Reviews (page 5 of 12)
Great samples, an og record. Love the vibe
I was twelve years old when Dy-Na-Mi-Tee was released and it was such a massive hit, it gives me so much nostalgia-as does It Takes More and Put Him Out. These are three songs that really dominated my playlists of that year, I remember the video for the second song always being on MTV Base in the morning when I got ready for school. There are a few filler tracks in my opinion but they all have a good beat to them. My notable mentions added to the two songs mentioned was Kandy Krush which really got me moving about and Too Experienced which featured Barrington Levy which was fun. This album had a lot of reggae influence which made it really easy to listen to. The last song that had the secret bonus track at the end, was a real treat. The rapper in this track is her brother Akala who is also a writer and activist, his song Shakespeare is worth a listen if you liked this track. I’m glad I got to listen to this album and revisit some songs as an adult
Y s'en passe des affaires icitte. J'ai le goût de m'acheter un tshirt.
First great album I hadn’t heard (all of - I did of course know the two big singles). Loved it, it’s so dense and full of energy and righteous anger. Chuck Ds voice and delivery are great on this.
This album really does it job and makes you stand up and pay attention to what it's saying which. I generally find lyrics difficult to pay attention to the first time around but this album was different in that regard. The beats are superb as well with some clever use of vocal samples.
2nd 4 star album from them
Still fresh and cool 35 years later
This album is like waking up on a warm Spring morning and feeling motivated to go out for a run. The mood that you’re in is sparking a new beginning towards better health and a better mindset, while also making you wanting to punch out the nearest government official.
This was so good!
This album had me grooving hard on the subway.
Good
Still feels incredibly powerful even today. The production on this has not aged at all. I do think it's maybe a little weaker than It Takes a Nation of Millions..., but not by much
Random thoughts: * I knew 2 tracks before going into this album. * interesting choice to have Fight The Power as the last track. Did they think it was not commercially viable? * overall, many of the tracks were entertaining and good. * the overall sound is kinda the same across all the tracks.
This album hits extra hard given the state of the world at the time of listening to it. I can only imagine how hard it hit back when it released in the early 90's. The songs are angry, yes, but that's an oversimplification. Each track is a challenge, confronting issues such as white supremacy & racism head on with no mincing of words. It's got the full package: great beats, great rappers, and meaningful lyrics. I have actually never heard of most of this group, with the exception of Flavor Flav (who I only know of, I had not heard him rap prior to this), and that's truly shocking to me. I hope to see something of theirs on this generator again.
If something could be an equivalent of collage in music, it’s this.
This was ana amazing listen. So good. I've never really listened to Public Enemy before and now I wish I had.
pretty cool- production is really cool and worth another deep dive into them. not going to be in daily rotation i think
One of the great rap albums of this generation.
ITANOMTHUB has always been my favorite PE album, but this one might be their best. Angry, thrilling, frightening.
Poignant and good. Something about his voice that really works.
Liked this one much more than Nation of Millions. Good lyrics, energetic music. A few small quibbles, but enjoyable overall.
This is Public Enemy's best album; there's no contest here. There are many songs to like here. I don't like spoken word songs, so "Pollywanacraka" is my least favourite on "Fear of a Black Planet". This album saves its best song, "Fight the Power", for last. I hope I get another great LP today.
The more Public Enemy I hear, the more I like them. This is a great one. Tons of energy directed in a way that speaks to me, across cultures.
Just good, very good music.
Æ hørte ikke godt nok på tekstan til å faktisk få et innblikk i samfunnskritikken, men æ likte det, det va et gøyalt innblikk i historisk hiphop.
Classic
Solid
Lyrically, this album is awesome. Musically, I love the production, awesome mend of noise, rock, and heavy beats. It’s in your face, abrasive, noisy, and funky. But personally, it’s not my thing. I get why this is a masterpiece but it doesn’t stand the test of time for me.
Loved this, really interesting production.
The only rap I knew in high school was the Sugar Hill Gang and I never really jumped on the train. This may be the first time I ever LISTENED to this album front to back. I missed out.
honestly sooooo vibey, perfect summer listening.
Loud, packed, full of hooks, none of them friendly. Tight and overloaded on purpose. Still makes everything else sound mild.
