In Bounce Issue #17 or #16 (sorry, I’m in Utah and can’t remember which), I listed Pharoahe Monch’s remake of Public Enemy’s 1990 classic “Welcome To The Terrordome” off his latest LP as one of my top five songs I’d want to hear to get me amped during pre-game. Well, the greatest lyricist (yeah, I said it) of the last 15 years just made a video that I can now share with you if you didn’t go out and cop his full length (pause).
Welcome To The Terrordome from W.A.R. Media on Vimeo.
Funny, cuz when Snoop covered Slick Rick early in the Doggy career, I totally, and publicly, objected to rap artists covering real MCs material, but in Monch’s case you have two lyrical giants and he does justice to Chuck cuz his voice is so different and distinct, plus the 2nd verse is fuego. Just saw Monch in London last month, too. Have known him since ‘89 when he and Prince Poetry were in the group Simply Too Positive, the predecessor outfit to Organized Konfusion in ‘91. Did you know that I asked Russell Simmons to sign OK to Def Jam? I was an A&R Rep there and we had the demo before they signed to Dave Funkenklein’s Hollywood Basic imprint. Mr. Simmons passed on it, as he did on Nas a couple of years later. They both have done well for themselves since so it’s all good!
November 9th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
CCB says:
Thanks for that!!!! I’m almost speechless. Almighty Pharaohe is definitely top ten of all time. The song “Queens” on IA smashing, and the little known Organized joints can be considered along the same lines as the original Heltah Skeltah and Boot Camp albums straight classics. This homage to PE… classic. Would have been even greater to actually have Chuck D featured in the video but it doesn’t need it. The second verse (speechless). I love the quick cuts in the video and the BEautiful Mind wallpaper styled allusion. I think Change is on the way in hip hop, a return to the facets of the culture and the longevity of true lyricists is critical, Bobbito once again your eye and ear is on point and beyond hoops, you are a cultural critic that loves and lives the life. Respect
November 9th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Chris says:
OK’s first release, the self titled album, was amazing. Although, I favored the demo for “Audience Pleasers” and the remix for “Walk into the Sun”, the album was seminal and was one of many early 90’s treats for all fans of hip hop.. Their third album, Equinox was, I thought, slept on. It is not their best work, in fact in the trilogy, it is my least favorite and I am sure many people have a similar opinion. No doubt tracks like “Invetro” (amazing!) “Numbers” and “Somehow, Someway” are really great songs, overall the album simply was not good.
However, there 2nd album, Stress: The Extinction Agenda, has to go down as one of the best albums in hip hop history. Released in 94, its easy for a lot of heads to overlook the album. It was then and it is now. But I will tell you, that album is a magnum opus and simply put one of the best recordings possibly in the history of music. The production and overall theme is much darker than their first effort. I know Monch’s father had just passed, and the group was dealing with label issues and the just the general dramas/stresses of life. Whatever it was, they just hit it on the head with each and every track. And although the album has some darker moments, there are also happier, more uplifitng themes on tracks like “Let’s Organize” and one of my favorites “3-2-1″. The closing track “Maintain” is inspirational and I think, really captures everything they were feeling at the time of recording the album. “Stray Bullet” was just beyond genius and the Extra P remix for “Stress” has to go down as one of the best remixes, up there with Pete’s “Shut Em Down” and many others.
I was happy Monch got some commerical success in the late 90’s and hopefully him and Prince can settle differences they may have and make some more great music together. Monch’s new album from last year was really dope, and again, slept on.
I saw OK live once with Co Flow at SOB’s back in like 97. One of the more memorable live performances I have seen.
November 9th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Chris says:
Sorry for typos, I hit submit by accident before I edited.
November 9th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Teddy "Doowop" says:
Wow, thats a statement. I’d say he’s definitely one of the illest lyricists of all time. There’s just too many other incredible lyricists for me to say Pharoahe is number one though..Godfather Don, Big Pun, Eminem, Gift of Gab, tonedeff, Del, Wordsworth, Kool G etc.
November 9th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Seldom Seen says:
That was flavor!
November 9th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
JosephVecsey says:
Relax, Seldom Seen. Take it easy.
November 10th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
Bobbito Garcia a.k.a. Kool Bob Love says:
chris-
i spun in san fran a couple of weeks ago, and dj hakobo threw on ‘let’s organize’ during his set. i lost it, hadn’t heard any other dj except for me play it ever, really good dance record, and yes, that lp was slept on. however i’d disagree with you as it being their best ever. the first organized konfusion release, in my opinion, stands as my top three hip hop lps of all time. like that. ‘releasing hypnotical gases,’ ‘open your eyes,’ ‘chicken,’ on and on . . . classic
November 10th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
illest says:
bob….with so many great hiphop albums how do you have a top 3? what separates those three from the rest of your favorites?
November 10th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
Chris says:
Bob,
No doubt. I love the first album. I personally cannot put it in my top 3 of all time obviously, as I loved Stress even more. The thing I loved so much about their first album tho was that it just sounded so fresh and different. Being from Queens Village/Jamaica, I was always up on the Queens artists. I remember going to the ave to copp the first OK tape. It was just such a glorious time for hip hop back then. I miss it. Q-tip’s new album has really brought back a freshness to the game that I am really digging. Black Milk as well.
Organized was one of a kind tho, and their music was just really really good, no matter how you slice it or what song or album of theirs is your personal favorite, there is no denying the dopeness..
November 10th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Teddy "Doowop" says:
Bob, who are your top ten lyricists? Not all around great mc’s, just lyricists. Solely concentrating on patterns, schemes, wordplay etc.
November 11th, 2008 at 10:17 am
ali says:
oooohh, that was serious bob. monche is def one of the top lyricists of all time. and most slept on.
November 14th, 2008 at 11:11 am
Bobbito Garcia a.k.a. Kool Bob Love says:
illest-
yeah, it’s tough to narrow down a top 3 LPs, but off top i’d go with
Public Enemy Nations to Hold Us Back
Nas Illmatic
Organized Konfusion self titled debut
they are all complete, no fillers, and to this day i’ve never gotten tired of any of them. the lyrics, songwriting, hooks, and beats are all classic and ridiculously original. no weaknesses. G Rap’s second LP Wanted Dead or Alive would be up there, too, and Tribe’s Midnight Marauders . . .