The legendary Hip Hop freedom fighters Public Enemy unleash heavy sonic knowledge on the masses with their new album. At 17 tracks deep with a handful of interludes in the mix, What You Gonna Do When the Grid Goes Down is chock full of audio anti-venom for your 2020 woes.
The album is loaded with surprises and tried-and-true sonic goodness. For one, Fight The Power (2020 Remix), the impactful revision of the group’s rallying cry for justice is as timely today as it was during its predecessor’s debut during the social unrest of the late 80’s New York City. The new rendition features Questlove, Nas, Black Thought, Jahi, Rapsody and YG.
On State of the Union (STFU), the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers deliver a masterful blow against hate at the highest levels of power. The song brandishes the genre’s greatest voice, Chuck D, delivering an impactful lyrical lashing on “45” as Flavor Flav dominates the hook over infectious production by D.J. Premier and cuts by DJ Lord.
Public Enemy Number Won is uber loaded with rhyme superheroes. The G.O.A.T.s are all here. Any true school Hip Hop aficionado is bound to keep this on a rewind marathon as they revel in the audio history entrenched throughout this joint. The track features the Beastie Boy’s Mike D and Ad-Rock, as well as Hollis groundbreakers Run DMC. Produced by David C-Doc Snyder, the searing banger echos back to the inspiration of its namesake Public Enemy No. 1 off P.E.’s debut “Yo Bum Rush The Show” bringing the raw authenticity of 80’s rap to present day.
On each component of P.E.’s latest masterwork, Chuck rips the mic with eloquence and impact that blasts into smithereens any ill-conceived thoughts that this 60-year-old mic vet can’t crush grooves better than anyone in the game regardless of age. Accompanied by dusted beats, scratch perfection by DJ Lord and Flav’s masterful ad libs, Toxic is yet another piece of evidence drilling the fact home that the P.E. frontman rocks immensely hard, all while dropping a tonnage of mind jewels through your speakers.
The lead guitar seeped noise laden banger Yesterday Man features yet another mic legend, Stetsasonic’s Daddy-O. The hard-hitting beats by C-Doc and head nod inducing hook beckons back to an era where Hip Hop could do no wrong.
On Rest In Beats featuring The Impossebulls, the group pays a heartfelt tribute to Hip Hop’s fallen legends.
Music royalty keep coming on this album with features from George Clinton, Cypress Hill, Ice T, and PMD on other potent tracks. Don’t you dare sleep on Public Enemy’s latest delivery. What You Gonna Do When the Grid Goes Down is a new era classic. -Israel “IZ-REAL” Vasquetelle
