Internal Affairs
Studio album by
Pharoahe Monch
ReleasedOctober 19, 1999
Recorded1998−1999
GenreHip hop
Length53:22
Label
Producer
Pharoahe Monch chronology
Internal Affairs
(1999) 		Desire
(2007)
Singles from Internal Affairs
  1. "Simon Says"
    Released: August 17, 1999
  2. "Right Here (Remix)"
    Released: 2000
  3. "The Light"
    Released: 2000
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]
RapReviews.com[2]
Rolling Stone[3]
The Source[4]
Sputnik Music[5]

Internal Affairs is the solo debut from former Organized Konfusion member Pharoahe Monch, released on Rawkus Records and Priority Records. Monch creates a harder sound than heard on the previous Organized Konfusion records. The album spawned the Hot 100 hit "Simon Says".

The album is out of print because of Pharoahe Monch's refusal to record for the Geffen Records label after Universal Music Group acquired Rawkus Records from Priority.[6] Rawkus, as well as its then-parent label MCA Records, were later folded by the Universal Music Group into Geffen Records.

To commemorate the album's 20th anniversary, it was reissued on October 19, 2019, becoming available digitally and on streaming services for the first time.[7] A limited edition vinyl release was also released on June 5, 2020.

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Intro"George Spivey, Troy JamersonDJ Scratch3:04
2."Behind Closed Doors"JamersonPharoahe Monch3:12
3."Queens"Hod David, Jamerson, Maxwell RiveraLee Stone, Pharoahe Monch3:31
4."Rape"JamersonPharoahe Monch2:37
5."Simon Says"JamersonLee Stone, Pharoahe Monch2:55
6."Official"Jamerson, Lee StoneLee Stone3:48
7."Hell" (featuring Canibus)Germaine Williams, Jamerson, StoneLee Stone3:10
8."No Mercy" (featuring M.O.P.)Alan Maman, Eric Murray, Jamal Grinnage, JamersonThe Alchemist4:30
9."Right Here"Jamerson, SpiveyDJ Scratch2:57
10."The Next Shit" (featuring Busta Rhymes)Jamerson, Stone, Trevor Smith, Jr.Lee Stone, Pharoahe Monch3:21
11."The Ass" (featuring Apani B. Fly)Apani Smith, Jamerson, Joseph KirklandDiamond D3:28
12."The Light"Kirkland, JamersonDiamond D3:39
13."God Send" (performed by Organized Konfusion)Jamerson, Lawrence Baskerville, StoneLee Stone, Pharoahe Monch3:17
14."The Truth" (featuring Common & Talib Kweli)Kirkland, Jamerson, Lonnie Lynn, Jr., Talib GreeneDiamond D3:57
15."Simon Says" (Remix) (featuring Lady Luck, Method Man & Redman, Shabaam Sahdeeq & Busta Rhymes)Clifford Smith, Jamerson, Marcus Vialva, Reginald Noble, Shanel Jones, SmithLee Stone, Pharoahe Monch6:16
Sample credits

Music videos

Chart positions

Album

Chart (1999) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[8] 41
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[9] 6

Singles

Year Song Chart positions
Billboard Hot 100 Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks Hot Rap Singles
1999 "Simon Says" 97 29 3
2000 "The Light" - - 30

References

  1. ^ Allmusic review
  2. ^ RapReviews.com review
  3. ^ Rolling Stone review
  4. ^ The Source review
  5. ^ Sputnik Music review
  6. ^ Mugan, Chris (November 26, 2007). "Pharoahe Monch: A rapper on the rise". The Independent. London, England: Independent Print Ltd. Retrieved July 27, 2012.
  7. ^ Findlay, Mitch (October 1, 2019). "Pharoahe Monch's "Internal Affairs" To Finally Hit Streaming Services". Hot New Hip Hop. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  8. ^ "Pharoahe Monch Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  9. ^ "Pharoahe Monch Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 8, 2016.


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