public enemy Archives

Once Again It’s On: Ice Cube’s AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted Rings True At 25

A quarter of a century ago today (May 16, 1990), Ice Cube released his solo debut. AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted signaled his post-N.W.A. career, and the acrimonious split left fans eager to hear Cube's perspective. However, what those supporters received was more dynamic than one man's tale of anger and revenge,... Read more

May 16, 2015 Food for Thought

This Throwback Hip-Hop VIDEO Mix Will Blow Your Mind (Video)

Here's an absolutely devastating throwback Hip-Hop video mix from UK DJ E Double D. The mix and song selection, from the late 80s and early 90s, would be enough but, the added layer of overlaying visuals takes it to a completely different level. E Double pulls out clips featuring Eric... Read more

April 20, 2015 Throwback

Chuck D Gives a True Music History Lesson in His Conversation with Nardwuar (Video)

When it comes to conducting interviews, Nardwuar is a crate-digger, literally and figuratively. When he got his shot to interview Public Enemy's Chuck D, courtesy of Brother Ali and Z-Trip, the Canadian journalist took full advantage. As is often the case with Nardwuar interviews, he drove the discussion by going... Read more

April 4, 2015 Video

Finding The GOAT (Round 3): KRS-One vs. Chuck D…Who You Got?

We have reached the third round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). With 42 MCs remaining, we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into... Read more

March 11, 2015 Throwback

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): Chuck D vs. Lord Finesse…Who You Got?

We have reached the second round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). We are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups... Read more

March 2, 2015 Throwback

By The Time I Get To Arizona. KRS-One Blasts the State for Declaring His Teachings Illegal.

In 1991, Public Enemy released the song "By the Time I Get to Arizona", a scathing commentary on the state's reluctance to observe Martin Luther King Day. The state was infamously the second last in the country to celebrate the day, even forgoing an opportunity to host a Super Bowl... Read more

February 10, 2015 News

KRS-One Says He Cannot Make Money In America, Discusses Hip-Hop’s Global Impact (Video)

KRS-One interviews are a bit scarce in 2015. The archetypal MC tours extensively, and gives limited audiences these days. However, the Boogie Down Productions co-founder recently opened up with VladTV on a number of current and historic issues, which are now unfolding through the video segments. In the latest, KRS... Read more

February 2, 2015 Video

Chuck D Fights For The Power Of Free Speech Alongside Jasiri X & Jahi (Video)

Chuck D helped make the Pittsburgh Pirates logo famous—even when the MLB team was having some losing seasons. For "Spread The Words," the Public Enemy front man travels to the Steel City to join MC (and activist) Jasiri X and P.E. 2.0's Jahi. There, they stand above the skyline—on Mount... Read more

January 31, 2015 Video

Easy Mo Bee Partners With Chuck D’s SLAMJamz For January Album

Easy Mo Bee produced hit records for both 2Pac and The Notorious B.I.G. He kicked in the door with Big Daddy Kane, and helped Miles Davis close shop in style. The iconic Brooklyn, New York producer/DJ for Hip-Hop, Jazz, and R&B continues to stay dedicated to his love of music.... Read more

December 30, 2014 Fresh

DJ Premier Mixes Up A Special Set For Def Jam’s 30th Anniversary (Audio)

In his career, neither DJ Premier nor his group Gang Starr were ever signed to Def Jam Records. However, the HeadQCourterz Studios producer has worked with an arsenal of Def Jam's talent over the years, ranging from Jay Z and Method Man, Ludacris to Kanye West, to Teflon and WC.... Read more

December 3, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Ice Cube & Chuck D Recall The Transition From N.W.A To Amerikkka’s Most Wanted

In the spring of 1990, Ice Cube broke out in his solo career with Amerikkka's Most Wanted. The controversially-titled Priority Records release found the South Central, California MC out of N.W.A, and amicably so at that point. A would-be platinum album, in many circles, it contends as Cube's finest work.... Read more

