Public Enemy has gone through many lineup changes over the years, with Chuck D and Flavor Flav remaining the only constant members. Co-founder Professor Griff left in 1989 but rejoined in 1998, before parting ways again some years later. DJ Lord also joined Public Enemy in 1998 as the replacement of the group's original DJ Terminator X. In 2020, it was announced that Flavor Flav had been fired from the group. His firing was later revealed to be a publicity stunt that was called an April Fools' Day prank. Public Enemy, without Flavor Flav, would also tour and record music under the name of Public Enemy Radio which consists of the lineup of Chuck D, Jahi, DJ Lord and the S1Ws.
Public Enemy's first four albums during the late 1980s and early 1990s were all certified either gold or platinum and were, according to music critic Robert Hilburn in 1998, "the most acclaimed body of work ever by a hip hop act". Critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine called them "the most influential and radical band of their time". They were inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013. They were honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at the 62nd Grammy Awards.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_Enemy
Studio albums
Yo! Bum Rush the Show (1987)
It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (1988)
Fear of a Black Planet (1990)
Apocalypse 91... The Enemy Strikes Black (1991)
Muse Sick-n-Hour Mess Age (1994)
There's a Poison Goin' On (1999)
Revolverlution (2002)
New Whirl Odor (2005)
How You Sell Soul to a Soulless People Who Sold Their Soul? (2007)
Most of My Heroes Still Don't Appear on No Stamp (2012)
The Evil Empire of Everything (2012)
Man Plans God Laughs (2015)
Nothing Is Quick in the Desert (2017)
Loud Is Not Enough (2020) (released under the name Public Enemy Radio)
What You Gonna Do When the Grid Goes Down? (2020)
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There are three other groups named Public Enemy:
2) The first Public Enemy, an Oi!/punk band formed in 1984 who released one LP album (England's Glory) and one 7 inch (Skinheads). This band was never white supremacist and has no connection to the "revived" Public Enemy:
3) White Power group from the UK, formed by Paul Burnley (of No Remorse). Released 3 CDs: “Paul Burnley Is The Real Public Enemy”, "There is only one..." and “Archives”.
4) Public Enemy was a Hardcore/Punk group from Tuscon, Arizona.
He Got Game
Public Enemy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's been missin' us for mad years
One love, y'all
Yeah, that's right, He's Got Game
PE 1998
If man is the father, the son is the center of the earth
In the middle of the universe, then why
Don't freestyle much but I write 'em like such (word)
Amongst the fiends controlled by the screens
What does it all mean, all this shit I'm seein'?
Human beings screaming vocal javelins
Sign of a local nigga unravelin' (uh huh)
My wanderin' got my ass wonderin'
Where Christ is in all this crisis?
Hatin' Satan never knew what nice is
Check the papers while I bet on ices
More than your eye can see and ears can hear
Year by year all the sense disappears
Nonsense perseveres, prayers laced with fear
Beware, two triple O is near
It might feel good, it might sound a little somethin'
But damn the game if it don't mean nothin'
What is game? Who got game?
Where's the game in life, behind the game behind the game
I got game, she's got game
We got game, they got game, he got game
It might feel good, it might sound a little somethin'
But fuck the game if it ain't sayin' nothin'
Damn, was it something I said?
Pretend you don't see so you turn your head
Ray scared of his shadow, does it matter?
Thought of reparations got 'em playin' with the population
Nothin' to lose, everything's approved
People used, even murders excused (you preach to 'em, yo)
White men in suits don't have to jump
Still a thousand and one ways to lose with his shoes
God takes care of old folks and fools
While the devil takes care of makin' all the rules
Folks don't even own themselves
Payin' mental rent to corporate presidents (my man, my man)
Ugh, one outta million residents
Bein' dissident, who ain't kissin' it
The politics of chains and whips
Got the sick missin' chips and all the championships
What's love got to do with what you got?
Don't let a win get to your head or a loss to your heart (word)
Nonsense perseveres, prayers laced with fear
Beware, two triple O is near
It might feel good, it might sound a little somethin'
But damn the game if it don't mean nothin'
What is game? Who got game?
Where's the game in life, behind the game behind the game
I got game, she's got game
We got game, they got game, he got game
It might feel good, it might sound a little somethin'
But fuck the game if it ain't sayin' nothin'
Yeah, that's right, everybody got game
But we just here to let y'all know
That PE is in full effect from right now 'til the year 2000
Ay yo, my man, sing it
There's something happening here (yeah, yeah)
What it is ain't exactly clear
There's a man, with a gun over there (yeah, that's right, hah haha)
Tellin me, I got to beware
It's time we stop, children, what's that sound?
