Organized Konfusion
Encyclopedia
Organized Konfusion is an alternative hip hop
duo from Queens, New York. Though not commercially popular, the duo was one of the most respected and acclaimed underground hip hop acts of the 1990s, largely due to the groundbreaking lyrics of Pharoahe Monch
and Prince Po
etry.
and Pharoahe Monch
began their career under the name Simply II Positive MCs. Originally, Po was the rapper and Pharoahe was a beatboxer, but after realizing his rhyming skill, Monch joined Po as MC. The duo caught the attention of prominent Hip Hop producer Paul C
, who produced a demo for the group in the late 1980s. In 1987, they released a single "Memories of Love", however it did not receive any radio play. Paul was murdered in 1989, but the duo went on and signed a record deal with Hollywood BASIC
.
In 1991, the group released its critically acclaimed self-titled debut album, Organized Konfusion
. The album was produced entirely by the duo, and featured only one guest appearance, provided by the group's childhood friend, future D.I.T.C.
member O.C.
, who appeared on the single "Fudge Pudge". The album's 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 high praise from numerous sources, including Allmusic, which granted the album a perfect 5 star rating, with reviewer Stanton Swihart stating that it is "arguably the underground [hip-hop] album of the 1990s."
The duo returned in 1994 with their second 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
, who both appeared on the song "Let's Organize". The album's lead single "Stress" charted on the Hot Rap Singles chart, but the most famous song from the album is arguably "Stray Bullet", a concept track which sees the MCs describing the travels of a stray bullet in first-person narrative. This album fared better commercially, but sales still never matched the wide acclaim.
In 1996, they appeared on the Red Hot Organization
's compilation CD, America is Dying Slowly
, alongside Biz Markie
, Wu-Tang Clan
, and Fat Joe
, among many other prominent hip hop artists. The CD, meant to raise awareness of the AIDS epidemic among African American men, was heralded as "a masterpiece" by The Source magazine.
Following the release of Stress, Organized Konfusion moved from Hollywood BASIC to Priority Records
. The group's third album, The Equinox
, was released in 1997. The album featured an ambitious concept, complete with numerous storytelling skits. Many saw the concept as a failure, which led to the album receiving less critical acclaim when compared to the group's previous efforts. Led by the single "Somehow, Someway," the album managed to reach higher on the Billboard charts than its last two albums.
after the duo's break up, and released a highly acclaimed solo album, Internal Affairs
, in 1999. The album just missed a debut in the Top 40 on the Billboard 200
chart, and spawned the Hot 100 hit single "Simon Says". Pharoahe and Rawkus were met with a lawsuit over a Godzilla
sample used in the track, which forced Rawkus 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 SRC Records
in February 2006. He released his second album, Desire
, on June 26, 2007. Prince Po released his second solo album Prettyblack on August 8, 2006. Around this time he was also featured on Adverse
's album David. Another Po solo LP, Saga of the Simian Samurai, was released in November 2007 and was produced entirely by TOMC3
. The two had worked together previously on Kool Keith
's Project Polaroid
.
who made his debut on Organized Konfusion
. But the reunion was called off due to tensions between O.C. and Prince Po.
In interviews conducted during the promotion of Monch's album Desire, questions have repeatedly come up in question to whether or not a reunion would take place. Monch likes to answer the questions with a vague, but optimistic, "Who knows what the future holds". Monch, now signed to a major label, still insists that, if a reunion were to take place, the record would be released on an independent label, citing that the high-end concepts Organized Konfusion deals with and tackles aren't heavily supported by major labels.
On March 30, 2009 it was announced that Organized Konfusion will in fact reunite at the 2009 All Points West Festival in Jersey City, NJ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWX8s8ajlpA.
Alternative hip hop
Alternative hip hop is a sub-genre of hip hop music. Allmusic defines it as follows: -Origin:...
duo from Queens, New York. Though not commercially popular, the duo was one of the most respected and acclaimed underground hip hop acts of the 1990s, largely due to the groundbreaking lyrics of Pharoahe Monch
Pharoahe Monch
Pharoahe Monch is an American hip hop artist. He is known for his complex lyrics, complex delivery, and internal and multisyllabic rhyme schemes.-Biography:...
and Prince Po
Prince Po
Lawrence Baskerville ,also known as Prince Po, is an American rapper and former member of the rap duo Organized Konfusion with Pharaohe Monch. Originally the duo was called Simply 2 Positive. Prince Poetry MC'd and Monch beat-boxed...
etry.
