"we'll never recycle the same songs as last week"

While 'recycling' is a main drive in creativity, that's not Pharoahe Monch's issue. I'll be bold enough to assume that is the same disappointment that lets us believe Mims is hot, but we're confused as to why he now wants to convince us of 'why he rocks'. To recycle, in a sense to recontextualize necessitates it to become something different, and hopefully something better. Still, hearing the advance of Desire, the early tracks which I rely on to set the mood of the album were too familiar.

Soul Position - "I'm Free"
[2006 Rhymesayers] Things Go Better With RJ and Al

Pharoahe Monch - "Free"
[2007 Motown] Desire

Not the same song, but if you're listening, then you know you know what I mean.

Again I thought that Blueprint (RJD2 and Blueprint are Soul Position) already executed 'Welcome to the Terrordome' in an expert manner. A subtle take-off, but true to its intention while fitting Blueprint as a rapper, whereas Pharoahe Monch's is more so a cover treatment. My first thought went back to an explanation by Chuck D,

"... I wrote WELCOME TO THE TERRORDOME I meant it to have dual meanings. The one used here for my commentary is analogous for what’s goin on inside my head/mind. The other is what I nicknamed the last decade."

As Chuck contributed most of the rap industry's insights, as we can see but constant reference and remakes, I always find it appropriate to read his words. If the Terrordome remains as the title to the 90's, then the statement is out of fashion, but as a description of the mind Pharoahe maintains his rights, while agreed to be lacklustre.

Public Enemy - "Welcome to the Terrordome"
[1990 Def Jam] Fear of a Black Planet

Blueprint - "Trouble On My Mind"
[2005 Weightless] 1988

Pharoahe Monch - "Welcome to the Terrordome"
[2007 Motown] Desire

If Chuck D heard both of these contemporary songs, I find no reason for him to be displeased - he's in no competition with them. However, I wonder, while Pharoahe Monch is being championed as quasi-underground and Blueprint is implicated in the Def Jux dismissal claims, the choices made by writers and fans (critics alike) is one based on belief and not preference.

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It is unfair to say that I was underwhelmed by Desire, not because of the pushbacks to get it perfect, but that I had twice the enjoyment listening to the Awakening. There are two flavours of Pharoache Monch that I enjoy - his punctuated paranoia and whatever fun I'll figure Body Baby to be. While both are present, he dampens the strong political nature with the kind of mediocrity that does so well in mainstream entertainment. He knows it, because the cheque that Diddy signed for him was probably bigger than his present contract.