Everybody look what's goin', down
(Ay yo, I don't think they heard you, Stevie)
(Kick it to em again one more time)
It's time we stop, children, what's that sound?
Everybody look what's goin', down
Haha, that's right, boy, PE in full effect, boy, to the year 2000, yo
Stop, look, what's that sound? (come on, sing it)
Everybody knows what's goin' down (sing it again, y'all, come on)
Stop, look, what's that sound?
Everybody knows what's goin' down
Ay yo, these are some serious times that we're livin in, G
And a new world order is about to begin, you know what I'm sayin'?
Now the question is: are you ready, for the real revolution
Which is the evolution of the mind?
If you seek then you shall find that we all come from the divine
You dig what I'm sayin'?
Now if you take heed to the words of wisdom
That are written on the walls of life
Then universally, we will stand and divided we will fall
Because love conquers all, you understand what I'm sayin'?
This is a call to all you sleepin' souls
Wake up and take control of your own cipher
And be on the lookout for the spirit snipers
Tryin' to steal your light, you know what I'm sayin'?
Look within-side yourself, for peace
Give thanks, live life and release
You dig me? You got me?
The lyrics of Public Enemy's song "He Got Game" are a reflection on the state of society and the human condition. The lyricist starts by questioning the meaning of life and the chaos he sees around him. He then moves on to ponder the irony of how humans aspire after material wealth, yet so many of them are oppressed and controlled by the very people who should have their best interest at heart. He seems perplexed by the idea of Satan and Christ coexisting as humans struggle with defining what 'nice' is. The chorus, "It might sound good, it might feel good, but if it doesn't mean anything, then what's the point of the game? What is game? Who's got game?" invites the listener to question their own life and purpose.
In the second verse, the lyricist accuses society of being complacent and complicit in their own oppression. He highlights how some people are too afraid to challenge the existing power structure, even when it harms them. He also acknowledges the disparity between the haves and have-nots, pointing out the sacrifices we make to the corporate world without realizing we're hardly living our own lives. The chorus repeats with a little more emphasis on how meaningless our games are. In the ending, the song encourages listeners to seek wisdom, stand up for what's right, and not allow their light to be stolen by those who seek to snuff it out.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, that's right, this cut goes out to all y'all
The song is dedicated to all the fans who have missed Public Enemy's music for several years.
That's been missin' us for mad years
Public Enemy hasn't released their music to the public for several years, and the fans have longed for it.
One love, y'all
The song is meant to spread love and unity among all people.
Yeah, that's right, He's Got Game
The song's title is 'He Got Game'.
PE 1998
The song was released in 1998 by Public Enemy.
If man is the father, the son is the center of the earth
Men are the creators and rulers, but the earth revolves around children.
In the middle of the universe, then why
Is this verse comin' six times rehearsed?
If humans are at the center of the universe, why is this line repeated six times?
Don't freestyle much but I write 'em like such (word)
Although the rapper doesn't freestyle, he can write verses like he's freestyling.
Amongst the fiends controlled by the screens
What does it all mean, all this shit I'm seein'?
People who are addicted to screens are controlled like they are beasts. The rapper doesn't understand the meaning behind all the things he sees from screens.
Human beings screaming vocal javelins
Sign of a local nigga unravelin' (uh huh)
People shout in fear and pain, and their screams are like weapons or javelins. It's a sign of a person's mental breakdown.
My wanderin' got my ass wonderin'
The rapper's aimless wandering makes him wonder about various things.
Where Christ is in all this crisis?
The rapper wonders where the religious principles are during the current state of crisis.
Hatin' Satan never knew what nice is
Check the papers while I bet on ices
People who oppose the devil have never experienced what it's like to be good. The rapper pays attention to current events and places bets on the outcomes.
More than your eye can see and ears can hear
Year by year all the sense disappears
The entertainment industry evolves faster than people can perceive, and people become numb to the changes over time.
Nonsense perseveres, prayers laced with fear
Beware, two triple O is near
Meaningless things continue to exist, and people pray with anxiety. Public Enemy warns people to be careful of the coming year 2000.
It might feel good, it might sound a little somethin'
But damn the game if it don't mean nothin'
People might enjoy and appreciate something, but if it has no real meaning or purpose, it's worthless.
What is game? Who got game?
What does it mean to have game? Who has game?
Where's the game in life, behind the game behind the game
What's the real meaning of the game of life? What's behind it?
I got game, she's got game
We got game, they got game, he got game
Everyone has their own special skill or talent.
But fuck the game if it ain't sayin' nothin'
The game is worthless if it doesn't have any meaning or purpose.
Damn, was it something I said?
The rapper questions if he said something wrong.
