Public Enemy
Public Enemy weaponised hip-hop, pairing Chuck D's declamatory voice with the Bomb Squad's dense wall of samples. 'It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back' (1988) and the Spike Lee anthem 'Fight the Power' made political rap a cultural force.
Origin: Roosevelt, Long Island, New York, USA · Years active: 1985–present
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Biography
Public Enemy weaponised hip-hop, pairing Chuck D's declamatory voice with the Bomb Squad's dense wall of samples. 'It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back' (1988) and the Spike Lee anthem 'Fight the Power' made political rap a cultural force.
Key 1980s albums
- Yo! Bum Rush the Show (1987) — Search Amazon · Find copies on eBay — 80s albums
- It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (1988) — Search Amazon · Find copies on eBay — 80s albums
- Fear of a Black Planet (1990) — Search Amazon · Find copies on eBay — 80s albums
Essential songs
- Fight the Power (1989) — 80s songs
- Bring the Noise (1987) — 80s songs
- Don't Believe the Hype (1988) — 80s songs
- Rebel Without a Pause (1987) — 80s songs
- Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos (1988) — 80s songs
Genres
Upcoming concerts
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Public Enemy — quick answers
- Who are Public Enemy?
- Public Enemy — Roosevelt, Long Island, New York, USA, active 1985–present. Public Enemy weaponised hip-hop, pairing Chuck D's declamatory voice with the Bomb Squad's dense wall of samples. 'It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back' (1988) and the Spike Lee anthem 'Fight the Power' made pol
- What did Public Enemy release in the 1980s?
- RADIO 1980 lists 3 albums and 5 essential songs for Public Enemy, covering 1987–1989.
- Where can I check shows associated with Public Enemy?
- Open the interactive concert directory for current source listings. Check each full event title and provider before booking.
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