Pharoahe Monch Explains The Hidden Meanings In His New Album

Three weeks ago (January 22), Pharoahe Monch released his first album in nearly seven years. The Queens, New York veteran MC/producer partnered with esteemed guitarist Marcus Machado and Grammy-winning drummer Daru Jones as Th1rt3en. The band, involving two overlapping musicians from Pete Rock’s The Soul Brothers collective, has been releasing music since 2019’s “Palindrome.” Like that wordplay-driven track, 2021’s A Magnificent Day For An Exorcism (embedded below) features many songs that involve concept—including “666 (Six Three Word Stories),” “Cult 45,” and “Amnesia,” just to name a few. In a conversation with Ambrosia For Heads’ What’s The Headline podcast (embedded as audio and video), Pharoahe opens up on these songs, their origin, and some of the hidden meanings behind one of 2021’s most compelling releases.

For over an hour, Pharoahe speaks about how Thi1rt3en’s album—which symbolically arrived the same week as this year’s presidential inauguration. The decorated veteran details how films like Memento and The Wizard Of Oz served as muses to his songs. He also explains how he modeled a Hip-Hop album after the 1970s sounds of Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, and Rush came to fruition—while still involving a respected cast of producers such as Nottz, Lee Stone, Marco Polo, Parks, E. Jones, himself, and others.

Nas & Pharoahe Monch’s 1st Collabo Unites 2 Hip-Hop Kings From Queens (Audio)

In addition to chat about more profound meanings behind the new LP, numerology, and some concerning behaviors around present-day American society, Pharoahe speaks about his stock in the Hip-Hop game. The MC remembers one of his contemporaries in MF DOOM. He also weighs in on bringing his solo debut album, Internal Affairs, back to life 20 years after its release.

Heads can catch recent AFH What’s The Headline interviews with Prince Paul & Don NewkirkStatik SelektahLyric JonesThe LOXMC EihtMobb Deep’s HavocDuckwrth, and Lord Finesse. All episodes of the show are available wherever you stream your pods.

Black Thought, Yasiin Bey, Pharoahe Monch & Tobe Nwigwe Make A New Live At The BBQ

Here Is What Else Is Happening Of Note:

JAY-Z, LL Cool J, Mary J. Blige, and Rage Against The Machine are among nominees for 2021 induction to the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. Public voting is underway.

Judas And The Black Messiah: The Inspired Album features new music from JAY-Z and Nipsey Hussle, Nas, Rakim, Black Thought, Rapsody, J.I.D., Hit-Boy, Dom Kennedy, A$AP Rocky, and many others. The soundtrack belongs to the film (presently streaming on HBO) that chronicles the betrayal of Fred Hampton by FBI informant Bill O’Neal. Many of these songs are available on AFH’s Playlist.

A remembrance of Jazz legend and innovator Chick Corea, who died this week at 79 years old. Chick’s music was sampled by Eric B. & Rakim, D.I.T.C., and Cannibal Ox, to name a few. (Rolling Stone<)

Phife Dawg’s new single “Nutshell, Pt. 2” is a long-awaited posthumous release featuring verses from Redman and Busta Rhymes.

After a controversial false-start, Chappelle’s Show has returned to Netflix—this time, with Dave’s blessing. (The Hollywood Reporter

#BonusBeat: Stream/purchase A Magnificent Day For An Exorcism by Pharoahe Monch & Th1rt3en: