Look up style in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Style may refer to:

• Style (fiction), an aspect of literary composition
• Style (visual arts), in art and painting, either the aesthetic values followed in choosing what to paint (and how) or to the physical techniques employed
• Architectural style
• Design, the process of creating something
• Fashion, a prevailing mode of expression, e.g., clothing
• Format, various terms that refer to the style of different things
• Genre, a loose set of criteria for a category or composition
• Human physical appearance
• Hairstyle

Style, in specific fields, may also refer to:

• In typeface, one of the three traditional design features along with size and weight
• Style (botany), a stalk structure in female flower parts
• Style (manner of address), titles or honorifics, including Chinese courtesy names

Music[link]

• Music genre, music that shares a certain "basic musical language"
• "Style" (Orbital song), a 1999 single by Orbital
• Style (song), a 2003 single by Mis-Teeq
• "Style" (2007 song), from the Tamil film Sivaji: The Boss
• Style (Cameo album), an album by Cameo released in 1983
• Style (Namie Amuro album), an album by Namie Amuro released in 2003
• Style (Luna Sea album), an album by Luna Sea released in 1996
• Styles P, one third of the group The LOX or one fourth of the supergroup, D-Block
• Style (Swedish band), Swedish 80s band, famous for songs like "Telefon" and "Dover-Calais"
• "Style", a song from the movie Robin and the 7 Hoods
• "Style", a song and single by Kana Nishino

Film and television[link]

• Style (2001 film), a Hindi film starring Sharman Joshi, Riya Sen, Sahil Khan and Shilpi Mudgal
• Style (2004 film), a Burmese film
• Style (2006 film), a Telugu film starring Lawrence Raghavendra and Prabhu Deva Sundaram
• Style Network, an NBCUniversal-owned cable and satellite television network
• Style with Elsa Klensch, a CNN fashion series hosted by Elsa Klensch from 1980 to 2000
• Style (TV series), a 2009 Korean television series
• The pairing of Stan and Kyle from the series South Park, which is often referred to as "Style."

Literature, linguistics, and rhetoric[link]

• The Mysterious Affair at Styles, a novel by Agatha Christie
• Style guide in writing
• Style (sociolinguistics), variation in language use to which social meanings are attributed
• Stylistics (linguistics),the study and interpretation of texts from a linguistic perspective.
• Style, a 1998 fashion book by Elsa Klensch
• Style: Toward Clarity and Grace, a 1990 writing guide by Joseph M. Williams
• Style: An Anti-Textbook, a 1974 monograph by Richard A. Lanham
• Style, a book by Sir Walter Raleigh
• "Style", a pseudonym of author Neil Strauss
• Style (magazine), a South African women's magazine that was published between the 1980s and 2006

Other uses[link]

• Aeros Style, a Ukrainian paragider
• Cascading Style Sheets, in web design
• Style, the part of a sundial's gnomon which casts the shadow
• VIP Style Awards, an annual awards ceremony named after VIP magazine
• STYLE = Syria, Tunisia, Yemen, Libya & Egypt (5 countries of Arab Spring)

See also[link]

• Stile, a step used for crossing a fence
• Stylus, a writing instrument

This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the same title. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article.

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (October 2008)

Darren James Mew (born 23 May 1975), better known as Darren Styles, is a British record producer, disc jockey and singer-songwriter from Colchester, England. Originally a member of the breakbeat hardcore group DJ Force & The Evolution, Darren found success during the 1990s as one half of Force & Styles. The duo were pioneers of happy hardcore and wrote several well-known songs such as "Heart of Gold", "Pretty Green Eyes" and "Paradise & Dreams".

In the early 2000s, Darren Styles began producing more trance-influenced records with Mark Brady as Styles & Breeze. The duo released two hit singles "You're Shining" (2004) and "Heartbeatz" (2005) which both reached the Top 20 of the UK Singles Chart. They have been involved in all volumes of the popular Clubland X-Treme Hardcore compilation series.

As a solo artist Darren Styles has released two studio albums, the Gold-selling Skydivin' (2008) and Feel the Pressure (2010). He has also frequently collaborated with several other artists such as Hixxy, Ultrabeat and N-Force.

Early life[link]

This biographical section of an article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (March 2010)

Styles was born as Darren James Mew in Colchester, Essex, England. He was encouraged to play music from an early age by his father, a blues fan, and always had a passion for music. He spent many nights mastering his ability on the keyboard and developing his own style, inspired by dance music. In February 1992 in Clacton-on-Sea, Styles had his first "hands on" experience of the underground rave scene in "Oscar's Nightclub" on Clacton Pier. This event lead to him wanting to be a part of the dance music community.

