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.
The Truth
Pharoahe Monch Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Truth had me up against the ropes
And semi-conscious without no boxing skills
Fear of it makes hair on my neck grow like minoxodil
Watchin' the clock is ill when, faced wit the truth
Parallels observing, amateur video tapes of
Twenty-one top notch NYPD cops get ill
Fill they minds not to kill still son, never revealed
See The Creator, created existence and balance
At right angles, unless it was conceived and stated
So whoever shall stray away from right lives wrong
The deliverance of the word false opposite of truth off course
Sure as my slave name sending
Troy Donald Jamerson paves the path, enabling truth
To stay stable and cling to earth!
Sorta similar to the way static electricity sting see
Truth brings light, light refracts off the mirror
Visions of yourself and error could never clearer
The truth is that you ugly, not on the outside
But in the inside on the outside you frontin' you lovely
The discovery of these things and all are well-hidden
But when you in denial of self it is forbidden, that's the truth
In due time we will find
Let the truth be told from young souls that become old
From days spent in the jungle, where must one go
To find it, time is real, we can't rewind it
Out of everybody I met, who told the truth? Time did
We find kids speakin' 'cause it's naturally in us
But the false prophets by tellin' us we born sinners
Venders of hate, got me battlin' my own mind state
At a divine rate, I ain't in this just to rhyme great
See the truth in the thighs of a stripper, the eyes of my nigga
If it's only one, then why should it differ
So constantly I seek it
Wonderin' why I gotta drink a six pack to speak it
Took a picture of the truth and tried to develop it
Had proof, it was only recognized by the intelligent
Took the negative and positive, 'cause niggas got to live
Said I got to get more than I'm given
'Cause truth'll never be heard in religion
After searchin' the world, on the inside what was hidden
It was the truth
Truth, truth, truth, truth, truth, truth
In due time, we will find
Check it, on my neck I still got marks from the nooses
The truth it produces, fear that got niggas on the run like Carl Lewis
The truth is my crew is the smoothest bits of saliva juices like the roots is
More organic than acoustics
Heavenly, what will set you free and kill you in the same breath
That shit you gotta get off your chest before your death, unless
The way you speak is lighter than a pamphlet
'Cause the truth give the words away to the planet goddammit
I ran wit what God planted in my heart and I understand it
To be the bring the light to the dark, breathe some life in this art
This must be the truth (why?) 'cause we keep marchin' on (True)
The truth lay the foundation of what we rockin' on (True)
You can't see it if you blind but we will always prevail (True)
Life is like the open sea, the truth is the wind in our sail
And in the end, our names is on the lips of dying men
If ever crushed in the earth, we always rise again
When the words of lying men sound lush like the sound of a violin
The truth is there, it's just the heart you gotta find it in
You will find
You will find
You will find
You will find
You will find
You will find
You will find
In the song "The Truth," Pharoahe Monch opens up about the power of truth and how it affects his life. The lyrics express his fear of truth, as it puts him in a vulnerable position, leaving him exposed and with no defense. He uses a boxing analogy, explaining that he feels as though he is up against the ropes and without any boxing skills. Pharoahe goes on to explain that watching the clock is an uncomfortable experience when confronted with the truth.
The song touches on the importance of acceptance and self-discovery. Pharoahe Monch sings about how we judge ourselves and how we must learn to accept the truth about who we are. He brings up the reality that sometimes the truth may be hard to hear, but in the end, it is essential to one's growth as a person.
In the chorus, Pharoahe Monch speaks about finding the truth. He suggests that the truth can be found in the eyes of those around us, in the world's hidden places, and most often, in ourselves. He continues to emphasize the value of self-discovery and the power of the truth that lies within us.
Overall, "The Truth" is an introspective and thought-provoking song that emphasizes the importance of embracing the truth, self-acceptance, and self-discovery.
Line by Line Meaning
Truth had me up against the ropes
The truth is a powerful force that can leave one feeling overwhelmed and defenseless.
And semi-conscious without no boxing skills
When faced with the truth, one may feel disoriented and unprepared to deal with it.
Fear of it makes hair on my neck grow like minoxodil
The fear of the truth can cause physical reactions like increased heart rate and goosebumps.
Watchin' the clock is ill when, faced wit the truth
When confronted with the truth, time seems to stand still and every second feels like an eternity.
Parallels observing, amateur video tapes of
When faced with the truth, one may feel like an outsider looking in on their own life.
Twenty-one top notch NYPD cops get ill
Even those in positions of power and authority can be affected by the truth.
Fill they minds not to kill still son, never revealed
Even when it goes against their instincts, people may withhold the truth to protect themselves or others.
True feelings, we speakin' on the truth right now in itself is a healing
Speaking the truth can be cathartic and lead to emotional healing.
See The Creator, created existence and balance
The truth is a fundamental aspect of existence that provides balance and order.
At right angles, unless it was conceived and stated
The truth is objective and can only be altered if it is intentionally misrepresented or obscured.
So whoever shall stray away from right lives wrong
Choosing to ignore or deny the truth leads to a life of falsehood and deception.
The deliverance of the word false opposite of truth off course
Lies and deception are the antithesis of truth and lead one off course.
Sure as my slave name sending
Slave names, like lies and deception, are tools used to control and oppress others.