October 15, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Blow Your Speakers With Bachir’s Bomb Squad Cassette Mix (Mixtape)

With Chuck D and Public Enemy (deservingly) in the headlines regularly again—for a litany of reasons, let's take a sec to look back. When it comes to the production collective known as The Bomb Squad (Hank & Keith Shocklee, Eric "Vietnam" Sadler, the oft-uncredited Johnny Juice, G-Wiz, and Chuck D)... Read more

October 1, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Mixes

Public Enemy Performs One Of Their Earliest, Biggest Hits With The Roots (Video)

While 1988 would be the year Public Enemy's seminal It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back, 1987 is integral to the story. That would be the year that the Long Island collective dropped their debut album, Yo! Bum Rush The Show. The album was a homogenous blend... Read more

September 17, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Rick Rubin Says Chuck D Thought Public Enemy Was Too Old To Sign To Def Jam In 1987 (Video)

In the third volume of Noisey's series on Def Jam Records' 30th anniversary, founders Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin devote their attentions on Public Enemy. Likely in conjunction with P.E.'s performance of "Public Enemy #1" with The Roots on Jimmy Fallon's "The Tonight Show" yesterday (September 16), the vignette pays... Read more

September 17, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Edo G & Chuck D Slam Lyrics Over A Chirped Up Rock Sample (Video)

Edo G's After All These Years album is sizing up. Going from Roxbury to Long Island, the O.G. slams a track alongside Chuck D of Public Enemy. "Fight" induces such an attitude, with a '70s Rock vocal sample (Ten Wheel Drive & Genya Ravan's "Ain't Gonna Happen," which was used... Read more

September 8, 2014 Fresh, Video

Chuck D Goes DVD & Book Shopping, What’s He Cop? (Video)

Chuck D, a major supporter of Record Store Day, hit up the famed Amoeba Records in California. Public Enemy's main vocalist and a member of the record-slaughtering Bomb Squad group, Mista Chuck admits that his trips to stores like Amoeba are more for books and DVDs these days. However, the... Read more

August 18, 2014 Fresh, Video

Why Are the 90’s Considered the Best Era of Hip-Hop? Listen to This Mix (Audio)

Here's part 2 of DJ Vadim's stellar back in the day mixtape series. In this installment, he tackles 90's Hip-Hop...with aggression. Rather than strictly catering to the hits, he digs in the crates to craft a mix with diverse but cohesive sonic texture. You'll hear music from Nas, The Roots,... Read more

August 9, 2014 Throwback

Here’s an Incredible 80’s Hip-Hop Mix From DJ Vadim (Audio)

Here's a wide-ranging and incredibly dope mix of 80's Hip-Hop from DJ Vadim. Focusing primarily on artists from the mid to late 80's, the mix includes Run-D.M.C., The Fat Boys, MC Lyte, Sir Mix-a-Lot, Slick Rick, N.W.A., Biz Markie, Public Enemy, Eric B & Rakim, LL Cool J, Boogie Down... Read more

August 9, 2014 Throwback

X-Vandals & Chuck D Always Have A Plan B Up Their Sleeves (Video)

As leader of Public Enemy, Chuck D is no stranger to getting involved with some politically charged, socially aware Hip-Hop. Enter into the fold, New York's self coined "NuYoRicans," the X-Vandals, who consider themselves a refurbishing of political Punk Rock and Hardcore Hip-Hop into an all new genre of their... Read more

August 5, 2014 Fresh, Video

Chuck D Links With Mavis Staples Of The Staple Singers To Groove (Video)

Both Public Enemy and The Staple Singers have made uplifting jams for the people of their audience. Whether it's "Don't Believe The Hype" or "Respect Yourself," Chuck D and Mavis Staples made timeless songs of hope, truth, and unification. On Mistachuck's new self-released EP, The Black In Man, he teamed... Read more

August 2, 2014 Fresh, Video

Chuck D Lends His Voice To Something That Sounds Like Bomb Squad Glory (Audio)

