I love the infrequent reviews in which I actually get to talk about artists that I like. Not to say I haven't been enjoying the music I've reviewed this year, but today's entry comes from Pharoahe Monch, an artist that I have long been a fan of. Formerly one half of hip hop outfit Organized Konfusion, Monch was able to drop the dead weight known as Prince Po and actually test out a solo career. This year as you may know Prince Poetry released an album alongside producer Oh No in which he spit many raw, politically driven verses that caught the attention of a few underground listeners. Immediately after hearing this album Monch knew he had to out due his old band mate and release an album of his own. Now, Monch claims that he is finished with albums after the release of P.T.S.D., but it is my firm belief that for every one of Po's successes, Monch will be right there to steal the spotlight. His built up resentment for Po may bring out his very best work. After all, in twenty years I seriously doubt Pharoahe will want to look back at 2014 as the year he was out done by Prince Po. I wouldn't wish that form of suffering on my worst enemy. (Disclaimer: Prince Po was and still is a very talented rapper who I'm sure is a decent guy. I doubt very seriously that he is hated by Monch in the way that I described, but you never know.)
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In honor of the expected Pharaohe Monch release this year, it's time to review one of the best albums you've never heard. If you are familiar with the work of Pharoahe, give yourself a pat on the back. If you are familiar with his group Organized Konfusion, go ahead and give yourself a second pat. If you have already given yourself the appropriate number of pats, ask yourself if you've heard this project. if you answered yes to all three of these I give you a gold star, you win. If you are the general population however, let me educate you. This duo is straight out of the 90s Queens hip-hop scene which was oh so prevalent at the time, and consists of Prince Po, and Pharoahe Monch. Monch handles nearly all of the production, and him and Po share the mic throughout this lp. If you have never heard of these guys, don't get too down on yourself. If you fancy yourself a hip-hop head than I'm a bit taken aback by the fact that you don't know who Pharoahe is, but God knows where the hell Prince Po is these days. Wikipedia claims he released a solo lp in 2007, and is set to put out a project with Oh No this year, but I seriously doubt any of that is true. It may seem a but random to decide not to believe Wikipedia for the first time ever today, but I'd rather believe that after the separation of Organized Konfusion Po got a job at Arby's or something, and has maybe even made me a roast beef sandwich at some point.
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