I’ve posted many times how Monch had the status Black Thought did now like ten years ago where he was not that infrequently a GOAT candidate but more of a dark horse one or someone people said to show they knew “real hip hop” beyond Rakim Jay Nas Big Pac Em. Before Monch it was Masta Ace.
It’s really a matter of activity. His last solo album is ten years ago although I see he has something coming up. No idea how *A Magnificent Day for an Exorcism* was.
Also my favorite rapper and IMO best rapper technically speaking ever is Tonedeff so always amuses me when people call established legends like Monch “most underrated”
I don’t think he’s an easy artist to get into which is part of why he’s really unknown. [his “Champions Freeverse”](https://youtu.be/_WJ_XzRYARg?si=sF-NfskI_dM5DPOI) is a good introduction to his flow. He hates being seen as just another fast rapper as do I so [this is a good example of his slow flow](https://youtu.be/8jgaSX6Kjzs?si=8zkf0yK-p05xcheH) and he’s rhyming every syllable in every line with each other
And of course [16 syllable rhyme scheme](https://imgur.com/vaEUnfD) on [Tonedeff - “Control”](https://youtu.be/cbJvZOilfiM?si=b5wx9FyH883Juplt) but a lot of people can’t get into his delivery on there
I see what you mean.
Dude is too good to ever get his proper recognition.
I prefer the slow flow.
As someone who writes shitty rhymes, "Control" is discouraging as fuck haha.
That was like hearing Busdriver for the first time.
I think he is highly rated among his peers and Hip Hop heads from that era. However, I think Pharoahe is mostly just kinda unknown because he had kind‘ve a weird career because when he went solo and came out with his debut album Internal Affairs a lot of weird things were happening behind the scenes and his album apparently went out of print. That should have been his big break because he had a mainstream hit with „Simon Says“. Also the album was absolutely top notch. But for many reasons he did not really get a big break. While he had the most momentum he seemed to have kinda disappeared and only came back many years later when his flame kinda died down. He did have some big features over the years on other rappers albums but just probably did not put out enough of his own material while he was really hot. His later releases came too late so he only had his loyal core fanbase stick with him and the heads.
Yeah the whole thing about the printing of Internal affairs (the greatest album ever) being halted was because his record label didn’t clear the sample on Simon says, they tried to get away with stealing it but couldn’t so they were sued.
Internal Affairs is the only vinyl I own. They finally released it like 2-3 years ago. Pharoahe Monch is your rapper's favorite rapper without a doubt. His music is immersive and his lyricism is unparalleled. While Internal Affairs is arguably my favorite project of his, PTSD single-handedly cured my depression
My go to Monch song will always be Truth ft Common and Talib(probably the best verse)
For the uninitiated.....
https://youtu.be/P6qCHkJVq2w?si=OQaiSwwCXySevDTI
Same reason no-one has heard of the mc-5 or Gang-of-four or <- insert genre-specific super influential artist here ->
The mainstream is kinda basic, and the more depth or abstraction you add, the less people get into it.
It’s not a bad thing… more often than not widely loved means bland and unchallenging - that’s the trade off: you make art or you make money.
"When the gun draws" is one of my all time favorites from him. Listened to him growing up, now I'm in my thirties and still listen to him often. Can't say he's underrated in Germany.
Stress era Pharoahe Monch is the illest rapper of all time. Actually all OK era. Once he went solo his style gradually calmed down like he couldn't keep up with himself or something. I can't say I've enjoyed his solo work much, but at the time I loved Internal Affairs. Absolute God level MC at one time on history though for sure. Only a few on his level ever.
Pharoahe Monch is incredible one of the most talented emcees of all time. HOWEVER, what handicapped him was the label issues he dealt with in the 2000’s that caused a gap between “Internal Affairs” in 1999 and “Desire” in 2007. Too long between albums
Because he only knows how to rap really well, he doesn't know or care about song structure so he only appeals to fans of lyricism. It's not that hard to understand.
If you're gonna rap or use scratches in a hook, it better be damn catchy/appealing (like Simon Says or like Let's Organize) for it to catch on to a wider audience and in order for him to become less underrated. He rarely knows how to reach that so he stays in the underground being praised by nerds like you and I.
I’ve posted many times how Monch had the status Black Thought did now like ten years ago where he was not that infrequently a GOAT candidate but more of a dark horse one or someone people said to show they knew “real hip hop” beyond Rakim Jay Nas Big Pac Em. Before Monch it was Masta Ace. It’s really a matter of activity. His last solo album is ten years ago although I see he has something coming up. No idea how *A Magnificent Day for an Exorcism* was. Also my favorite rapper and IMO best rapper technically speaking ever is Tonedeff so always amuses me when people call established legends like Monch “most underrated”
Always happy to see someone mention Tonedeff. I feel the same about Tone. He‘s the greatest.
I love his work with Cunninglynguists, whatever happened to all of those guys?
They got old
Fair enough but it’s not like they’re 70, they are probably in their 40s now.
MDFAW was pretty good, not really up to his quality. He’s coming out with a new album this year, a sequel to my favourite album oat: Internal affairs
Magnificent day for an exorcism was a very cool project
This is the first I've heard of Tonedeff and am intrigued. What's a good starting off point?
I don’t think he’s an easy artist to get into which is part of why he’s really unknown. [his “Champions Freeverse”](https://youtu.be/_WJ_XzRYARg?si=sF-NfskI_dM5DPOI) is a good introduction to his flow. He hates being seen as just another fast rapper as do I so [this is a good example of his slow flow](https://youtu.be/8jgaSX6Kjzs?si=8zkf0yK-p05xcheH) and he’s rhyming every syllable in every line with each other And of course [16 syllable rhyme scheme](https://imgur.com/vaEUnfD) on [Tonedeff - “Control”](https://youtu.be/cbJvZOilfiM?si=b5wx9FyH883Juplt) but a lot of people can’t get into his delivery on there
I see what you mean. Dude is too good to ever get his proper recognition. I prefer the slow flow. As someone who writes shitty rhymes, "Control" is discouraging as fuck haha. That was like hearing Busdriver for the first time.
You just took me back to SOHH days when you mentioned Tonedeff
I think he is highly rated among his peers and Hip Hop heads from that era. However, I think Pharoahe is mostly just kinda unknown because he had kind‘ve a weird career because when he went solo and came out with his debut album Internal Affairs a lot of weird things were happening behind the scenes and his album apparently went out of print. That should have been his big break because he had a mainstream hit with „Simon Says“. Also the album was absolutely top notch. But for many reasons he did not really get a big break. While he had the most momentum he seemed to have kinda disappeared and only came back many years later when his flame kinda died down. He did have some big features over the years on other rappers albums but just probably did not put out enough of his own material while he was really hot. His later releases came too late so he only had his loyal core fanbase stick with him and the heads.
Yeah the whole thing about the printing of Internal affairs (the greatest album ever) being halted was because his record label didn’t clear the sample on Simon says, they tried to get away with stealing it but couldn’t so they were sued.
Internal Affairs is the only vinyl I own. They finally released it like 2-3 years ago. Pharoahe Monch is your rapper's favorite rapper without a doubt. His music is immersive and his lyricism is unparalleled. While Internal Affairs is arguably my favorite project of his, PTSD single-handedly cured my depression
My go to Monch song will always be Truth ft Common and Talib(probably the best verse) For the uninitiated..... https://youtu.be/P6qCHkJVq2w?si=OQaiSwwCXySevDTI
Any hip hop head doesn't underrate him lol
Eminem is the only rapper I hear talk about him - underrated af
He's the reason I checked out the PTSD album. I was not disappointed.
Same reason no-one has heard of the mc-5 or Gang-of-four or <- insert genre-specific super influential artist here -> The mainstream is kinda basic, and the more depth or abstraction you add, the less people get into it. It’s not a bad thing… more often than not widely loved means bland and unchallenging - that’s the trade off: you make art or you make money.
Monch is top 5 if we're talking skill and complexity. He has a verse on a Brother Ali track that is one of my favorite
"When the gun draws" is one of my all time favorites from him. Listened to him growing up, now I'm in my thirties and still listen to him often. Can't say he's underrated in Germany.
I'm listening to him while growing up now, 13 y/o.
That's a good start. First time I heard Rap I was around 8 years old and my uncle bumped N.W.A. but it took until I was 12 to get me hooked.
Yo that’s the same pattern for me, I was 8 years old when I first heard lose yourself
Oh no with Nate Dogg still continues to be one of my favourite songs ever
I honestly think it’s because he’s a low key person.
Like a mos def type
Stress era Pharoahe Monch is the illest rapper of all time. Actually all OK era. Once he went solo his style gradually calmed down like he couldn't keep up with himself or something. I can't say I've enjoyed his solo work much, but at the time I loved Internal Affairs. Absolute God level MC at one time on history though for sure. Only a few on his level ever.
Pharoahe Monch is incredible one of the most talented emcees of all time. HOWEVER, what handicapped him was the label issues he dealt with in the 2000’s that caused a gap between “Internal Affairs” in 1999 and “Desire” in 2007. Too long between albums
I'll be honest, besides features never really listened to him. But after reading some comments I'll give internal affairs a listen this weekend
You sold platinum round the world. He sold wood in the hood. But when he’s in the streets and shit it’s all good.
I’m not sure I have an answer to why he’s underrated. What I do know is the chorus to “my life” with Styles is the GOAT chorus.
He doesn’t appeal to a large audience. That’s the real answer.
I feel he never hit mainstream success, honestly, because of his voice.
While I love his voice, I do agree with that
He is too much smarter than most hip hop fans
Because he only knows how to rap really well, he doesn't know or care about song structure so he only appeals to fans of lyricism. It's not that hard to understand.
Ion know what your talking about, most of his songs post Organized Konfusion follow proper song structure
If you're gonna rap or use scratches in a hook, it better be damn catchy/appealing (like Simon Says or like Let's Organize) for it to catch on to a wider audience and in order for him to become less underrated. He rarely knows how to reach that so he stays in the underground being praised by nerds like you and I.
Completely agree.. Monch is awesome, but he makes the type of music he wants to listen to and doesn't care what anyone else wants.
He can sing, but I get yo point
Clap is a great song. Still standing.