Public Enemy
Band · US · formed 1985
Members
Chuck Doriginal · 1985current- Professor Grifforiginal · 1994current
- DJ Lordturntable · 1999current
- Brian Hardgroovebass guitarcurrent
- Davy DMXcurrent
- Keith Boxleycurrent
- Khari Wynnguitarcurrent
- Power Borncurrent
- T Bone Mottadrums (drum set)current
Flavor Flavoriginal · 1985–2020- Professor Grifforiginal · 1985–1989
- Terminator Xoriginal, turntable · 1985–1998
Public Enemy was formed in 1985, marking the beginning of a revolutionary era in hip-hop.
Their second album, 'It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back,' was the first hip-hop album to top The Village Voice's Pazz & Jop critics' poll.
Public Enemy was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013, recognizing their significant contributions to music.
Biography
Formation
Public Enemy is an influential American hip-hop group formed in 1985 in Roosevelt, New York, by Chuck D (Carlton Ridenhour) and Flavor Flav (William Drayton). The duo met while attending Adelphi University and began developing their musical talents together. Initially known as Spectrum City, they released their first record, "Check Out the Radio," which showcased their unique blend of hard-hitting beats and socially conscious lyrics. The name "Public Enemy" was inspired by Chuck D's experiences in the local music scene, where he felt persecuted by rival MCs.
Breakthrough
The group gained significant recognition with their debut album, "Yo! Bum Rush the Show," released in 1987, which was followed by their groundbreaking second album, "It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back" in 1988. This album was notable for being the first hip-hop album to top The Village Voice's Pazz & Jop critics' poll. Public Enemy continued to release critically acclaimed albums throughout the 1990s, including "Fear of a Black Planet" (1990) and "Apocalypse 91... The Enemy Strikes Black" (1991), solidifying their status as pioneers of political hip-hop.
Legacy
Public Enemy's impact on hip-hop extends beyond their music; they are known for their politically charged lyrics addressing issues such as racism and media representation. Their innovative sound, characterized by the production style of the Bomb Squad, incorporated elements of free jazz and funk, creating a dense and powerful auditory experience. The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013, a testament to their lasting influence on the genre and culture of hip-hop. With a lineup that has included members like Professor Griff, Terminator X, and DJ Lord, Public Enemy continues to be a vital force in music, releasing their most recent album, "Black Sky Over the Projects: Apartment 2025," in 2025.
Collected from open sources (4) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Discography
Black Sky Over the Projects: Apartment 20252025
- 1.Siick4:52
- 2.Confusion (Here Come the Drums)2:45
- 3.What Eye Said3:17
- 4.Cmon Get Down2:55
- 5.Evil Ways4:32
- 6.Sexegenarian3:06
- 7.Messy Hens3:22
- 8.Fools Fools Fools (Dirty Drums Mixx)3:46
- 9.Public Enemy Comin Throoooo3:00
- 10.Ageism4:05
- 11.The Hits Just Keep On Comin2:13
- 12.March Madness2:54
What You Gonna Do When the Grid Goes Down?2020
- 1.When the Grid Go Down…1:32
- 2.Grid4:32
- 3.State of the Union (STFU)2:55
- 4.Merica Mirror (interlude)0:08
- 5.Public Enemy Number Won5:26
- 6.Toxic3:12
- 7.Yesterday Man3:04
- 8.Crossroads Burning (interlude)0:13
- 9.Fight the Power: Remix 20204:57
- 10.Beat Them All2:53
- 11.Smash the Crowd3:06
- 12.If You Can’t Join Em Beat Em0:50
- 13.Go at It3:22
- 14.Don’t Look at the Sky (interlude)0:09
- 15.Rest in Beats3:57
- 16.R.I.P. Blackat3:36
- 17.Closing: I Am Black0:14
Nothing Is Quick in the Desert2017
- 1.Nothing Is Quick in the Desert1:21
- 2.sPEak!3:32
- 3.Yesterday Man4:21
- 4.Exit Your Mind0:51
- 5.Beat Them All2:55
- 6.Smash the Crowd3:32
- 7.If You Can’t Join Em Beat Em1:28
- 8.So Be It3:50
- 9.SOC MED Digital Heroin3:54
- 10.Terrorwrist1:57
- 11.Toxic3:12
- 12.Sells Like Teens Hear It2:58
- 13.Rest in Beats, Part 1 & 26:53
Man Plans God Laughs2015
- 1.No Sympathy From the Devil2:50
- 2.Me to We2:15
- 3.Man Plans God Laughs2:03
- 4.Give Peace a Damn3:01
- 5.Those Who Know, Know Who2:11
- 6.Honky Talk Rules3:47
- 7.Mine Again2:12
- 8.Lost in Space Music2:25
- 9.Corplantationopoly2:27
- 10.Earthizen2:26
- 11.Praise the Loud2:13
Most of My Heroes Still Don’t Appear on No Stamp2012
- 1.Run ’til It’s Dark3:19
- 2.Get Up Stand Up5:04
- 3.Most of My Heroes Still...3:32
- 4.I Shall Not Be Moved5:23
- 5.Get It In3:10
- 6.Hoover Music3:59
- 7.Catch the Thrown4:26
- 8.Rltk4:38
- 9.Truth Decay4:11
- 10.FassFood4:03
- 11.WTF?6:22
The Evil Empire of Everything2012
- 1.The Evil Empire of…1:53
- 2.Don’t Give Up the Fight3:47
- 3.1 (PEace)2:47
- 4.2 (resPEct)3:10
- 5.Beyond Trayvon4:30
- 6.… Everything4:12
- 7.31 Flavors3:10
- 8.Riotstarted3:28
- 9.Notice (Know This)2:15
- 10.Icebreaker7:14
- 11.Fame4:49
- 12.Broke Diva3:13
- 13.Say It Like It Really Is6:24
How You Sell Soul to a Soulless People Who Sold Their Soul???2007
- 1.How You Sell Soul to a Soulless People Who Sold Their Soul?2:37
- 2.Black Is Back2:42
- 3.Harder Than You Think4:09
- 4.Between Hard and a Rock Place1:00
- 5.Sex, Drugs & Violence3:36
- 6.Amerikan Gangster4:04
- 7.Can You Hear Me Now3:58
- 8.Head Wide Shut1:31
- 9.Flavor Man3:44
- 10.The Enemy Battle Hymn of the Public3:24
- 11.Escapism4:53
- 12.Frankenstar3:24
- 13.Col‐Leepin3:59
- 14.Radiation of a RADIOTVMOVIE Nation1:10
- 15.See Something, Say Something3:46
- 16.Long and Whining Road4:25
- 17.Bridge of Pain3:07
- 18.Eve of Destruction4:16
- 19.How You Sell Soul (Time Is God Refrain)2:31
- 20.Where There’s Smoke…60:00
- 21.PE20 TOUR58: Power Energy, Planet Earth, Public Enemy50:00
- 22.Live @ BB King’s Footage5:00
- 23.The Story of the Public Enemy Comic Book8:00
- 24.Do You Wanna Go Our Way??? The Post 1999 PE Video Collection
- 25.Photo Gallery
- 26.SlamJamz Video Jukeboxx
Beats and Places2006
- 1.Here We Go Again (PE Tour intro 2007)1:34
- 2.Air Conditioning3:12
- 3.Who’s Your Hero?3:56
- 4.The Flavor Flav Show3:22
- 5.Electric Shave3:30
- 6.Grand Theft Oil3:18
- 7.Hell No, We Ain’t Allright5:24
- 8.Vidiot1:22
- 9.Like It Is5:48
- 10.Shit2:18
- 11.PE, Break It to P.E. Aces0:40
- 12.All Aboard the New Nighttrain3:02
- 13.Do You Wanna Go Our Way??? (live)3:56
- 14.If I Gave You Soul (What Would You Do With It?)5:43
- 15.Air Conditioning (revisited)4:23
Rebirth of a Nation2005
- 1.Raw Shit4:17
- 2.Hard Rhymin’4:41
- 3.Rise4:08
- 4.Can’t Hold Us Back5:07
- 5.Hard Truth Soldiers4:19
- 6.Hannibal Lecture3:51
- 7.Rebirth of a Nation3:27
- 8.Pump the Music, Pump the Sound2:29
- 9.Make It Hardcore5:16
- 10.They Call Me Flavor3:09
- 11.Plastic Nation3:04
- 12.Coinsequences4:19
- 13.Invisible Man4:29
- 14.Hell No (We Ain’t Alright) (Paris remix)4:31
- 15.Watch the Door3:36
- 16.Field Nigga Boogie (XLR8R remix)5:11
New Whirl Odor2005
- 1....And No One Broadcasted Louder Than... (intro)0:34
- 2.New Whirl Odor3:25
- 3.Bring That Beat Back4:17
- 4.66.6 Strikes Again1:46
- 5.MKLVFKWR3:24
- 6.What a Fool Believes3:07
- 7.Makes You Blind5:35
- 8.Preachin' to the Quiet4:27
- 9.Either We Together or We Ain't (S1W Stepstrumental)1:44
- 10.Revolution4:20
- 11.Check What You're Listening To5:47
- 12.As Long as the People Got Something to Say3:24
- 13.Y'All Don't Know4:01
- 14.Either You Get It by Now or You Don't1:16
- 15.Superman's Black in the Building11:50
Revolverlution2002
