Desire (Pharoahe Monch album)

Last updated
Desire
Pharoahe Monch - Desire.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedJune 26, 2007
Recorded2006–2007
Genre Hip hop
Length51:14
Label SRC
Universal Motown
Producer Lee Stone
The Alchemist
Denaun Porter
Black Milk
Sean C & LV (Grind Music)
Bo Mckensie
Pharoahe Monch chronology
Internal Affairs
(1999)
Desire
(2007)
W.A.R. (We Are Renegades)
(2011)
Singles from Desire
  1. "Push"
    Released: September 11, 2006
  2. "Let's Go"
    Released: September 15, 2006
  3. "Body Baby"
    Released: June 18, 2007
  4. "Desire"
    Released: 2007

Desire is the second solo album from hip hop artist Pharoahe Monch, released on June 26, 2007. The album comes eight years after the rapper's critically acclaimed solo debut, Internal Affairs , which followed the break-up of Monch's former group Organized Konfusion. After a short stint on Geffen Records, a number of labels began a bidding war for the rapper, including Eminem's Shady Records, Denaun Porter's Runyon Ave. Records, Bad Boy Records and Sony Records. In early 2006, it was announced that Pharoahe had signed a deal with Steve Rifkind's Street Records Corporation for the release of his second album. [1]

Contents

Release

"Push" is the first single taken from Desire. It was released on 11 September 2006, with the B-side single "Let's Go". A music video for "Push" was also released in late September 2006, and has received play on MTV Base. The video is set in the New York City blackout of 1977. A ten-minute internet-only video for the track "When the Gun Draws" was released exclusively to AllHipHop.com on January 3, 2007. Desire features production from Monch, longtime collaborator Lee Stone, The Alchemist, Denaun Porter, Black Milk and Sean C. Album guests include Erykah Badu and Denaun Porter. The single Desire is featured in the video game Madden 08.

The second single, "Let's Go", was released on 15 September and produced by Black Milk. It features singing by MeLa Machinko, a fast-paced guitar-led beat produced by Black Milk, scratches provided by Boogie Blind, and two verses rapped by Pharoahe Monch.

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
About.com Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [2]
Allmusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [3]
Entertainment Weekly A [4]
HipHopDX.comStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [5]
PopMatters Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [6]
RapReviews.comStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [7]
Pitchfork Media (7.9/10) [8]
USA Today Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [9]
XXL Magazine Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [10]
DJBooth.netStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [11]

The album received critical acclaim, just like Internal Affairs. As of July 11, 2007, the album has sold 17,026 copies in the US.

Track listing

No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."Intro" Pharoahe Monch 0:32
2."Free"Bo McKensie3:34
3."Desire" (featuring Showtyme & MeLa Machinko) The Alchemist 3:32
4."Push" (featuring Showtyme, MeLa Machinko & Tower of Power)Pharoahe Monch2:52
5."Welcome to the Terrordome" Sean C & LV 3:31
6."What It Is"Pharoahe Monch, Lee Stone2:56
7."When the Gun Draws" (featuring Mr. Porter) Mr. Porter 3:16
8."Let's Go" (featuring MeLa Machinko) Black Milk 4:16
9."Body Baby"Pharoahe Monch, Mr. Porter3:18
10."Bar Tap" (featuring MeLa Machinko)Black Milk3:08
11."Hold On" (featuring Erykah Badu)Lee Stone3:49
12."So Good"Pharoahe Monch3:15
13."Trilogy
Act I: Cops Coming (featuring Mr. Porter)
Act II: Revenge (featuring Dwele)
Act III: Evil Eyes (featuring Tone Trezure)"
Mr. Porter9:22
UK bonus track
No.TitleProducer(s)Length
14."Agent Orange" Sa-Ra 3:44
Best Buy bonus track
No.TitleLength
15."Book of Judges"3:33
Soundtrack version additional track
No.TitleProducer(s)Length
16."Fuck You"Pharoahe Monch4:14
Notes
Samples

Album singles

Single information
"Push" (featuring Showtyme, MeLa Machinko, and Tower of Power)
  • Released: September 26, 2006
  • B-side: "Let's Go" (featuring MeLa Machinko)
"Desire" (featuring Showtyme and MeLa Machinko)
  • Released: January, 2007
  • B-side: "When The Gun Draws" (featuring Denaun Porter)
"Body Baby"
  • Released: May, 2007
  • B-side: "Body Baby (Remix)"

Charts

Chart (2007)Peak
position
US Billboard 200 [12] 58
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) [13] 13

References

  1. "AllHipHop.com: Where Were You In '92?". Archived from the original on 2006-06-30. Retrieved 2006-08-27.
  2. "About.com review". Archived from the original on 2007-08-27. Retrieved 2007-06-26.
  3. Allmusic review
  4. Entertainment Weekly review
  5. HipHopDX.com review
  6. PopMatters review
  7. RapReviews.com review
  8. "Pitchfork Media review". Archived from the original on 2007-06-28. Retrieved 2007-06-25.
  9. USA Today review
  10. XXL Magazine review
  11. DJBooth.net review
  12. "Pharoahe Monch Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  13. "Pharoahe Monch Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 8, 2016.