Public Enemy: Planet Earth – The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Greatest Rap Hits
Public Enemy
Planet Earth: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Greatest Rap Hits
(Eastlink)
The celebratory release Planet Earth: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Greatest Rap Hits coincided with the induction of the legendary rap group Public Enemy into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Public Enemy is known for bass-heavy, hard-hitting percussion, slick scratching techniques and revolutionary anthems such as “Fight the Power†and the brutal social commentary on “911 Is a Joke,†penned by Flavor Flav. These unflinching contentions against social and political injustice is largely part of Public Enemy’s legacy. Hailing from Long Island, the early beginnings of Public Enemy found them opening for artists such as the Beastie Boys. Their body of work altered the whole dynamic of rap music with albums such as It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back and Fear of a Black Planet. Quickly the group became nationally and internationally one of the most influential and respected music groups of all time. The cross-cultural adoration never stopped as the group continued to challenge racism, supported pro-environment actions, attacked trigger-happy policing and corporate and governmental abuses. Against the sauntering saxophone riff that blankets the fiery “Shut Em Down†(Pete Rock Remix), Chuck D questions if there is a benefit to consumerism, “I like Nike but wait a minute, the neighborhood supports so put some money in it, corporations owe.†The rest of the collection is decorated with such gems as “Give It Up,†“Can’t Truss It,†“By the Time I Get to Arizona,†“Welcome to the Terrordome†and “I Shall Not Be Moved.â€