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.
Simon Says Remix
Pharoahe Monch Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Uh-uh, uh-uh, uh
Uh-uh, uh-uh, uh
Uh-uh, uh, ahh
Get the fuck up
Simon says, "Get the fuck up"
Throw your hands in the sky (buh-buh-buh-buh-buh)
Girls, rub on your titties (yeah)
Yeah, I said it, rub on your titties
New York City gritty committee pity the fool
That act shitty in the midst of the calm, the witty
Y'all know the name (uh)
Pharoahe fuckin' Monch, ain't a damn thing changed (uh)
You all up in ya Range and shit, inebriated (uh huh)
Strayed from your original plan, you deviated
I alleviated the pain with long-term goals
Took my underground loot, without the gold
You sold platinum 'round the world, I sold wood in the hood
But when I'm in the street and shit, it's all good
I'm soon to motivate a room, control the game like Tomb Raider
Rock, clock dollars, flip tips like a waiter
Block shots, style's greater, let my lyrics anoint
If you holding up the wall, then you missin' the point
Get the fuck up
Simon says, "Get the fuck up"
Put your hands to the sky (buh-buh-buh-buh-buh)
Brooklyn in the back shooting craps now, what's up?
Girlies, rub on your titties (yeah)
Yeah, fuck it, I said rub on your titties (uh huh)
New York City gritty committee pity the fool
That act shitty in the midst of the calm, the witty
Yo, where you at? Uptown, let me see 'em
Notorious for the six-fives and the BMs
Heads give you beef, you put 'em in the mausoleum
And shit don't start pumping 'til after 12 PM
Uh, ignorant minds, I free 'em
If you tired of the same old everyday you will agree, I'm
The most obligated, hard and R-rated
Slated to be the best, I must confess, the star made it
Some might even say this song is sexist-es
'Cause I asked the girls to rub on their breast-eses
Whether you're riding the train or a Lexus-es
This is for either or Rollies or Timex-eses
Wicked like Exorcist, this is the joint
You holding up the wall then you missing the point
Get the fuck up
Simon says, "Get the fuck up"
Throw your hands in the sky (buh-buh-buh-buh-buh)
The Bronx is in the back shooting craps now, what's up?
Girls rub on your titties (yeah)
I said, rub on your titties
New York City gritty committee pity the fool
That act shitty in the midst of the calm, the witty
New Jeruz, get the fuck up
Shaolin (yeah) get the fuck up
Long Isle (come on) get the fuck up
Worldwide (come on, come on) get the fuck up
In "Simon Says Remix," Pharoahe Monch commands his audience to get up and get moving. Simon is a reference to the children's game "Simon Says," in which players must follow the leader's instructions only when prefaced by the phrase "Simon Says." Monch uses this imagery to assert his leadership in the rap game and assert his authority over his audience. He encourages everyone to rise and dance along, throwing their hands up in the air.
Monch references New York City throughout the track, highlighting his roots in the Queens borough and shouting out other neighborhoods like Brooklyn, The Bronx, and Long Island. He emphasizes his connection to the gritty, urban vibe of the city, calling himself a part of the "gritty committee." Monch brags about his success, with lines like "You sold platinum 'round the world, I sold wood in the hood" and references his dedication to his craft with lines like "Wicked like Exorcist, this is the joint."
Line by Line Meaning
Simon says, 'Get the fuck up'
This line encourages listeners to get up and move, following Simon's instructions.
Throw your hands in the sky (buh-buh-buh-buh-buh)
This line tells listeners to put their hands up and dance along with the beat.
Queens is in the back sipping 'gnac, y'all, what's up?
This line refers to people in Queens enjoying their time while listening to the music.
Girls, rub on your titties (yeah)
This line is meant to be provocative and encourages women to touch themselves in a sexual manner.
I alleviated the pain with long-term goals
This line suggests that the artist overcame hardship by setting long-term goals.
You sold platinum 'round the world, I sold wood in the hood
This line compares the artist's success to the mainstream music industry, highlighting the difference between them.
Rock, clock dollars, flip tips like a waiter
This line refers to the artist making money and compares his success to that of a waiter flipping tips.
If you holding up the wall, then you missin' the point
This line suggests that the point of the music is to dance and have fun, and anyone not doing so is missing out.
Brooklyn in the back shooting craps now, what's up?
This line refers to people in Brooklyn gambling while listening to the music.
Notorious for the six-fives and the BMs
This line refers to the artist's reputation for driving certain types of cars in popular culture.
And shit don't stop pumping 'til after 12 PM
This line suggests that the music will keep going until late at night.
If you tired of the same old everyday you will agree, I'm
This line suggests that the artist's music is refreshing and different from what listeners might be used to hearing.
The most obligated, hard and R-rated
This line suggests that the artist is committed to his craft and produces R-rated content.
Slated to be the best, I must confess, the star made it
This line suggests that the artist believes he is on track to be the best and has already achieved stardom.
This is for either or Rollies or Timex-eses
This line suggests that the artist's music is for anyone, regardless of their social status or class.
Wicked like Exorcist, this is the joint
This line suggests that the music is good and worth listening to.
New Jeruz (get the fuck up)
This line refers to people in New Jersey getting up and moving along to the music.
Shaolin (yeah, get the fuck up)
This line refers to people in Shaolin (likely a reference to Staten Island or the Wu-Tang Clan) getting up and moving along to the music.
Long Isle (come on, get the fuck up)
This line refers to people on Long Island getting up and moving along to the music.
Worldwide (come on, come on, get the fuck up)
This line suggests that people all over the world should get up and move along to the music.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Troy Donald Jamerson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@RahmeezyMbeezy11
Hardest beat ever
@tihipp217
Rahmel Brown who was on this production
@PaulBadman
Lee Stone, Pharoahe Monch produced this
@sheilaechols3272
Rahmel Brown
EVER......i mean best beat too💪💪
@hebrew26commandmentspower55
PUT yo hands where my eyes can see
@titilius1
Godzilla
@mikewalkerjr9822
Method Man’s flow is perfect for ANY RAP BEAT....He just belongs in a song....He has arguably the best cadence of All-Time
@dniquenation
Him or Big
@g-dott1080
Fun fact: he was Biggie’s favorite rapper.
@JakeT89
Love meth but treach has the best flow of all time, dude could rhyme in time to nails down a chalkboard!