Pharoahe Monch then signed to Rawkus Records, an indie label. After making several guest appearances on albums like the best-selling Rawkus compilation Soundbombing 2, Monch's much-hyped debut, Internal Affairs was released in 1999. The first single of the album, "Simon Says", was a major hit in 1999; he was later sued for the use of a Godzilla sample for the beat. He also had a 2001 hit with "Got You," though the single ultimately didn't sell well, and he also contributed the track "Fuck You" to the Training Day soundtrack. In 2003, Pharoahe released his final single through Rawkus Records, "Agent Orange", a war-inspired song that revisited the 1991 Organized Konfusion track "Releasing Hypnotical Gases".
Pharoahe's song "Simon Says" was featured in the 2000 cinematic release Charlie's Angels. Viewers will recognize the song and backbeat in the scene where Sam Rockwell is lighting a cigarette in the castle while holding Drew Barrymore hostage. Two of Monch's songs, "Right Here" and "Simon Says" were featured in the movie Boiler Room.
Pharoahe is also affiliated with the rap group The HRSMN. Although not a member of the group (there are only four real members), he is constantly linked to someday join the group when/if they ever expand.
There were rumors his next album, Innervisions, was to be released under Denaun Porter's new Shady Records imprint Runyon Ave., but apparently, the deal fell through; Monch has since announced a deal with Street Records Corporation, home of Wu-Tang Clan, David Banner, and Terror Squad. In June 2007 Monch released his second solo album Desire to critical acclaim. Monch said about the album; "...it's very soulful, very gospel, a fresh, new sound for me." The album's lead single was the self-produced track "Push", with "Let's Go" as its B-Side. The song's music video and single were released in late September 2006. Monch released a second music video entitled "When the Gun Draws" at a Brooklyn music festival in February 2007.
Monch also produced and ghost-wrote the track The Future and ghost-wrote the track Hold Up with Mobb Deep member Havoc on rap mogul Diddy's latest album Press Play. Critics contest that Monch's writing is evident in both the content and the delivery of Diddy's rhymes.
Pharoahe Monch sang the Madden NFL 2002 theme for the game and six years later Desire was featured on the soundtrack of Madden NFL 08.
Pharoahe Monch will release his third solo album W.A.R. (Let My People Go) in 2009. He revealed that the album will be a "throwback to 1993, '94 hip-hop" and will feature production by Black Milk, Mr. Porter, Lee Stone & M-Phazes. A ten-year anniversary re-issue of Internal Affairs will also be released featuring a documentary about the making of the album.
Behind Closed Doors
Pharoahe Monch Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Heroes turn bitch and have to crawl out rich
To fall out snitch to switch to out of bounds shit
Flip, knock the wall out
Danger, niggas is prone to clear the mall out
Behind closed doors we go to war, all out
Heroes turn bitch and have to crawl out rich
To fall out snitch to switch to out of bounds shit
Danger, niggas is prone to clear the mall out
What is a scorpion? A animal that stings
I'm like a bat with blood coming out the wings
You should never in your wildest dreams
Shit on a nigga who resides in the borough of Queens
Strong wicked, in the Lex on the celly
Now you getting fucked without the K-Y Jelly
How I made it you salivated over my calibrated
Raps that validated my ghetto credibility
Still I be packing agilities unseen
For real my killing abilities unclean facilities
For more inter-military tactics obscene extreme confidential
My exterior serene with the potential of a killing machine
Ex-Marine you drag queen, we tag team
Queens finest the alliance defiant we bag fiends
The fuck you looking in my face for nigga?
I mace mics and then lace the bass with figures
Behind closed doors we go to war, all out
Heroes turn bitch and have to crawl out rich
To fall out snitch to switch to out of bounds shit
Flip, knock the wall out
Danger, niggas is prone to clear the mall out
Behind closed doors we go to war, all out
Heroes turn bitch and have to crawl out rich
To fall out snitch to switch to out of bounds shit
Flip, knock the wall out
Danger, niggas is prone to clear the mall out
Decapitate his ass, smack him, slap him in the back of the truck
Exasperate the life of his man and then pack it up
Cut off his hands and send his girl multiple finger sandwiches
If she manages to do damages, put her in bandages
The amateurs, bananas is the unanimous
Way we choose to live, scandalous
Even with doorknobs you couldn't handle us
Pharoahe's the host, the audience, and the motherfucking panelist
My mic's equipped with laser sights so that command'll miss
Never you Devils, my level's that of a high evolutionary rebel
Third rock from the sun to me is only a pebble
You coming with the corn shit that get forwarded
Like bitches licking clitoris in a porn flick
Behind closed doors we go to war, all out
Heroes turn bitch and have to crawl out rich
To fall out snitch to switch to out of bounds shit
Flip, knock the wall out
Danger, niggas is prone to clear the mall out
Behind closed doors we go to war, all out
Heroes turn bitch and have to crawl out rich
To fall out snitch to switch to out of bounds shit
Flip, knock the wall out
Danger, niggas is prone to clear the mall out
The lyrics of "Behind Closed Doors" by Pharoahe Monch describe a world of war and violence in which people's true characters are revealed behind closed doors. The heroes turn into cowards and snitches, while others engage in dangerous activities such as flipping and knocking walls out. The rapper compares himself to a scorpion, an animal that stings, and asserts his power as a skilled rapper from Queens. He describes his rap as validated by his ghetto credibility and his killing abilities, which are unseen and not limited by the rules of engagement. The chorus of the song emphasizes the all-out war happening behind closed doors, where danger is imminent, and people are prone to clear the mall out.
The second verse is even more violent than the first, with imagery of decapitating and cutting off hands. The rapper uses wordplay to describe how "even with doorknobs, you couldn't handle us." Pharoahe Monch asserts his dominance on the mic, equipped with laser sights that ensure his commands never miss. He also critiques those who engage in "corn shit" or vulgar and unintelligent behavior, comparing them to those who lick clitoris in a porn flick. The repetition of the chorus at the end emphasizes the cyclical nature of the violence occurring behind closed doors.
Line by Line Meaning
Behind closed doors we go to war, all out
We engage in intense conflict behind closed doors, without holding back.
Heroes turn bitch and have to crawl out rich
People who are normally seen as heroic or powerful become submissive in order to come out ahead financially.
To fall out snitch to switch to out of bounds shit
People will betray others in order to gain an advantage for themselves, often engaging in illegal or unethical behavior.
Flip, knock the wall out
We will do whatever it takes to win, including breaking down barriers and overcoming obstacles.
Danger, niggas is prone to clear the mall out
People are quick to resort to violence and destruction, causing chaos in public spaces.
What is a scorpion? A animal that stings
The singer is using this line to suggest that they are a dangerous force to be reckoned with.
I'm like a bat with blood coming out the wings
The singer is comparing themselves to a bat, a creature often associated with darkness and danger.
You should never in your wildest dreams
The artist is warning others not to underestimate them or their abilities.
Shit on a nigga who resides in the borough of Queens
The artist takes pride in their home and sees it as a source of strength and power.
Strong wicked, in the Lex on the celly
The artist is confident and believes in their own abilities, even when driving their luxury car.
Now you getting fucked without the K-Y Jelly
The singer is suggesting that they are dominating their opponent and causing them pain.
My mic's equipped with laser sights so that command'll miss
The artist is saying that their words are powerful and precise, and their message cannot be ignored.
Never you Devils, my level's that of a high evolutionary rebel
The singer believes that they are above those who oppose them, and sees themselves as revolutionary in their ideas.
Third rock from the sun to me is only a pebble
The singer sees themselves as powerful and superior, even in the grand scheme of the universe.
You coming with the corn shit that get forwarded
The singer is dismissing their opponent's weak arguments as unimportant and easily disregarded.
Like bitches licking clitoris in a porn flick
The artist is using vulgar language to create a sense of shock and defiance.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: TROY DONALD JAMERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
I Provide Lyrics
[Chorus]
Behind closed doors we go to war, all out
Heroes turn bitch and have to crawl out rich
To fall out snitch to switch to out of bounds shit
Flip, knock the wall out
Danger, niggas is prone to clear the mall out
Behind closed doors we go to war, all out
Heroes turn bitch and have to crawl out rich
To fall out snitch to switch to out of bounds shit
Flip, knock the wall out
Danger, niggas is prone to clear the mall out
[Verse 1]
What is a scorpion? An animal that stings
I'm like a bat with blood coming out the wings
You should never in your wildest dreams
Shit on a nigga who resides in the borough of Queens
Strong wicked, in the Lex on the celly
Now you getting fucked without the K-Y Jelly
How I made it, you salivated over my calibrated
Raps that validated my ghetto credibility
Still, I be packing agilities unseen
For real-a my killing abilities, unclean facilities
For more inter-military tactics obscene, extreme confidential
My exterior serene with the potential of a killing machine
Ex-Marine, you drag queen, we tag-team
Queens' finest, the alliance defiant, we bag fiends
The fuck you looking in my face for, nigga?
I mace mics and then lace the bass with figures
[Chorus]
Behind closed doors we go to war, all out
Heroes turn bitch and have to crawl out rich
To fall out snitch to switch to out of bounds shit
Flip, knock the wall out
Danger, niggas is prone to clear the mall out
Behind closed doors we go to war, all out
Heroes turn bitch and have to crawl out rich
To fall out snitch to switch to out of bounds shit
Flip, knock the wall out
Danger, niggas is prone to clear the mall out
[Verse 2]
Decapitate his ass, smack him, slap him in the back of the truck
Exasperate the life of his man and then pack it up
Cut off his hands and send his girl multiple finger sandwiches
If she manages to do damages, put her in bandages
The amateurs, bananas is the unanimous way
We choose to live, scandalous
Even with doorknobs you couldn't handle us
Pharoahe's the host, the audience and the motherfucking panelist
My mic's equipped with laser sights so that command'll miss
Never you Devils, my level's that of a high evolutionary rebel
Third rock from the sun to me is only a pebble
You coming with the corn shit that get forwarded
Like bitches licking clitoris in a porn flick
[Chorus]
Behind closed doors we go to war, all out
Heroes turn bitch and have to crawl out rich
To fall out snitch to switch to out of bounds shit
Flip, knock the wall out
Danger, niggas is prone to clear the mall out
Behind closed doors we go to war, all out
Heroes turn bitch and have to crawl out rich
To fall out snitch to switch to out of bounds shit
Flip, knock the wall out
Danger, niggas is prone to clear the mall out
K M
Behind closed doors we go to war, all out
Heroes turn bitch and have to crawl out rich
To fall out snitch to switch to out of bounds shit
Flip, knock the wall out
Danger, niggas is prone to clear the mall out
Behind closed doors we go to war, all out
Heroes turn bitch and have to crawl out rich
To fall out snitch to switch to out of bounds shit
Flip, knock the wall out
Danger, niggas is prone to clear the mall out
What is a scorpion? A animal that stings
I'm like a bat with blood coming out the wings
You should never in your wildest dreams
Shit on a nigga who resides in the borough of Queens
Strong wicked, in the Lex on the celly
Now you getting fucked without the K-Y Jelly
How I made it you salivated over my calibrated
Raps that validated my ghetto credibility
Still I be packing agilities unseen
For real my killing abilities unclean facilities
For more inter-military tactics obscene extreme confidential
My exterior serene with the potential of a killing machine
Ex-Marine you drag queen, we tag team
Queens finest the alliance defiant we bag fiends
The fuck you looking in my face for nigga?
I mace mics and then lace the bass with figures
Behind closed doors we go to war, all out
Heroes turn bitch and have to crawl out rich
To fall out snitch to switch to out of bounds shit
Flip, knock the wall out
Danger, niggas is prone to clear the mall out
Behind closed doors we go to war, all out
Heroes turn bitch and have to crawl out rich
To fall out snitch to switch to out of bounds shit
Flip, knock the wall out
Danger, niggas is prone to clear the mall out
Decapitate his ass, smack him, slap him in the back of the truck
Exasperate the life of his man and then pack it up
Cut off his hands and send his girl multiple finger sandwiches
If she manages to do damages, put her in bandages
The amateurs, bananas is the unanimous
Way we choose to live, scandalous
Even with doorknobs you couldn't handle us
Pharoahe's the host, the audience, and the motherfucking panelist
My mic's equipped with laser sights so that command'll miss
Never you Devils, my level's that of a high evolutionary rebel
Third rock from the sun to me is only a pebble
You coming with the corn shit that get forwarded
Like bitches licking clitoris in a porn flick
Behind closed doors we go to war, all out
Heroes turn bitch and have to crawl out rich
To fall out snitch to switch to out of bounds shit
Flip, knock the wall out
Danger, niggas is prone to clear the mall out
Behind closed doors we go to war, all out
Heroes turn bitch and have to crawl out rich
To fall out snitch to switch to out of bounds shit
Flip, knock the wall out
Danger, niggas is prone to clear the mall out
Stixx&Coco
I was 22 years old when this album dropped and 22 years later it's still a classic album💯
Itz Dr Plow
ok OG i was 15
Stixx&Coco
@Itz Dr Plowit this an insult or a complement?
(I'm thinking this is a complement bc u called me an OG)
manvouli tsoumou forel gish
So sad to see how people forgot about this guy 🙁🙁 one of my best rappers
dean ivan
lol Who forgot! He is widely seen as one of the greatest to do it 🤔.
Dolphin Man
Eminem didn't forget.
Salar
One of the illest and most creative styles/flows/use of vocabulary ever. Salute Pharoah
Dahlia
Pharoahe Monch’s style is inspirational✨🖤
Zinka
This beat was real raw, just the way I like hiphop sounds, my kind of beats. Sometimes I forget what kind of a fierce MC Pharaoh is. Forever on my top 10 list
MatheDeath
Greatest Rapper Of All Time