Classic albums – regardless of the times we live in, they still resound timelessly with the listener. Internal Affairs set the benchmark for debut efforts as far as hip hop emcees are concerned. There aren't too many first releases out there that can boast such a broad array of styles, nor are there many who can boast that they outshone many high-profile features at every opportunity. Production on this release comes from a host of pedigree hip hop A listeners such as Diamond D, Alchemist, DJ Scratch, Lee Stone and the man himself, Pharaohe Monch.
Right off the bat, Monch asserts his authority over the listener and demands close attention. The LP opens with scattered yet ascending jazzy brass sounds over an eccentric four-bar loop. A short, sharp, hypnotic number, the ceaseless repetition of the sax loop dazzles us into hanging onto Monch's lyrical showmanship. It's clear from the offset that Monch likes to assert authority and command attention. As the opening gambit ends, the bar is set for the rest of the album.
Ominous, deep piano and oboe tones provide a grittier edge in contrast to the Intro as we drop into track two, Behind Closed Doors. One of the darker tracks on the album alongside Rape and Hell further along in the album. These three tracks give the release a gnarled and graphic edge with violent imagery. Metaphors aplenty, Monch compares rape, sex and murder to crafting deep hip hop tracks. He deals out more vehement blows on No Mercy with M.O.P., the stand-out feature of the album; the collaboration between Monch and the duo, organic.
The release relaxes intermittently from the raw, grimy barrage with a more lenient boom-bap style. Queens is a brilliant, nostalgic tribute to the neighbourhood the artist grew up in. He brandishes his storytelling technique by illustrating an archetypal character from Southside Queens. Right Here has an extremely catchy hook and a funky-head-nod beat which is guaranteed to evoke some lively crowd participation.
There are two dancefloor bullets on Internal Affairs. The first is the unmistakeable Simon Says which takes the mood of the album skyward five tracks in. The famous ascending horn instrumental (which helped the rapper break into the mainstream) was produced by Monch himself. The brash, bossy play on the childhood game is a crowd favourite. The second scorcher is The Next Shit with Busta Rhymes. The beat oozes fiesta flavours with Merengue and Central American vibes aplenty, courtesy of the veteran Diamond D, this number is nothing short of a party classic.
The standout track of the entire album for me is a somewhat forgotten cut featuring Common and Talib Kweli. The ethereal instrumental sees Diamond D produce the best beat of the entire album, with ghostly string and delicate staccato harp samples, eliciting wise, poetic verses from the three graded lyricists. Overall, this album is well-balanced in its curation, evidencing Monch's versatility as a rapper and producer. His live shows are energetic and certainly not to be missed.
Pharoahe Monch performs at Rescue Rooms on Wednesday 9 March 2016. Tickets available here.
Rescue Rooms website
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