What goes on. Well….
JOE continues to look at some of our favourite classic songs with a tribute to one of the most influential hip-hop artists and songs of all-time.
Artist, album and year: Public Enemy, Yo! Bum Rush the Show, 1987
Why is it a classic? : On this album, Public Enemy very clearly and deliberately placed themselves as a figurehead and medium to help channel the anger, frustration and defiance that was building up within the African-American community in the late ’80s.
The pounding drums, scratching DJ’s and razor-sharp raps were able to drive home the sound of social injustice and political hypocrisy that parts of America refused to hear.
On this track, Flavor Flav grabs your attention right from the off with his conversational intro that almost has the ability to distract you before Chuck D drops one of the best deliveries in rap history that still gets the adrenalin pumping.
Without using a single word of profanity, Public Enemy managed to address the issues of gun culture, rap feuds, peaceful revolution, biased media and strength in numbers.
Did You Know? : Their first four albums during the late 1980s and early 1990s were all certified either gold or platinum.
The lyrical hook: “1-2-3 down for the count, The result of my lyrics – oh yes, no doubt.”
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