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.
Resurrection
Public Enemy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Damn back again up on track again
Some of why'all black again it got dark
On your mark get set
Out of sight out of mind
Hyprocites forget like marionettes
Strings in the back like nets
Lack of rhymes meaningless punch lines
Battle for your mind
Like Israel and Palastine
Good news there is some hard a** times
No more disses
Repeated hook lines and chorus'
Days of doris'
Got issues and wishes
Got the jam but gettin paid up off the misses
Ain't nothin wrong but wait f*** another love song
It's the r&b strangler bringing nosie in the wranglers
Rock all the heads big times and alzheimers
Shot the pill while I drop skills up in Brazil
Now the pitch
Lord save us from that sword of Davis
That kidnap hip hop tracks and the beats in the game of rap
Put my soul in it
Care less about the gold in it
Boom the shootie
Got 'em running from the paparazzi
Lodie dotie
When the feds come and doom your party
Cracker in the back
Don't you know it's illuminati
Ain't nothing changed
PE we be the same crew
Resurrection in the game here to save you
[Flava Flav]
Yo it's going down baby
It's going down family
That's my word
We gettin ready to turn this s*** to the two and three zeros
Ya know what I'm sayin
Have all the clocks goin backwards
Have everything goin haywire
You lauged before let's see you laugh now blue cow
How now black cow
Word to bird
Word to bird
Word to bird n****
[Chuck D]
One on one
Hard like tarot cards
Behold the one man million man march
Takes a nation
400 year violation
Apocalyptic no power in this happy hour
Hazordus no you don't like lazarus
Just black baby
Where my soul be at
Star spelled backwards is rats
Let bra man rap
I'm trapped in the back with these industry cats
One step forward two steps back
Making habits claiming habitats
Ratta tat tat
Wish you could turn back the hands of time
And get mental
Pop the track eight track lincoln contniental
I'm the mouth that roared
Swore to the Lord
The eye of hawk
Both live and die by the sword
The forbidden
The six man be sinning from the beginning
The suckers hand be hidden
Intesne
Knocking your block with some sense
PE got more jewels than dead presidents
The devil try to get me cross like a crucifix
But I am focused on the vultures
Like a loc of locusts
New world order is goin down
Gettin round
I'm the spook that sat by the sound
F***ing with Sadamn will bring a new Saigon
Ain't nothing changed PE we be the same crew boy
[Flava Flav]
Yeah that's right
Nine eight
No joking
We coming out smoking
And for all why'all that's been sleeping on us
You're lacking you're lacking
Ah-yo check 1-2
I've got my mand that's about to sneak up on you and your crew
Ya know what I'm saying
Check 1-2
Aiyo Masta Killa I want you to put one up in 'em son
And show 'em you ain't done son
Ball 'em with the back of the gun son
Make 'em run son
[Masta Killa]
Sliding down broadway beneath the j line
Slumped in the incline position
Mind travelin' beyond the shell
Which holds the soul controlled by the Allah
I be most humble but also punishable
For those who are unlawful to righteousness
I strive to stay alive and live this
Many fell victim to the wisdom
I mastered this
The track ovulates the mic like prostate gland imperegnates
Onto the paper the pain pours
For the love of my brother that hurts just the same
F*** fame
My gun I bust to maintain
Moods are insiduous
Baffels and eludes those who label the God being anti-social
Chose not to apply their third eye
I travel at the speed of thought rate
It's fatal
What will enable a man to levitate
[Flava Flav]
And you can take that and put that on the back of your brain
Coming straight to you from Masta Killa
Ain't nuttin iller
I told you PE is still in full effect
Beyond the year 2000
We ain't taking no shorts
And why'all need to know that
To make your head fat boy
The lyrics of "Resurrection" by Public Enemy paint a picture of the harsh realities of life and social issues, including corruption, hypocrisy, and oppression. Chuck D calls out the system in this song for their lack of concern regarding the struggles of society. He uses metaphorical language to describe the state of things, analogizing strings controlling marionettes to describe how hypocrites are being controlled, and calling battles for one's mind parallels of the ongoing unrest between Israel and Palestine.
The song's hook lines and chorus emphasize that the group is here to battle for their beliefs, and they are not willing to fall prey to the industry's trends or superficial standards. They address topics like the new world order, the war in Iraq, and their general belief that many people don't see the bigger picture when it comes to understanding the issues that plague society. Flava Flav amplifies Chuck D's message as he talks about coming out smoking and the need to show the world what Public Enemy is made of.
"Resurrection" was a part of the soundtrack for the 1998 movie "He Got Game" directed by Spike Lee. The song was later included on the re-release of Public Enemy's 1998 album "He Got Game" in 2018.
Line by Line Meaning
Damn back again up on track again
We are back and focused on our mission once more
Some of why'all black again it got dark
Some of you have lost sight of your purpose and become blind to the struggle
On your mark get set
Prepare yourself, get ready
Out of sight out of mind
If you are not seen, you are forgotten
Hyprocites forget like marionettes
Hypocrites easily forget, controlled like puppets on strings
Strings in the back like nets
The unseen forces controlling and trapping us
The chosen one who can laugh themselves to death
The one who sees through the lies and can mock them until their downfall
Lack of rhymes meaningless punch lines
Many rappers lack substance and their lyrics are empty
Battle for your mind
Engage in the fight to control your thoughts and beliefs
Like Israel and Palastine
Similar to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine
Good news there is some hard a** times
Unfortunately, the truth is that difficult times lie ahead
No more disses
We will cease engaging in pointless insults
Repeated hook lines and chorus'
Overused and repetitive song elements
Days of doris'
The days of conformity and mediocrity
Got issues and wishes
We have problems and desires
Got the jam but gettin paid up off the misses
We have the talent, but success eludes us
Ain't nothin wrong but wait f*** another love song
Everything seems fine, but we're tired of hearing love songs
It's the r&b strangler bringing nosie in the wranglers
I, the enemy of mainstream R&B, bring chaos and disturbance
Rock all the heads big times and alzheimers
I dominate the minds of the masses, causing confusion and memory loss
Shot the pill while I drop skills up in Brazil
While I showcase my talent in Brazil, I also inject truth and enlightenment
Now the pitch
Here's the situation
Lord save us from that sword of Davis
We need divine intervention to protect us from the corrupt industry
That kidnap hip hop tracks and the beats in the game of rap
Those who exploit and control hip hop, stealing its authenticity
Put my soul in it
I pour my heart and soul into my music
Care less about the gold in it
I value the artistry more than the monetary gain
Boom the shootie
Explosive impact
Got 'em running from the paparazzi
I have them fleeing from the invasive media
Lodie dotie
A reference to the playful song 'Lodi Dodi'
When the feds come and doom your party
When authorities intervene and ruin your celebration
Cracker in the back
An offensive term for a white person, influencing events from behind
Don't you know it's illuminati
The hidden powers at play, controlling the industry
Ain't nothing changed
Our core values and mission remain the same
PE we be the same crew
Public Enemy continues to be united and dedicated
Resurrection in the game here to save you
We are back to revive and protect the essence of the genre
Yo it's going down baby
Things are about to shake up and change
It's going down family
The movement involves all of us
That's my word
I am speaking the truth and standing by my statement
We gettin ready to turn this s*** to the two and three zeros
We are preparing to revolutionize the game in the new millennium
Ya know what I'm sayin
Do you understand and grasp the significance?
