Simon Says (Pharoahe Monch song) explained

Simon Says
Type:single
Artist:Pharoahe Monch
Album:Internal Affairs
Released:1999
Genre:Hardcore hip hop
Length:2:53
Label:Rawkus
Producer:Lee Stone, Pharoahe Monch
Next Title:The Light
Next Year:2000

"Simon Says" is the debut single by American rapper Pharoahe Monch. It was released in 1999, as the lead single from his debut studio album Internal Affairs (1999).[1] "Simon Says" is Monch's most popular song, and it samples the theme song of the 1964 film Mothra vs. Godzilla.

Background

The song was released by Rawkus Records in 1999, and peaked at #97 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was also featured in the 2000 films Charlie's Angels and Boiler Room.

In 2001, Pharoahe Monch was sued by Toho for the song's uncleared use of a sample from Akira Ifukube's Gojira Tai Mosura (the theme to Godzilla vs. Mothra) in the hook. As a result, the distribution of Internal Affairs was halted.[2] [3]

Remixes

An official remix of the song appears on Internal Affairs, and features American rappers Lady Luck, Method Man, Redman, Shabaam Sahdeeq and Busta Rhymes.[4]

American rapper Hopsin released his own freestyle to the song on December 26, 2017.[5]

Notes and References

  1. https://web.archive.org/web/20211127231538/https://www.mtv.com/news/1432243/pharoahe-monch-has-more-to-offer-than-simon-says/
  2. Web site: Icarus. Kid. 2001-08-03. Simon Says: "No more samples.". HipHopDX.
  3. Web site: Findlay. Mitch. October 1, 2019. Pharoahe Monch's "Internal Affairs" To Finally Hit Streaming Services. HotNewHipHop. en.
  4. Web site: Patrin. Nate. 2020-11-13. 20 Essential Late '90s Underground Rap Songs. Stereogum. en.
  5. Web site: Findlay. Mitch. December 26, 2017. Hopsin Destroys Pharoahe Monch's "Simon Says" In New Freestyle. HotNewHipHop. en.