One of the attributes that's made Public Enemy great is that the beats and sonic vibe always seemed to bulldoze the moment for Chuck D's verbal essay. A big part of that is The Bomb Squad, the production collective of the Brothers Shocklee (which also included Chuck) to obliterate samples... Read more

July 31, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Black Sheep Dres Breaks Down Ageism In Hip-Hop, Delivers HOT 97 A Message From DJ Kool Herc (Audio)

One of Hip-Hop's true mainstays over the last 25 years has been Dres. Since his days building with Kool DJ Red Alert and former Black Sheep to his latest songs about marriage and flexing Bars In The Booth alongside DJ Premier, the Queens, New York-born MC has been a strong,... Read more

July 22, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Chuck D Uses Acronyms & Wordplay To Talk About Race, Radio & Rosenberg (Audio)

Last week, HOT 97 radio host, DJ, and member of the Low Budget Crew, Peter Rosenberg publicly apologized to Public Enemy front-man Chuck D. The words followed a month-long social media debate, which bled its way onto airwaves and interviews, following HOT 97's 2014 Summer Jam. After the Long Island,... Read more

July 15, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage, Fresh

Peter Rosenberg Apologizes To Chuck D (Video)

Throughout June, Public Enemy's Chuck D and HOT 97's Peter Rosenberg had a debate-possibly perceived as a war of words on social media. The Hip-Hop legend—who has long run an online radio platform, RapStation.com, called out the New York City station's 2014 Summer Jam event, in regards to the station's... Read more

July 7, 2014 Video

Read 2Pac’s 1995 Letter From Prison To Public Enemy’s Chuck D

In September 1995, Tupac Shakur was in New York's Clinton Correctional Facility, with less than a month remaining on a sexual assault conviction, stemming from 1993. Maintaining that he was innocent of the accusations against him, 'Pac rallied in his year leading up to the sentencing, while working hard at... Read more

June 23, 2014 Throwback

Russell Simmons & Bill Adler Talk About Signing Public Enemy, The Logo & The Ramifications (Video)

Following LL Cool J and The Beastie Boys, Def Jam Records next breakthrough artist signing was Public Enemy. The Long Island, New York Hip-Hop collective including Chuck D, Flavor Flav, Terminator X, Professor Griff, The Bomb Squad, Johnny Juice and more would shake the earth with boisterous messages, social information,... Read more

June 12, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Alex Trebek Recites Cypress Hill & The Beastie Boys. He Will Keep the Day Job…(Video)

Earlier in the year, a clip of Jeopardy's Alex Trebek reciting lyrics from Biggie, Dr. Dre, The Beastie Boys and Public Enemy provided a minute and change of comic relief. Apparently, the show's producers have a dark sense of humor because they've once again given him a Rap category, forcing... Read more

May 16, 2014 Throwback

Public Enemy’s Chuck D Discusses Being 1 of the 1st Internet Rap Artists (Video)

Public Enemy are often cited as being lyrical and sonic pioneers. However, their trend-setting career moves are sometimes overlooked. Chuck D speaks to HardKnock TV about the group being one of the first major label Rap acts to go independent and embrace the Internet as the distribution platform of the... Read more

April 19, 2014 Video

Need Some Inspiration? Watch This Hour-Long Documentary On Public Enemy & The Bomb Squad (Video)

There will never be enough documentaries and books on Public Enemy, and the music they've made. Chuck D, Flavor Flav, Professor Griff, Terminator X (and later, DJ Lord), as well as The Bomb Squad changed Hip-Hop lyrically, musically, and in concert. ego trip's "Night At The Movies" hipped AFH to... Read more

February 17, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Need to Explain Sampling To Somebody In 3 Ear-Bending Minutes? Watch This (Video)

Heads love samples, from Kraftwerk's "Trans Europe Express" in Afrika Bambaataa & The Soulsonic Force's "Planet Rock" to Twin Sister's "Meet The Frownies" in Kendrick Lamar's "The Recipe." The folks at Eclectic Method made a three-minute reel that traces the chronology of sampling through the years, stopping in some pretty... Read more

