Pharoahe Monch is such an ill lyricist. His metaphors are so creatively on point. This album has a lil something for everyone. You have your straight up political anthems, your sweet relationship/love songs and some all around feel good & keep on steppin tracks. I bumped this album so hard when it first came out and I still give it plays on the reg. Look for his new album, W.A.R., set to be released at the end of next month.
Production: Black Milk, Bo McKensie, Lee Stone, LV, Mr. Porter, Sean C, The Alchemist
Features: Dwele, Erykah Badu, Mela Machinko, Mr. Porter, Showtyme, Tower of Power
Evidence is like the real mans rapper. He is always talking about shit that is so easy to relate to. Realistic in nature, optimistic between the lines. Some people think this album is a lil boring because the beats are somewhat similar but I think that adds a cohesiveness to the album and I appreciate the topics put forth on this release.
Production: Evidence, DJ Babu, DJ Khalil, Jake One, Sid Roams, The Alchemist
Features: The Alchemist, Chase Infinite, Defari, Joe Scudda, Kobe, Madchild, Noelle Scaggs, Phonte, Planet Asia, Rakaa Iriscience, Rapper Big Pooh, Res, Sick Jacken, Slug
“Simon says get the fuck up!” haha you tell em Monch. He started out as one of two members of Organized Konfusion with Prince Po. They certainly had a good thing goin and usually I hate when people decide to go solo. It seems like putting out dope solo work is the exception not the rule. Lucky for us Pharoahe is the exception. He is such a good example of QUALITY over QUANTITY. It took him eight years after his debut album (Internal Affairs) to put out a second release (Desire) but they are both amazing. You might also recognize him from his more mainstream hit ‘Oh No’ with Mos Def & Nate Dogg. I hate using this saying cause its kinda retarded BUT Pharoahe Monch goes so hard! Yeah I said it. You know when you meet people and their level of creativity is so different that you just think they must be living in a totally different world than the average person? Case in point, Pharoahe. Homeboy is kinda wild and he is not scared to push the envelope. I mean he has one song where he uses rape as a metaphor for what he does to his songs. Yeah its like that. His work oozes with an east-coast vibe and I love this album for maintaining that raw, grimy old-school sound that I know and love so much. But don’t him fool you, he has a softer side too which he shows on tracks like ‘The Light’ and ‘The Truth’ feat. Common. If you aren’t listening to Monch already then you got some splaining to do!
Production: Diamond D, DJ Scratch, Lee Stone, Pharoahe Monch, The Alchemist
Features: Apani B. Fly, Busta Rhymes, Canibus, Common, Lady Luck, M.O.P., Method Man, Prince Po, Redman, Shabaam Sahdeeq, Talib Kweli
