pharoahe monch Archives

10 Things You May Not Know About Rawkus Records (Audio)

Though it kept a lower profile than companies like Def Jam and Bad Boy, in the late 90s and early 00s, there were few, if any record labels, that carried the flag for Hip-Hop more proudly than Rawkus Records. For many, the company introduced Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Eminem, El-P's... Read more

October 2, 2015 Audio

Talib Kweli Was Critical to Soundbombing. He & 9th Wonder Are Making Their Own Compilation.

In establishing Rawkus Records mission, vision, and range, Talib Kweli was highly integral to celebrated compilation series like Soundbombing and Lyricist Lounge. A decade after breaking from Rawkus, Talib teamed with former label-mate Pharoahe Monch as well as 9th Wonder to form Indie 500. The Hip-Hop triumvirate aims to really... Read more

September 28, 2015 Audio, News

Talib Kweli & 9th Wonder Recruit Problem & Bad Lucc For A Message Of Perseverance (Audio)

Almost a year ago, Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch, and 9th Wonder announced an independent music conglomerate, Indie 500. All parties have been incredibly busy since, with an emphasis on activism—including a free concert in St. Louis, Missouri one year after Michael Brown's murder Ferguson. Today (September 22) Talib and 9th... Read more

September 22, 2015 Audio

15 Years Ago, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, Common & More Used Hip-Hop for Justice. The Fight Continues.

Police officers (and law enforcement officials) murdering unarmed people of color has been a resounding issue, especially since the 2012 death of Trayvon Martin. However, while mainstream media has not always looked at the issue that extends back throughout the United States' history, other media has. One of those sources... Read more

September 7, 2015 Food for Thought

Rakim, De La Soul, Cam’ron & Curren$y Among 2015 A3C Headliners

Beginning October 7 through October 11, 2015's A3C Festival in Atlanta, Georgia received some key developments this week. Within the five-day 11th annual festival, a number of highly-respected Hip-Hop artists are confirmed to perform. Some early-announced headliners include two Long Island, New York iconic outfits, Rakim and De La Soul.... Read more

July 10, 2015 Fresh

Pharoahe Monch, Murs & Fashawn Assist J57 In Supplying Sample-Free Dope (EP Stream)

After releasing them over the course of the year, Brooklyn, New York-based J57 has culminated his series of official sample-free remixes into one conveniently packaged EP. The producer/MC re-designed four tracks, each with an original arrangement that includes a fresh beat and original vocals in the place of what were... Read more

May 27, 2015 Audio

These MCs Are Often Unsung & Underrated…But They Are GOATs (Video)

When you ask Hip-Hop fans to name their Top 10 MCs, there are certain names cited consistently--Nas, Tupac, Eminem, Biggie, Jay Z...but, inevitably, there will be artists mentioned that seem like wildcards, too. However, when you pay close attention, you'll find that these artists' names also recur. These are MCs... Read more

May 20, 2015 Video

Pharoahe Monch Gives An Enticing Performance In Keep Pushing (Short Film)

Producers of the upcoming film Revolutions Per Minute, have released a prequel to the movie, titled Keep Pushing. The visual is set sometime in the early 1990s. Almost 15 minutes long, the short film follows a Bronx, New York rapper by the name of Billy da Kid. The video starts off with... Read more

May 15, 2015 TV/Film

Do Remember: Rawkus Records’ Soundbombing 2 Album (Audio)

May 18, 1999, Rawkus Records would enter their most definitive year with their fifth full-length release in Soundbombing II. Distributed by the same Priority Records that had been so integral to the successes of Ruthless, Rap-A-Lot, and Roc-A-Fella, Brian Brater and Jarret Myer's imprint was truly stepping out. 1998 had... Read more

May 14, 2015 Throwback

Ghostface Killah & Pharoahe Monch’s Latest Collabo Comes To Comic Book Life (Lyric Video)

Although they were running in very different circles in the early 1990s, Ghostface Killah and Pharoahe Monch have some amazing rapport over the last five or so years. The Staten Island and Queens, New York lyricists fill their deliveries with fervor, passion, and lots of unique wordplay. From late 2014's... Read more

April 27, 2015 Video

This Throwback Hip-Hop VIDEO Mix Will Blow Your Mind (Video)

Here's an absolutely devastating throwback Hip-Hop video mix from UK DJ E Double D. The mix and song selection, from the late 80s and early 90s, would be enough but, the added layer of overlaying visuals takes it to a completely different level. E Double pulls out clips featuring Eric... Read more

April 20, 2015 Throwback

Pharoahe Monch Delivers Some Valentine’s Day Love with a Compilation Album (Audio Stream)

Pharoahe Monch has delivered a Hip-Hop Valentine's Day present in the form of a compilation album. Lost in Translation is a 12-song project featuring all-star contributions from Jill Scott, Robert Glasper, Will.I.Am, Justin Timberlake, Phonte and more. According to Pharoahe's Bandcamp page, ""Lost In Translation" is a collection of previously... Read more

February 14, 2015 Audio

Pharoahe Monch is In the Zone This Christmas (Audio)

Marco Polo delivers a virtual stocking stuffer, by way of some previously unreleased Pharoahe Monch. "In the Zone" is true to the title, with Pharoahe typically locked-in lyrically. Check it out. Related: Happy Birthday to Pharoahe Monch. Here’s a Celebratory Mix of His Music (Audio)... Read more

December 24, 2014 Audio

Ghostface Killah Unleashes a Full Album Stream of 36 Seasons (Audio)

Over the last few weeks, Ghostface Killah has released banger after banger after banger from his forthcoming 36 Seasons album. Few, if any, projects have been more anticipated. Now, the wait is over. Similar to DJ Premier & Royce Da 5'9" with their PRhyme EP, Ghost has released a full... Read more

December 1, 2014 Audio

Happy Birthday to Pharoahe Monch. Here’s a Celebratory Mix of His Music (Audio)

Happy Birthday to Pharoahe Monch who turned 42 on Halloween. To celebrate the date, OkayPlayer commissioned DJ Raydar Ellis to put together a mix of Monch's music. Ellis dug deep in the crates pulling out gems from Pharoahe's solo career, his days with Organized Konfusion, featured appearances and more. Check... Read more

November 1, 2014 Audio

Ras Kass & Apollo Brown Allow All To Hear The Blasphemy (Album Stream)

Today (October 28), Ras Kass & Apollo Brown release Blasphemy. As label Mello Music Group likes to do, the album is available for free, full stream, enticing your support, should you feel so compelled. This MC/producer tandem brings the Carson, California veteran lyricist to the Michigan-based beat-master/member of The Left,... Read more

October 28, 2014 Audio, Fresh

9th Wonder, Talib Kweli & Pharoahe Monch Join Forces to Distribute Independent Hip-Hop (Video)

You think Hip-Hop is dead? 9th Wonder, Talib Kweli and Pharoahe Monch don't. The three like-minded guardians of the culture have come together to form an independent company to distribute Hip-Hop artists who they believe represent the ethos of the music they (and we) have come to love. The company... Read more

October 22, 2014 Video

Finding The GOAT: Mos Def vs. Pharoahe Monch…Who You Got?

As we continue the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time), we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups in a sequence not... Read more

October 21, 2014 Featured-homepage, Fresh

20 Amazing Hip-Hop Projects From 2014, So Far (Videos)

2014 is entering its fourth quarter. As a whole, the year has seen some amazing musical developments in Hip-Hop. Mainstream artists like Common, The Roots, and Rick Ross (coincidentally, all Def Jam Records acts) have made statement albums, adding to respected and evolved catalogs. Veterans such as Cormega, Pharoahe Monch,... Read more

September 8, 2014 Featured-homepage, Fresh, Video

Ras Kass & Apollo Brown Trade Memories With Pharoahe Monch & Rakaa (Audio)

Apollo Brown beats beckon reflection from MCs. Whether O.C., Journalist 103, or Roc Marciano, rappers tend to get nostalgic when they get an opportunity to touch one of these soul-sampling gems from the Michigan native. On "Memories," Ras Kass steps in to recall his days in Watts (before moving to... Read more

September 2, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Pete Rock, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Pharoahe Monch & More Remember J. Dilla As He Enters The Smithsonian

