Public Enemy rock the way many 20-year-old rockers wish they could. At 50 years young, Chuck D exudes an immense passion for Hip Hop and performing that is powerfully inspirational. Well over 20 years ago, Public Enemy was putting on the most dynamic show in the genre. Over two decades later, the same holds true. Professor Grif, the S1Ws, DJ Lord, and their live band douse stages with an ample dose of symphonic petrol, while Chuck and Flav ignite mics with lyrical fire that set venues ablaze globally with some of the most powerful Hip Hop music ever created. The crowd can’t get enough of classic material such as “Fight the Power,” “Rebel Without A Pause,” “911’s A Joke,” “Don’t Believe The Hype,” and “By The Time I Get To Arizona,” however, they cheer just as strongly when the new “Say it Like it Really Is” is unleashed.
Rolling Stone ranked the band #44 on their Greatest Artists of All Time list. PE’s “Fight the Power” was ranked #1 by VH1 on their list of 100 Greatest Hip Hop Songs of All Time. Q Magazine listed Chuck D on the #21 position on their list of the 100 Greatest Frontmen of Rock issue. However, Public Enemy doesn’t need magazines, television networks, or music pundits to validate their contribution or value within the music industry, instead, the fans that have expressed their love for the group for over twenty years are the true measure of success. The mark of a true star is longevity. Over two decades later, PE continues to maintain their legendary status as icons by steadily breaking barriers and broadening their reach globally. Chuck tells me that upcoming shows will bring them back to Moscow, Australia, and parts of Europe; all familiar territory for them. However, both new and established fans await their arrival for another dose of the most potent Hip Hop on the planet.
In regards to the somewhat opposite nature of both of the band’s stars, Chuck explains that people always ask how he and Flavor Flav can work together. He describes the iconic pairing to a perfect batch of lemonade. His message is strong, however, Flav adds the sugar. He proceeds, “you know what happens when you get too much sugar.” In regards to the television network that broadcasted all of Flavor Flav’s outlandish reality shows, Chuck adds that VH1 has given the world a lot of diabetes. A perfect analogy for an era where Hip Hop has in many ways become a parody of itself.
Chuck D and Public Enemy continue to shed a light on the fact that this genre started off with a much greater purpose than just entertainment, instead it provided a voice for the voiceless. During the show I recently attended, the closing words were delivered by Flavor, he told the crowd, “there’s only one person that can take care of yourself better than yourself. That’s you!” In so many ways, Hip Hop was inner city youths’ answer to surroundings that promised despair, destruction, and demise. For the originators, Hip Hop was the way they took care of themselves. Today, many still aren’t aware of why it was conceived. However, a third of century later, Public Enemy continues to show the world Hip Hip’s true essence, one stage at a time. -Israel Vasquetelle
(Security of The First World going strong after over 20 years of world travels.)
Chuck’s one of the most positive brothers ever in hip hop. We need more leaders like him in the music industry.
Great article. Chuck D and Public enemy is the epitome of longevity. Great artists can and should have a message.