The second album from the Queens New York duo, Organized Konfusion has been considered a classic over the years and with good reason. It was Pharoahe Monch and Prince Po establishing their rightful footing in rap music. Having released their debut album three years prior, it did not seem to make the impact that ‘Stress: The Extinction Agenda’ made. For on this album the group seemed to be hitting on all cylinders and did with limited resources.

I was first introduced to Organized Konfusion in the summer of 1994 through the Video Jukebox. A program that ran videos all day everyday, but the caveat was the playlist was controlled by how many people called in to pay and request the videos shown. In rotation at one point was the first and only single from this album ‘Stress.’ What made the video and song unique was how chaotic it felt. The hook for the song is like a build up to something cataclysmic while the video expressed this same feeling by how it edits the two M.C.’s on the streets of New York, to hiking in borrowed snow in the woods. For me this was all new and a bump in evolution of rap music back then. The album continues this theme while not going too far off the deep end.

‘Stress…’ is produced mainly by Organized Konfusion and Buckwild, with Rockwilder closing the album with the emotion felt ‘Maintain.’ O.C. and Q-Tip show up on ‘Let’s Organize,’ which gives the listener a full on experience of Organized Konfusion. Pharoahe Monch and Prince Po utilize their voices as distinct instruments while providing some vivid moments in storytelling and rhyming abilities. ‘Why’ is that moment every man has to face concerning trusting the opposite sex while ‘Black Sunday’ gives a dark origin of the two coming together to “organize” and create the brand audiences know today. ‘Stray Bullet’ is the track that truly shines the light on the talent of the duo as they take the listener on a journey of a single bullet, and the consequences it creates within inner city neighborhoods.

This album is a jewel that has aged extremely well over the years. My biggest issue has always been the stretch from ‘Black Sunday’ to ‘Bring it On.’ It’s the only moment in the album where there is a bit of a lull; and ‘Drop Bombs’ and ‘Bring It On’ are tracks that feel “suspended in time.” There is also a remix to ‘Bring it On’ that I wish could have been the original on this album. Nevertheless Organized Konfusion created a piece of art that is solidified among HOP music listeners. A timeless album cover created by “Matt Doo” who also created Company Flow’s ‘Funcrusher Plus’ cover art, classic moments that are embedded in listener’s ears, and music that sparks universal familiarity when played. All this while having simply one single for the release. What did you think of the album?

Singles include:
‘Stress’

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