Recording career
Group members Prince PoPrince Po
Lawrence Baskerville ,also known as Prince Po, is an American rapper and former member of the rap duo Organized Konfusion with Pharaohe Monch. Originally the duo was called Simply 2 Positive. Prince Poetry MC'd and Monch beat-boxed...
and Pharoahe Monch
Pharoahe Monch
Pharoahe Monch is an American hip hop artist. He is known for his complex lyrics, complex delivery, and internal and multisyllabic rhyme schemes.-Biography:...
began their career under the name Simply II Positive MCs. Originally, Po was the rapper and Pharoahe was a beatboxer, but after realizing his rhyming skill, Monch joined Po as MC. The duo caught the attention of prominent Hip Hop producer Paul C
Paul C
Paul C. McKasty , better known as Paul C, was an East coast hip hop producer and engineer in the 1980s. McKasty was of Irish descent.-Work:...
, who produced a demo for the group in the late 1980s. In 1987, they released a single "Memories of Love", however it did not receive any radio play. Paul was murdered in 1989, but the duo went on and signed a record deal with Hollywood BASIC
Hollywood Records
Hollywood Records is an American record label owned by Disney Music Group, a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company.-History:Hollywood Records was founded in 1989 by then-Disney CEO Michael Eisner with the idea of expanding the music operations of the company and to develop and promote...
.
In 1991, the group released its critically acclaimed self-titled debut album, Organized Konfusion
Organized Konfusion (album)
Organized Konfusion is the eponymous debut album by Queens Hip Hop duo Organized Konfusion, released in October 1991 on Hollywood BASIC. The album and the group have received a large cult following throughout the years. The record was originally given a rating of 4 out of 5 in The Source in January...
. The album was produced entirely by the duo, and featured only one guest appearance, provided by the group's childhood friend, future D.I.T.C.
Diggin' in the Crates Crew
The Diggin' in the Crates Crew, also known as D.I.T.C., is a New York-based hip-hop collective, deriving its name from the art of seeking out records to sample for production. Its members have achieved substantial and consistent recognition in underground rap circles, often collaborating with...
member O.C.
O.C. (rapper)
Omar Credle , known by his stage name, O.C., is an American rapper who has been involved with several renowned underground hip-hop groups and also released many solo albums.-Recording career:...
, who appeared on the single "Fudge Pudge". The album's 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 high praise from numerous sources, including Allmusic, which granted the album a perfect 5 star rating, with reviewer Stanton Swihart stating that it is "arguably the underground [hip-hop] album of the 1990s."
The duo returned in 1994 with their second album Stress: The Extinction Agenda
Stress: The Extinction Agenda
Stress: The Extinction Agenda is the second full-length album by Queens hip hop duo Organized Konfusion, released on August 16, 1994, on Hollywood BASIC. The group went outside its past self-production and got help from future star producers Buckwild and Rockwilder. The album features O.C. and A...
. This album was once more low on guests, featuring another appearance by O.C.
O.C. (rapper)
Omar Credle , known by his stage name, O.C., is an American rapper who has been involved with several renowned underground hip-hop groups and also released many solo albums.-Recording career:...
, and A Tribe Called Quest
A Tribe Called Quest
A Tribe Called Quest is an American hip hop group, formed in 1985, and is composed of rapper/producer Q-Tip , rapper Phife Dawg , and DJ/producer Ali Shaheed Muhammad. A fourth member, rapper Jarobi White, left the group after their first album but rejoined in 2006...
's Q-Tip
Q-Tip (rapper)
Kamaal Ibn John Fareed , better known by his stage name Q-Tip, is an American hip hop artist, producer, singer, and actor from St. Albans, Queens, New York, part of the critically acclaimed group A Tribe Called Quest...
