Posted on 05/12/2008
My best friend died this past September. Without going into the heart-wrenching details, he was the shit and died way before his time. He was known by many names, but most commonly Pharaoh. To know him was to know that contrary to popular opinion, much good still exists in this world.

Since he passed I have observed many things, big and small, that let me know that he is still looking out. For example, he was a huge New York Giants fan (He died the day before the first Redskins game, an improbable comeback victory). I felt that God, Love, and War by Ty Pharaoh was gonna be one of those small signs from my boy, and it was. It reminded me of how we used to hate Hip-Hop’s accessibility. I mean, there’s nothing wrong with loving the culture and wanting to put forth your own styles. But one must always be aware of the ledge. Just because you can hit a fifteen foot jump shot at the Y doesn’t mean you’re ready to guard Rip Hamilton. Just because your boys got you souped doesn’t mean your brand of Hip-Hop is ready for the masses.

That is the case here. I never say that someone can’t do something, but this album just wasn’t it. The opener “Mr. Sawyer’s Opus” is ok and shows potential, as does the cool vibes radiating from “Blues in the Water.” Those tracks show that Ty has something there, but for the most part he fails to show or prove. Don’t get me wrong, I’m the antithesis of a hater. I definitely want to see someone named Pharaoh shine. Hopefully his next release will be a more polished entry into the annals of Hip-Hop music.

 

- C. Benz