Maureen "Ma Dukes" Yancey recently sat down with The Huffington Post to discuss her son, the late J. Dilla, and his recent enshrinement into The Smithsonian alongside his signature beat making equipment. m, In it, the affectionately nicknamed Ma Dukes highlighted their musically inclined family, his early experiences with instruments,... Read more

August 13, 2014 Fresh

Pharoahe Monch’s Tremendous Vocal Range & Enhanced Songwriting Is On Smash In Broken (Video)

Pharoahe Monch is often revered as one of Hip-Hop's elite lyricists, since his days of kicking syncopated verse alongside Prince Po in Organized Konfusion. However, more than just wordplay, flow, and precision-driven rhymes, the Queens MC has bared his soul more than a few times in his songs. That's especially... Read more

June 2, 2014 Fresh, Video

Listen to the Best Hip-Hop of April Including Scarface, The Roots, KRS-One, Big K.R.I.T., J. Cole, Mos Def & More (Audio Playlist)

April brought the heat in Hip-Hop, including new music featuring Scarface, KRS-One, The Roots, 50 Cent, Big K.R.I.T., J. Cole, Mos Def & Marvin Gaye, Pharoahe Monch, Big L & Fat Joe, Da Brat, Daz Dillinger, Slum Village & Black Milk, Rapsody, Chance the Rapper, Mobb Deep and much more.... Read more

May 6, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage, Playlists

Here’s a Mind-Blowingly Comprehensive Oral History of Rawkus Records

Here's a mind-blowingly comprehensive oral history of Rawkus Records, one of the last great Hip-Hop record labels, put together by MySpace. The piece features contributions from DJ Premier, DJ Spinna, El-P, Evil Dee, Kool G Rap, Pharoahe Monch, Q-Tip and many, many more. Check out an excerpt and link to... Read more

April 30, 2014 Throwback

Listen To The Precision Lyricism Of One Of Hip-Hop’s Masters As Pharoahe Monch Takes On The Backroom Booth (Video)

Since the days of Organized Konfusion, Pharoahe Monch's breath control, wordplay, syncopated delivery, and metaphors have made him in the most elite class of MCs, all time, in Hip-Hop. With P.T.S.D. available now, Monch hits BET's Backroom for an accapella display that dazzles: Related: Pharoahe Monch Opens Up About His... Read more

April 24, 2014 Fresh, Video

Pharoahe Monch Opens Up About His Darker Side On The Combat Jack Show (Audio)

Queens, New York rapper Pharoahe Monch sits down with Combat Jack and his radio team to discuss a wide variety of topics including his asthma issues, his fascination with "scary, real, horrific," violence, and the truly personal and introspective direction behind his latest project, P.T.S.D. Pharoahe has been in the... Read more

April 22, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Pharoahe Monch & DJ Revolution Know A Lil’ Something About Getting Down (Audio)

As if a whole new album's worth of fresh material was not enough for last week, veteran supreme lyricist Pharoahe Monch made a Record Store Day exclusive with Wake Up Show alum DJ Revolution. Produced by Australia's M-Phazes, this joint, "Get Down" shows Monch's ongoing versatility in a career spanning... Read more

April 21, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Right As Pharoahe Monch Readies P.T.S.D., Prince Po Releases A Video With Organized Konfusion & O.C. (Video)

Tomorrow, Pharoahe Monch will release his fourth solo album, P.T.S.D. Earlier todays, fans were (and still are) treated to an early listen. However, quite cleverly, Prince Po released the video to "Smash" from his own 2014 LP, Animal Serum, produced and starring by Oh No. The two members of Organized... Read more

April 14, 2014 Fresh, Video

Pharoahe Monch Is One Of Hip-Hop’s Most Consistent Album-Makers. How’s P.T.S.D. Stack Up? (Album Stream)

Tomorrow (April 15th), Pharoahe Monch will release his fourth studio solo album, P.T.S.D. Early intel says that it's the Organized Konfusion's most intimate, most vulnerable, and thus, most personal album to date (with some classic P.Monch cockiness too). Featuring involvement Black Thought, Quelle Chris, Talib Kweli, and others, the W.A.R.... Read more

April 14, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage, Fresh

Pharoahe Monch & Black Thought Show There’s No Sleeping on Them with Rapid Eye Movement (Audio)

