Essay On Public Enemy

Academic Project: Music In the year of 1986, the face of rap music was forever changed, this was due to the emergence of Public Enemy. Public Enemy is a group comprised of four legendary members: Chuck D., Flavor Flav, Termination X, Professor Griff (and S1W). Their rise and consequential growth was influenced by the decades following the deaths of Civil Rights activists: Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. 20 years filled with social injustice and the dismal state of African-Americans in the United States. Public Enemy’s lyrics, music, and attitude illuminated the social inequalities that impacted the black communities. Public Enemy’s lyrics were how this group of individuals addressed the racial injustice they paid witness to daily. Examples of this power is shown throughout their words, for instance “we got to fight the powers that be,” and “cause I’m black and I’m proud,” these are song lyrics from Public Enemy’s number one hit “Fight the Power,” which demonstrated the empowerment Public Enemy strived to embody within each person struggling to connect with their culture. With the ability to influence many, Public Enemy utilized this opportunity by showcasing the black heroes that gave their lives for our better tomorrow. This group’s music taught their listeners to be proud of their heritage, and by doing so addresses the public with their critical social commentary. A world away from hip-hop/rap lived
Intended for urban youth among who are Black, Asian, and White. The Clash similar to Public Enemy utilized their words in order to bring about social change for the injustices that they