Pharoahe Monch – “Stand Your Ground”

The George Zimmerman verdict has called many artists to write songs in protest, but none quite go the level of one of New York's finest, and friend of TSL, Pharoahe Monch. His latest goes hard, and even drew a review from the LA Times

In the wake of Saturday’s acquittal of George Zimmerman in the death of unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin, New York rapper Pharoahe Monch has released an incendiary track called “Stand Your Ground.” It’s a potent, hard song that decries the verdict through a sound somewhere between punk rock and hip-hop.

Monche is best known in New York circles as being half of the 1990s Queens, N.Y., duo Organized Konfusion, and has never shied from speaking truth to power. In a world in which many of today’s most powerful rappers have delivered rhymes about how rich, famous and fancy they are, Monch on “Stand Your Ground” takes a clear position on a controversial issue.

Unlike, for example, otherwise outspoken voices such as Jay-Z, Kanye West, Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, Drake or Rihanna, all of whom have thus far remained silent on Twitter regarding the verdict, Monch is unafraid of any potential blowback from shareholders, fans or consumers.

 

Back to top