Pharoahe Monch and Black Thought are among some of the most underrated MCs in the game but here's a notice to STOP SLEEPING. The pair get on a magnificent track, off Pharoahe's forthcoming Post Traumatic Stress Disorder album, and catch wreck on Rapid Eye Movement. Straight fire. Check it out.... Read more

April 8, 2014 Audio

Diamond D & Pharoahe Monch’s Collaborations Continue In Rap Life (Video)

The D.I.T.C. x Organized Konfusion history goes beyond O.C. Pharoahe Monch and Diamond D have been working together since 1997's The Equinox, with additional work on Monch's solo albums. That action continues on "Rap Life." With Alchemist making a cameo, we see the two New York O.G.'s making the track,... Read more

March 31, 2014 Fresh, Video

Pharoahe Monch & Sway Have a Heavyweight Hip-Hop Convo & Monch Performs (Video)

Pharoahe Monch has been in the game a long time. Long enough, in fact, to help put Eminem on. The Hip-Hop Heavyweight sat down with Sway to discuss his career, being a record label owner, staying inspired, his new album and more. Pharoahe also performs a killer version of his... Read more

February 8, 2014 Video

It’s Organized Konfusion As Pharoahe Monch & O.C. Rock With Prince Po & Oh No (Audio)

Just last year, Pharoahe Monch and Prince Po cracked the mic together on Marco Polo's PA2: The Director's Cut. The Queens, New York vets have been in the news a lot lately, with last week's reunion show in NYC, celebrating the 20th anniversary of cult-championed sophomore LP, Stress: The Extinction... Read more

February 4, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Pharoahe Monch Gets His Sam Jackson On, In Bad MFer (Audio)

Release dates are coming in heavy this week. The same seven days that celebrate the 20th anniversary of Organized Konfusion's Stress: The Extinction Agenda sees Monch map out P.T.S.D. for April 15th (tax day, as it's also known). The LP on W.A.R. Media will include contributions from Black Thought, Marco... Read more

January 29, 2014 Audio, Food for Thought, Fresh

Pharoahe Monch & Prince Po Chronicle The Cab Racism & Label Tensions That Created Stress

This week, Organized Konfusion's sophomore album, Stress: The Extinction Agenda turns 20 years old. Queens, New Yorkers Pharoahe Monch and Prince Po (fka Prince Poetry) are coming together for a rare headlining concert with longtime affiliates O.C. and Large Professor, among others, for a concert in Brooklyn, New York. NahRight... Read more

January 26, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Organized Konfusion To Celebrate 20th Anniversary Of Stress: The Extinction Agenda With O.C. & Large Professor

In August of 1994, Pharoahe Monch and Prince Poetry released their second of three albums as Organized Konfusion. The Queens, New Yorkers followed their self-titled 1991 LP with a sophomore joint featuring involvement from Q-Tip, O.C., Buckwild, and a young producer entering the scene named Rockwilder. Within five years the... Read more

January 20, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Members Of Ultramagnetic MCs & Main Source Remember The Late Paul C.

For those that don't know, one of Hip-Hop's unseen hands in the late 1980s was a Queens, New York engineer/producer named Paul "C" McKasty. Large Professor, who came up with Paul (both with works uncredited) on albums by Eric B. & Rakim and Kool G. Rap & DJ Polo, named... Read more

October 16, 2013 Fresh, Throwback

Ghostface Killah, Sheek Louch & Pharoahe Monch Perform at A3C (Video)

The annual A3C Hip-Hop Festival is taking place in Atlanta this weekend. If you've never been, it's a truly special Hip-Hop experience. Our favorite moment so far is watching Big K.R.I.T. and Bun B rip through the remix to Country Sh*t from about 10 feet away yesterday. Below is some... Read more

October 5, 2013 Video

Marco Polo – 3-0-Clock ft Organized Konfusion (Video)

What better way to present a track from PA:2 than to go to the actual Port Authority? Marco waits outside while Pharoahe Monch and Prince Poetry kick their verses from the inside of a bus. The Duck Down Music artist, who also has worked with Soulspazm (where PA: 2 is... Read more