, who both appeared on the song "Let's Organize". The album's lead single "Stress" charted on the Hot Rap Singles chart, but the most famous song from the album is arguably "Stray Bullet", a concept track which sees the MCs describing the travels of a stray bullet in first-person narrative. This album fared better commercially, but sales still never matched the wide acclaim.
In 1996, they appeared on the Red Hot Organization
Red Hot Organization
Red Hot Organization is a not-for-profit, 501 3, international organization dedicated to fighting AIDS through pop culture.Since its inception in 1989, over 400 artists, producers and directors have contributed to over 15 compilation albums, related television programs and media events to raise...
's compilation CD, America is Dying Slowly
America Is Dying Slowly
America Is Dying Slowly is a compilation album, the eighth in the Red Hot AIDS Benefit Series of recorded by the Red Hot Organization...
, alongside Biz Markie
Biz Markie
Marcel Theo Hall better known by his stage name, Biz Markie, is an American rapper, beatboxer, DJ, comedian, singer, reality television personality, and commercial spokesperson. He is best known for his single "Just a Friend", an American Top 10 hit in 1989...
, Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
The Wu-Tang Clan is a hip-hop group from Staten Island that consists of RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard. They are frequently joined by fellow childhood friend Cappadonna, a quasi member of the group...
, and Fat Joe
Fat Joe
Joseph Antonio Cartagena , better known by his stage name Fat Joe, is an American rapper, CEO of Terror Squad Entertainment, and member of musical groups D.I.T.C. and Terror Squad....
, among many other prominent hip hop artists. The CD, meant to raise awareness of the AIDS epidemic among African American men, was heralded as "a masterpiece" by The Source magazine.
Following the release of Stress, Organized Konfusion moved from Hollywood BASIC to Priority Records
Priority Records
Priority Records is an American record label, owned and operated by EMI, which has made a name for itself dealing primarily in hip hop, pop and world...
. The group's third album, The Equinox
The Equinox (album)
The Equinox is the third and final album by heralded Queens Hip Hop duo Organized Konfusion, released on September 16, 1997, on Priority Records. The group branched out to work with a number of outside producers, including Diamond D, Showbiz, Buckwild and Rockwilder. The effort is a concept album,...
, was released in 1997. The album featured an ambitious concept, complete with numerous storytelling skits. Many saw the concept as a failure, which led to the album receiving less critical acclaim when compared to the group's previous efforts. Led by the single "Somehow, Someway," the album managed to reach higher on the Billboard charts than its last two albums.
Separation
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:-
- —Prince Po
Solo careers
Pharoahe Monch inked a deal with Rawkus RecordsRawkus Records
Rawkus Records is an American hip-hop record label known for jump-starting the careers of both Mos Def and Talib Kweli. Rawkus started in 1996 with initial releases ranging from hip-hop to drum and bass...
after the duo's break up, and released a highly acclaimed solo album, Internal Affairs
Internal Affairs (album)
Sample credits* "Intro" contains samples of "Blues and The Abstract Truth" by Oliver Nelson.* "Behind Closed Doors" contains samples of "Aftermath" by Quincy Jones.* "Queens" contains samples of "Til the Cops Come Knockin" by Maxwell....
, in 1999. The album just missed a debut in the Top 40 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
chart, and spawned the Hot 100 hit single "Simon Says". Pharoahe and Rawkus were met with a lawsuit over a Godzilla
Godzilla
is a daikaijū, a Japanese movie monster, first appearing in Ishirō Honda's 1954 film Godzilla. Since then, Godzilla has gone on to become a worldwide pop culture icon starring in 28 films produced by Toho Co., Ltd. The monster has appeared in numerous other media incarnations including video games,...
sample used in the track, which forced Rawkus 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
Canibus
Germaine Williams , better known by his stage name Canibus, is a Jamaican-born American rapper. He is a part of supergroup The HRSMN. Canibus rose to fame in the mid-nineties...
, M.O.P.
M.O.P.
M.O.P., short for Mash Out Posse, is an American hip hop duo. The duo, composed of Billy Danze and Lil' Fame, is known for the aggressive delivery typically employed by both emcees. Although they maintain a strong underground following, they are mainly known for the song "Ante Up," released on...