January 29, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Must Listen: Public Enemy’s It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back Deconstructed (Audio)

If the Hip-Hop media trailblazers at ego trip sleep on something, the rest of us may be in R.E.M. too. This week, Ted Bawno's crew pointed out a 2013 podcast/mix from DJ Moneyshot that had been overlooked by many (including us). The mix celebrates 25 years of the massively-acclaimed Solid... Read more

January 10, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

What is a Hilarious Game Show Clip? Alex Trebek Doing Biggie & Dr. Dre Raps on Jeopardy. Seeing is Believing (Video)

This week on "Jeopardy," Hip-Hop lyrics were a trivia category. The contestants' knowledge may not impress you, but listening to famed host Alex Trebek stiffly rapping lyrics from Biggie, Dr. Dre, The Beastie Boys and Public Enemy is a hilarious way to spend a minute of your time. Is Mary... Read more

January 7, 2014 Video

One Of The Source’s Co-Founders & DJ Mighty Mi Lay Down A 2 Hour Golden Era Mix (Audio)

Back in arguably the greatest year for all things Rap (1988), The Source magazine, the onetime "Bible Of Hip-Hop," started by Publisher Dave Mays and Jon Shecter at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. With some friends (and allegedly Ray Benzino), the magazine would go on to become thee paper of... Read more

January 6, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

A Look At Bill Adler’s Def Jam Records Archives (Video)

Bill Adler was among the first folks hired at fledgling early 1980s label Def Jam Records. The house that Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin built, in its earliest days, would include T. La Rock, LL Cool J, and the management of Rap superstars Run-DMC. Adler directed the label's Publicity department... Read more

November 15, 2013 Fresh, Throwback

Public Enemy Performs at the Made in America Festival (Video)

Public Enemy took the stage at the Made in America festival and straight RIPPED IT. After 25 years, this is still riot music. You can watch the performance here. Related: Public Enemy – Rebels Without A Pause Trailer (Video)... Read more

September 1, 2013 Video

Public Enemy – Rebels Without A Pause Trailer (Video)

Centric is premiering a film on Public Enemy that serves as part documentary and part concert, celebrating the historic group's induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The film airs on Saturday night and features hip-hop pioneers like Russell Simmons, DMC, Kool Moe Dee, Ecstasy (from Whodini) and... Read more

May 29, 2013 Video

Public Enemy – Get Up Stand Up ft Brother Ali (Video)

Here's the video for Public Enemy's joint call to action with Brother Ali. Check out Get Up Stand Up. The revolution will be televised. Related: Ice Cube vs. Public Enemy (Playlist)... Read more

March 11, 2013 Video

Public Enemy will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2013

Salute to Public Enemy! The iconic group will be the latest hip-hop act to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Below is our playlist featuring the music of PE and Ice Cube. Related: Public Enemy - RLTK ft DMC (Video) Ice Cube vs. Chuck D by... Read more

December 11, 2012 Throwback

This is…the REMIX (Audio Playlist)

It used to be remixes were a BIG deal. Unlike now, where an extra verse from a featured rapper constitutes a remix, remixes were often wholly-different takes on a song. The track was substantially different than the original and sometimes there were completely new verses. Here's a playlist of some... Read more

December 7, 2012 Audio, Playlists, Throwback

What makes an album a classic? Here are our criteria and 15 albums we think make the cut (with songs from each) (Food For Thought)

With the release of Kendrick Lamar's good kid, m.A.A.d. city album, many are using the word "classic" (including us--though we said "modern day classic"...more on that later) about a hip-hop album for the first time in a long, long time. No doubt, just the utterance of the "c" word is... Read more

October 26, 2012 Audio, Food for Thought, Throwback, Video

Chuck D and DMC over nothing but an 808 and some hard scratches?? I’ll take it. Check out the new video for Public Enemy’s RLTK featuring DMC (Video)

Related: Public Enemy - I Shall Not Be Moved (Video)... Read more

August 22, 2012 Video

Public Enemy – I Shall Not Be Moved (Video)

