July 02, 2007 @ 7:37 am

MY ALBUM'S OUT: Pharoahe Monch

by: John Kennedy

Return of the Monch: Release Day Q&A, upon the release of Desire.

For an artist whose publishing company is named Triskaidekaphobia (for the fear of the number "13"), Pharoahe Monch is surprisingly worry-free on the release date of his comeback album, Desire. The MC's enthusiasm radiates from the telephone receiver as he stresses the impeccable timing of the 13-track opus, released on June 26 (that's 13 times two, math-flunkers). "I'm a big '13' fan… I've embraced that number," says Pharoahe. "I have a lot of happy energy and a lot of thankful energy for the people who helped, [and] that it's finally out." Fortunately, Monch's fans didn't have to wait a lucky 13 years for the follow-up to Pharoahe's solo debut - though, at just over seven, it's been a hot minute. Internal Affairs, the lyricist's now-hard-to-find LP, hit the public back in 1999, but label politics road-blocked the release of its successor. Even so, the delays could not silence the monstrous impact spawned by Internal Affairs' Godzilla-sampling hit "Simon Says," which still causes a roaring response at Pharoahe's concerts. "It's brilliant how that song has resonated… for so long," says Pharoahe. Pharoahe picks up right where he left off with Desire, which finds the Queens, NY native gracing soulful backdrops with his unorthodox flow and unmatched lyricism. VIBE checked in with Pharoahe on his big day to discuss the rapper's return to music. How does it feel to have an album in stores after almost eight years?
It's great, man. It's exactly what it's supposed to be. This record should've been out sooner but I think it's the perfect time. It should've been out four years ago, but I think if it would've came out under the situation I was under it would've been a bad thing. So I think it worked out mysteriously the right way for a reason. It's the perfect time. I think it's the perfect climate for the album as well. Are you nervous at all about how the record will be received?
Nah. You spend time on your record so you can feel comfortable and stand behind putting your product out. I think as a product, it's not only viable in the marketplace, I think it's a real strong album. It would be crazy for me to obsess over whether other people are going to do their job or how the market has changed, or who's purchasing what. It's like a professional sports player - you go out and you do your job. That's why I'm so obsessed over the perfection. One of the main reasons it took so long is the label politics, but [also] me being like, "I need to do that over" and "How about we do this?" There are songs put out on this album that I think only a handful of artists could do or attempt. But for me, that's just grand that the record is even coming out in this climate that's very trendy. And this record obviously doesn't sound like what your average hip-hop record sounds like today on the radio. That's a good thing in my mind, because worst-case scenario, I can brand what I do and I can market myself around that. You mentioned the musical climate earlier, and other artists who thrive on creativity such as Talib Kweli, Common and Kanye West are also dropping this summer. Do you think that could sway the feel of hip-hop right now?
I hope so. I think the only real way that that happens is when you put forth a movement. And not a movement of disassociation, but a movement of those artists getting together. Everybody can't do this brand of music. It does take a certain level of musical knowledge and music history and the study of lyricism and I don't think people are aware of that. People have been brought into hip-hop in an era where that wasn't necessarily the focal point. There's nothing wrong with that, that's just the state that we're in right now. How else has the industry changed since Internal Affairs and how do you think it will affect you?
I think it affected me already, in that a majority of the marketing for this record is through the Internet and we chose to go that route because it's the wave. A lot of people download their music. And videos like "When the Gun Draws" on YouTube - we wouldn't have otherwise had an outlet to do something that provocative - so that's how it's changed for me. Sales haven't been the same, either. What do you see in the future of hip-hop music, given the way the sales trends have been going?
I think it's about live shows. You can't download that experience. And the artists are going to have to go back to that. Back to the beginning where it's not about this hot song anymore because anybody can download it and have the shit on their phone. It's about what you bring to the table as a package and how well you can perform. So this is your first album release date in a long time. Can you give us a rundown of your day?
I got up. I was mad tired 'cause I was out last night doing interviews and doing radio and one of the shows I did last night was this sex show. They had me drinking vodka all night. What show was that?
I forgot the name of the show but it's on Sirius Satellite ["Lip Service" with Angela Yee and Leah Rose]. I got up with a slight hangover, forced myself to go to the gym, played three games of basketball. After that, I was energized and my adrenaline was up again. So I was increasingly getting happier as the day goes on. I went to Sirius again today and did radio all day and now I'm up for an in-store at a Fat Beats autograph signing. I know you'll be glad when the day's finally over, huh?
I don't see time like that. I know time doesn't stop here and it's not an ending point but a beginning point. It's kind of like, exhausting, because it's a slow grind with a record like this. You know what I'm saying? I think people who spend $4 million on their album are a little more worried about first-week numbers than I am. So you mentioned that you were playing basketball earlier today. Are you a big fan, or would you rather be on the court?
I love basketball. Now I like to play it more than watch it. But I'm a bigger baseball fan than basketball fan. Who you looking at this year in baseball?
Mets. What does the picture on the Desire album cover symbolize for you and for the album?
For me it's just the pharaoh and the Egyptian and the mummy [theme]. And also, the fact that I haven't had a voice to speak with for the last seven years, so my mouth is wrapped up. How do you plan to celebrate the release of the album?
I'll probably just chill with personal friends who brought me through this and have a drink or two. You can answer this question however you want. Who is Pharoahe Monch?
Pharoahe Monch is a total reflection of what this Desire album is. [Laughs]

Article tags: MY, ALBUM'S, OUT, Pharoahe, Monch