Pitchfork

It's only been a month and a half since we last mentioned Pharoahe Monch, but it feels like so much longer. Maybe that's because his previous (and first) solo album came out eight years ago, and ghostwriting for Diddy is hardly the ideal way for Monch to quench his fans' thirst for more. But now that the Internal Affairs follow-up, Desire, finally has a release date of May 1, we have an object for our anticipation. The fact that "Let's Go" still gets us, well... going only increases that anticipation.

Here's what we said originally:

"Rapping is too easy for Pharoahe Monch. For proof, just count the 'i' sounds (long and short) in this short sample of lyrics from 'Let's Go', the newest track from the forthcoming Desire that Monch has made available on his MySpace: 'I'm the pinnacle rhyme kid, and any line of mine is criminal minded. I blind 'em with original rhyme shit.' Rapped in his quick, effortless flow, it's even better."

It's a testament to Monch's ability to weave a lyrical web that new lines stand out on repeat listens. See also: "They research my stem cells, clone ten of me/ Send one of 'em back in time just to get rid of me."

"Let's Go" is definitely the best of Desire's leaked tracks so far, and part of the reason for that is the way up-and-coming Detroit producer Black Milk's beat compliments Monch's battle-MC style. The guitars slide over each other while the cymbals mimic swords unsheathing. Black Milk has his own album, Popular Demand, coming out March 13. So I guess that makes two records we're looking forward to.

Stream: > Pharoahe Monch: "Let's Go" [MySpace]
[from Desire; out 05/01/07 on SRC]