PUBLIC ENEMY

MAJOR MUSIC ARTISTS - USA


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Public Enemy

DESCRIPTION: Public Enemy

ACTIVITY STATUS: Active

ACTIVITY PERIOD:1982 - Current

MUSIC GENRE: Hip Hop

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA (AMERICA)

RECORD COMPANIES / LABELS (Current & Past): Def Jam, Columbia, SME, PolyGram, PIAS

OFFICIAL WEB SITE: http://publicenemy.com/


ABOUT THEM:

The most politicised of early rap outfits, Public Enemy belted out lyrics about the problems confronting black communities in America, and endorsing direct radical action. Formed by Chuck D (Carlton Ridenhour, 1960-) the group built a following with its wild and chaotic live performing style, blending strident message lyrics, dance routines and humour. Their 1988 album It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back hit the sweet spot with rock critics and fans, and made them stars. An even wider audience came into contact through Spike Lee’s confronting movie of 1989, Do The Right Thing, which featured Public Enemy’s Fight The Power. They became involved in controversy, however, after a crew member called Professor Griff was quoted in the press making strongly anti-semitic remarks. The group fractured, but later re-formed (minus Griff) and went on to further success into the mid Nineties with albums like Fear of a Black Planet, and Apocalypse 91…The Enemy Strikes Black. They stopped touring in 1995, but regrouped and began recording again in the late 1990s. Professor Griff later rejoined the band.

By Larry Buttrose

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Parent Category Page Links: Music Artists / Outfits - America

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Parent Catagory Page Links: Music Artists / Outfits - America
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