Public Enemy – Biography, Songs, Albums, Discography & Facts
Public Enemy Biography
Public Enemy was a successful, controversial, and influential hip-hop group in the late 1980s and early 1990s, because of its complex, layered sound and radical political stance. Chuck D, Flavor Flav, Terminator X, and Professor Griff were the initial members. “Harder Than You Think” is one of their most popular songs.
A group of African Americans largely from the suburbs created Public Enemy in 1982 at Adelphi University on Long Island, New York. On college radio, Chuck D, Hank Shocklee, Bill Stephney, and Flavor Flav partnered on a show. Def Jam producer Rick Rubin is said to have been so enamored with Chuck D’s powerful voice that he asked him to record.
Yo! Bum Rush the Show (1987), It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (1988), Fear of a Black Planet (1990), and Apocalypse 91: The Enemy Strikes Black (1991) were the result, and they brought radical Black political ideology to pop music in an unprecedented fashion on albums with titles that read like party invitations for leftists and warning stickers for the right wing: Yo! Bum Rush the Show (1987), It Takes a (1991).
Nation of Millions was hailed as Public Enemy’s masterwork, reviving the Black Panther Party and Malcolm X’s themes. Chuck D’s strident, eloquent lyrics combined with bombastic, dissonant, and poignantly detailed backing tracks created by Public Enemy’s production team, the Bomb Squad (Shocklee, his brother Keith, Chuck D, and Eric “Vietnam” Sadler), to produce songs challenging the status quo in both hip-hop and racial politics on tracks like “Night of the Living Baseheads,” “Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos,” and “Don’ The Bomb Squad sampled (made up of other recordings) a wide range of genres and noises, including James Brown‘s famous funk records, jazz, Anthrax’s thrash metal, sirens, and agitprop lectures. Chuck D has a hilarious foil in Flavor Flav.
Professor Griff’s comments to the Washington Times in 1989 prompted claims of anti-Semitism, and he eventually left the group. Because of its apparent respect for Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, Public Enemy has clashed with Jewish organizations. While Public Enemy’s activism inspired other artists to tackle social issues, the group’s popularity decreased in the early 1990s as younger, more “ghettocentric” bands like N.W.A. and Snoop Doggy Dogg rose to prominence. After Muse Sick N Hour Mess Age (1994), the band appeared to have disbanded, but in 1998 they released a new album of songs for Spike Lee’s film He Got Game and proceeded on tour.
After severing connections with Def Jam, Public Enemy continued to release music on a variety of indie labels well into the twenty-first century. Although the recordings were not well received, albums such as Most of My Heroes Still Don’t Appear on No Stamp (2012), The Evil Empire of Everything (2012), and Man Plans God Laughs (2015) received favorable reviews. A feud between Chuck D and Flavor Flav led to the latter’s expulsion from the group in 2020. Public Enemy returned to Def Jam later that year and released the well-received What You Gonna Do When the Grid Goes Down?
Public Enemy’s first four albums, released in the late 1980s and early 1990s, were all certified gold or platinum, making it “the most acclaimed body of work ever by a hip hop act,” according to music critic Robert Hilburn in 1998. They were dubbed “the most influential and radical band of their time” by critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013. They were honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at the 62nd Grammy Awards.
Public Enemy Discography
| What You Gonna Do When the Grid Goes Down? | |
| How You Sell Soul to a Soulless People Who Sold Their Soul? | |
| Rebirth of a Nation | |
| Revolverlution | |
| New Whirl Odor | |
| Muse Sick-n-Hour Mess Age | |
| Apocalypse 91… The Enemy Strikes Black | |
| Fear of a Black Planet | |
| It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back | |
| Yo! Bum Rush the Show |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which Is The Most Famous Song Of Public Enemy?
Public Enemy is an American hip hop group from Long Island, New York. The group was formed in 1986 and consists of Chuck D, Flavor Flav, Professor Griff, Khari Wynn, DJ Lord, and the S1W group. Public Enemy is known for their politically charged lyrics and their aggressive style of rap. Their most famous song is “Fight the Power”, which was released in 1989 and was included on the soundtrack for the film Do the Right Thing. “Fight the Power” is a rallying cry against racism and injustice, and has been hailed as one of the most influential songs of all time.
Who Is The Best Singer In The Public Enemy Band?
The best singer in the Public Enemy band is undoubtedly Chuck D. He has a unique and powerful voice that can be both commanding and full of emotion, which makes him perfect for the group’s politically charged music. He is also a talented lyricist, which helps to make Public Enemy’s songs even more impactful. Overall, Chuck D is an incredible singer and one of the biggest reasons why Public Enemy is considered to be one of the greatest rap groups of all time.
Which Is The Greatest Song Of Public Enemy All Time?
The greatest song of Public Enemy all time is undoubtedly “Fight the Power.” Released in 1989, “Fight the Power” was an instant classic, and has become an anthem for people fighting against oppression and discrimination. The song’s message is as relevant today as it was when it was first released, and it continues to inspire people to stand up and fight for what they believe in.
Who Is Number 1 Public Enemy Now?
There’s no definitive answer to this question, as the public enemy status is constantly shifting and changing. However, some of the most popular contenders for the title currently include people like Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Each of these individuals has a long history of conflict with the United States and other Western nations, and they all currently pose a very real threat to global stability. It’s impossible to say definitively who is the biggest public enemy at any given moment, but these three individuals are certainly among the most dangerous.
Most Searched For Public Enemy Songs
| Public Enemy No.1 | |
| Harder Than You Think | |
| Don’t Believe The Hype | |
| Fight The Power | |
| Give It Up | |
| Rebel Without A Pause | |
| Bring The Noise | |
| Can’t Truss It | |
| Shut Em Down | |
| By The Time I Get To Arizona |