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.
Time2
Pharoahe Monch Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well well well well well
Help me cleanse my sins
Help me lift this spell, mmm
We fight demons from our past only to face new monsters
I ask, are we comatose or unconscious?
My top spin's perpetual, make the connection
Protection orders for my Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Molested Mexican daughters, stretch across the border
The streets paved in gold often fade
When the paint they use to pave the streets is henna
And greener is the grass on the other side
Except for when that other side is geno
Or sewer, you smile while you sippin' a cup of Kahlua
That makes me wanna mainline a fucking fifth of Dewars
I'm trying to utilize my time to shine here
I realize we only have limited time here
Dudes on my line try'na sell me a timeshare
That'll be me with a nine losin' my mind in Time Square
Like, "Is this how you wanna treat me?
You know what this business was before you hired me
A piece of shit!
Everybody on the floor right now!
Everybody get the fuck down!"
Love, love, love
Well well well well well
Help me cleanse my sins
Help me lift this spell
La-la-la-last ye-ye-year they hired me
And this-s-s-s we-we-we-we-week the-the-they fired me
And I g-g-g-got all these b-b-b-b-bills to pay
And what the f-f-f-f-fu-f-f-fuck am I supposed to say
T-t-t-t-to my wife she's p-p-p-p-pregnant
And if the kid does not go to college his life's irrelevant
And my-my-my melanin-n-n-n makes me a felon
And-nd I just wanna take this fuckin' c-c-crack and sell it
To the planet
Panic, I'm a manic depressive mechanic that manages to frantically do damage
To his brain with Xanax, and it's, like the word "anxiety" is branded panoramic
To the back of my eyelids in a variety of fonts
Ariel, Bold, Gothic
Lost it in Time Square and going home is not an option
Is this illusion optic
Perhaps it's just a chemical reaction with my Zoloft and acidophilus
The section of my brain that forms sentences isn't operative
Danger! Danger! Danger, Will Robinson
A bizarre ride, Pharcyde, Fatlip, Collagen
My tolerance is volatile and it feels like I'm losing oxygen!
Love, love, love
Well well well well well
Help me cleanse my sins
Help me lift this spell, mmm
The opening lines of Pharoahe Monch's song Time2 offer a plea for assistance in cleansing the singer's sins and lifting a spell, setting the tone for a track that explores the struggles of mental illness and personal demons. Monch weaves a web of intricate wordplay as he delves into his experiences with anxiety, depression, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), drawing on a wide range of references from science fiction (Danger, Will Robinson) to popular slogans (The grass is always greener on the other side) to create a collage of themes that reflects the complexity of his thoughts.
Monch is unflinching in his exploration of the darker side of the mind, grappling with the demons of his past and present in a series of vivid images that bring the listener into his world. From molested Mexican daughters stretching across the border to greener grass that turns out to be a genocidal wasteland, Monch uses powerful and often disturbing visuals to convey the depths of his experience. The song's closing lines find him gasping for air, struggling against the feeling of suffocation that comes with mental illness, while still offering a glimmer of hope: "Love, love, love, well well well well well, help me cleanse my sins, help me lift this spell."
Overall, Time2 is a complex and challenging track that delves into deep emotional territory, drawing on Monch's own experiences with PTSD and anxiety to offer a powerful meditation on the struggles of mental illness.
Line by Line Meaning
Love, love, love
The singer seeks to find love to help him overcome his troubles.
Well well well well well
The singer is in a state of contemplation and feeling overwhelmed.
Help me cleanse my sins
The singer is asking for guidance and help to overcome their past mistakes.
Help me lift this spell, mmm
The artist feels trapped by their current situation and needs support to break free.
We fight demons from our past only to face new monsters
The artist is struggling with the challenges of life and how they relate to their past experiences.
I ask, are we comatose or unconscious?
The singer questions whether they are truly aware of what is happening around them.
My top spin's perpetual, make the connection
The singer is constantly spinning in circles and looking for a way to connect with others.
Protection orders for my Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
The artist has experienced trauma in their life and is taking measures to protect themselves.
Molested Mexican daughters, stretch across the border
The artist is drawing attention to the issue of child molestation and the plight of Mexican women crossing the border.
The streets paved in gold often fade
The artist suggests that material things do not always bring lasting happiness.
When the paint they use to pave the streets is henna
The singer emphasizes that things that seem permanent are often temporary and can disappear quickly.
And greener is the grass on the other side
The artist is comparing their situation to other people's, and finding it wanting.
Except for when that other side is geno
The singer is commenting on the difficult realities of life.
Or sewer, you smile while you sippin' a cup of Kahlua
The singer takes issue with people who seem happy while ignoring the problems of the world.
That makes me wanna mainline a fucking fifth of Dewars
The singer is having a hard time dealing with these issues and is considering self-destructive behavior.
I'm trying to utilize my time to shine here
The artist wants to make the most of their life and leave a positive mark.
I realize we only have limited time here
The artist understands that life is short and wants to make it meaningful.
Dudes on my line try'na sell me a timeshare
The singer is being inundated with offers that are not useful or beneficial to them.
That'll be me with a nine losin' my mind in Time Square
The singer is feeling overwhelmed and sees no way out of their current situation.
La-la-la-last ye-ye-year they hired me
The artist is reflecting on a recent experience in which they were employed.
And this-s-s-s we-we-we-we-week the-the-they fired me
The artist has lost their job and is feeling vulnerable and uncertain.
And I g-g-g-got all these b-b-b-b-bills to pay
The artist is struggling to make ends meet and is under pressure financially.
And what the f-f-f-f-fu-f-f-fuck am I supposed to say
The singer is feeling helpless and at a loss for words.
T-t-t-t-to my wife she's p-p-p-p-pregnant
The artist is dealing with the responsibility of providing for their family and is concerned about their significant other.
And if the kid does not go to college his life's irrelevant
The singer is feeling immense pressure to provide for their child and give them a bright future.
And my-my-my melanin-n-n-n makes me a felon
The singer is commenting on the systemic racism they face, even when trying to provide for their family.
And-nd I just wanna take this fuckin' c-c-crack and sell it
The singer is considering actions that they know to be wrong in order to provide for their family.
To the planet
The artist feels lost and wants to escape their current reality.
Panic, I'm a manic depressive mechanic that manages to frantically do damage
The artist is feeling overwhelmed and is worried about the self-destructive actions they are taking.
To his brain with Xanax, and it's, like the word "anxiety" is branded panoramic
The singer is acknowledging that they are self-medicating with an anti-anxiety drug.
To the back of my eyelids in a variety of fonts
The singer is seeing the word "anxiety" everywhere, including their dreams.
Ariel, Bold, Gothic
The artist lists three different typefaces that they see in their dreams.
Lost it in Time Square and going home is not an option
The artist has abandoned hope of finding a way out of their current struggles.
Is this illusion optic
The artist is questioning whether what they are experiencing is real or an illusion.
Perhaps it's just a chemical reaction with my Zoloft and acidophilus
The singer is acknowledging that their medication may be contributing to their feelings of disillusionment.
The section of my brain that forms sentences isn't operative
The artist is struggling to articulate their thoughts and feelings in a coherent way.
Danger! Danger! Danger, Will Robinson
The singer is referencing a line from a TV show to emphasize the danger they feel they are in.
A bizarre ride, Pharcyde, Fatlip, Collagen
The singer references several hip-hop groups and a cosmetic treatment to express their confusion and sense of disorientation.
My tolerance is volatile and it feels like I'm losing oxygen!
The singer is struggling to maintain their composure and feels like they are suffocating.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: MARCO BRUNO, TROY JAMERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MrCpolzin
[Hook: x2]
Lord, lord, lord
Well well well well well...
Help me cleanse my sins
Help me lift this spell
[Verse 1:]
We fight demons from our past only to face new monsters
I ask, are we comatose or unconscious?
My top spin's perpetual, make the connection
You sleep cause reality bites; inception
Protection orders for my Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Molested Mexican daughters, stretch across the border
The streets paved in gold often fade
When the paint they use to pave the streets is henna
And greener is the grass on the other side
Except for when that other side is geno
Or sewer (sui-cide), you smile while you sippin' a cup of Kahlua
That makes me wanna mainline a fucking fifth of Dewars
I'm trying to utilize my time to shine here
I realize we only have limited time here
Dudes on my line try'na sell me a timeshare
That'll be me with a nine losin' my mind in Time Square
Like, "Is this how you wanna treat me?
You know what this business was before you hired me
A piece of shit!
Everybody on the floor right now!
Everybody get the fuck down!"
[Hook]
[Verse 2:]
La-la-la-last ye-ye-year they hired me
And this-s-s-s we-we-we-we-week the-the-they fired me
And I g-g-g-got all these b-b-b-b-bills to pay
And what the f-f-f-f-fu-f-f-fuck am I supposed to say
T-t-t-t-to my wife she's p-p-p-p-pregnant
And if the kid does not go to college his life's irrelevant
And my-my-my melanin-n-n-n makes me a felon
And-need I just wanna take this fuckin' c-c-crack and sell it
To the planet;
Panic,
I'm a manic depressive mechanic that manages to frantically do damage
To his brain with Xanax,
and it's, like the word "anxiety" is branded panoramic
To the back of my eyelids in a variety of fonts
Ariel, Bold, Gothic
Lost it in Time Square and going home is not an option
Is this illusion optic [?]
Perhaps it's just a chemical reaction with my Zoloft and acidophilus
The section of my brain that forms sentences isn't operative
Danger! Danger! Danger, Will Robinson
A bizarre ride, Pharcyde, Fatlip, Collagen
My tolerance is volatile and it feels like I'm losing oxygen!
[Hook]
@mohamedyassinemazouzi4976
[Hook] (2x)
Lord, lord, lord
Well well well well well..
Help me cleanse my sins
Help me lift this spell
[Verse 1]
We fight demons from our past only to face new monsters
I ask, are we comatose or unconscious?
My top spin's perpetual, make the connection
You sleep cause reality bites; inception
Protection orders for my Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Molested Mexican daughters, stretch across the border
The streets paved in gold often fade
When the paint they use to pave the streets is henna
And greener is the grass on the other side
Except for when that other side is geno
Or sewer (sui-cide), you smile while you sippin' a cup of Kahlua
That makes me wanna mainline a fucking fifth of Dewars
I'm trying to utilize my time to shine here
I realize we only have limited time here
Dudes on my line try'na sell me a timeshare
That'll be me with a nine losin' my mind in Time Square
Like, "Is this how you wanna treat me?
You know what this business was before you hired me
A piece of shit!
Everybody on the floor right now!
Everybody get the fuck down!"
[Hook]
[Verse 2]
La-la-la-last ye-ye-year they hired me
And this-s-s-s we-we-we-we-week the-the-they fired me
And I g-g-g-got all these b-b-b-b-bills to pay
And what the f-f-f-f-fu-f-f-fuck am I supposed to say
T-t-t-t-to my wife she's p-p-p-p-pregnant
And if the kid does not go to college his life's irrelevant
And my-my-my melanin-n-n-n makes me a felon
And-nd I just wanna take this fuckin' c-c-crack and sell it
To the planet;
Panic, I'm a manic depressive mechanic that manages to frantically do damage
To his brain with Xanax, and it's, like the word "anxiety" is branded panoramic
To the back of my eyelids in a variety of fonts
Ariel, Bold, Gothic
Lost it in Time Square and going home is not an option
Is this illusion optic(?)
Perhaps it's just a chemical reaction with my Zoloft and acidophilus
The section of my brain that forms sentences isn't operative
Danger! Danger! Danger, Will Robinson
A bizarre ride, Pharcyde, Fatlip, Collagen
My tolerance is volatile and it feels like I'm losing oxygen!
[Hook]
@ametxa9
The stuttering gives me chills, it works so friggin' perfectly.
@xavierturner5590
2nd verse ..........Masterpiece and flow is IMPECCABLE!
@mrpostman730
I absolutely LOVE Marco Polo's production. With Monch spittin'?? You can't Go Wrong!!!!
@cristiandelolmo9387
marco polo produces all the album?
@galararticuno9419
No Marco produced this and Rapid eye movement. The best two beats imo
@thetman407
the lyrics,wordplay and creativity on this song are insane
@cedricessono6158
Still bouncing to it. So underrated.
@dangerd00m
"Panicked.I'm a manic-depressive mechanic that manages to frantically do damage to his brain with Xanax and it's like the word 'Anxiety' is branded to the back of eyelids in a variety of fonts..."
#FuckingBrilliant
@kevlar1482
You stopped right before the brilliant part. Arial, Bold, Gothic.
@vincentwilliams71
real lyrical content..wow..luv it ..amazing ...