, Busta Rhymes
Busta Rhymes
Trevor Tahiem Smith, Jr., better known by his stage name Busta Rhymes ,Smith is an American rapper, producer and actor. Chuck D of Public Enemy gave him the alias Busta Rhymes after NFL wide receiver George "Buster" Rhymes...
, Apani, Common
Common (rapper)
Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Jr. , better known by his stage name Common , is an American hip-hop artist and actor....
, Talib Kweli
Talib Kweli
Talib Kweli Greene , better known as Talib Kweli, is an American hip-hop artist and poet from Brooklyn, New York. His first name in Arabic means "student" or "seeker" ; his in Swahili means "true"...
, Redman, Method Man
Method Man
Clifford Smith , better known by his stage name Method Man is an American hip hop artist, record producer, actor and member of the hip hop collective Wu-Tang Clan. He took his stage name from the 1979 film The Fearless Young Boxer, also known as Method Man. He is one half of the rap duo 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
Daniel Dumile
Daniel Dumile is a hip hop artist who has taken on several stage names in his career, most notably MF DOOM, where the "MF" stands for metal face, and for tracks he has produced, metal fingers...
and Raekwon
Raekwon
Corey Woods , better known by the stage name Raekwon, is an American rapper and a member of the Wu-Tang Clan. He released his solo debut, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... in 1995, and has since recorded four solo albums, as well as work with Wu-Tang and an extensive amount of guest contributions with...
.
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
Bad Boy Records
Bad Boy Records is a record label founded in 1993 by producer/rapper/entrepreneur Sean "Diddy" Combs. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Warner Music Group, and is distributed by Atlantic Records.-Beginnings:...
, Shady Records
Shady Records
Shady Records is an American record label specializing in hip hop music. Eminem and his manager Paul Rosenberg founded the label in 1999 after the release of The Slim Shady LP.Since the formation, the label has signed nine acts...
and Sony Records, Pharoahe Monch signed a deal with Steve Rifkind's SRC Records
SRC Records
SRC Records is an American record label created by former Loud Records CEO Steve Rifkind. It is a subsidiary of Universal Music Group and is distributed through Universal Republic Records.-Company history:...
in February 2006. He released his second album, Desire
Desire (Pharoahe Monch album)
Notes* On the song "Fuck You" the explicit version is 12 seconds longer than the edited version.Samples*"Free" contains elements from the composition "I'm Free" performed by Millie Jackson....
, on June 26, 2007. Prince Po released his second solo album Prettyblack on August 8, 2006. Around this time he was also featured on Adverse
Adverse (Hip hop artist)
Adverse is an American hip hop artist known for his intellectually challenging lyrics and complex rhyme-schemes, syllabic placement and on-stage antics. A former debate-champion, his music is often informed and witty...
's album David. Another Po solo LP, Saga of the Simian Samurai, was released in November 2007 and was produced entirely by TOMC3
TOMC3
Thomas Cleary, better known by his stage name TOMC3 is anAmerican born Half-Japanese Hip Hop DJ/Producer residing in the San Francisco Bay Area. For the last few years he has contributed Sound...
. The two had worked together previously on Kool Keith
Kool Keith
Keith Matthew Thornton, better known by his stage name Kool Keith, is an American rapper from The Bronx, New York. A founding member of Ultramagnetic MCs, Kool Keith has recorded prolifically both as a solo artist and in group collaborations. Kool Keith is the self-proclaimed inventor of...
's Project Polaroid
Project Polaroid
Project Polaroid was a collaboration between rapper Kool Keith and producer TOMC3.-Track listing:# "Project Polaroid "# "Space 8000"# "Talk to the Romans"# "Mechanical Mechanix feat. Prince Po"# "I’m Libra"# "Diamond District"...
.
Reunion
In 2004, it was announced that the group would be reuniting with a new third member, O.C.O.C. (rapper)
Omar Credle , known by his stage name, O.C., is an American rapper who has been involved with several renowned underground hip-hop groups and also released many solo albums.-Recording career:...
who made his debut on Organized Konfusion
Organized Konfusion (album)
Organized Konfusion is the eponymous debut album by Queens Hip Hop duo Organized Konfusion, released in October 1991 on Hollywood BASIC. The album and the group have received a large cult following throughout the years. The record was originally given a rating of 4 out of 5 in The Source in January...