Public Enemy is back with a vengeance and Chuck D is in vintage form. Check out the video for I Shall Not Be Moved. Their new album Most of My Heroes Still Don't Appear On No Stamp is expected to drop tomorrow on iTunes. Related: A look at why Def... Read more

July 12, 2012 Video

We asked the AFH community who the best rap group of all time was and (not surprisingly) the response was strong and varied. Here’s a playlist featuring music from (almost) all of the groups mentioned. (Playlist)

You'll hear 32 groups including Wu-Tang Clan, Public Enemy, EPMD, Tha Dogg Pound, ATCQ, De La Soul, Run-D.M.C., The Beastie Boys, The Pharcyde, Jedi Mind Tricks, Mobb Deep, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Whodini, Eric B & Rakim, NWA, Black Star, Slaughterhouse and MANY MORE. You can listen to the whole thing below.... Read more

May 12, 2012 Audio, Playlists

Was there ever any question that Def Jam Recordings would be the #1 most important hip-hop record label of all time??? Here’s a 30-song playlist of music from some of the legendary Def Jam artists: LL, Public Enemy, The Beastie Boys, Redman, Method Man and more.

Before record labels were considered “the enemy” their brands actually meant something. Artists dreamed of being on the same label as the MCs they grew up idolizing and some labels had such credibility fans would buy the record just because it was on that label. We decided to look at... Read more

December 19, 2011 Audio, Food for Thought, Playlists, Throwback, Video

Here’s a playlist of songs that have focused a critical eye on the status quo and expressed a desire for something better. Some of the names you would expect (Public Enemy, Talib Kweli, Common, Lupe Fiasco, 2Pac) and others might surprise you (Jay-Z, Eminem, Kanye West). Regardless of whether or not you share their views or not, it’s food for thought in these interesting times.

With the global economy in chaos, people are standing up for their beliefs across the world. The many "Occupy" protests are just a few examples of this. Throughout time, music has played an important role in such movements. Hip-hop was that voice of unrest for many in the 80's and... Read more

November 1, 2011 Food for Thought, Playlists

Here’s a mix of back in the day joints for your listening pleasure. You’ll find music from BDP, Slick Rick, MC Lyte, Eric B. & Rakim, Ice Cube, NWA, Public Enemy, Big Daddy Kane, Biz Markie, Digital Underground, Main Source, Special Ed and many more. Check it out.

June 24, 2011 Audio, Throwback

There is no one group or rapper who took the torch from the likes of Public Enemy and Ice Cube. But, there have been many who have embodied the spirits of those artists in a verse, a song or even a few albums. Self Scientific, Krondon and Freddie Gibbs are the latest to carry the baton in the video for Peaceful. Check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tquQ2Plrdk4&feature=player_embedded And if you forgot how Public Enemy and Ice Cube used to bring the ruckus, here are a couple of reminders. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZM5_6js19eM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeFHMVWaYsc... Read more

March 30, 2011 The Bridge, Video

Ever debated what was the best year in hip-hop? Here’s a little something from The Rub to make the conversation a LOT more interesting. Check out these mixes of the best songs in hip-hop from 1979-2009, year by year….30 years of hip-hop. It gets no better.

These are courtesy of The Rub, one of the dopest DJ collectives around. For 1979-1980, click here. For 1981-1990, click here. For 1991-2000, click here. For 2001-2009, click here.... Read more

December 26, 2010 Audio, Food for Thought, Mixes, Throwback

Brother Ali takes on slavery in his song and video for Breakin' Dawn. It hasn't been done this well since Public Enemy's Can't Truss It.

The video is a creative use of black and white animation. The track is pretty ill, too. It's got an Indian/Middle Eastern feel with the sitar sample. This is a cool break from the norm. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUbWozgMf4M&feature=player_embedded Here's Public Enemy's classic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=am9BqZ6eA5c&ob=av2n ... Read more

November 2, 2010 The Bridge, Video