October 1, 2013 Fresh, Video

Marco Polo – 3-0-Clock ft Organized Konfusion

Marco Polo's solo albums have become great touchstones for fans of 1990s Hip-Hop. The Canadian-born producer's LPs have featured the likes of Masta Ace, O.C., Kool G. Rap and Edo G. So what better place for Pharaohe Monch and Prince Po to carry on tradition than PA2: The Director's Cut.... Read more

September 17, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Pharoahe Monch Answers “The Questions” (Video)

Pharoahe Monch sat down (actually stood up) with OkayPlayer to answer their rapid-fire series of lighthearted questions. Pharoahe spoke on his favorite Cosby character, the jazz musician that influenced his cadence, which woman he would like to see act out part of the chorus of Simon Says...and more. Check out... Read more

September 4, 2013 Video

Kanye West Clown’s Pharoahe Monch’s Clothes (Video)

Here's a funny true Hip-Hop story. Pharoahe Monch tells the tale of the time Kanye West straight clowned Pharoahe's clothes in front of Talib Kweli--all animated as a cartoon, of course...Check out the video. Related: Pharoahe Monch Breaks Down Simon Says and More with Peter Rosenberg (Video)... Read more

September 4, 2013 Video

Pharoahe Monch Breaks Down Simon Says and More with Peter Rosenberg (Video)

Pharoahe Monch decodes Simon Says, talks Organized Konfusion, breaks down his lyrical process and stresses the importance of being true to himself in this interview with Peter Rosenberg. Check out the video. Related: Pharoahe Monch – Haile Selassie Karate ft Denaun Porter (Video)... Read more

July 20, 2013 Video

Kid Tsunami – The Chase (Full Album Stream)

With all the commotion about Kanye, J. Cole, Mac Miller and Statik Selektah's album, it was easy for Kid Tsunami's to get lost in the shuffle. But, with guest appearances from Masta Ace, OC, J-Live, Bahamadia, Sadat X, Kool Keith, Kool G Rap, KRS-One, Chubb Rock, Pharoahe Monch, Buckshot and... Read more

June 23, 2013 Audio

Pharoahe Monch – Haile Selassie Karate ft Denaun Porter (Video)

New Pharoahe Monch? I'll take it! Tough beat. Tough rhymes. Check out the video for Haile Selassie Karate. Related: Sadat X – This is Our Thing ft Pharoahe Monch & Phil G (Video)... Read more

May 8, 2013 Video

Sean Price – BBQ Sauce ft Pharoahe Monch (Video)

Sean Price drops a video for his burner with Pharoahe Monch. He and Pharoahe insert themselves in vintage photos, TV shows and other scenarios in visuals too bugged out to describe. Check out BBQ Sauce. Griminess at its finest. Related: Sean Price – Haraam (Video)... Read more

February 21, 2013 Video

AFH: For the Love of Hip-Hop (Playlist)

We do it all for the love, y'all...the love of hip-hop. On this Valentine's Day, here's a playlist celebrating the many expressions of love in hip-hop. You'll hear music from Nas, OutKast, A Tribe Called Quest, The Roots, Method Man, Slum Village, Heavy D, Mos Def, UGK and more. Check... Read more

February 14, 2013 Audio, Playlists

Sadat X – This is Our Thing ft Pharoahe Monch & Phil G (Video)

Here's a blazing hot new joint from Sadat X and Pharoahe Monch. Check out the video for This is Our Thing. Related: Sadat X – Remember That (Video) + Fokis – Just Sayin’ ft Sadat X (Audio)... Read more

February 11, 2013 Video

Sadat X – This is Our Thing ft Pharoahe Monch & Phil G

Sadat X and Pharoahe Monch kick some grown man ish. Check out This Is Our Thing featuring Phil G. Related: Ghostface Killah, M.O.P. & Pharoahe Monch – Black Out (Audio)... Read more

November 6, 2012 Audio

Sean Price – BBQ Sauce ft Pharoahe Monch

Pharoahe Monch jumps on the hook of Sean Price's latest release. The track is courtesy of Evidence and DJ Babu. Check out BBQ Sauce. Price's Mic Tyson album is in stores on 10/30. Related: Sean Price poses as Nardwaur (Seanwaur) to interview Pharoahe Monch (Video)... Read more

October 29, 2012 Audio