Force & Styles[link]

His first records were as part of the breakbeat hardcore group DJ Force & The Evolution (with Paul Hobbs, James Broomfield and Paul Hughes) released in 1993. The group signed to hardcore record label Kniteforce and many of their tracks were played by Carl Cox. The group also produced tracks using the alias A Sense of Summer for another hardcore label Universal Records owned by Slipmatt.

In 1995 he and Paul Hobbs set up their own label UK Dance Records so they could quickly release more material and have complete artistic license over their records. They began producing using the alias Force & Styles and released many 12-inch records on UK Dance and by 1996 their popularity had grown so that they were DJing every weekend up and down the UK, as well as touring Australia, North America, and Ibiza on a regular basis. The two also held residencies at various events including those by Slammin Vinyl, Helter Skelter and United Dance.

By 1997, they had produced some of the biggest happy hardcore tracks of the time, many of which went on to be covered by commercial dance artists, including singles "Heart of Gold", "Paradise & Dreams", "Pretty Green Eyes", "Pacific Sun" and "Field of Dreams". Force & Styles picked up many awards at this time and they were the first ever hardcore DJs to do a guest mix for Pete Tong's Essential Mix radio show on BBC Radio 1.

Force & Styles released three albums: All over the UK (1996), Simply Electric (1998) - a compilation of tracks by DJ Force & The Evolution and Force & Styles - and their greatest hits album Heart of Gold (2000).

Styles & Breeze[link]

During the early 2000s Styles began adopting a more trance influenced sound and started producing with Mark Brady as Styles & Breeze. Most notable of these productions was the single "Let Me Fly" produced under the name 'Infextious' and released on Hard House label Nukleuz. They also started making Hardcore which was released as 12" records for Hixxy's label Raver Baby.

Styles & Breeze have also released two top 20 singles, "You're Shining" and "Heartbeatz" featuring Karen Danzig, on the major dance label All Around The World.

Solo career[link]

Styles' first solo record was "Feelin' Fine" which was released as Unique in 1998. His solo career as Darren Styles started in 2002 after releasing a record for Nukleuz and other labels. He has also released many records on Raver Baby and his first solo single was "Save Me" released on All Around the World

Styles has released singles collaborating with other artists such as "Sure Feels Good" and "Discolights" with Ultrabeat and "Right by Your Side" with N-Force. In 2008, he released Skydivin'. The album was a collection of old and new hardcore and commercial songs. This album reached #4 in the UK,^[1] # 41 in Ireland and has since been certified Gold in the UK. His follow up single to "Discolights" with Ultrabeat was the song "Girls Like You", released 2 February 2009. Styles owns Junkbox Records which has released a number of singles.

In June and July 2009, Styles and Ultrabeat embarked on a ten-date UK-wide co-headlined tour, accompanied by Breeze, Infextious, DJ Frisco, MC Domino, Rebecca Rudd (Ultrabeat) and N-force. Starting in Sheffield, the tour went to Liverpool, Birmingham, Bristol, Dublin, Belfast, Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester and London. In late November and early December 2009, Styles was part of Clubland Live 3 which toured through England, Scotland and Ireland.^[2]

Styles' new album Feel the Pressure was released on the 23rd August 2010, and features his top new singles such as "Outta My Head", "Sound Without a Name" and "Holding On".

Personal life[link]

Styles is engaged to Fiona Merry who appeared on the reality television series Shipwrecked. They had a baby girl on the 3rd of November 2010.

Awards[link]

• 1997 Hardcore Heaven Awards Best Producers: Force & Styles
• 1997 Hardcore Heaven Awards Best Live PA: Force & Styles
• 1997 Hardcore Heaven Awards Rookie DJs of the Year: Force & Styles
• 1997 Hardcore Heaven Awards Best Record Label: UK Dance
• 1997 Hardcore Heaven Awards Best Visiting DJ: Darren Styles
• 1997 Kiss FM Awards Best Hardcore Record: "Heart of Gold"
• 1998 Hardcore Heaven Awards Best Producers: Force & Styles
• 2003 Hardcore Heaven Awards Best Producers: Styles & Breeze
• 2003 Kiss FM Awards Best Hardcore Record: "You're Shining"
• 2004 Hardcore Heaven Awards Best Producers: Styles & Breeze
• 2004 Kiss FM Awards Best Hardcore Record: "Heartbeatz"
• 2005 Kiss FM Awards Best Hardcore Record: "Slide Away"
• 2006 Hardcore Heaven Awards Best Producer: Darren Styles
• 2006 Hardcore Heaven Awards Best DJ: Darren Styles
• 2006 Hardcore Heaven Awards Track of the Year: "Save Me"
• 2007 Hardcore Heaven Awards Best DJ: Darren Styles
• 2008 Hardcore Heaven Awards Best Producer: Darren Styles
• 2008 Hardcore Heaven Awards Track of the Year: "Flashlight"
• 2009 Hardcore Heaven Awards Outstanding Contribution: Darren Styles
• 2009 Hardcore Heaven Awards Track of the Year "Sorry"
• 2010 Total Dance Music Album of the Year: Feel The Pressure
• 2010 Hardcore Heaven Awards Track of the Year: "Smack You Like a Bitch"
• 2011 Hardcore Heaven Awards track of the Year: "You & I" (Darren Styles & Gammer)

Discography[link]

• Skydivin' (2008)
• Feel the Pressure (2010)

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website
• Darren Styles on Myspace
• Darren Styles on Facebook
• Darren Styles at Allmusic

Busta Rhymes
Background information
Birth name	Trevor Tahiem Smith, Jr.
Born	(1972-05-20) May 20, 1972 (age 40)
Origin	Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop
Occupations	Rapper, actor
Years active	1989–present
Labels	Conglomerate, Cash Money
Associated acts	Leaders of the New School, A Tribe Called Quest, Flipmode Squad, Spliff Star, Dr. Dre, N.O.R.E., The Notorious B.I.G., Pharrell, Swizz Beatz, DMX, Mystikal, Wu-Tang Clan, M.O.P.,

Trevor Tahiem Smith, Jr., (born May 20, 1972),^[1] better known by his stage name Busta Rhymes, is an American rapper, producer and actor. Chuck D of Public Enemy gave him the alias Busta Rhymes after NFL wide receiver George "Buster" Rhymes. Early in his career, he was known for his wild style and fashion, and today is best known for his intricate rapping technique, which involves rapping at a fast rate with lots of internal rhyme and half rhyme, and to date has received eleven Grammy nominations for his musical work. About.com included him on its list of the 50 Greatest MCs of Our Time (1987–2007),^[2] while Steve Huey of Allmusic called him one of the best and most prolific rappers of the '90s.^[3]

Early life[link]

Busta was born in Red Hook, Brooklyn, New York, and grew up in Flatbush, Brooklyn, to Jamaican parents Geraldine Green and Trevor Smith, Sr. in 1972. Smith attended George Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High School, alongside Jay-Z, DMX and The Notorious B.I.G.^[4][5][6][7] He went to Uniondale High School on Long Island, graduating in 1990.

Music Career[link]

Leaders of the New School and rising popularity: 1990–1993[link]

Hip-hop crew Leaders of the New School began recording in 1989 and released their debut album A Future Without a Past... in 1991 on Elektra Records. In early 1992 the group appeared on A Tribe Called Quest's posse cut "Scenario," in which Busta's climactic verse propelled him into the cultural consciousness.^[8] In 1993, they released T.I.M.E. (The Inner Mind's Eye). Soon after, however, internal problems arose because of Busta's increasing popularity, and the group broke up on the set of Yo! MTV Raps.

After LONS broke up, Busta Rhymes began making guest appearances on several hip-hop and R&B artists singles such as R&B group Boyz II Men, he appeared on the track "Intro Talk" on Mary J. Blige's landmark debut album, What's the 411?, he also appeared on the album jacket of fellow hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest's Midnight Marauders, with a host of other fellow hip-hop pioneers. In 1993, he appeared in a cameo role in Yo! MTV Raps hosts Doctor Dré and Ed Lover's film, Who's the Man?, and in the HBO film, Strapped, and co-starred alongside Ice Cube and Omar Epps in the John Singleton film, Higher Learning (which was in post-production until it was released in 1995). The following year, he teamed up with Puff Daddy, LL Cool J, and future Flipmode Squad member, Rampage and former classmate The Notorious B.I.G., on a remix to Craig Mack's "Flava In Ya Ear", soon after he would team up again with The Notorious B.I.G. among a plethora of rappers such as Bone Thugs-n-Harmony and Coolio on the single, "The Points" which appeared on the soundtrack to the 1995 film, Panther.

[edit] The Coming and When Disaster Strikes: 1995–1997

In the summer of 1995, Busta Rhymes started work on his first album The Coming, and a month after recording the album, he released it in March of 1996. A month before the album was released, he broke out with a solo hit single, "Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check". Later, he started work on his second album, When Disaster Strikes, which would not be released until September 1997. It produced the hit singles "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See" and "Fire It Up".

[edit] Extinction Level Event (Final World Front): 1998–1999

In 1998, Busta recorded Extinction Level Event (Final World Front). Its lead single, "Gimme Some More" — which sampled Bernard Herrmann's theme from Psycho — reached number 6 in the UK singles chart in January 1999. Busta enjoyed further transatlantic success in April when the single "What's It Gonna Be?!", featuring Janet Jackson, reached the US and UK Top 11. The album received prominent notice for featuring the fastest rapping Busta has ever performed, particularly on a song called "Iz They Wildin Wit Us?", featuring a guest appearance by Mystikal.^[1]

J/Arista/BMG[link]

Busta Rhymes performing in 2006

Anarchy & Genesis (2000-2001)

In 2000, Busta recorded his final album for Elektra, entitled Anarchy. After Busta signed to J Records, a label started by the then recently ousted Arista Records chief and founder Clive Davis, he released a greatest hits collection^{[citation needed]} alongside a new album of original work. Continuing the Biblical theme of his previous albums, he titled his record Genesis. The album featured collaborations with Mary J. Blige, P. Diddy, Kelis, and others. Genesis was powered by the hit single with Kelis, "What It Is", and his solo single released in November 2001, "Break Ya Neck". The final single was the summer smash "Pass the Courvoisier, Part II", which featured Pharrell and P. Diddy. Despite the success of the two singles, this album did not sell as well as previous releases.

It Aint Safe No More (2002-2004)

In 2002, Busta released his sixth studio album It Ain't Safe No More. The album was moderately successful, with a hit song featuring Mariah Carey and the Flipmode Squad called "I Know What You Want". Another hit song was "Make It Clap", featuring Spliff Starr. The remix of "Make It Clap" featured Sean Paul. After its release, he left J Records. In 2004, he signed with Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment.

Aftermath/Interscope[link]

The Big Bang (2006)

His seventh studio album, The Big Bang, became the first #1 album of his career. The CD sold over 209,000 copies in its first week to earn the top spot on The Billboard Top 200.^[9] The album also became his highest charting album in the UK, peaking at #19. Some of the album was leaked on the Internet, and as a result several songs were left off the album and new ones added. The Big Bang featured more production by Dr. Dre than Busta's previous releases, as well as appearances by Raekwon and Nas. The singles that have been released from the album are, "Touch It", "I Love My Bitch", featuring Kelis and Will.I.Am, "New York Shit", featuring Swizz Beatz and "In The Ghetto". Busta also had a stint opening for Mariah Carey's The Adventures of Mimi Tour. Also, Busta performed with Eminem on "Touch It Remix Part 5" and performed a verse on the aforementioned rapper's song, "I'll Hurt You". On July 17, 2008, Busta left Interscope/Aftermath due to a creative clash with Interscope head Jimmy Iovine.

Universal Motown[link]

Back on My B.S. (2007-2009)

He also made a song featuring Linkin Park called "We Made It". It was later revealed that Busta inked a deal with Universal Motown, who released his eighth studio album, Back on My B.S., on May 19, 2009.^[10] He also appeared on Asher Roth's debut album, Asleep in the Bread Aisle. The album debuted at #5 on the Billboard 200, selling 56,000 copies, and was his first album to not receive an RIAA certification, selling 122,000 copies to date. The singles that have been released from the album are, "Arab Money", featuring Ron Browz, "Hustler's Anthem '09", featuring T-Pain and "Respect My Conglomerate". The song "World Go Round", featuring British singer Estelle, was released in France on April 6, 2009 due to the heavy rotation of a leaked version. The single was released in the UK on July 13, 2009. Due to controversial content, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has banned the album. Back on My B.S. was released internationally, but because of one song, "Arab Money", it is not available to buy as a CD there (however, the album can still be purchased via iTunes). According to the National Media Council, the lyrics were considered to be offensive to Arabs and to Islam, and permission for distribution was therefore denied. Some DJs, artists and fans have lambasted the track, saying it portrayed Arabs in a stereotypical way. The first part out of three of the remix by Rhymes contains verses from the Quran. In November, when "Arab Money" was released as a single, DJ Dany Neville and the Iraqi rapper The Narcicyst responded by recorded a reply. Busta later apologized. DJs in the country said they had not received an order banning the record from being spun in nightclubs, and they had mixed feelings on whether the record was offensive or not.^[11] DJ Saif of Dubai said:

2002

Emirati DJ DJ Bliss, refused to play the Busta Rhymes' single called Arab Money on Radio 1 in Dubai after it was banned in the UAE for offense to Arabs along with many other Dj's in the United Arab Emirates that also took a stand. He added:

[edit] Conglomerate Records / Cash Money Records & Extinction Level Event 2 (2010-present)

Busta announced that he was working on his tenth studio album, alongside Canadian producer Boi-1da, entitled The Chemo. He says that his next project is 80 percent finished.^[12] Busta has reportedly changed the title of his forthcoming Chemo album to Extinction.Level.Event.2 (E.L.E. 2).^[13] Some new songs are being considered for the album, including "C'mon (Catch 'Em By Surprise) by Tiësto and Diplo and "Look at Me Now" alongside Chris Brown and Lil Wayne. The trend of album sequels continues with Busta adding another chapter to his 1998 opus E.L.E. (Extinction Level Event): The Final World Front. Busta's manager Chris Lighty sent out the message via Twitter. He said; "Extinction.Level.Event 2 ......prepare yourself." Like the first, E.L.E. 2 is inspired by movies of impending destruction on planet Earth, Lighty said; "From the Intro of the new Busta Album you're going to know you're in trouble and you just turned on 2012 the movie on warp speed,".

DJ Premier, in an August 6, 2010 interview on Conspiracy Worldwide Radio said Busta Rhymes has received over eight beats which he didn't want to use but Premier hoped his next beat would be chosen for inclusion on the album.^[14] On DJ Premier's Live From Headqcourterz radio show Premier confirmed that one of his beats were to be included in E.L.E. 2. In 2010, Busta Rhymes formed his new label Conglomerate Records (With later on having rosters such as N.O.R.E., and Spliff Star). He was featured on C'mon (Catch 'Em By Surprise) by Tiësto and Diplo.

In 2011, Rhymes recorded "Look at Me Now" with Chris Brown and Lil Wayne on Brown's fourth album, F.A.M.E., the song has received favorable reviews regarding Rhymes guest verse on the song, and is his highest chart entry on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number six, while reaching number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, becoming his first #1 on that chart. On September 7, 2011, Rhymes received six nominations for the BET Hip Hop Awards, held on October 11, 2011.

On May 1, 2011 Rhymes appeared on the launch show for MNET's Big Brother Africa 6: Amplified and performed some of his songs.

In 2011, Busta Rhymes performed at the Gathering of the Juggalos.^[15]

Rhymes contributed to the 2011 Tech N9ne album "All 6's and 7's". The single "Worldwide Choppers" was released on May 31st, 2011.^[16]

Canadian recording artist Justin Bieber will feature Busta on a song called "Drummer Boy" off Bieber's sophomore studio album, Under the Mistletoe, released on 1 November 2011.^[17]

On November 11, 2011, a Heavy D tribute song titled "You Ain’t Gotta Wait Till I’m Gone" was leaked.^[18]

On November 16, 2011, it was announced that Busta Rhymes and Mystikal signed to Cash Money Records.^[19] On June 08, 2010, way before he was signed by Birdman, he released "Stop the Party (Iron Man)" which featured Swizz Beatz. For his debut single on the Cash Money label and his Conglomerate Records, he reunites with Chris Brown to make the aggressive single known as Why Stop Now.

In 2012, Busta collaborated with Jodie Connor, featuring on her single "Take You There", however he did not appear in the music video.

A song with Twista, titled "Can You Keep Up" was leaked.

Acting Career[link]

Busta has appeared in a number of films (including Shaft, The Rugrats Movie, Halloween: Resurrection, and Higher Learning) and TV shows (including Cosby, The Boondocks, and The Steve Harvey Show).^{[20][21][22][23][24]}

Personal life[link]

Busta has three children with his ex-girlfriend, Joanne Wood: T'Ziah (born 1993), T'Khi (born 1999), and Trillian (born 2000).

Religion[link]

On September 2, 2007, a video was uploaded on Liveleak.com about Rhymes having converted to Islam.^[25] He himself has said that he lives his life by Islam, stating he is Muslim and loves Allah.

Legal issues[link]

On August 20, 2006, he was arraigned for charges of third-degree assault after attacking a man who reportedly spat on his car in New York City on August 12 after the AmsterJam Music Festival on Randall's Island.^[26]

On October 24, 2006, he appeared at Manhattan Criminal Court as the district attorney's office attempted to amend previous charges against him to include weapons possession for a machete found in his car. The judge refused to add the charge and adjourned the case.^[27][28]

On February 20, 2007, Busta refused a plea deal offered by the prosecutors office for the assault of his former driver, Edward Hatchett. The deal would have entailed six months in jail and pleading guilty to two assaults, the attack on Hatchett, and the attack on the former fan. The dispute with Hatchett is believed to have originated over back pay Hatchett felt he was owed. Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Becki Rowe offered Busta another option, pleading guilty to third-degree assault. The conditions of the proposed sentence would include five days of community service, two weeks of youth lectures and six months of anger management classes, as well as three years of probation. On March 18, 2008 a judge in New York City sentenced Busta to three years' probation, 10 days' community service, $1250 in fines (plus court costs), and to enroll in a drunken driving program.^{[28][29][30][31]}

On September 25, 2008, he was temporarily refused entry to the United Kingdom due to "unresolved convictions".^[32]

On October 14, 2009, a Brooklyn judge ordered Busta to pay a concert goer $75,000 in compensation for an assault which occurred in 2003.^[33]

Discography[link]

• The Coming (1996)
• When Disaster Strikes... (1997)
• E.L.E. (Extinction Level Event): The Final World Front (1998)
• Anarchy (2000)
• Genesis (2001)
• It Ain't Safe No More... (2002)
• The Big Bang (2006)
• Back on My B.S. (2009)
• E.L.E. (Extinction Level Event) 2: End of the World (TBA)

Awards and nominations[link]

Busta Rhymes has been nominated for 11 Grammy Awards during his 16-year solo career.

Grammy Awards

Busta Rhymes has been nominated for 10 MTV Video Music Awards during his 16-year solo career, but has yet to win one.

MTV Video Music Awards

See also[link]

• List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. dance chart
• List of number-one U.S. dance hits

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Busta Rhymes

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Busta Rhymes

• Busta Rhymes at MTV
• Busta Rhymes at the Internet Movie Database

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (February 2011)

Pharoahe Monch
Background information
Birth name	Troy Donald Jamerson
Born	(1972-10-31) October 31, 1972 (age 39)
Origin	South Jamaica, Queens, New York, USA
Genres	East Coast hip hop, alternative hip hop
Years active	1989–present
Labels	Hollywood/Priority Records Rawkus/SRC Records Duck Down Records/W.A.R. Media, LLC
Associated acts	Organized Konfusion, Hilltop Hoods, Busta Rhymes, Adam F, Shabaam Sahdeeq, The HRSMN, Talib Kweli, Common, Mos Def, Kanye West, Erykah Badu, Mr. Porter, Styles P, Nate Dogg, Showtyme, Royce da 5'9", Canibus, Ras Kass

Troy Donald Jamerson (born October 31, 1972), better known by his stage name Pharoahe Monch is an African-American rapper. He is known for his complex lyrics, complex delivery, and internal and multisyllabic rhyme schemes.^[1]

Biography[link]

Pharoahe Monch's name is derived from the monkey doll Monchhichi. After receiving a bad haircut, which left Monch looking like a "chimpanzee", girls in Monch's class at the High School of Art and Design began calling him "Monchhichi", which was later shortened to "Monch". Monch adopted the "Pharoahe" prefix after meeting future Organized Konfusion partner Prince Po.^{[citation needed]}

Monch released three albums as part of the rap duo Organized Konfusion with partner Prince Poetry: The self-titled Organized Konfusion, Stress: The Extinction Agenda and The Equinox. The duo handled a large amount of production on these albums themselves. All albums received positive critical reviews, but moderate sales. As a result, the duo split up after recording their final album The Equinox in 1997. Prince Poetry has since denied the possibility of an Organized Konfusion reunion.

Pharoahe Monch then signed to Rawkus Records, an indie label. After making several guest appearances on albums like the best-selling Rawkus compilation Soundbombing II, Monch's much-hyped debut, Internal Affairs was released in 1999. The first single of the album, "Simon Says", became a hit single, peaking at #97 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was also featured in the 2000 cinematic releases Charlie's Angels and Boiler Room. Despite its success, the song caused controversy when Monch was later sued for the song's use of a sample from Akira Ifukube's Gojira Tai Mosura for the hook. The uncleared sample use caused a halting in his album's distribution.

After Internal Affairs and the controversy from his hit song Pharoahe would not release another solo project for several years. He did still make some songs and guest appearances however. In 2000 he featured with Mos Def and Nate Dogg on the hit song "Oh No" from the Rawkus compilation record Lyricist Lounge 2. He contributed the song "Fuck You" to the Training Day soundtrack in 2001, and rapped the theme song to Madden NFL 2002. In 2003 Pharoahe released his final single through Rawkus Records, "Agent Orange", a war inspired song which revisited the 1991 Organized Konfusion track "Releasing Hypnotical Gases".

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.^{[citation needed]}

Pharoahe Monch in 2009

There were rumors his next album, at first tentatively titled Innervisions, was to be released under Denaun Porter's new Shady Records imprint Runyon Ave., but apparently the deal fell through; Monch later 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. Pharoahe Monch released a second music video entitled "When the Gun Draws" at a Brooklyn music festival in February, 2007. The track was inspired by a song he did with Prince Po entitled "Stray Bullet" which was featured on the Stress: The Extinction Agenda album. A final video was made for the title track "Desire" in late 2007. It was directed by New Zealand director Andy Morton and shot on the Rock the Bells tour with full band. The video features both MeLa Machinko and of course, a huge performance from Showtyme.

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.^{[citation needed]}

On July 9, 2010, Pharoahe Monch allowed hip hop website hiphopdx.com to leak a song from his forthcoming album W.A.R. (We Are Renegades). The song was called "Shine" and featured vocals by MeLa Machinko and was also produced by Diamond D. On February 14, 2010, another song from Monch was leaked, which is called "Clap (One Day)", produced by M-Phazes.

Pharoahe Monch released his third solo album W.A.R. (We Are Renegades) in March 2011. It featured guest appearances from Jill Scott, Styles P, Citizen Cope, Jean Grae, Royce da 5'9", Immortal Technique, Vernon Reid, Phonte, Mr. Porter, Mela Machinko, Showtyme & DJ Boogie Blind.^[2] Pharoahe revealed that the album is a "throwback to 1993, '94 hip-hop" and featured production by Exile, Marco Polo, M-Phazes, Fatin, Diamond D, Mike Loe, Samiyam, Adam Deitch, Eric Krasno and Pharoahe Monch himself.^[2] Four singles have been released from the album: "Shine", "Clap (One Day)", "Black Hand Side", and "Assassins". A ten year anniversary re-issue of Internal Affairs will also be released featuring a documentary about the making of the album.^[3]

In 2011, Pharoahe Monch was a judge on the Ultimate MC TV show alongside with Royce da 5'9", Sean Price, Planet Asia, and Organik.^[4]

Rapping technique[link]

Pharoahe Monch is acclaimed for his complex rapping technique^[1] - Allmusic says he has, "a reputation as one of underground hip hop's pre-eminent lyricists, crafting intricate and intelligent raps."^[5] Kool Moe Dee ranks him at 26 in his best MCs of all time list, from his book, There's a God on the Mic.^[6] Kool Moe Dee notes: "Pharoahe Monch is like an eloquent linguistics professor moonlighting as a rhyme serial killer terrorist, challenging the listeners' I.Q. while daring him or her to keep up."^[6]

Monch compares writing and recording his lyrics to writing and filming a movie - in the book How to Rap he says he will 'punch-in' vocals so he can "retake some things, just like a film",^[7] and he 'rewrites' lyrics, saying he will "go back as a screenwriter and rewrite scenes and leave more to the imagination."^[8]

For his biggest hit, "Simon Says", he comments that he wrote the choruses before he wrote the verses,^[9] and fellow rapper and collaborator O.C. notes that Monch will write single lines down and then use them five years later.^[10] His vocal delivery is inspired by Jazz music and musicians such as John Coltrane.^[11]

Discography[link]

Group albums[link]

With Organized Konfusion:

Solo albums[link]

Mixtapes[link]

• The Awakening. Released December, 2006. The Awakening was Pharoahe Monch's first and only official mixtape released prior to Desire.^[14]

Singles[link]

• 1999: "Simon Says"
• 2000: "The Light"
• 2001: "F**k You"
• 2002: "The Life"
• 2003: "Agent Orange"
• 2007: "Push"
• 2007: "Let's Go"
• 2007: "Body Baby"
• 2010: "Shine"
• 2011: "Clap (One Day)"
• 2011: "Black Hand Side"
• 2011: "Assassins"

Appearances[link]

• 1998: "Live from the DJ Stretch Armstrong Show with your host Bobbito The Barber" (from Lyricist Lounge, Volume One)
• 1999: "Mayor" and "WWIII" (from Soundbombing II)
• 1999: "Lyrical Fluctuation (feat. Jigmastas, Mr. Complex, Talib Kweli and Shabaam Sahdeeq)" (from the DJ Spinna album The Beyond Real Experience)
• 1999: "Dirty Decibels" (from The High & Mighty album Home Field Advantage)
• 1999: "Take Me Home" (from the Polyrhythm Addicts album Rhyme Related)
• 1999: "The Anthem" (featuring Eminem, RZA, Tech N9ne, Xzibit, Kool G Rap, Chino XL and KRS-One) (from the Sway & King Tech album This or That)
• 1999: "Turnablist Anthem" (from the Rob Swift album The Ablist)
• 1999: "Innovations" (from the Saukrates album The Underground Tapes)
• 1999: "Livin' It Up" (from the Next Friday Soundtrack)
• 2000: "Why Don't Cha", "Big Fronter" and "Divine Intervention" (from the Mr. Complex album The Complex Catalog)
• 2000: "Ill Collabo (feat. Prince Po)" (from the Cella Dwellas album The Last Shall Be First)
• 2000: "Kenny Rogers - Pharoahe Monch Dub Plate (feat. Kenny Rogers)" (from the Wyclef Jean album The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II a Book)
• 2000: "What Am I? (feat. L.I.F.E. Long)" (from the Antipop Consortium album Tragic Epilogue)
• 2000: "Ghost Weed Skit 1" (from the De La Soul album Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump)
• 2000: "One Four Love Pt.1 (from Hip Hop for Respect)
• 2000: "Horsemen" (from the Canibus album 2000 B.C. (Before Can-I-Bus))
• 2000: "Connect (featuring Xzibit & Gipp)" (from the DJ Hurricane album Don't Sleep)
• 2000: "Oh No (feat. Mos Def & Nate Dogg)" (from Lyricist Lounge 2)
• 2001: "F**k You" (Training Day (soundtrack))
• 2001: "I Pledge Allegiance" (from the Nate Dogg album Music and Me)
• 2001: "Last Dayz" (from the Adam F album Kaos: The Anti-Acoustic Warfare )
• 2002: "Madden 2002 Theme" (from the video game Madden NFL 2002)
• 2002: "Guerilla Monsoon Rap (feat. Black Thought)" (from the Talib Kweli album Quality)
• 2002: "The Life (featuring Styles P)" and "Round & Round (Remix)", (from Soundbombing III)
• 2002: "The X (Y'all Know The Name) (featuring Xzibit, Inspectah Deck and Skillz)" (from the X-Ecutioners album Built From Scratch)
• 2002: "H! Vltg3 (featuring Evidence and DJ Babu)" (from the Linkin Park album Reanimation)
• 2002: "Frontline (featuring Prince Po, Mike Zoot and F.T.)" (from the El Da Sensei album Relax Relate Release)
• 2002: "Murda 1 Case (featuring KK)" (from the DJ Quik album Under Tha Influence)
• 2002: "See What I See" (from the Ras Kass album Goldyn Chyld)
• 2002: "Talking to You (feat. Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Rah Digga & A-Butta)" (Rawkus Single)
• 2003: "Oblivion" (from the Aimee Allen album I'd Start A Revolution (If I Could Get Up In the Morning))
• 2003: "What is the Law" (Oz Soundtrack)
• 2004: "Just Do It" (from the Pete Rock album Soul Survivor II)
• 2005: "It Ain't The Money" (from the Macy Gray album The Very Best of Macy Gray)
• 2005; "Evaridae" (from the O.C. album Starchild)
• 2005: "New World Symphony" (from the Miri Ben-Ari album The Hip-Hop Violinist)
• 2006: "Fish Filet" (from the Sa-Ra double-single The Second Time Around)
• 2006: "Book Of Judges" (Marc Eckō's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure Soundtrack)
• 2006; "Loose Ends (feat. Justin Timberlake & will.i.am)" (from the Sérgio Mendes album Timeless)
• 2006: "Love" (from the J Dilla album The Shining)
• 2007: "Rehab (Remix)" (feat. Jay-Z) (from Amy Winehouse album Back to Black)
• 2007: "Reachin'" (from the Polyrhythm Addicts album Break Glass)
• 2008: "Apocalypse RMX" (from the Immortal Technique album The 3rd World)
• 2008: "The Matrix (feat. Pharoahe Monch, Sean Price & DJ Premier" (from the Black Milk album Tronic)
• 2009: "Classic Example" (from Hilltop Hoods album State of the Art)
• 2009: "Salute" (from Slaughterhouse's self-titled album Slaughterhouse)
• 2009: "One Shot" (from the KRS-One & Buckshot album Survival Skills)
• 2009: "Dollaz & Sense" (with RZA) (from The Black Keys' album Blakroc)
• 2009: "Back and Then" (from the Prince Po EP X-Files)
• 2010: "Let U Live" (from the Consequence mixtape Movies On Demand)
• 2011: "We Go Off" (from the Phonte album Charity Starts At Home)
• 2011: "Children" (from the Styles P album Master of Ceremonies)

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website
• myspace
• Twitter