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 light
Pharoahe Monch Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It was like the earth twisted around her
She shifted the ground I was like, "oh, shit!"
She's off the hook, I would dress her decently
But look her body is immaculate I'm attackin' it from all positions
Of thinkin' inside my mind-ah
Hopefully it won't be too inappropriate if I walk over there and say
I'll get on my knees if I have to"
She'll laugh through, the whole episode
Just then I knew I had her locked (Down)
No cock-blocking please this one's mine (Uh)
Dimepiece and shit son, shorty was fine
Every line of mine was like a rhyme I wouldn't lie I swear
Sparklin' the whole time as I whispered in her ear
And I know you will see the light
Baby, once you
Understand, what you
Mean, to me, darling
And I know you will see the light
Baby, once you
Understand, what you
Mean, to me, darling
Now some say I'm a little bit a thug
Slash b-boy gentleman but, let me introduce myself
Also begin, so that you can further understand what I say
I took this last swallow of the Grand Marnier
And slid her to the dance floor, now she like "wow"
Oh, damn, money got style
Funny how things change when you got a liquor in ya
You're quicker with the tongue, givin' me rhythm now huh
Block the music and the people out to admire the love
The nerve of us, impervious to the entire club
And like marijuana shotguns let's blow this joint
It's pointless to say here, so let me annoint
And I know you will see the light
Baby, once you
Understand, what you
Mean, to me, darling
And I know you will see the light
Baby, once you
Understand, what you
Mean, to me, darling
We kissin' and we wrestlin', sexual confessions
I never lack to pack prophylact', I learned my lesson
First impression, to be discrete, use discretion
Back of the cab undressin', uh-huh
I'm here witchu, sorta like our bond spiritual
All night, all I could do, is stare at you
Cracked the window and the Alize on the Palisades
Right before she told me her name was Valerie
Her crib was just a mile away, nothin' to my salary
She could serve me pain all night and I could tolerate
I'm her horizon right, but in the night though
Night glow type shit (And I know you can see the light)
And I know you will see the light
Baby, once you
Understand, what you
Mean, to me, darling
And I know you will see the light
Baby, once you
Understand, what you
Mean, to me, darling
And I know you can see the light
Baby, once you, understand what
What you mean to me girl what you do no doubt check it out now
Now I know you can see the light
Baby, once you
The lyrics to Pharoahe Monch's song The Light describe a romantic encounter with a woman who catches the attention of the singer. He is taken by her physical appearance as well as her apparent free spirit. He thinks about approaching her and asking for her number, but is nervous about being inappropriate. Eventually, they begin to flirt and dance together, and their chemistry becomes stronger. They have a sexual encounter and the singer is clearly very attracted to this woman. The refrain of the song is "And I know you will see the light, baby, once you understand what you mean to me, darling," indicating that the singer is falling in love with this woman and hopes that she will reciprocate his feelings.
The lyrics are fairly straightforward in their message - it is a story of a man falling in love with a woman over the course of a night. The use of slang terms like "dimepiece" and "cock-blocking" give the lyrics a casual, conversational tone. The singer seems to be feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement throughout the encounter, and the lyrics convey this emotional complexity. Overall, the song is a portrayal of the euphoria that can come with falling in love and the thrill of a new romantic encounter.
Line by Line Meaning
It was like the earth twisted around her
She was so stunning that she appeared to have altered the environment around her
She shifted the ground I was like, "oh, shit!"
Her presence was so powerful that it literally felt like the ground moved beneath him as she approached
She's off the hook, I would dress her decently
She's gorgeous and he would make sure to properly attire her to match her physical beauty
But look her body is immaculate I'm attackin' it from all positions
Her physical appearance is perfect and he wants to admire her from every possible angle
Of thinkin' inside my mind-ah
He's fantasizing about her in his thoughts
Hopefully it won't be too inappropriate if I walk over there and say
He hopes it won't be inappropriate to approach her and ask for her number
"Excuse me, can I have your number please?
He wants to politely request her phone number
I'll get on my knees if I have to"
He's willing to go above and beyond to impress her
She'll laugh through, the whole episode
She'll find his comments amusing
Just then I knew I had her locked (Down)
He feels confident that he's won her over
No cock-blocking please this one's mine (Uh)
He's asking others to not interfere with his pursuit of her
Dimepiece and shit son, shorty was fine
She's an elegant and attractive woman
Every line of mine was like a rhyme I wouldn't lie I swear
He's so confident in his words that he rhymes every line and promises sincerity
Sparklin' the whole time as I whispered in her ear
He's charming her with witty and delightful comments
And I know you will see the light
He's confident that she will understand his intentions and feelings for her
Baby, once you understand, what you mean, to me, darling
He believes that once she realizes how much she means to him, she will have a better understanding of their relationship
Now some say I'm a little bit a thug
People might think he's rough around the edges
Slash b-boy gentleman but, let me introduce myself
He wants to present himself as a gentleman, despite potential stereotypes
Also begin, so that you can further understand what I say
He's furthering his introduction so that she can better comprehend him
I took this last swallow of the Grand Marnier
He finished his fancy drink
And slid her to the dance floor, now she like "wow"
He smoothly leads her to the dance floor and she is impressed
Oh, damn, money got style
He's proud of his style and charming ways
Funny how things change when you got a liquor in ya
He's commenting on how liquid confidence can alter a person's behavior
You're quicker with the tongue, givin' me rhythm now huh
He's appreciating her verbal exchanges and clever wit
Block the music and the people out to admire the love
They're so into each other that they ignore everything around them
The nerve of us, impervious to the entire club
They're willing to disregard social norms and protocols to focus solely on each other
And like marijuana shotguns let's blow this joint
He suggests they leave the club together
It's pointless to say here, so let me annoint
He's declaring that staying at the club is not worth it, so they should leave and embark on an adventure together
We kissin' and we wrestlin', sexual confessions
They're kissing and indulging in intimate conversations
I never lack to pack prophylact', I learned my lesson
He's learned from past mistakes and now always carries protection
First impression, to be discrete, use discretion
He places importance on being cautious and discreet in their intimate activities
Back of the cab undressin', uh-huh
They're getting intimate in the back of a cab
I'm here witchu, sorta like our bond spiritual
He feels a spiritual bond with her
All night, all I could do, is stare at you
He's mesmerized by her beauty and can't stop looking at her
Cracked the window and the Alize on the Palisades
He opened the window and drank Alize (a fruity liqueur) while looking at the view of the Palisades
Right before she told me her name was Valerie
He finds out her name is Valerie at this point
Her crib was just a mile away, nothin' to my salary
Her home is close by and he can afford to visit her
She could serve me pain all night and I could tolerate
He's willing to endure anything just to be with her
I'm her horizon right, but in the night though
He's her guiding light, especially at night
Night glow type shit (And I know you can see the light)
He's confident that she sees the light and understands the connection they share
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: TROY DONALD JAMERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@timothylandry2000
One of my favorite tracks Pharoahe blessed us with.
@jasonwalker9091
Timothy Landry I remember watching the video on BET Rap city The basement . Slept banger Pharoahe is too ill. I loved his verse on Horsementality on Canibus album " 2000 B.C." True hip hop 😊
@RalphDaVillain
My most favorite track from him.
My favorite lyrics of his is from a song called fudge pudge, when he was in a group called organized confusion.
@Canflip77
For real! Oh right!😄😊
@frank-xp6pj
@@wolflauren6423 is that the joint where he put like 5 mixed drinks into a rhyme ????
@marcusrobinson9997
He’s a high caliber lyricist. He has no flaws. I heard him freestyle. Jadakiss & Method Man can not out Rhyme him. Redman euther
@jimmiecarter3099
Rawkus was the label!!!!! Wish they was still here!!!!! Nasty song and a hidden gem!!!!
@sagerdood
Yo Rawkus and eastern conference, def jux was a hiphop movement... good times. The ill shit.
@droro9
Take me back to the Golden Era of hip hop... Please!!!
@blackspur77
TAKE ME WITH YOU!😭I DON’T LIKE IT HERE, I CAN’T UNDERSTAND THESE NEW KIDS.