In an interview with Urb.com today [click here], Pharoahe Monch shared his thoughts on a number of issues including the reception of his music, and where the future of Hip Hop may be going. Considered a lyrical master by most, he has worked with other artists such as Mos Def, Talib Kweli, and many others. Though not always in the spotlight of commercial Hip Hop, Pharoahe is still active, performing at Rock The Bells last year and participating in music festivals and other venues. He told the Web site that no matter the event, he still gives audiences a show and referenced a famous baseball player to make his point.
“I know it’s cliche to use sports analogies,” he preambled, “[but] I remember Joe Dimaggio said that he goes hard everyday because there’s some kid in the stadium that’s there for the first time who’s father was like, ‘We’re going to see Joe Dimaggio, the great Joe Dimaggio,’ and if he’s fucking being an asshole and goofing off in the field, this kid is gonna be like, ‘This is fucking Joe Dimaggio? Are you serious?’ And so, especially when you’re in my position and you’re still building- and I definitely haven’t reached out to everyone that could possibly be a fan. I think there’s so many people who if they heard ‘Desire’ [click to read] or ‘Internal Affairs’ would still enjoy the music. I can’t really afford to half-ass.”
With almost ten years in the industry, Pharoahe admits that his music has changed a bit.
“I think the music is kinda reflected by emotion and dispositions and life. At the moment, when I was going into ‘Internal Affairs,’ I was loving dark beast and dark hip-hop, and dark music. I hadn’t done a lot of collaborations with people so that was real important to me, to work with a lot of people and express things in a really dark, hardcore manner…Desire was more of a bright, spiritual, uplifting record in my opinion.”
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With much buzz going around about the latest newcomers in rap, Pharoahe chimed in on who he thought was the most promising new artist.
“I like this kid Blu [click to read]. There’s a difference between when someone is heralded and placed in a position to be the next and then there’s a difference when someone just has ‘it.’ I don’t know what he looks like, I’ve never seen him perform, I just heard the song and I’m like ‘kid’s special’. I’m excited about his career in the sense of a fan, like I wanna purchase the music like back in the days ‘n shit and pick it up and support him. I’m looking forward to purchasing this shit, like a young fucking kid again. There’s a lot of new dope artists.”
To read the entire interview, [click here].
