Pharoahe Monch - most talented rapper ever

Odin

No one could match his style and flow. Few (Nas, Pac) could match his lyrics. Talent-wise, Pharoahe Monch > any rapper, Nas included.

pjoasisrule

Rakim
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNBjKWV65Qc

Odin

I give rappers like Rakim, KRS-One, Big Daddy Kane and Kool G Rap credit for being so groundbreaking and influential. However, Pharoahe Monch took it to the next level with Organized Konfusion and later as a solo artist. Not only was he an incredible rapper (conceptually, lyrically and stylistically), but he could also sing. While Nas is my favourite rapper of all-time, Pharoahe Monch is the most talented rapper of all-time in my opinion.

pjoasisrule

Odin wrote:

I give rappers like Rakim, KRS-One, Big Daddy Kane and Kool G Rap credit for being so groundbreaking and influential. However, Pharoahe Monch took it to the next level with Organized Konfusion and later as a solo artist. Not only was he an incredible rapper (conceptually, lyrically and stylistically), but he could also sing. While Nas is my favourite rapper of all-time, Pharoahe Monch is the most talented rapper of all-time in my opinion.

I like Pharaoh Monch as well but he isnt even in the same league as Rakim.

South of Seattle

KRS-One > Rakim > Nas > Pharaoh Monch

Odin

In terms of raw talent, Pharoahe has the upper-hand due to his versatility and unorthodox style. All four rappers mentioned by South of Seattle are sharp lyrically and have excellent storytelling capabilities. What separates Pharoahe from the rest of the pack is his uniqueness. The others are relatively one-dimensional. To fully appreciate Pharoahe's abilities, you've got to own all of Organized Konfusion's albums along with Pharoahe's solo LPs.

I will say that Pharoahe has had the least successful career out of the four rappers mentioned by South of Seattle, by a long-shot... but that is circumstantial and has nothing to do with talent, or lack thereof.

South of Seattle

Odin wrote:

In terms of raw talent, Pharoahe has the upper-hand due to his versatility and unorthodox style. All four rappers mentioned by South of Seattle are sharp lyrically and have excellent storytelling capabilities. What separates Pharoahe from the rest of the pack is his uniqueness. The others are relatively one-dimensional. To fully appreciate Pharoahe's abilities, you've got to own all of Organized Konfusion's albums along with Pharoahe's solo LPs.

I will say that Pharoahe has had the least successful career out of the four rappers mentioned by South of Seattle, by a long-shot... but that is circumstantial and has nothing to do with talent, or lack thereof.

OK I'll throw you this bone. Black Thought of the Roots IMO is more versatile than all of them. And in the end he could be on top, but won't be due to the fact the Rakim, krs, etc were more groundbreaking so to say.

Kinda like most will say Zepp is better than PJ even though there is no "correct" answer.

Odin

South of Seattle wrote:

OK I'll throw you this bone. Black Thought of the Roots IMO is more versatile than all of them. And in the end he could be on top, but won't be due to the fact the Rakim, krs, etc were more groundbreaking so to say.

Kinda like most will say Zepp is better than PJ even though there is no "correct" answer.

Black Thought is an incredible MC for whom I have a lot of respect. The first time I saw him perform, in Austin a few years ago, he ripped into a ten-minute freestyle. He also did some improv the other year in Baltimore. Still, I contend that Pharoahe is a more talented rapper. His flow, delivery, wordplay, complexity and uniqueness is better than anybody's.

South of Seattle

Odin wrote:

Black Thought is an incredible MC for whom I have a lot of respect. The first time I saw him perform, in Austin a few years ago, he ripped into a ten-minute freestyle. He also did some improv the other year in Baltimore. Still, I contend that Pharoahe is a more talented rapper. His flow, delivery, wordplay, complexity and uniqueness is better than anybody's.

True, but does he release great albums? There were way too many R&B background vocals on his last album. The PE cover was one of the best tracks.

Odin

South of Seattle wrote:

True, but does he release great albums? There were way too many R&B background vocals on his last album. The PE cover was one of the best tracks.

I'm talking in terms of pure talent. Just as the most talented sports teams don't always win championships in their respective leagues, the most talented rappers don't always put out the best albums. If that were the case, then Canibus would have been crowned G.O.A.T. ten years ago.

And while Pharoahe doesn't have an "Illmatic," "Paid In Full," or "Criminal Minded" to his name, he does release good albums. All of OK's releases were excellent, as was Internal Affairs. Last year's effort was slightly disappointing, but still better than most of the mainstream crap that has come out post-Rawkus.

BinFrog

Chuck D >>>>>>>> All

pirlo21

Anyone here heard the British rap group Hijack? They released an incredible album called 'Horns of Jericho' around '91.
Their main rapper Kamanchi Sly was truely awesome. They weren't around for long, think a lack of success in the States was to blame.
But I always rated Kamanchi Sly pretty highly. Their DJ Supreme was also very highly regarded at the time.
I wonder what happened to them?!!!!

As for other great rappers, as mentioned Rakim & Nas. Big fan also of Slick Rick, Kool Keith, Kool G Rap, Q-Tip, Guru Keith E, CL Smooth, KRS-One, Chuck D and of course the 1st rap super star LL Cool J....!

Odin

pirlo21 wrote:

Anyone here heard the British rap group Hijack?

No, but you did an outstanding job of Hijacking this thread.

Wobbie

BinFrog wrote:

Chuck D >>>>>>>> All

Not much into Rap, myself.....but decided to take a look/have a listen.

Rakim - yes (thanks)

Pharoah - no (sorry)

Chuck D. - Hell, yes!!!!

redmosquito10

To be honest I'd never heard of pharoahe monch before this thread, and I do consider myself a fairly dedicated rap fan. Anyways, if you guys are mentioning him in the same breath as Nas, Rakim, and Black Thought, I need to check him out. (IMO Black Thought, Nas, Common, and Talib are most talented present-day rappers. No particular order)

redmosquito10

Also, what would anybody recommend as the first pharoahe monch cd I buy? I took a listen and like what I hear, but don't know what to buy. Thanks

Odin

redmosquito10 wrote:

Also, what would anybody recommend as the first pharoahe monch cd I buy? I took a listen and like what I hear, but don't know what to buy. Thanks

I would start with Organized Konfusion's second album "Stress: The Extinction Agenda." That album is an old school masterpiece from the early 1990s. Organized Konfusion is a duo comprised of Pharoahe Monch and Prince Po (another gifted lyricist out of Queens). OK's debut and "The Equinox" are also good albums, as is Pharoahe's solo debut "Internal Affairs" which came out in the late 1990s (God, I'm getting old).

Odin

One other thing I like about Pharoahe Monch is that he is one of the few rappers backed by a live band when he performs in concert.