Music
Pharoahe Monch
Pharoahe Monch is a long-standing hero of the underground hip-hop world, celebrated for his lyricism and complex technique. Starting out in the 90s, working with Prince Poetry in the rap duo Organized Konfusion, Monch then went on to sign with legendary indie label Rawkus Records (Common, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, Eminem).
Known as a pre-eminent lyricist of the underground rap scene, Monch crafts intelligent raps with intricate internal rhyme. Monch himself compares writing lyrics to creating a film, revising sections like a screenwriter, reworking the scene and leaving aspects open to the listener’s interpretation. He also sites jazz musicians such as John Coltrane as a major influence on his delivery style.
Label partner Eminem has described him as “incredible” and being “ahead of his time since he came out”. If you like your hip-hop with complexity and depth, Pharoahe Monch will deliver.