Four years since his last effort, Desire, Pharoahe Monch is set to release his upcoming album via Duck Down. During a recent listening session at NYU, Pharoahe explained why his upcoming album, W.A.R. [We Are Renegades], has been so long in the making—partially shouldering the blame by calling himself a slow writer.
“Two years ago I was at Universal in a meeting to renew my option, and what was going on at the majors was just extra wack at the time,” Pharoahe explained. After moving back to the independent circuit courtesy of a partnership with Duck Down, Monch, Duck Down CEO Dru Ha and Guy Routte of Renegade Media expressed their satisfaction with the joint venture.
“This is obviously a monumental occasion for Duck Down,” Dru Ha said. “We had the honor and privilege to partner with Pharoahe, Guy and W.A.R. Media to put out this record.”
Monch called Duck Down the most consistent, independent label in Hip Hop, and added that his the features on his upcoming album were mostly the byproduct of favors and mutual respect.
“The beautiful thing about it is it couldn’t have happened without the love and the contributions that most people did for free,” Pharoahe added. “I think they put their heart into this because they feel like we all need something and we’re all renegades—not to sound cliché. There’s a lot of effort from a lot of people who lent their selves to this project.”
One such person, Jean Grae, said she wrote eight different verses for the song “Assassins,” which also features Royce Da 5’9”. W.A.R. will be released March 22 via Duck Down.
Videy courtesy of Joanne Juele for GoodFellaz TV
Pumped for WAR!!
Hey man I will buy this album so it takes so long for you to put an album out and hopefully the next one isn’t 4 to 10 years later it be a year or two.
Two days ago I was sitting here wondering what the deal was with Pharoache Monch. Here’s my answer.
Be on the lookout for my brothers first single featuring KILLAH PRIEST & TRAI KENNEDI droppin 4/20 !
http://www.killahpriest.com
http://www.soundclick.com/DUS
http://www.soundclick.com/TRAIKENNEDI
FINALLY!!!!! i just marked that day on my iCal. i still bump the hell out of Desire and the Legendary “Internal Affairs”.
one of the greatest to EVER HOLD A MIC.
clap from the album is a really great song, so deffinetly looking foward to this album.
one of the most under rated
One of the only rappers I will purchase the album of. Very few.
Thanks Pharoahe, you are a very talented mc. I can’t wait to go buy this album when it drops! It’s W.A.R.!
what a dope artist,,, glad to hear his scoop.
i do disagree with duckdown being the most consistant indy hiphop label,,, that easily goes to ryhmesayers. brother ali, atmosphere, pos, evidence, freeway, doom and others,,,, thats consistent.
i already know its gon be a dope album simply because he always puts out good shit…but i’m amp he got jean grea on the shit, i love hearin her spit. hope it aint jus that 1 track tho