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Interview with Pharoahe Monch |
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Written by Kirk Anthony
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 Kirk Anthony: Describe your latest album “Desire?” What direction did you seek to take with this latest project?
Pharoahe Monch: Desire is a soul album. I mean it's always gonna be hip hop, but its soul in the sense of feeling and meaning. Sonically we tried to make the music, vocals and lyrics layered in a way that it would be enjoyable for years to come because you can peel back the content and find something new each time you listen. Internal Affairs was a dark album, Desire is much lighter and more uplifting. I wanted the people to feel what I was feeling and that was soul and light.
KA: Why so long between this album and your last solo album?
PM: Most of the delay was label issues. Rawkus changed distributors twice and then sold the label and Geffen was to release the album, but didn't agree with the direction and then there was the fight to get out. After we finally fought and won to get out with the ownership of the masters, I felt I wanted to be free before re-signing. So we went on a few worldwide tours and then did the deal with SRC to release Desire.
KA: Any other upcoming projects you are working on?
PM: I have and album I'm working on tentatively titled W.A.R. (We Are Renegades). The lead single from the album at this point is called Let My People Go and it's a lyrical aggressive hip hop record. I'm excited with the progress of this project. I'm hoping to release something in the late spring/early summer. I also have a project called Rock vs Disco which is insane and will want to get it out by the end of the year. This is also the 10th anniversary of the release of Internal Affairs. We are trying to re-release that album with a dvd that chronicles the making of that album and the subsequent controversies that ensued.
KA: How hard is it to find a label that is willing to support a MC such as yourself in an industry that seemingly spits out, and makes the most money from, carbon-copy rappers rappers we are bombarded with now?
PM: It's very hard which is why I decided to be independent. Along with my business partner Guy Routte, I have formed W.A.R. (We Are Renegade) as a new media company which I will release all future project through. We may do ventures with other entities, but we will be partners when releasing my music as well as other artist we're affiliated with like King Reign from Toronto for example.
KA: Why do you think truly talented MC’s, such as yourself, are not getting that label & industry support to help them reach superstardom status?
PA: It's very complicated and artists like myself are a greater risk and tend to be more difficult to work with because we refuse to be cookie cutter and we march to the beat of our own drummer. We will not do something because they think it will sell if it's not true to us. That's harder to deal with than someone who will use the hot producer, or the go to guy to do the hook etc. So you make a choice about being true or playing the game.
KA: What do you think of the current state of the hip-hop industry? The hip-hop culture?
PA: I think hip hop culture is alive and well and I think when it comes to the industry it depends on your perspective and where in the world your coming from. In Europe the industry is insane. Here it's only viewed via one perspective which is the pop music perspective. It's growing in many different directions, some good, some not so good. But I'm inspired by some of the new artists and music I'm hearing and I believe it will be here forever.
KA: Do you think the mentality of the hip-hop fan base has changed over the years? Do you think this change is one of the reasons for the current state of hip-hop? How can an MC such as yourself appeal to today’s hip-hop fan base as much as the “carbon-copy” rappers seem to appeal to them?
PA: The fanbase has changed if you're talking about the current pop version. But if you go to the Rock the Bells tour then you'll see the same fans you saw at the Roxy or Latin Quarter etc. I think that fans of all ages and era's appreciate high quality and thoughtful lyrics and effort. They just have to be exposed to it. I've never been booed by any level of fans and I've always been accepted graciously by the newer hip hop fans so I believe it's just a matter of the gatekeepers at media, radio and labels to believe that the fan is smart enough to consume more than monolithic versions of music.
KA: What do you think needs to be done to improve the status or state of the hip-hop culture?
PA: The same thing that needs to be done with all music and culture. People need to do research and have respect for the foundation of any culture so there's a fundamental respect for it. Then instead of being adverse to the older culture you will want to build on it and preserve the integrity of it. So history lessons all around.
KA: What do you think about the status of female MC’s & producers in the hip-hop industry? What do you think they can do to improve their status in the industry?
PA: I think that females in this industry are just like females in society. They have to be twice as good as a man to get equal respect. And of course that's not fair, but it's reality of the situation we're in. There are incredible and talented and relevant female artists in the game, but you may have to do some homework to find them. There is a stigma that has to be overcome, but that's more about men and their egos and insecurities than it is with the females. All females can do is to keep grindin’ and working and put yourself in a position where you can't be denied and consistently maintain that level of excellence. But that goes for lyrical underground male MC's as well (LOL). You can complain about fairness or you can overcome it, it's your choice.
KA: What can upcoming female producers do to get their work heard & taken seriously by MC’s and rappers who may be looking for a producer (especially since the overwhelming majority of them are male)? What can an upcoming female MC do to get noticed and taken seriously by label heads, etc in today’s hip-hop industry?
PA: Look, it's my belief that if a female gives any credible person a beat CD and there is fire on it, then people will respond. They may question if she did it, but that's just sexism and ignorance and that can be overcome. If you want to be taken seriously then you must be serious and you must do business that way. Be consistent and fearless and know who you are. After all that, you just need some luck... |
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