Public Enemy
To download an editable PowerPoint, visit edu.rockhall.com Public Enemy: Fast Facts
• Formed in 1986 at Adelphi University on Long Island, NY • Members include: rappers Chuck D and Flavor Flav, DJ Terminator X, and Professor Griff (leader of the S1W backup dancers) • Production team is called the Bomb Squad, who created loud, chaotic tracks for Chuck D and Flavor Flav to rap over • Known for lyrics that invoked Black Nationalism and the ideas of Malcolm X • Nominated for several Grammy Awards and American Music Awards • Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (2013) Public Enemy: Important Locations in New York Bronx
▪ Hempstead, New York New Jersey Town where Chuck D and Flavor Flav grew up Nassau County New York City
Manhattan ▪ Garden City, New York Garden City Adelphi University, where Spectrum City formed Queens
▪ Manhattan, New York City, New Hempstead York Location of Def Jam Recordings
Brooklyn
▪ South Bronx, New York City, Staten Island New York Recognized birthplace of hip hop music and culture TITLE YEAR PEAK # OF WEEKS ON CHART POSITION Fight The Power 1989 1 18
Public Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos 1989 11 10
Enemy’s Welcome to the Terrordome 1990 3 15 Hits from the 911 is a Joke 1990 1 15 Billboard Can’t Do Nuttin’ For Ya Man 1991 11 11
Hot Rap Can’t Truss It 1991 1 17 Songs Chart Shut ‘Em Down 1992 1 13
Nighttrain 1992 17 9
Hazy Shade of Criminal 1992 12 8 Source: https://www.billboard.com/mu Give It Up 1994 5 16 sic/public-enemy/chart-history Public Enemy in the Media
Public Enemy’s music has been featured in 2 movies by Spike Lee: Do the Right Thing (1989) and He Got Game (1998) Their music has drawn attention in news outlets for their controversial, political lyrics, and public support for the Nation of Islam
Public Enemy’s 1999 album There’s a Poison Goin’ On was the first album by an RIAA Platinum-selling group to be sold on the Internet