Troy Donald Jamerson paves the path, enabling truth to stay stable and cling to earth!
By speaking the truth, the artist enables it to remain grounded and accessible to others.
Sorta similar to the way static electricity sting see
The truth can be shocking or jarring, like a zap of static electricity.
Truth brings light, light refracts off the mirror
The truth illuminates and reveals what was once hidden or obscured.
Visions of yourself and error could never clearer
The truth allows one to see themselves clearly, including their flaws and mistakes.
The truth is that you ugly, not on the outside
The truth can be painful and reveal unpleasant aspects of oneself.
But in the inside on the outside you frontin' you lovely
People may hide behind a facade of beauty or perfection to conceal their inner ugliness or flaws.
The discovery of these things and all are well-hidden
The truth often reveals things that were once concealed or unknown.
But when you in denial of self it is forbidden, that's the truth
Denying or suppressing the truth about oneself is both destructive and futile.
From days spent in the jungle, where must one go
Finding the truth can feel like a treacherous journey through the unknown wilderness.
To find it, time is real, we can't rewind it
The truth is a product of time and can't be altered or undone.
Out of everybody I met, who told the truth? Time did
Time is an objective measure of truth that reveals the authenticity of people and events.
But the false prophets by tellin' us we born sinners
False teachings and ideologies can distort the truth and lead to feelings of guilt and inadequacy.
Venders of hate, got me battlin' my own mind state
Hateful and discriminatory beliefs can create an internal conflict between what one knows to be true and what they have been taught to believe.
At a divine rate, I ain't in this just to rhyme great
The search for truth is a spiritual journey that goes beyond personal accolades or achievements.
So constantly I seek it
The search for truth is a continuous process that requires constant effort and attention.
Wonderin' why I gotta drink a six pack to speak it
The truth can be difficult to articulate or express, and may require a certain level of vulnerability or courage.
Took a picture of the truth and tried to develop it
The truth may not always be immediately recognizable and may require time and effort to fully understand or appreciate.
Had proof, it was only recognized by the intelligent
The truth may only be understood or appreciated by those with a certain level of knowledge, intellect, or discernment.
Took the negative and positive, 'cause niggas got to live
The truth encompasses both positive and negative aspects of life, and one must learn to navigate and accept both.
Said I got to get more than I'm given
The search for truth requires personal growth and development beyond what one is given or taught.
Cause truth'll never be heard in religion
Religion may distort or obscure the truth, or present a narrow perspective that limits one's understanding of it.
It was the truth
The truth is a fundamental aspect of life that underlies all experiences and realities.
The truth it produces, fear that got niggas on the run like Carl Lewis
The truth can be a source of fear and can prompt people to flee or avoid it.
More organic than acoustics
The truth is a natural and fundamental aspect of existence that is not bound by human constructs or systems.
Heavenly, what will set you free and kill you in the same breath
The truth can be both liberating and painful, and may prompt one to confront difficult truths about themselves or others.
That shit you gotta get off your chest before your death, unless
The truth is a lingering burden that must be addressed and reconciled before one's passing.
The way you speak is lighter than a pamphlet
Speaking the truth requires a certain level of clarity and conviction that can't be conveyed through superficial or insincere communication.
I ran wit what God planted in my heart and I understand it
Seeking the truth requires a connection to a higher power or purpose, and a willingness to follow it wherever it may lead.
The truth lay the foundation of what we rockin' on
The truth is an essential and fundamental aspect of all human endeavors and experiences, including music.
You can't see it if you blind but we will always prevail
The truth cannot be fully comprehended or appreciated by those who are spiritually or intellectually blind, but it will nonetheless endure and persist.
Life is like the open sea, the truth is the wind in our sail
The truth is a guiding force that helps us navigate life's vast and uncertain waters.
And in the end, our names is on the lips of dying men
The legacy we leave behind is ultimately determined by the degree to which we lived in and upheld the truth throughout our lives.
If ever crushed in the earth, we always rise again
The truth is an enduring and resilient force that will recover and reemerge even in the face of destruction or oppression.
When the words of lying men sound lush like the sound of a violin
Lies and deception can be seductive and appealing, like the beautiful sound of a violin.
The truth is there, it's just the heart you gotta find it in
The truth is always present and accessible, but requires a willingness to look within oneself and confront uncomfortable truths.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LONNIE RASHID LYNN, JOSEPH L. KIRKLAND, TALIB KWELI GREENE, TROY DONALD JAMERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@THEJAESTER718
Life is like the open seas, the truth is the wind in our sails 😳🤦🏽♂️👍🏼💪🏽
@jaycee6777
Hmmm... Damn .. strait truth ! ✊ Stay up homie ...
@THEJAESTER718
@@jaycee6777 Talib snapped on this one 😳 😳😳🔥
@HipHop9re9
one of the best hip hop songs ever made, hands down.
@nurrealsupertramp8617
Bro this song is giving me life since 10 years straight
@schooloflove7076
I remember bumping this when it came out in 1999, playing it my boom box on the bus heavy
@nurrealsupertramp8617
School sucked! My real education and wisdome came from hip hop
@christopherthompson4679
truth!!!!lol🔥🔥🔥
@stuntsforlovers1731
Been playing it for 20 years.
@rhumazotteh
Fuck...tears drops each time playing it! Soo dooopee!!!