Friday and whatnot #10 | Square one, back again edition

It was Shane Schleger (twoplustwo poster Shaniac, Dope Stories podcaster) who put me on to Pharoahe Monch, around the time I moved to California. His twitter feed was heavy with praise for the W.A.R (We Are Renegades) album, so I checked it out.

While I was familiar with the 2000 rap mega hit “Simon Says” (that dirty Godzilla bass line hitting hard), I hadn’t heard of Organized Konfusion or listened to the Desire or Internal Affairs projects. It would be years down the road, but unpacking the vivid imagery and dizzying word play in each of those albums has been a pleasure.

It didn’t take more than the first track to get me into the album, and that was just an intro. Albeit an intro voiced by Idris Elba. The drum beats on track 2, “Calculated Amalgamation”, had me hooked. There are some dope drum cover videos of that song, which is a thing apparently.

Above all else, what’s made me a true Pharoahe Monch fan has been his approach to lyricism. Clearly a talented MC, but it’s the words, the truth, the message that hits hardest. There are songs of struggle, addiction, police brutality, and the state of America. Some of the overriding themes have unfortunately proven to be evergreen.

I wasn’t sure what direction to go with this week, but humorous stories and fun memories didn’t seem like the right move. Something I’ve done a lot of these past few weeks has been listening and reflecting. There are myriad powerful voices speaking the truths we need to hear, and I’m hopeful more people take the time to listen.

Pharoahe Monch “Still Standing” feat. Jill Scott

A song of hope in times of chaos. It is all too appropriately about how Pharoahe can’t breathe. The string and horn heavy score is the perfect compliment to Jill Scott’s soulful message and Pharoahe’s triumphant lyrics.

Like the Statue of Liberty,
my knees will never bend.
Pharoahe Monch

Pharoahe Monch – “Clap (One Day)”

This short movie features another cast member from The Wire, Gbenga Akinnagbe (Chris Parlow). The song is powerful on its own, but the extended video is particularly relevant in today’s climate. The graphic match of Pharoahe and his son removing an ear of their headphones is chilling. It is a long one, but very worth it.

This is an American post-mortem,
To focus on your bogus Novus Ordo Seclorum*
Pharaohe Monch

*Yeah, P will drop some Latin rhymes too (it means new order of the ages).

Pharahoe Monch – “Same Sh!t, Different Toilet”

This is a brand new song from P Monch that launched today. I haven’t had the time to fully digest it, but it had to be on the list. Marco Polo on the beats, featuring Styles P as well.