Pharoahe Monch
Internal Affairs

THE REVIEW

''May I have your attention, please. What you are about to hear, Is undoubtedly the most incredible MC of the year''.

The album by Pharoahe Monch begins with this provocation, with this May I have your attention please..... (which may remind some of the intro to a famous song by Eminem) In fact, Pharoahe Monch, in my opinion, is one of the most underrated MC's ever. Few know his work with Organized Konfusion and solo (this is surely the most famous), and few recognize him as one of the strongest MC's ever (which he definitely is).

After this brief introduction to the character, let's move on to the record. Released on October 19, 1999 under Rawkus Records, two years after the release of the last Organized Konfusion album (definitely the least great of the three)

After a ripping Intro, accompanied by the classic trumpets that make you want to tear the beat apart, we find ourselves facing one of the rawest tracks I've ever heard, namely Behind Closed Doors: the sampling of Quincy Jones (and who else could it be???? :D) serves as the backdrop to one of the traditional hardcore 90s tracks. 

Very ''Hardcore 90s'' are also Rape, Official, Hell with rapper Canibus (who, of course, you must know), Right Here (fantastic acoustic guitar riff) and the evergreen Simon Says, the most famous track on the record that logically deserves a separate discussion.

Simon Says is a track that marked an era. The sample of the song has now become overused, taken from the soundtrack of a Godzilla film, it has been used by several rappers for their pieces (even the Colle Der Fomento). In a nutshell, you can't not know this beat, also because in freestyle battles this instrumental is a must (watch some episodes of 2theBeat and tell me it's not true). Then regarding the flow, any comment is superfluous.

Nevertheless, the record also consists of tracks

- melancholic and reflective: one above all Queens, ''dedicated'' to his neighborhood (find me a rapper who hasn't done it, and I'll pay you in gold tokens).

- fun: The Ass (no need to tell you what the song is about) and The Next Shit featuring Busta Rhymes (also pretty predictable to recount :D)

The record flows perfectly and the collaborations are quite spot on: 

-Canibus (Hell)

-M.O.P (No Mercy)

-Busta Rhymes (The Next Shit)

-Apani (The Ass)

-Lady Luck, Redman,  Method Man, Shabaam Sahdeeq, and once again Busta Rhymes (Simon Says RMX)

The only flaw of the record is its length: with a Pharoahe Monch in such great shape and capable of thrilling, there need to be more tracks. Maybe not 20, but at least make it to 18. But this is my point of view (maybe it's because I've worn this CD out like crazy). For the rest, the album has its STREET PHILOSOPHY even when talking nonsense.

AN ALBUM THAT'S NOTHING SHORT OF AMAZING THAT CONFIRMS PHAROAHE MONCH AS ONE OF THE BEST MC'S OF THE ERA. IF YOU DIDN'T KNOW HIM BEFORE, IT'S RECOMMENDED TO LISTEN

PEACE