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.
Reggie Jax
Public Enemy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Accent that I never had
So why don't you stay away awhile
Come hear the freestyle
The quicker the sticks
With the guitar licks
Complete the beat for your feet
Check out the drum kick
Kickin' it all about rebuildin' so all the children
Avoid the self destruction
So long I'm gonna do y'all a favor
'Cause I got the flavor yea
Get low not high you can't deny
Homeboys and girls you'll testify
The p-e-f-u-n and the K will stay
And make your body sway 'cause we got
That funky beat on the street on your feet
Can you feel the heat in your mind all the time
You don't have to find the effect of the
Rhythm an the funky rhyme on your body
On your gear so have no fear in your hair
Everywhere if you dare take this never
Miss that funky list of super rockin' cuts
That you can't resist on the move make ya
Groove prove that we choose our cuts
Make you strut and shake your butt
Bend your back get the knack of the
Funk attack
Yes, yes y'all take that y'all, ya don't ya won't stop
The first part of the lyrics from Public Enemy's song Reggie Jax suggests an almost defiant stance against pretending to have an accent that isn't "real". This could be interpreted as a commentary on the pressure felt by people to conform to certain expectations, or even the idea of cultural appropriation. We then move on to the music itself, with a focus on the instruments and the rhythm. The guitar licks and drum kick are described as completing the beat, and the overall aim of the song seems to be to get people moving and grooving. However, there is also a deeper message here, with the reference to "rebuilding" and "self-destruction". It seems that Public Enemy is using the power of their music to uplift and inspire their community, encouraging people to avoid negative influences and focus on positive change. The catchy, upbeat tone of the song reflects this message, with the repeated refrain of "get low not high" acting as a kind of mantra.
Line by Line Meaning
I never tried to pretend to have an Accent that I never had
I never acted as if I was from a different culture than the one I was raised in, so there's no need for anyone to be suspicious of my identity.
So why don't you stay away awhile
Why don't you mind your own business for a bit?
Come hear the freestyle
Take a listen to my improvisational rap style.
The quicker the sticks With the guitar licks Complete the beat for your feet Check out the drum kick
The beat created by the combination of the drums and guitar is fast and energetic, perfect for dancing.
I'm here to live for the love of my people Kickin' it all about rebuildin' so all the children Avoid the self destruction
My goal is to work towards rebuilding and improving the lives of my community by steering children away from self-destructive behavior.
So long I'm gonna do y'all a favor 'Cause I got flavor yea
I'm going to do you all a favor by sharing my unique style and vibe with you.
Get low not high you can't deny Homeboys and girls you'll testify
Dance with low movements, not high ones, and you'll feel the rhythm in your body.
The p-e-f-u-n and the K will stay And make your body sway 'cause we got That funky beat on the street on your feet
The Public Enemy crew, along with the K drumming group, will provide a groovy beat that will make you want to dance.
Can you feel the heat in your mind all the time You don't have to find the effect of the Rhythm an the funky rhyme on your body
Even if you don't consciously seek it out, the rhythm and rhymes of the music will have a physical and mental effect on you.
On your gear so have no fear in your hair Everywhere if you dare take this never Miss that funky list of super rockin' cuts
No matter what you're wearing or how you style your hair, you can still enjoy and appreciate this list of awesome, funky songs.
That you can't resist on the move make ya Groove prove that we choose our cuts Make you strut and shake your butt Bend your back get the knack of the Funk attack
These songs are so irresistible that you will naturally start moving and dancing to the beat. We choose these songs specifically to make you strut and show off your best dance moves.
Yes, yes y'all take that y'all, ya don't ya won't stop
So go ahead and enjoy the music, because it's not going to stop anytime soon.
Lyrics © REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: CARLTON RIDENHOUR, ERIC SADLER, KEITH BOXLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind