Episode 21: Pharoahe Monch on Main Source’s “Breaking Atoms” (1991)

Episode notes

The album: Main Source: Breaking Atoms (1991)

MC extraordinaire Pharoahe Monch was no stranger to the trio known as Main Source (Large Professor + DJs K-Cut and Sir Scratch) back in the early ’90s: Monch and Large Professor came up under the tutelage of the same mentor: producer Paul C. Though C was tragically murdered in 1989, both his proteges would go onto have banner years in ’91 as Large Professor saw Main Source’s Breaking Atoms released to critical fanfare while Monch enjoyed the same just a couple of months later when he and Prince Po released their debut, self-titled LP as Organized Konfusion.

Monch sat down with us to talk about the experience of buying Breaking Atoms on tape from Hot Waxx in Queens and having it blow his mind on that first listen as well as what he’s learned from the album in the 25+ years since. Listen to this episode live at your BBQ…

More on Main Source and Breaking Atoms

• Stephanie Smith-Strickland’s interview with the group on the occasion of the LP’s 25th anniversary, for HighSnobiety.
• Andrew Winistorfer’s breakdown of the album’s samples for VinylMePlease.
• The original 4.5 mic review of the album in The Source. 

More on Pharoahe Monch

• An interview with Monch in The Believer. 
• Monch discussing his PTSD album with Red Bull Music Academy
• Twitter | Instagram | Facebook |Bandcamp

Show Tracklisting (all songs from Breaking Atoms unless indicated otherwise):

• “Large Professor”
• Pharoahe Monch: Internal Affairs “Simon Says”
• “Vamos A Rapiar”
• “Looking At The Front Door”
• “Just A Friendly Game Of Baseball”
• Lou Donaldson: Pretty Things Pot Belly”
• “Just Hanging Out”
• The Honeydrippers: “Impeach The President”
• Sister Nancy: One, Two “Bam Bam”
• Jesse Anderson: Thomas “Mighty Mighty”
• “Peace Is Not The Word To Play”
• “He Got So Much Soul”
• Bob James: One “Nautilus”

If you’re not already subscribed to Heat Rocks in Apple Podcasts, do it here!