. But the reunion was called off due to tensions between O.C. and Prince Po.
In interviews conducted during the promotion of Monch's album Desire, questions have repeatedly come up in question to whether or not a reunion would take place. Monch likes to answer the questions with a vague, but optimistic, "Who knows what the future holds". Monch, now signed to a major label, still insists that, if a reunion were to take place, the record would be released on an independent label, citing that the high-end concepts Organized Konfusion deals with and tackles aren't heavily supported by major labels.
On March 30, 2009 it was announced that Organized Konfusion will in fact reunite at the 2009 All Points West Festival in Jersey City, NJ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWX8s8ajlpA.
Albums
| Album information |
|---|
| Organized Konfusion Organized Konfusion (album) Organized Konfusion is the eponymous debut album by Queens Hip Hop duo Organized Konfusion, released in October 1991 on Hollywood BASIC. The album and the group have received a large cult following throughout the years. The record was originally given a rating of 4 out of 5 in The Source in January...
|
| Stress: The Extinction Agenda Stress: The Extinction Agenda Stress: The Extinction Agenda is the second full-length album by Queens hip hop duo Organized Konfusion, released on August 16, 1994, on Hollywood BASIC. The group went outside its past self-production and got help from future star producers Buckwild and Rockwilder. The album features O.C. and A... |
| The Equinox The Equinox (album) The Equinox is the third and final album by heralded Queens Hip Hop duo Organized Konfusion, released on September 16, 1997, on Priority Records. The group branched out to work with a number of outside producers, including Diamond D, Showbiz, Buckwild and Rockwilder. The effort is a concept album,... Priority Records Priority Records is an American record label, owned and operated by EMI, which has made a name for itself dealing primarily in hip hop, pop and world... |
Appearances
- 1994: "Bring It On (BuckwildBuckwildBuckwild is a Hip hop producer hailing from The Bronx, New York. Originally a DJ, Buck began producing after meeting MC/Producer Lord Finesse. He later joined Finesse's super-crew D.I.T.C., along with Showbiz and A.G., Diamond D, Fat Joe, and the late Big L and brought O.C. with him...
Remix)" (from Buckwild: Diggin' in the CratesBuckwild: Diggin' in the CratesBuckwild: Diggin' in the Crates is a compilation of rare hip hop songs and remixes produced by Buckwild.-Disc 1:#Channel Live feat. KRS-One - Mad Izm ' scratches - O.Gee / DJ Ogee#Nas feat. AZ- 'Life's A Bitch ' -...
) - 1996: "Choices" (from America Is Dying SlowlyAmerica Is Dying SlowlyAmerica Is Dying Slowly is a compilation album, the eighth in the Red Hot AIDS Benefit Series of recorded by the Red Hot Organization...
) - 1998: "Rekonstruction" (from DJ SpookyDJ SpookyPaul D. Miller , known by his stage name DJ Spooky, That Subliminal Kid, is a Washington DC-born electronic and experimental hip hop musician whose work is often called by critics or his fans as "illbient" or "trip hop". He is a turntablist, a producer, a philosopher, and an author...
: Riddim WarfareRiddim WarfareRiddim Warfare is an album by electronic and experimental hip hop musician DJ Spooky.-Track listing:#"Pandemonium" – 1:29#"Synchronic Disjecta" – 4:26#"Object Unknown" Riddim Warfare is an album by electronic and experimental hip hop musician DJ Spooky.-Track listing:#"Pandemonium" –...
) - 1998: "Murder by Syntax (produced by DJ SpookyDJ SpookyPaul D. Miller , known by his stage name DJ Spooky, That Subliminal Kid, is a Washington DC-born electronic and experimental hip hop musician whose work is often called by critics or his fans as "illbient" or "trip hop". He is a turntablist, a producer, a philosopher, and an author...
)" (from Deep Concentration, Vol. 2: Deeper Concentration)