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. (September 2010)

Phonte Coleman
Performing in Atlanta in March 2008.
Background information
Birth name	Phonte Coleman
Born	Greensboro, North Carolina, United States
Genres	Rap, R&B, Neo Soul
Occupations	Rapper, singer
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1998–present
Labels	The Foreign Exchange, +FE Music
Associated acts	Little Brother, Rapper Big Pooh, Mac Miller, 9th Wonder, Nicolay, The Foreign Exchange, The Roots

Phonte Coleman, better known as Phonte, is a Grammy nominated American rapper, formerly of the now defunct North Carolina trio Little Brother and one-half of the duo The Foreign Exchange. He has also recorded R&B-flavored output as a singer (often under the pseudonym Percy Miracles). His rhymes tend to be no-frills perspectives on working-class life.^[1]

Career[link]

With Little Brother[link]

Phonte first met the other members of Little Brother, Rapper Big Pooh and 9th Wonder, in 1998 while attending North Carolina Central University, as an English major.^[1] The three shared common musical interests and decided to form a group. "Speed", the group's first song recorded together, led to them signing a deal with the independent ABB Records, and recording their debut album, The Listening. The album's success led to the group signing a non-exclusive deal with major label Atlantic Records.

The group's 2005 album, The Minstrel Show, was a concept album dealing with the current state of hip hop music. The album received a positive critical reaction but very little commercial success. During the recording of their third album, the group announced the departure of producer 9th Wonder on amicable terms, as well as a parting of ways with their label. Through a contractual clause they landed back on ABB Records and released Getback in late 2007.

Solo work[link]

Phonte has appeared on numerous records by other artists, often as a vocalist. He made a guest appearance on the song "Beats N' Rhymes" from producer Kev Brown's album I Do What I Do, and has also recorded tracks with producer Oddisee, both members of the Washington D.C (DMV)-based Low Budget collective. In 2006, he was featured on producer DJ Shadow's The Outsider album. In the following year he contributed vocals to rap group Playaz Circle's "Paper Chaser", from their album Supply & Demand. Phonte's recent projects include The Foreign Exchange's third album, Authenticity, as well as a collaboration (as Tiggalo) with Detroit-based musician Zo! titled Zo! & Tigallo Love the 80’s. The latter of these is intended as an homage to early 1980s R&B and pop music and features covers of popular songs such as a-Ha's "Take on Me", Toto's "Africa", and Joe Jackson's "Stepping Out".

He released his solo-debut titled "Charity Starts At Home" on September 27, 2011 through FE Music.^[2]

Discography[link]

Little Brother[link]

See Little Brother discography

The Foreign Exchange[link]

• Connected (2004, BBE)
• Leave It All Behind (2008, Foreign Exchange Music LLC/HBD)
• Authenticity (2010, Foreign Exchange Music LLC/HBD)

Zo! & Tigallo[link]

• Love the 80's (2008, Hall of Justus)

Solo albums[link]

• Charity Starts At Home (2011)

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Phonte

• Phonte on Myspace
• Phonte RBMA video lecture session
• Interview with Phonte and Nicolay at Leisure Lab

Kenneth Price (February 16, 1935 – February 24, 2012) was an American ceramic artist and printmaker who was born in Los Angeles, California in 1935. He studied at the Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles, before receiving his BFA degree from the University of Southern California in 1956. He continued his studies at Chouinard Art Institute in 1957 and received an MFA degree from New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University in 1959. Kenneth Price studied ceramics with Peter Voulkos and was awarded a Tamarind Fellowship.

He is best known for his abstract shapes constructed from fired clay. Typically, they are not glazed, but intricately painted with multiple layers of bright acrylic paint and then sanded down to reveal the colors beneath. Ken Price lived and worked in Venice, California and Taos, New Mexico. He is represented by the Matthew Marks Gallery, New York and Xavier Hufkens, Brussels.

Biography[link]

Price was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. Price’s earliest aspirations were to be an artist, “As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be an artist. Even when I was a kid I would make drawings and little books, and cartoons..,”^[1] he states. Price enrolled in his first art ceramics course at Santa Monica City College in 1954, where he quickly embraced a formal craft tradition as espoused by Marguerite Wildenhain.^[2] He subsequently studied at the Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles, before receiving his BFA degree from the University of Southern California in 1956.

In the 1950s Price lived along the Pacific coastline, where his interest in surfing and Mexican pottery developed. During surfing trips in Southern California, Price and his friends, “always made a point of hitting the curio stores in [Tijuana], because they had great pottery. …just looking was a great education in earthenware pottery.”^[3] Price’s ceramic work at USC could be characterized as functional vessels derived from a folk pottery tradition.

As a student at USC, Price spent time visiting the ceramics studio at the Otis College of Art and Design (then known as the Los Angeles County Art Institute) where ceramic artist Peter Voulkos was teaching. Price has often cited Voulkos as his strongest single influence as a student. After finishing his degree at USC, Price spent a portion of the next year as a graduate student at Otis. There he studied (under Voulkos) with Billy Al Bengston, John Mason, Mike Frimkess, Paul Soldner, Henry Takemoto and Jerry Rothman. Price writes about the group at Otis: “We’ve been cited as the people who broke away from the crafts hierarchy and substituted so-called ‘total freedom!’ Actually we were a group of people who were committed to clay as a material and wanted to use it in ways that had something to do with our time and place.” ^[3]

In 1958, Price left Otis for Alfred University (with a six month detour in the Army Reserves).^[3] “I went to Alfred to try and develop some low-fire, brightly colored glazes, but also to try and get away from the influence of Voulkos, which was very strong on me.”^[4] During his time at Alfred, Price was able to formulate some of the glazes he desired, using a lead base. In 1959, Price returned to Los Angeles having received an MFA in Ceramics from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University.

Price describes Los Angeles upon his return and the beginnings of the L.A. art scene: “When I started out in L.A. in the late fifties there was no art scene at all really. I mean there was an art scene in New York, but there wasn’t one in L.A. There were hardly any galleries. The museum was downtown and it didn’t endorse contemporary art. And there were only about three viable art publications. The local newspaper critics didn’t like us at all. There weren’t any collectors, really very few. We made few sales, and for little money when we made them. But the people I knew were totally committed. And so was I. I was confused about a lot of things at that time, but not about being an artist. I knew that’s what I had to be. And then later, around the mid-sixties, the whole scene cooked up: galleries, museums, foundations, art schools, and you know, lots more artists.”^[5]

Price’s first solo show came at the Ferus Gallery in 1960 where he quickly became part of a developing art movement that included artists such as Larry Bell, Billy Al Bengston, John Altoon, John McCracken, Robert Irwin and Ed Ruscha, among many others. Price would have three solo shows during the short time Ferus was open, and by the mid-1960s Price was a fixture in the west coast art scene. Aside from six months Price spent in Japan in 1962,^[4] Price would remain in Los Angeles until 1970, when he and his wife, Happy, relocated to Taos, New Mexico.^[6]

Having arrived in Taos, Price’s attention shifted to Mexican folk pottery once again (as it had in the 1950s). “After settling in Taos, Price began to identify with the folk artists who make roadside monuments and the artisans who produce pottery in villages all over Mexico. He determined to make a body of work, using commercial material and readily available preparations, that was true in spirit to the folk/cottage industry sensibility, that was ‘easy, offhand but utterly assured characteristic’ of ‘low art’ pottery.”^[7] The resulting project, “Happy’s Curios,” which Price spent nearly six years working on (the bulk of the decade), culminated with a show at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in 1978. During the early and late 1970s (before and after the “Happy’s Curios” project) Price developed his signature “geometric cup” series.

In the early 1980s (around 1982), Ken and family moved from Taos to Southeastern Massachusetts. “We wanted to get out of Taos for a variety of reasons, and had visited a friend in Massachusetts who lived right on the Atlantic Ocean. It was really beautiful, so we moved there and stayed for about eight years.”^[6] Working in his studio near New Bedford, Massachusetts, Price concentrated on developing his sculptural forms, and allowed his production of cup forms to wane.

Price returned to Los Angeles in the early 1990s, after spending twenty years away. In 1992, he was given his first retrospective, at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 1993 Price joined the Faculty at USC, as an art ceramics professor ^[8] – and remained an instructor there for ten years.^[9] At the time of his death in 2012, at 77, he lived and worked in both Venice, California and Taos, New Mexico. His son, Jackson Price, served him as an assistant.

In September 2012, Price is to be the subject of a 50-year retrospective opening at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. In honor of the artist, the museum will display his 2011 piece "Zizi" in the lobby of its Ahmanson Building.^[10]

References[link]

Sources[link]

• Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Robert Irwin―Kenneth Price, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, 1966.
• Price, Kenneth, Ken Price, Houston, Texas, Menil Collection, Houston Fine Art Press, 1992.
• Price, Kenneth, Ken Price, Happy's Curios”, Los Angeles, The Museum, 1978.
• University of California, Irvine, Five Los Angeles Sculptors: Larry Bell, Tony DeLap, David Gray, John McCracken, Kenneth Price, University of California, Irvine, 1966

External links[link]

• LA Times obituary
• Ken Price at Brooke Alexander Gallery
• Ken Price at MOMA, NY
• Ken Price at Xavier Hufkens, Brussels
• Ken Price at the Matthew Marks Gallery
• Ken Price at the L.A. Louver gallery

9th Wonder
Background information
Birth name	Patrick Douthit
Also known as	9th Wonder, 9thmatic
Born	(1975-01-15) January 15, 1975 (age 37) Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Genres	Hip hop
Occupations	Record producer, record executive
Instruments	Akai MPC 2500, Turntables, Pro Tools, FL Studio[1]
Years active	1997–present
Labels	It's A Wonderful World Music Group, Jamla Records
Associated acts	Little Brother, Murs, David Banner, Buckshot, Erykah Badu

Patrick Douthit (born January 15, 1975 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina),^[2] better known as 9th Wonder is a hip hop record producer, record executive, DJ, lecturer, and lyricist from Durham, North Carolina, U.S. He began his career as the main producer for the group Little Brother, and has also worked with Mary J. Blige, Jean Grae, Wale, Jay-Z, Murs, Drake, Buckshot, Chris Brown, Destiny's Child, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Erykah Badu, Ludacris, Mac Miller, and David Banner. As of 2010, 9th Wonder raps under the name of 9thmatic.^[3]

9th Wonder has a smooth and soulful production style that relies on samples from artists such as Al Green and Curtis Mayfield.^[4] He attributes the bass lines that he uses in production to DJ Premier, Pete Rock and J Dilla, while he claims to have learned "Aahs" from RZA.^{[4][clarification needed]}

Music career[link]

9th Wonder's first significant career breakthrough came in 2003 when, as an up-and-coming producer, he released an unofficial remix album of Nas' 2002 album God's Son entitled God's Stepson.^[5] Released through internet outlets, the album garnered significant attention and acclaim.^[5] The producer has said that he was not thinking in terms of using it to generate a buzz or promote his skills and that at that point: "I never thought any of this of me as a producer was going to happen."^[5] The album has since been credited as starting the now regular trend for unofficial 'home-made' remixes of whole albums.^[5]

9th Wonder began his career as the main producer for the group Little Brother. As part of Little Brother he gained recognition and critical acclaim for his production on their debut 2003 release, The Listening. [Jay-Z]]'s studio engineer Young Guru was impressed with his work, and contacted 9th Wonder, which led to 9th Wonder producing "Threat" for Jay-Z's 2003 The Black Album.^[5] The cut proved to be a mainstream breakthrough for 9th Wonder, most immediately in the major production role he secured on Destiny's Child's 2004 Destiny Fulfilled album that Jay-Z was instrumental in helping bring about.^[5] On the album, 9th Wonder produced the tracks "Girl" and "Is She the Reason," plus the bonus track "Game Over".

9th Wonder left Little Brother in 2007.^[6][7]

On October 29, 2007, 9th Wonder made a rare public appearance on BET's Rap City, alongside collaborator Talib Kweli. Madlib, Jean Grae and Erykah Badu appeared as well. In 2010, he appeared on BET's 106 & Park countdown with David Banner.

9th Wonder, E. Jones, and rapper J. Cole served as the lead producers of the soundtrack to the EA Sports video game NBA Elite 11. 9th Wonder and J. Cole also appear as "secret characters" in NBA Jam with a team name of Cole & Wonder.

9th Wonder debuted his rapping alter-ego 9thmatic in late 2009. 9thmatic appeared on songs with Khrysis and Sean Boog, Big Remo, Murs and Thee Tom Hardy.

9th Wonder worked with Mississippi rapper David Banner on a collaborative album entitled Death of a Pop Star which was released on December 21, 2010.

It's A Wonderful World Music Group, Jamla Records[link]

In January 2009, 9th Wonder announced plans to start two independent record labels, Jamla and The Academy, under his imprint It's A Wonderful World Music Group (IWWMG). Jamla originally consisted of Skyzoo, GQ, Rapsody, Tyler Woods and Big Remo, while The Academy consisted of Thee Tom Hardy, Actual Proof (Sundown & Enigma), TP, and The Away Team (Khrysis & Sean Boog). The Academy artists were later folded into the Jamla label. Halo and Heather Victoria were announced as the newest members of IWWMG in October 2010.

In July 2010, 9th Wonder officially debuted his production team for IWWMG. The Soul Council consists of Khrysis, E. Jones, Fatin "10" Horton, Ka$h Don't Make Beats, AMP, eric g., and 9th Wonder himself.

Recent and current projects[link]

In 2010, independent filmmaker Kenneth Price documented 9th Wonder's travels for an entire year. This included his times in the studio, classes he taught at Duke University, and performances with Murs at the 2010 Rock the Bells Festival, along with interviews with 9th Wonder about his life and career. All of this was compiled in a Lifted Research Group-sponsored documentary film titled The Wonder Year. The film features appearances by Drake, DJ Premier, DJ Green Lantern, J. Cole, Murs, Lucas Rivers, Sha Money XL, Young Guru, The Alchemist and others. Price went on to direct music videos for artists on 9th Wonder's Jamla Records label.

In August 2010, Drake exchanged tweets with 9th Wonder on Twitter, expressing his desire to work with him again (the first time being the production of "Think Good Thoughts" featuring Phonte and Elzhi for his 2007 mixtape Comeback Season). It was revealed in October 2010 that 9th Wonder would be producing for Drake on his sophomore album Take Care, which was released on November 15, 2011.^[8] However, a month prior to the release, 9th Wonder said in an interview that he would not appear on Take Care due to A&R issues.^[9]

Singer Chris Brown recorded a series of rap freestyles over 9th Wonder beats. The first was released on July 18, 2011 on YouTube under the title "Real Hip Hop #3." This was followed a day later by "Real Hip Hop #4" featuring Kevin McCall. These tracks were included in Brown's rap mixtape Boy In Detention, released on August 5, 2011.^[10]

Hip hop professor[link]

2007 saw a sideline move into music academia for 9th Wonder when, along with Christopher "Play" Martin from hip hop group Kid-n-Play, he was appointed Artist-In-Residence by the Chancellor of North Carolina Central University, and began instructing a hip hop history class in NCCU's Music Dept.^[11]

His role as a music professor has proven an ongoing one as in January 2010 it was announced that 9th Wonder would co-teach a class titled "Sampling Soul" with Dr. Mark Anthony Neal at Duke University.^[12] In an interview with HitQuarters, he explained the reason for the move into academia: "Educating the youth on where hip-hop comes from and the history of it, using the records we use, gives hip-hop a longer life. I decided to become an advocate of that."^[5]

9th has only continued his trek into the world of education, recently receiving acceptance from Harvard University to become a fellow in the Hip Hop Archive. 9th will spend three years working on a research project at Harvard’s W.E.B. Dubois Institute. For 9th's project titled "These Are The Breaks" he will be researching the original records that created his top 10 produced albums. He recently told XXL that he one day hopes to leave producing behind for good to focus on academics. A documentary will also be created by Kenneth Price, chronicling 9th's journey as a Harvard fellow. The blog www.theharvardfellow.com will help fans follow the progression.

P'Tones Records[link]

9th Wonder and Black Jeruz are the spokespeople for the Durham-P'Tones Records Studio which is partnered with North Carolina Central University. The new location for the P'Tones studio is currently being decided. 9th Wonder still resides in North Carolina. He has announced his dedication to the community in Durham, NC by joining P'Tones Records, whose Mission Statement statement is "to create constructive opportunities for inner city youth through no-cost neighborhood music programs." The organization's goal is to give students the opportunity to run a record label, creating music and merchandise while learning about the music industry. Former Professor Kawachi Clemons and founder (of P'Tones) Oren Rosenbaum opened the NCCU-P'Tones studio. The program is set to begin February 2010. Dr. Smith has replaced Dr. Clemons as the point man from NCCU. As of August 1, P'Tones is fundraising through the Pepsi Refresh Project.^[13]

Discography[link]

Solo albums[link]

• 2005: Dream Merchant Vol. 1
• 2007: Dream Merchant Vol. 2
• 2010: 9th's Opus: It's a Wonderful World Music Group Vol.1
• 2011: The Wonder Years
• 2012: Tutankhamen (Valley of the Kings)

Collaboration albums[link]

• 2003: The Listening (with Little Brother)
• 2003: Shake N Beats (Instrumental LP) (with Spectac)
• 2003: Legsclusives (with L.E.G.A.C.Y.)
• 2004: Murs 3:16: The 9th Edition (with Murs)
• 2005: The Minstrel Show (with Little Brother)
• 2005: Chemistry (with Buckshot)
• 2005: Spirit of '94: Version 9.0 (with Kaze)
• 2005: 9th Gate (with Access Immortal)
• 2006: Murray's Revenge^[14] (with Murs)
• 2006: Cloud 9: The Three Day High (with Skyzoo)
• 2007: Class is in Session (with Pete Rock)
• 2008: The Formula (with Buckshot)
• 2008: Jeanius (with Jean Grae)
• 2008: Sweet Lord (with Murs)
• 2008: The Corner of Spec & 9th (with Spectac)
• 2010: Fornever (with Murs)
• 2010: Death of a Pop Star (with David Banner)
• 2012: The Solution (with Buckshot)

Collaboration mixtapes[link]

• 2006: Battle of the Beats Round 1–2 (with The Alchemist & DJ E.Nyce)
• 2007: 9th Year Freshman (with CHOPS)
• 2007: The Graduate (with Kanye West, Mick Boogie & Terry Urban)
• 2008: The W.ide W.Orld of W.Rap (with E.Ness)
• 2008: Album Mixtape Volume One (with Cans)
• 2008: 9 Wonders (NYOIL verses 9th Wonder) (with NYOIL)
• 2009: The R&B Sensation Mixtape (with Tyler Woods)
• 2009: Back to the Feature (with Wale & LRG)
• 2009: The Hardy Boy Mystery Mixtape: Curse of Thee Green Faceded (with Thee Tom Hardy & Don Cannon)
• 2010: To Hanses Mall (with Akello Light)
• 2010: Album Mixtape Part 2 (with Cans)
• 2010: The (Free)EP (with Actual Proof)
• 2011: TP is my Hero (with TP)
• 2011: Spring Cleaning (with Mike Schpitz)^[15]

Compilation and remix albums[link]

• 2003: 9th invented the Remix
• 2003: God's Stepson – Nas (remix of Nas's album God's Son)
• 2004: Black Is Back! – Jay-Z (Remix of Jay-Z's The Black Album)
• 2005: The Remix EP (Remixed Songs of Smif-N-Wessun)
• 2009: Wonder Years – 9th Wonder Golden Years Remix LP
• 2010: 9th invented the Remix...Again
• 2010: Loose Joints
• 2010: Food for Thought
• 2012: Tutankhamen

References[link]

External links[link]

• 9thwonder.com

Photo by Jalylah Burrell

Eric Roberson (born September 25, 1976) is an American R&B and soul singer-songwriter from Rahway, New Jersey, United States. He is sometimes referred to simply as Erro. Roberson started his journey as a high school actor, landing prominent roles in "The Tap dance Kid", Grease", and "Anything Goes". In 1990, he won "Mr. Black teen Universe, winning a scholarship to Howard University in Washington, DC. His first single, "The Moon", was released through Warner Bros. records in 1994. Roberson recorded an album for that label, which remained unreleased. He subsequently returned to Howard University to complete his studies in Musical Theatre. After performing in a number of musicals and plays, he landed a songwriting deal through the EMI label, and went on to collaborate with Philadelphia-based artists such as Jill Scott, Musiq Soulchild, and most extensively, DJ Jazzy Jeff. As a member of Jeff's A Touch Of Jazz production company, Roberson made contributions to Jeff's debut album, The Magnificent in 2002. He continues songwriting work as well as releasing his own material through his Blue Erro Soul imprint. He also appeared on DJ Spinna's Intergalactic Soul LP in 2006.

Studio albums[link]

Live albums[link]

Selected discography[link]

• 112 - Room 112 (1998) "Funny Feelings" (writer)
• Wild Wild West (1999) Tra-Knox "Lucky Day" (writer), Kel Spencer featuring Richie Sambora "I'm Wanted" (background vocals), Neutral "Chocolate Form" (writer)
• Jill Scott - Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1 (2000) "Getting In The Way" (background vocals)
• Musiq Soulchild - Aijuswanaseing (2000) "Mary Go Round" (writer, vocal arrangements)
• Case - Open Letter (2001) "Driving" (writer, background vocals), "Love Of My Life" (writer)
• Vivian Green - A Love Story (2002) "What Is Love?" (writer, background vocals), "Emotional Rollercoaster" (writer, background vocals), "Ain't Nothing But Love" (writer, background vocals)
• Musiq Soulchild - Juslisen (2002) "Previouscats" (writer, background vocals)
• Dwele - Subject (2003) "Hold On" (writer, background vocals, vocal production)
• Carl Thomas - Let's Talk About It (2004) "Rebound" (writer, producer)

Compilations[link]

• "Couldn't Hear Me" appears on the compilation Gilles Peterson Worldwide Exclusives 3 (2004) Talking Loud.

Awards/Nominations[link]

• BET Awards
  • 2007: Nominee, BET J Award

• Grammy Awards
  • 2010: Nominee, Best Urban/Alternative Performance ("A Tale of Two")
  • 2011: Nominee, Best Urban/Alternative Performance ("Still")

• Soul Train Award
  • 2009: Nominee, Centric/Underground Approved Artist

See also[link]

• DJ Jazzy Jeff
• DJ Spinna
• Jill Scott
• Musiq Soulchild
• Neo Soul
• Dwele

External links[link]

• Official site
• Eric Roberson UK Vibe Interview by Michael "The Dood" Edwards 2011
• Eric Roberson interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' September 2011
• Eric Roberson interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' September 2009
• Eric Roberson audio interview on HoneySoul.com
• Eric Roberson interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' June 2008
• Eric Roberson: ThaFormula.Com - Interview
• Interview
• Eric Roberson On MySpace

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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