duo still hasn't been able to hear the ring of cash registers, due in part to a combo of so-called "Hip-Hop" radio stations and MTV giving them next-to-no love. Sad at it may seem, heads will put notes down on Shaq ten times before they do these kids. Tho' in the hearts of many a trooper, Organized still remain icons, which may account for their well-developed resiliency.... For their third disc, The Equinox, Organized puts forth a bag complete with fresh goodies. You see, Equinox isn't just an LP but it is also a chronicle, as Prince and Monch become the characters Life and Malice, giving heads incite to the duo's kinship from their early, raucous childhood years to their more responsibility-driven adult years...." 

"While taking us through the soundtrack of their lives, the boys also manage to weave into the mix questions regarding self-preservation, temptation and fatherhood, backed by startling production that paints pictures of raw anger, isolation and evaluation, and forces listeners to pay close attention to the business at hand. But while Organized have shown peeps in the past that their lyrical magic isn't lost when dealing with narratives (ie: "Stray Bullet" and "Who Stole My Last Piece of Chicken"), some may still lose faith that the flair can be kept top-notch through an entire composition. Sample the festive, head-bobbing "Somehow, Someway," in which Pharoahe, in a fervent chant, picks apart weed-inspired MCs: "Y'all know the unprecedented / without herb every single word would be verbally demented." Equinox is definitely O.K's best effort to date, and tho' most heads may continue to sleep, those who do partake in this venture will undoubtedly find their dough to be very well spent." - The Source, Rap Pages October 1997. Check out the full review below...

Pharoahe Monch "Prisoners Of War" (Hip-Hop Quotable, 2/92)

Organized Konfusion are from Queens, New York, comprised of Prince Po and Pharoahe Monch. Organized Konfusion was originally founded in 1987 under the name Simply II Positive MC's. They signed to Hollywood Records for their debut self-titled album in 1991. The album was commercially unsuccessful but critically acclaimed, as was the follow-up, Stress: The Extinction Agenda (1994) and the duo moved to Priority Records for the concept album The Equinox in 1997. Monch has also launched a successful solo career, highlighted by his albums Internal Affairs, Desire, W.A.R., and P.T.S.D. Prince Poetry has released several solid joints as well. Prisoners of War was featured on their debut album and even as an album cut, it was featured in The Source's "Hip-Hop Quotable" for "Dopest Rhyme of the Month" in February, 1992. Pharoahe said, "Still I've been illin' and drillin' your brain / Like a villain I came in the darkness to spark the literature for sure / When I rhyme for the prisoners of war..." You can check out the audio to the track HERE, lyrics below. He's an alien, 100%!

Organized Konfusion "The Equinox" (Billboard, 1997)

"Long respected in the hip-hop underground, Organized Konfusion is resurfacing after a three-year hiatus with a new concept collection titled "The Equinox." Following a two-album sting with Hollywood Basic Records ... "The Equinox" will emerge Sept. 23 on Priority Records. Since their last release, crew members Pharoahe Monch and Prince Poetry say they've kept busy regrouping and building their camp... "We decided not to simply point fingers at Hollywood Basic. We said, 'Let's see what we can do to make our situation better."... The Equinox displays evidence that Organized Konfusion's brotherly bond is still strong and that its creative drive is still very much active. Poetry credits the positive feedback they've received from fans and critics over the years for helping them remain and maintain. "And what's also kept us afloat for three albums is the fact that we don't have a niche. We always come different, and I think that not knowing what to expect from us keeps people constantly intrigued. I mean, we didn't even know what we were going to do going into this album."

"Ultimately, Organized Konfusion decided to create an aural movie highlighting the good-time / bad-time experiences of a "couple maturing homies," complete with a gravelly voiced narrator from the streets of Brooklyn, N.Y. "The album's concept is derived from its title, which refers to the time of year when the sun crosses the equator and day and night are equal," Monch says. "These people are at the midpoint of their lives, when they're in the middle of a lot of important decisions. They mirror some of our situations and some of the situations we see people go through. And to make the record interesting, we jumped ahead 20 years. The narrator goes back and tells how he got to this destination." Although every song on "The Equinox" doesn't fit tightly into the story line, Monch says, "Since we're so diverse and versatile, we wanted a way to kinda get everything together. I hate to sound cliche, but we think this album really brings together the whole O.K. thing." (Updated).

Open Transport Documentary (1998, VHS)

The "Open Transport" documentary was originally released in 1998 on VHS. It unearths footage from live shows and interviews with various artists that were coming up in the underground scene in the mid-late 90s. Specifically, the hour-long doc features Pharoahe Monch, Mr. Lif, Apani B, DJ Babu & Rhettmatic, The Last Emperor, Cali Agents (Planet Asia & Rasco), Mass Influence, Non Phixion, Reflection Eternal, Unspoken Heard, J-Live and so much more. Someone was kind enough to rip a copy already to YouTube, so with that, definitely clear an hour in your schedule and hit play below.

