Pharoahe's latest release, "Desire", shows an evolution in his approach to and usage of music; he plays random tricks with his flow, stretching or condensing as needed to properly blaze whatever track is playing at the time. At one point on the album, Pharoahe even sings a little... how many rap artists today can boast that? One of the more talent-riddled offerings is "Body Baby", in which Pharoahe noticeably switches the timing of his flow over a few bars, ending up on time, amazingly so...
Pharoahe has graced many an artist with guest appearances, shown up in a few skits (De La Soul's 'Ghost Weed' skit from their A.O.I. album being one of the most humorous), and simply chewed up mixtape after mixtape along the path of his stellar career- with no end in sight!
Intro
Pharoahe Monch Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bring it on if you think you can hang
Represent one time time time
May I have your attention, please
What you are about to hear
Is undoubtedly the most incredible emcee of the year
Nononono no wait no please no wait no listen um
All that I wish to do is to display
A brand new rendition of style that I have
It'll only take a moment of your time, four minutes
Then it will be beneficial when it is replenished
But then again, you might never return to the shit you're hearing on the radio get burned
I have a dream, one day we will get to the promised land
Then the president will be me
The government will be Shabaam, Mos and Kweli that's it
All whackness is now banned
Obtain access through retina scans
Voice verification enhancement, the man who moves his hand
And will motion light detect you
For genetic confirmation, DNA verification
Access Pharoahe
Codename 13
Residence Southside, Queens
Armed and dangerous
Smack the nigga in the mouth stabbed his mother in the eyeball
I brawl like Mike Tys, in his prime
My advice, you think twice before you grime
'Cause I'll wink once (one time) your bitch is mine
'Cause she's feeling the flow best believe I'm drilling the hole
Heads high kill 'em wit the low
Revealing, chillin', filling up position to be killing the show
Stoppin' 'em on top feeling plus I'm grilling the dough
For a couple of million or so I'll be willing to blow
Pharoahe's a chameleon a million niggas are feeling 'em on the low
Every syllable of mine is an umbilical cord through time
For the sick typical niggas who choose to pick pitiful rhymes spit
Shit it's more dimes to get
More higher levels of spirituality to reach
And I'm trying to win
And I'm trying to win
(Refuse to lose)
(Refuse to lose)
(Refuse to lose)
(Refuse to lose)
Pharoahe Monch's song "Intro" is an opening track that gives us an insight into the artist's intentions and dreams. The song begins with a confident and self-assured introduction of the star of the show, inviting challengers to give it a try if they can handle it. The following lines declare the artist's intention to display a brand new rendition of style in contrast to what is usually found on the radio. He encourages his listeners to give him just four minutes of their time and promises it will be replenishing.
The song then moves to an almost surreal description of a future state of the world where the artist is the president, and all whackness is banned. He describes a highly advanced security system that requires retina scans, voice verification, and DNA verification to access him, codenamed 13. We then move into an abrupt shift where Pharoahe Monch talks about his skills as an emcee and how millions are feeling him on the low. He talks about the spiritual levels he aims to reach and his refusal to lose.
Line by Line Meaning
Introducing, the star of the show
May I have your attention, please
Bring it on if you think you can hang
What you are about to hear is the most incredible emcee of the year, so prepare yourself
Represent one time time time
I want to display my new style for a moment of your time
Nononono no wait no please no wait no listen um
I apologize for interrupting but please, hear me out
All that I wish to do is to display
I want to show off my unique style
A brand new rendition of style that I have
I have a fresh take on the typical rap style
It'll only take a moment of your time, four minutes
It won't take long to hear my new style, just four minutes
Then it will be beneficial when it is replenished
After hearing my style, you will feel renewed and inspired
But then again, you might never return to the shit you're hearing on the radio get burned
After hearing my style, you might never want to listen to mainstream radio again
I have a dream, one day we will get to the promised land
I hope for a world where true talent is recognized and valued
Then the president will be me
In this world, I will be the one in power
The government will be Shabaam, Mos and Kweli that's it
The leaders will be those who also value true talent and creativity
All whackness is now banned
In this world, there is no room for mediocre or talentless art
Obtain access through retina scans
Security measures are in place to ensure only the worthy have access
Voice verification enhancement, the man who moves his hand
There are advanced security measures in place to verify identity
And will motion light detect you
Even motion sensors will detect those who try to sneak in
For genetic confirmation, DNA verification
There are even measures in place for genetic identification
Access Pharoahe
Only those who can prove their worth have access to me
Codename 13
I have a secret identity to protect myself
Residence Southside, Queens
I have roots and a connection to the Southside of Queens
Armed and dangerous
I have the talent and creativity to be a force to be reckoned with
Smack the nigga in the mouth stabbed his mother in the eyeball
I have the potential to be violent and destructive with my words
I brawl like Mike Tys, in his prime
My words have the power to be explosive and impactful
My advice, you think twice before you grime
Think before you try to criticize or compete with me
'Cause I'll wink once (one time) your bitch is mine
I have the power to steal people's attention and loyalty
'Cause she's feeling the flow best believe I'm drilling the hole
People are attracted to my unique style and the emotions it stirs up
Heads high kill 'em wit the low
I have the power to take down my competition with my unique skills
Revealing, chillin', filling up position to be killing the show
I am ready and capable of dominating any performance
Stoppin' 'em on top feeling plus I'm grilling the dough
I have the power to be on top of the world while making money
For a couple of million or so I'll be willing to blow
I would be willing to go all-out for the right price
Pharoahe's a chameleon a million niggas are feeling 'em on the low
I have a versatile style that many people secretly admire
Every syllable of mine is an umbilical cord through time
My words have a lasting impact and influence on future generations
For the sick typical niggas who choose to pick pitiful rhymes spit
My words are a relief for those tired of hearing mediocre and unoriginal rhymes
Shit it's more dimes to get
My talent and creativity are valuable and worth more than money
More higher levels of spirituality to reach
My talent and creativity have the power to transcend and elevate spirituality
And I'm trying to win
I am always trying to be the best and succeed
(Refuse to lose)
I will never give up or accept failure
(Refuse to lose)
I will always keep striving for greatness
(Refuse to lose)
I will never stop fighting for my place at the top
(Refuse to lose)
I will continue to refuse to accept anything less than my best
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, UNIVERSAL MUSIC PUBLISHING,
Written by: GEORGE SPIVEY, TROY JAMERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind