Organized Konfusion
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Organized Konfusion was an alternative hip hop duo from Queens, New York.
Group members Prince Poetry (or Prince Po) and Pharoahe Monch began their career under the name Simply 2 Positive. Originally, Po was the rapper and Pharoahe was a beatboxer, but after realizing his rhyming skill, Monch became the lead MC in the group. The duo caught the attention of a prominent Hip Hop producer Paul C, who produced a demo for the group. Paul was murdered in 1989, but the duo went on and signed a record deal with Hollywood Basic Records. In 1991, the group released their critically acclaimed self-titled debut album, Organized Konfusion. The album was produced wholly by Pharoahe and Prince Po. The only guest appearance was from the group's childhood friend, and later D.I.T.C. member, O.C., who appeared on the single "Fudge Pudge". Another single, "Walk Into The Sun" became a minor hit for the group, peaking at #15 on the Hot Rap Singles chart. The album itself didn't manage to make any Billboard chart, despite major praise from all around [All Music Guide granted the album a 5 star rating].
The group returned in 1994 with their sophomore album [[Stress: The Extinction Agenda]]. This album was once more low on guests, featuring another appearance by O.C., and A Tribe Called Quest's Q-Tip on the song "Let's Organize". The single "Stress" charted on the Hot Rap Singles chart, but the most famous song from the album is arguably "Stray Bullet", a concept track, with the MC's telling a story in first-person of the travels of a stray bullet. This concept was re-created for later classics, like Nas' 1996 track "I Gave You Power", and 2Pac's "Me & My Girlfriend". This album fared a little better commercially, but sales still couldn't match the wide acclaim.
Organized Konfusion now moved from Hollywood Basic to Priority Records for their third album The Equinox, in 1997. The album featured an ambitious concept, laced with storytelling skits. Many saw the concept as a failure, which led to the album receiving less critical acclaim then their previous efforts. Led by the single "Somehow, Someway", the album managed to reach higher on the Billboard charts then their last two albums. After this release, Prince Po and Pharoahe Monch split to pursue solo careers. In a 2005 interview with MVRemix.com, Prince Po discussed the break-up
Pharoahe Monch inked a deal with Rawkus Records, and released a highly acclaimed solo album, Internal Affairs. The album just missed a debut in the Top 40 on the Billboard 200 chart, and spawned the Hot 100 hit "Simon Says". Pharoahe and Rawkus were met with a lawsuit over a "Godzilla" sample used in the track, which led to an agreement. Rawkus agreed to pull the album off the shelves, to be re-released without the single. The album was not re-released and remains out of print. OK partner Prince Po joined Pharoahe for an appearance on the track "God Send". Other album guests included Canibus, M.O.P., Busta Rhymes, Apani, Common, Talib Kweli, Redman, Method Man, Lady Luck and Shabaam Sahdeeq.
Prince Po released his solo debut The Slickness in 2004 on Lex Records. The album almost completely missed the radar, but received fair reviews. Guests included Jemini, Rell, MF Doom and Raekwon.
Between 2004 and 2005, Pharoahe recorded an album while he was signed to MCA/Geffen Records, which was never released. After a bidding war between prominent labels such as Bad Boy Records, Shady Records and Sony Records, Pharoahe Monch signed a deal with Steve Rifkind's (Loud Records, SRC Records) new unnamed label, in February 2006. He plans to release his sophomore album Desire sometime in 2006.
Both MC's have recently mentioned the possibility of a new Organized Konfusion album in the future.
Discography
- Organized Konfusion — (1991)
- [[Stress: The Extinction Agenda]] — (1994)
- The Equinox — (1997)
External links
References
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