Pharoahe Monch "Lost In Translation" (Free Download)

Pharoahe Monch's "Lost In Translation" is a collection of previously released songs from his solo albums as well as features from 2000 to 2015. Love being the consistent theme birthed the decision for a Valentine's Day 2015 release. Featured on this set are appearances from Justin Timberlake, Jill Scott, Eric Roberson, dEnAuN, Brandon Williams, Sergio Mendes, Will.I.Am, Robert Glasper, Sa Ra, and Mela Machinko. The set also features one new track “Home (HGH)” featuring Phonte’ and Tamisha. Stream below, also available for Free Download, do check it out.

Happy Born Day, Pharoahe Monch! (Mix)

"Happy birthday, Pharoahe Monch! To help us honor a living legend, we enlisted the help of DJ, producer and Berklee professor Raydar Ellis to dig deep into the crates with the Pharoahe Monch Birthday Mix – a collection of his favorite verses from the Organized Konfusion veteran. The mix opens with an intro from comedian Hannibal Buress and features birthday wishes from DJ Premier, Lord Finesse, Jean Grae, Statik Selektah, Joey Badass and more. Widely regarded as a lyrical assassin, Pharoahe Monch has historically utilized his unmistakable flow and razor sharp wordplay to deliver seamless rhymes sporting the kind of nuance and intricate detail that could only come from a perfectionist and master of his craft. A voracious reader and insatiable spitter, he belongs to an anomalous and increasingly small class of wordsmiths that are generally immune to mediocrity and revered as the true embodiment of the term MC. Perennially prepared for battle and the most monstrous beats, Pharoahe Monch has moved crowds for decades with gems like “3,2,1”, “Rapid Eye Movement”, “Guerilla Monsoon Rap”, “Black Hand Side”, “Simon Says” and more. This mix takes fans back to bring them forward through one of the most consistent and continually impressive catalogs in the history of rap." Stream the mix below! Happy Born Day, Pharoahe Monch! #T5DOA, easy!

Pharoahe Monch "Internal Affairs" (Press Kit + Review, 1999)

From Pharoahe Monch's bio / press-kit, "Pharoahe Monch's legend precedes him like few lyricists committing words to wax in hip-hop today. After eight years as half of one of the rap music's most revered and enduring underground duos, Organized Konfusion ... the mighty Monch now delivers his inaugural solo album, Internal Affairs, on hip-hop skilltrade haven, Rawkus Records... "When we finished The Equinox," Pharoahe remembers, "our label was like, 'Go right back and do something else. We put so much into that album... I was just like, 'Prince... I can't do it. I'd be lying to you, myself and the fans... So I stopped. And then after that point the label gave us a release. And that's when the opportunities came and labels came runnin' at me. I was like, 'Wow, should I squander these opportunities or not? So I discussed it with Paul and we were on the same vibe. We eventually wanna hook back up. But it's really best that we work on solo projects right now." Internal Affairs marks not only a creative rebirth for Monch but a spiritual rebirth for an artist who finally feels a healthy camaraderie from a stable of comparable hip-hop talent with which to co-exist and collaborate with at Rawkus... 'Rap groups are supposed to have the integrity to keep etchin' it up a notch. Even if you have to battle yourself. And I don't think most cats really take that integrity to the game - being passionate about working with artists that have that same position... That's what good lyricism and good hip-hop is all about ... And that's what Pharoahe Monch is all about." - 1999

A review in CMJ, says: "Few artists in hip-hop garner the respect and admiration of their peers quite like Pharoahe Monch. On his Rawkus debut, Internal Affairs, he raises the intensity level to a fever pitch with their masterful set of thinking-man's hardcore. Monch holds his own when scrapping with Canibus and M.O.P., and then gets deep with cats such as Common and Talib Kweli with nary a flinch in the transition. He even reunites with Organized Konfusion partner Prince Poetry on "God Send," one of the album's standout cuts. Also check out the rowdy street corner remix of the anthem-of-the-moment, 'Simon Says," featuring Method Man, Redman, Busta Rhymes, Shabaam Sahdeeq and Lady Luck." - CMJ New Music Monthly, November 1999. This is a classic!

Pharoahe Monch "Simon Says" Get The F*ck Up (Video, 1999)

"Y'all know the name Pharoahe f#ckin' Monch, ain't a damn thing changed.," exclaims Pharoahe on his smash hit, "Simon Says," in '99. Argued to be in the Rawkus' top 50 songs by Complex, they said and I agree, "There are artists that need synths, ghostwriters, a big name guest, and/or a bunch of other extras to make a club banger. Pharoahe Monch did it with only a four note Godzilla sample. Throw in some clever rhymes about breatesses, Tomb Raider, and ballin and viola, you have yourself one of this best hip-hop bangers ever. If you didn't "get the fuck up," chances are you're already dead. Our condolences." The song (despite its sample issues) is a hit to this day, keep it in rotation!

Peep the lyrics to the track, get familiar...