Pharoahe Monch has let ample time go between his last release, PTSD: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, for fans to demand more from the philosophical MC. On that treble note, Monch shrewdly develops a way to renew what is longstanding–sort of like love unions–with a special compilation mixtape for Valentine’s Day titled Lost in Translation.
The rhyme vet doesn’t get enough credit for his songs about bruised and blossoming relationships as he does for his records about bruising blossoming rival rappers, but Lost in Translation manages to highlight his catalog as such. From discovering the reality of acceptance (“Broken Again”), indulging in the joy of infatuation (“Bar Tap”) to defining the true meaning of love (“Loose Ends”), a wide range of sentiments have been encapsulated to reflect a more believable representation of the human emotion.
Thanks to his well-traveled studio presence, the project features appearances from Justin Timberlake, will.i.am, Miss Jill Scott, Sa-Ra Creative Partners, Eric Roberson, Mela Machinko and a never-before-heard song with Phonte titled “Home (We Got This),” produced by Tommy Hillfiger. As Pharoahe so eloquently put it on Twitter: “Lost In Translation is a retrospective of songs about the pursuit of love, love lost & regained & its beautiful emotional journey.”
Everything is LIT, like the New Yorker’s say. Get a look at the exclusive drop of the artwork down below with the stream. Download the full project over at pharoahe.com.
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Photos: Michelle G. Hunder, Eyewerk Designs, BKLYN1834