Have all the clocks goin backwards
Time will be reversed, disrupting the norm
Have everything goin haywire
Throwing everything into chaos and disorder
You lauged before let's see you laugh now blue cow
Those who mocked us in the past will face the consequences and be silenced
How now black cow
The situation has changed drastically
Word to bird
Acknowledging and giving respect to our comrades
One on one
Direct confrontation
Hard like tarot cards
Our resilience and strength is powerful and unpredictable
Behold the one man million man march
One individual can inspire a movement as extraordinary as a million man march
Takes a nation
It requires the collective effort and unity of the people
400 year violation
The continued oppression and mistreatment endured for centuries
Apocalyptic no power in this happy hour
The current state of affairs is bleak, devoid of true change or progress
Hazordus no you don't like lazarus
The danger and threat we pose to the corrupt is similar to that of the biblical Lazarus coming back to life
Just black baby
Embracing our blackness and the power it holds
Where my soul be at
The deepest essence of who I am
Star spelled backwards is rats
The glamorous image of stardom is just an illusion, often concealing deceit and treachery
Let bra man rap
Allow me, a black man, to express myself through music
I'm trapped in the back with these industry cats
I am stuck behind the scenes with these industry insiders
One step forward two steps back
Progress is hindered by setbacks and obstacles
Making habits claiming habitats
Falling into routines and claiming territories
Ratta tat tat
Gunfire and violence
Wish you could turn back the hands of time
Yearning to go back to a time when things were better
And get mental
To become focused and intense
Pop the track eight track lincoln contniental
Playing loud music in a luxurious car to make a statement
I'm the mouth that roared
My voice is powerful and commands attention
Swore to the Lord
Making a solemn promise and commitment
The eye of hawk
The ability to see with great clarity and precision
Both live and die by the sword
We are willing to risk everything for our cause
The forbidden
That which is prohibited or hidden
The six man be sinning from the beginning
The deceitful and corrupt have been involved in wrongdoing since the start
The suckers hand be hidden
Those who deceive and exploit their power do so discreetly
Intesne
Intense and powerful
Knocking your block with some sense
Delivering impactful knowledge and wisdom
PE got more jewels than dead presidents
Public Enemy possesses more valuable knowledge and insight than the leaders of the past
The devil try to get me cross like a crucifix
Evil forces attempt to tempt and mislead me
But I am focused on the vultures
My attention is directed towards those who prey on the weak
Like a loc of locusts
Similar to a swarm of locusts, wreaking havoc and destruction
New world order is goin down
The corrupt system and its control is crumbling
Gettin round
Spreading and gaining momentum
I'm the spook that sat by the sound
I am the undercover agent for change within the music industry
F***ing with Sadamn will bring a new Saigon
Challenging authority and oppression will result in a new era of conflict and turmoil
Yeah that's right
Affirming the truth of the statement
Nine eight
Referring to the year 1998
No joking
Seriousness and determination
We coming out smoking
We are emerging with great force and energy
And for all why'all that's been sleeping on us
For those who have underestimated our significance
You're lacking you're lacking
You are lacking awareness and understanding
Ah-yo check 1-2
Attention, pay close attention
I've got my mand that's about to sneak up on you and your crew
I have a partner who will surprise and overwhelm you and your group
Aiyo Masta Killa I want you to put one up in 'em son
Masta Killa, it's your turn to attack and defeat them
And show 'em you ain't done son
Demonstrate your resilience and determination
Ball 'em with the back of the gun son
Hit them forcefully and effectively
Make 'em run son
Instill fear and make them flee
Sliding down broadway beneath the j line
Moving swiftly and unnoticed beneath the surface
Slumped in the incline position
Relaxed and hidden, ready for action
Mind travelin' beyond the shell
Mentally transcending limitations
Which holds the soul controlled by the Allah
The physical body that houses the spirit, guided by a higher power
I be most humble but also punishable
Although I am humble, disrespect will not go unanswered
For those who are unlawful to righteousness
Punishment awaits those who act against justice and morality
I strive to stay alive and live this
I make an effort to survive and fully experience life
Many fell victim to the wisdom
Many succumbed to the temptations of false knowledge
I mastered this
I have become skilled and knowledgeable in this discipline
The track ovulates the mic like prostate gland imperegnates
The music gives life and energy to the microphone and impacts listeners like the impregnation of the prostate gland
Onto the paper the pain pours
Emotions and struggles are poured onto the paper as lyrics
For the love of my brother that hurts just the same
The pain and challenges faced by my fellow black individuals affect me deeply
F*** fame
I reject the allure of fame and its superficiality
My gun I bust to maintain
I utilize my weapon and skills to protect and preserve what is important
Moods are insiduous
Emotions have a sneaky and creeping influence
Baffels and eludes those who label the God being anti-social
Those who stereotype and misunderstand me as being antisocial are confused and unable to comprehend my connection with a higher power
Chose not to apply their third eye
They deliberately ignore their inner wisdom and intuition
I travel at the speed of thought rate
My mental journey is rapid and transcendent
It's fatal
This journey carries significant consequences
What will enable a man to levitate
What can empower an individual to rise above and defy gravity
And you can take that and put that on the back of your brain
You should remember and internalize this piece of knowledge
Coming straight to you from Masta Killa
These words come directly and authentically from Masta Killa
Ain't nuttin iller
Nothing is more impressive or impactful
Beyond the year 2000
Continuing to thrive and create beyond the new millennium
We ain't taking no shorts
We refuse to accept anything less than what we deserve
And why'all need to know that
It is important for you to understand this
To make your head fat boy
To enlighten and expand your perspective
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ARBY TERRENCE TRENT D
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind