Gig Preview: Pharoahe Monch

Gig Preview: Pharoahe Monch

03 August, 2009
by: CreativeHustlerSince82

Armed with liquid flow and a gift for rhyming that far exceeds a large portion of his rapping peers, Pharoahe Monch is one unique MC. In a career spanning 18 years, he has proven himself equally at home rhyming about Agent Orange, getting the club hyped and singing melodic choruses about his lust for the opposite sex all whilst maintaining a degree of artistic integrity; quite an achievement in a genre that has become increasingly dumbed down in an attempt to conquer the mainstream.

Having already released a trio of critically acclaimed yet commercially underperforming albums during the '90s as part of Organized Konfusion (with partner in rhyme Prince Po), Monch went solo in '99 with his debut album 'Infernal Affairs'. His first single 'Simon Says' became a huge hit on  airwaves and dancefloors across the world and was featured in a slew of films, most notably in one of the fight scene in Charlie's Angels. Disaster struck however, when his then record label Rawkus failed to clear the Godzilla sample featured in the song and Monch was sued, which led to both the song and album being pulled from shelves.

A period of label limbo followed before his career came firmly back on track with the release of 2007's soulful 'Desire' album. A range of guest appearances including Sergio Mendes 'Loose Ends' and ghostwriting duties on the last Diddy solo album has seen Monch's stock rise to its highest point.

With a new solo album in the offing, Monch brings his energetic show to the Jazz Café this August. A charismatic performer who has spent many a year touring the globe, Monch is also a renowned freestyler so expect the enjoyably unexpected. Once the horror horns signal the start of 'Simon Says', if you're not holding up the walls at that point then you are most definitely missing the point.

Support comes in the form of London’s leading hip-hop party DJs Rags, Khalil and Budgie along with London crew Tactical Thinking.

Tickets are available from the Jazz Cafe priced £17.50. Please note that this gig has been rescheduled from August 7th and all tickets remain valid.

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CreativeHustlerSince82