Pharoahe Monch has played an integral role in the development of underground hip-hop, both as a solo artist and as one-half of the early 90s socially conscious rap duo Organized Konfusion. Monch’s latest project is the rap/rock hybrid trio th1rt3en, which also features Jack White’s drummer Daru Jones and sought-after guitarist Marcus Machado.
On January 22 they released their debut album A Magnificent Day For An Exorcism. They effectively incorporate horrorcore themes to explore socio-political themes.
They previously released three tracks off the album, “Fight” (featuring Cypress Hill), “666 (Three Six Word Stories)” and most recently “Cult 45.”
The video was appropriately posted the day before the US Presidential inauguration and the song was officially released the day of. Some might conclude that the election and inauguration was part of an exorcising of Trump, but the lyrics make it clear that Trump is symptomatic of greater ills that existed long before him and still exist currently.
The video was also directed by Monch, and he made the following statement: “The video is a continuation from “Fight” in the sense that the band is exorcising yet another systemic thorn from the soul of the oppressed. Police brutality against the black man. The occult’s manipulation of the masses behind the veil of democracy. This song speaks to the overall temperament of the album. The frustration with fighting the evil perpetrated against us. th1rt3en is tired of holding hands and singing hymns. We’ve been assigned from a higher power to combat you on your own terms. In this existence head on. Here, hold this voodoo! Fuck you!”
With the elation of Trump’s removal from office, it is easy to become complacent. But nothing will fundamentally change for the majority. If the status quo and systemic ills are not exorcised, then we can face an evil greater than Trump.