Pharoahe Monch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pharoahe Monch
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Troy Donald Jamerson |
| Born | October 31, 1972 Queens, New York City, U.S. |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Years active | 1987–present |
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Troy Donald Jamerson, born on October 31, 1972, is an American rapper. He is famous by his stage name, Pharoahe Monch. People know him for his clever lyrics and unique way of rapping. He uses many rhymes within his songs.
Pharoahe Monch's Music Journey
Early Career with Organized Konfusion
Pharoahe Monch started his music career in a rap group called Organized Konfusion. He formed this duo with his partner, Prince Poetry. They released three albums together. These albums were Organized Konfusion, Stress: The Extinction Agenda, and The Equinox. The duo also produced much of their own music. Critics liked their albums, but they did not sell a lot of copies. The group broke up in 1997 after their last album.
Solo Success and Challenges
After Organized Konfusion, Pharoahe Monch signed with Rawkus Records. This was an indie label, meaning it was independent. He appeared on other artists' albums first. Then, in 1999, he released his first solo album, Internal Affairs.
The Hit Song "Simon Says"
The first song from his album, "Simon Says", became a big hit. It reached number 97 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. However, the song caused some trouble. Pharoahe Monch was sued because he used a part of a song without permission. This part was from the theme song of the 1992 movie Godzilla vs. Mothra. Because of this, his album could not be sold for a while.
Collaborations and New Music
After the issue with "Simon Says", Pharoahe Monch did not release another solo album for several years. But he still made music and worked with other artists.
Working with Other Artists
In 2000, he worked with Mos Def and Nate Dogg on the popular song "Oh No". He also made a song for the Training Day movie soundtrack in 2001. He even rapped the theme song for the video game Madden NFL 2002. Pharoahe Monch also sang on a track called "Last Dayz" for Adam F's album in 2001. In 2002, he was featured on a remix song with Linkin Park.
New Albums and Mixtapes
In 2006, Pharoahe Monch released his first official mixtape, The Awakening. A mixtape is like a collection of songs. In June 2007, he released his second solo album, Desire. Critics really liked this album. Pharoahe Monch said it had a "soulful" and "gospel" sound. The main song from the album was "Push". He also made music videos for "When the Gun Draws" and the title track "Desire".
Recent Projects and Groups
On July 9, 2009, Pharoahe Monch shared a song called "Shine" from his next album. His third solo album, W.A.R. (We Are Renegades), came out in March 2011. This album featured many guest artists like Jill Scott and Styles P. Pharoahe Monch said this album was like "throwback to 1993, '94 hip-hop."
Judging and New Albums
In 2011, Pharoahe Monch was a judge on a TV show called Ultimate MC. He helped decide who the best MCs were. In 2014, he released his fourth album, PTSD: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. This album was a follow-up to his previous one. It was released on his own music label, W.A.R. Media.
Forming Th1rt3en
In 2019, Pharoahe Monch formed a new group called th1rt3en. It is a rap-rock supergroup. He formed it with guitarist Marcus Machado and drummer Daru Jones. They released their first song, "Palindrome," in September 2019. Their first album, A Magnificent Day for an Exorcism, came out on January 22, 2021. It included songs like "Fight" with the rap group Cypress Hill.
Pharoahe Monch's Rapping Style
Pharoahe Monch is well-known for his unique and complex way of rapping. AllMusic says he is one of the best lyricists in underground hip hop. They say he creates "intricate and intelligent raps."
Overcoming Challenges
Pharoahe Monch has had asthma since he was very young. This condition made him find new ways to control his breath while rapping. He said that asthma pushed him to "push the envelope in terms of breath control." This helped him develop a special technique he might not have tried otherwise.
Creative Process
Monch compares writing his lyrics to making a movie. He says he can "retake some things, just like a film." He also "rewrites" lyrics, like a screenwriter rewriting scenes. For his biggest hit, "Simon Says," he wrote the choruses before the verses. Another rapper, O.C., noted that Monch sometimes writes single lines and uses them years later. His way of delivering vocals is inspired by Jazz music and musicians like John Coltrane.
Discography
Solo albums
- Internal Affairs (1999)
- Desire (2007)
- W.A.R. (We Are Renegades) (2011)
- PTSD: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (2014)
- External Affairs (2025)
Group albums
- Organized Konfusion (1991) (with Prince Po as Organized Konfusion)
- Stress: The Extinction Agenda (1994) (with Prince Po as Organized Konfusion)
- The Equinox (1997) (with Prince Po as Organized Konfusion)
- A Magnificent Day for an Exorcism (2021) (with th1rt3en)
See also
In Spanish: Pharoahe Monch para niños
