In 1990, Hip Hop was getting more and more brazen with groups like N.W.A. and Public Enemy having the courage to speak their brutal truths. On April 10—26 years ago—Chuck D, Flavor Flav and The Bomb Squad unleashed Public Enemy’s third record, Fear of a Black Planet, an album so powerful and groundbreaking, its relevance is steadily undeniable.
Released by Def Jam Recordings and Columbia Records, just the title of the record made a grandiose statement. Chuck D, who has built a reputation around his unabashedly politically motivated lyrics, came out swinging with tracks like “Fight the Power,” “Burn Hollywood Burn (ft. Ice Cube and Big Daddy Kane)” and “Welcome to the Terrordome.”
Not surprisingly, the Flushing, Queens, New York native didn’t hide his feelings on the Professor Griff controversy (the Public Enemy member was accused of making anti-Semitic remarks, which led to his dismissal from the group in 1989), racism or the police. He executed his words with such rage and intent, people couldn’t help but pay attention.
Consequently, Fear of a Black Planet helped popularize political subject matter in Hip Hop, propelling a resurgence in black consciousness among African-American youths at the turn of the 1990s.
In 1991, Fear of a Black Planet was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 33rd Grammy Awards. Although they didn’t win, it further cemented their legacy and made it clear Public Enemy wasn’t going anywhere.
Twenty-six years later, Public Enemy has released their 14th album, Man Plans God Laughs, and Chuck D is still making his mark on the culture at 55 years old. Visit www.publicenemy.com for more information.