- 1.Gotta Give the Peeps What They Need3:32
- 2.Revolverlution3:01
- 3.Miuzi Weighs a Ton (live San Francisco 1999-10-21)1:48
- 4.Put It Up3:12
- 5.Can a Woman Make a Man Lose His Mind?3:34
- 6.PESA #10:22
- 7.Fight the Power (live Winterthur Switzerland 1992)3:55
- 8.By the Time I Get to Arizona (The Moleman Mixx)3:58
- 9.Post‐Concert Arizona Interview (U2 Zoo Tour)1:04
- 10.Son of a Bush5:52
- 11.54321… Boom3:38
- 12.Welcome to the Terrordome (live Winterthur Switzerland 1992)3:38
- 13.B Side Wins Again (Scattershot remix)4:54
- 14.Get Your Shit Together4:47
- 15.PESA #20:30
- 16.Shut Em Down (The Functionist version)5:29
- 17.Now A'daze3:25
- 18.Public Enemy No. 1 (Jeronimo Punx Redu)4:49
- 19.The Making of Burn Hollywood Burn2:47
- 20.Gotta Give the Peeps What They Need (DJ Johnny Juice - Paris Revolverlutionary mix)3:31
- 21.What Good Is a Bomb6:17
Times Up! 20 Classic PE Jams from the Vaults..2002
- 1.Public Enemy No.14:41
- 2.Timebomb2:56
- 3.Miuzi Weighs a Ton4:00
- 4.Rebel Without a Pause4:23
- 5.Don’t Believe the Hype5:20
- 6.Bring the Noise3:39
- 7.Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos3:43
- 8.Night of the Living Baseheads3:01
- 9.Cold Lamping With Flavor4:10
- 10.Welcome to the Terrordome5:24
- 11.911 Is a Joke3:20
- 12.Brothers Gonna Work It Out5:07
- 13.By the Time I Get to Arizona3:59
- 14.Fight the Power3:37
- 15.Anti Nigger Machine1:58
- 16.Can’t Truss It4:13
- 17.Shut Em Down4:20
- 18.Give It Up4:40
- 19.He Got Game3:18
- 20.Do You Wanna Go Our Way???3:56
20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: The Best Of2001
Tracklist not collected yet.
2 Original CDs: Yo! Bum Rush the Show / It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back2001
Tracklist not collected yet.
3 Original CDs: Yo! Bum Rush the Show / It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back / Fear of a Black Planet2001
Tracklist not collected yet.
Classic Public Enemy2001
Tracklist not collected yet.
There’s a Poison Goin On…1999
Tracklist not collected yet.
Bring the Noise 20001998
Tracklist not collected yet.
Muse Sick‐N‐Hour Mess Age1994
Tracklist not collected yet.
Greatest Misses1992
Tracklist not collected yet.
Singles n’ Remixes 1987–19921992
Tracklist not collected yet.
Apocalypse 91… The Enemy Strikes Black1991
Tracklist not collected yet.
Fear of a Black Planet1990
Tracklist not collected yet.
It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back1988
Tracklist not collected yet.
Yo! Bum Rush the Show1987
Tracklist not collected yet.
Gallery
Label
- Record label
- Def Jam Recordings
- Record label
- Columbia Records
Achievements
- Award
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Similar artists
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Public Enemy is an American hip-hop group formed in Roosevelt, New York, in 1985 by Chuck D and Flavor Flav. The group rose to prominence for their political messages including subjects such as American racism and the American media. Their debut album, Yo! Bum Rush the Show, was released in 1987 to critical acclaim, and their second album, It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (1988), was the first hip-hop album to top The Village Voice's Pazz & Jop critics' poll. Their next three albums, Fear of a Black Planet (1990), Apocalypse 91... The Enemy Strikes Black (1991), and Muse Sick-n-Hour Mess Age (1994), were also well received. The group has since released eleven more studio albums, including the soundtrack to the 1998 sports-drama film He Got Game and a collaborative album with Paris, Rebirth of a Nation (2006). Their most recent album, Black Sky Over the Projects: Apartment 2025, was released in 2025.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
…