Pharoahe Monch Interview

New York lyricist supremo Pharoahe Monch (AKA Troy Jamerson) is again touring Australia, where he has a loyal base. He first performed here at 2008’s Good Vibrations.

“It’s really dope,” Jamerson says from the road in New Zealand. “I’ve been fortunate to work with M-Phazes and Hilltop [Hoods], so it gets better every time and I just love the vibe.”

Jamerson, a Queens native, has long created intricate and socially relevant hip hop. The art school kid started out in the lit-hop combo Organized Konfusion with Prince Poetry. After a trilogy of cult albums, he went solo with 1999’s now classic Internal Affairs, home to Simon Says, on Rawkus. Yet Rawkus was absorbed into Geffen and Jamerson left in limbo. Diddy’s sometime ghostwriter finally resumed with 2007’s brilliantly expansive Desire, out through Wu-Tang Clan discoverer Steve Rifkind’s SRC. He next presented 2011’s conceptual – and independent – WAR (We Are Renegades).

For his latest tour, Jamerson is highlighting another album project, PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), which originated as an EP. It’s the sequel to the figurative WAR.

“It’s like what happens to people who experience trauma during war and have to be acclimated back into normal society. Life after the (WAR) LP, so to speak.”

As for details?

“I can only say that I’ve formed a company with long-time partner Lee Stone and we form a production team called 13M3N and the stuff we’ve done is sick. Many people don’t know I produced Simon Says as well as a lot of tracks on Internal Affairs and Desire.”

Talib Kweli will guest.

Jamerson is unsure when the album, due on Duck Down through his own WAR Media, will drop. But he’s already aired the single Damage. It again examines the impact of guns, following his earlier songs Stray Bullet (with Organized Konfusion in 1994 and said to have inspired Nas’ I Gave You Power, ironically off his poppier It Was Written) and Desire’s When The Gun Draws. Damage is pertinent given President Obama’s recent campaigning for gun control reforms in the US. American MCs are conflicted on the gun issue. Gangsta rappers – cue 50 Cent – glorify them. Where does Jamerson stand?

“There should be stricter laws. ‘Do you think the wider US will ever accept reforms?’ I’m actually clueless. People love their guns. It’s the automatic weapons – that’s the issue.”

PTSD alludes to Jamerson’s experience with depression, which is something few MCs have ever raised, one exception being Geto Boys’ (admittedly extreme) Mind Playing Tricks On Me.

“I’m not sure why that is.” Jamerson has often spoken, too, of his asthma struggles.

On WAR Jamerson secured beats from the Aussie M-Phazes. Will they reunite?

“We are trying to hook up again, yes.” Beyond that, Jamerson professes to have heard little Australian hip hop.

Perhaps the most surprising input on WAR came on its introduction, The Warning, with iconic UK actor (and sometime DJ/musicmaker) Idris Elba from HBO’s cred The Wire and the BBC’s Luther. Elba has appeared in films like Prometheus and will portray Nelson Mandela in the upcoming bio-pic Long Walk To Freedom.

“He was interested in me working on a mixtape with him. We met in LA. He’s a huge fan.”

Jamerson has expressed a desire to write and direct himself.

“I’m currently writing a few short film ideas now.” He admired Pan’s Labyrinth.

What is the most interesting thing he’s seen recently?

“I’ve really been into a series called The Walking Dead. I love zombies.”

There’s more optimism surrounding hip hop today than three years ago. Jamerson agrees. In fact, when it comes to favourite hip hoppers, there are “too many to name,” but he does mention Kendrick Lamar (“of course”) and Quele Chris.

Jamerson’s work with Organized Konfusion has lost none of its potency, the lyrics unparalleled. In the past its members have expressed doubt about any reunion. But Jamerson is in contact with Po.

“I just recorded a song for his new project with producer Oh No.”

Jamerson is back in Adelaide to perform.

“It should be compelling, super-lyrical, high-energy… Quality.”

WHO: Pharoahe Monch with Dialect & Despair
WHERE: Rocket Bar
WHEN: Thu Apr 18 from 9pm
TICKETS: $35+bf through Moshtix