Pretend you don't see so you turn your head
People ignore things they don't want to see.
Ray scared of his shadow, does it matter?
A person named Ray is afraid of his own shadow. Does it make a difference?
Thought of reparations got 'em playin' with the population
The idea of reparations drives people to manipulate the population.
Nothin' to lose, everything's approved
People used, even murders excused (you preach to 'em, yo)
People with nothing to lose receive approval and support, while others are used and even murderers are excused. The rapper encourages people to preach about these issues.
White men in suits don't have to jump
Still a thousand and one ways to lose with his shoes
Rich, white men don't have to struggle like others, but they still have problems that come with their power.
God takes care of old folks and fools
While the devil takes care of makin' all the rules
God only takes care of naive or foolish people while people with evil intentions make the rules.
Folks don't even own themselves
Payin' mental rent to corporate presidents (my man, my man)
People aren't even in control of themselves, and they are obligated to think the way corporate presidents want them to think.
Ugh, one outta million residents
Bein' dissident, who ain't kissin' it
Only a few people from the million residents are non-conformists and who don't blindly obey.
The politics of chains and whips
Got the sick missin' chips and all the championships
People with power control the masses using force. As a consequence, the sick become helpless, missing out on opportunities and success.
What's love got to do with what you got?
What does love have to do with material possessions?
Don't let a win get to your head or a loss to your heart (word)
Don't become arrogant when you win or despondent when you lose.
Yeah, that's right, everybody got game
Everyone has their own unique skill or talent.
But we just here to let y'all know
That PE is in full effect from right now 'til the year 2000
The rapper is announcing that Public Enemy is back in the music industry and active from then until the year 2000.
Ay yo, my man, sing it
The rapper is asking someone to sing a part of the song.
There's something happening here (yeah, yeah)
What it is ain't exactly clear
There is a significant change occurring, but it's unclear what it exactly is.
There's a man, with a gun over there (yeah, that's right, hah haha)
Tellin me, I got to beware
A man with a gun is warning the rapper to be careful.
It's time we stop, children, what's that sound?
Everybody look what's goin', down
It's time to stop and listen to what's happening around us.
(Ay yo, I don't think they heard you, Stevie)
(Kick it to em again one more time)
Stevie Wonder's verses are repeated, as the audience may not have heard it clearly.
Haha, that's right, boy, PE in full effect, boy, to the year 2000, yo
Public Enemy will continue to produce music and stay active until the year 2000.
Stop, look, what's that sound? (come on, sing it)
Everybody knows what's goin' down (sing it again, y'all, come on)
People should pay attention to what is happening around them, as they are aware of it already.
Ay yo, these are some serious times that we're livin in, G
And a new world order is about to begin, you know what I'm sayin'?
The rapper acknowledges that the present time is significant, and there are changes ahead.
Now the question is: are you ready, for the real revolution
Which is the evolution of the mind?
The question becomes, are people prepared for the upcoming revolution? The revolution, in this case, is the growth and development of the mind.
If you seek then you shall find that we all come from the divine
Those who search for the truth will find that everyone hails from the divine.
You dig what I'm sayin'?
Do you understand what I'm saying?
Now if you take heed to the words of wisdom
That are written on the walls of life
Then universally, we will stand and divided we will fall
If people follow the wise words written on life's walls, then we will unite and survive. But if we divide, we will fall.
Because love conquers all, you understand what I'm sayin'?
Love is powerful enough to overcome all, do you comprehend?
This is a call to all you sleepin' souls
Wake up and take control of your own cipher
The rapper is calling out to those who feel powerless and stubborn to awaken and make a difference.
And be on the lookout for the spirit snipers
Tryin' to steal your light, you know what I'm sayin'?
People should be aware of those who attack their spirit and try to strip them of their strength and power.
Look within-side yourself, for peace
Give thanks, live life and release
You dig me? You got me?
People should look within themselves for calmness, be grateful, enjoy life and move on. Do you follow?
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Darryl Pittman, Luquantam Leap, Carlton Douglas Ridenhour, Stephen Stills
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mikeoverend493
"Don't let a win get to your head, or a loss to your heart". thats a lot of wisdom
@consuellarodriguez5789
It's what parents showed be teaching their children these days instead of handing out participation trophies.
@jamilahhendricks7681
1:52-1:55
@daelen.cclark
Long live chuck D!
@michaelvasquez4833
That's how we grew up.
@chadconnolly1138
Frfr
@Dee_Nice89
Chuck D is one of hip hop's best storytellers
@tanyag1200
Nuff said
@Dee_Nice89
Tanya Galitan Welcome to the Terror Dome
@cnote027
a rapper in san antonio tx made this song and got it jacked from him by the PE producer.