An album that I've never heard before. Sonically very good. Noisy. Great production. Interesting samples. Hip-hop and rap aren't really a 'go to' for me, and with 20 tracks I though this wouldn't hold my attention, but it did. Some good, to very good songs, with a few excellent songs. 4* Would I listen again? Not as a whole album Would I buy this album? No. 1 "Contract on the World Love Jam" (Intro) 01:44 - I like this. I like the audio samples and the groove. - 4* 2 "Brothers Gonna Work It Out" 05:07 - Lively. Toe tapping. - 4* 3 "911 Is a Joke" 03:17 - The pace so far is good. There's an urgency. Vocally good. - 4* 4 "Incident at 66.6 FM" (Interlude) 01:37 - Albums with interludes. Very Frank Zappa! - 4* 5 "Welcome to the Terrordome" 05:25 - Funky. - 4* 6 "Meet the G That Killed Me" (Skit) 00:44 - 3* 7 "Pollywanacraka" 03:52 - Great title. Nice laid back vocals. - 3* 8 "Anti-Nigger Machine" 03:17 - Just as this song was getting dull and repetitive, they switch it up. - 3* 9 "Burn Hollywood Burn" (featuring Ice Cube & Big Daddy Kane) - 02:47 - 4* 10 "Power to the People" 03:50 - Best track so far. The backing vocals are excellent. "Power to the people". Play loud. Woolfie Smith would approve 😉 - 5* 11 "Who Stole the Soul?" 03:49 - Good vocal hook. Rolling percussion is good. - 4* 12 "Fear of a Black Planet" 03:45 - Funky again. That's good. - 4* 13 "Revolutionary Generation" 05:43 - And they up the funk. - 5* 14 "Can't Do Nuttin' for Ya Man" 02:46 - Almost a pop song - 3* 15 "Reggie Jax" (Freestyle) 01:35 - 3* 16 "Leave This Off Your Fuckin' Charts" (Interlude) 02:31 - The title is brilliant. The funkier tunes are appealing to me on this album. The audio samples fit really well. - 4* 17 "B Side Wins Again" (Remix) 03:45 - oooh a guitar sample! 4* 18 "War at 33⅓" 02:07 - Faster paced. - 4* 19 "Final Count of the Collision Between Us and the Damned" (Outro) 00:48 - 3* 20 "Fight the Power" 04:42 Excellent song. Just brilliant. 5 Total - 77 Average - 3.85
Samples go crazy
Loved it
Angry, on the nose political shouting. The music constatly surprises. Exuberant and thrilling. Unlike anything else. Just a tad too long.
After 35+ years Chuck D’s lyrics have only gotten more prescient. While I personally prefer Nation of Millions, this is a near flawless record and shows the best group in rap history firing on all cylinders. 9/10
Boy this scared our parents.
20 track one hour album :'( Very good.
Pretty great.
Really like this! Classic beats, great flow overall, really nice. Doesn't let up either, strong for the entirety of the album.
I enjoyed this one, politically conscious rap with great production somewhere between the old school 80s style and the 90s.
Rankkaa shittiä! Muistan kun ostin tän vinyylin ja meinas kyl tulla paskat housuun. 4/5
Erinomaista sämpläystä ja hyvää kannanottoa. Tasapainoinen ja kiinnostava levy. 4/5
What a banger, best instrumentals I’ve heard since starting this project
Ahead of its time.
I prefer It Takes A Nation of Millions to Hold us Back, but this is still a great fucking album.
I’m not sure i was the intended audience for this, but i was able to enjoy it anyways.
Very dense. Sometimes almost overwhelming. About 5 tracks in it started to make sense. Very clever song concepts. It’s both familiar and other worldly. Artists I could the influence over: Sublime, 311, RATM, Cold World, El-P
Love some “fight the power” vibes. Solid old school record.
Excellent ! J'ai vraiment aimé, mais les sons sont un peu trop longs parfois, faut pas tout écouter d'un coup. Ça se répète quand même pas mal, mais super découverte.
My last album - 1089! Jesus what a journey. Not too bad for a last one - this is a hell of a hectic mad rush of Afro-futurist hip hop - a genre I've grown to like thanks to this list. Termintor X is pushing all the buttons on his Akai and 808 - while twiddling the Pan knob like there is no tomorrow - and it just adds to the organised chaos. 'It takes a nation to hold us back...' is a rather angry record - cutting and meaningful, but not a walk in the park to listen to. This still retains poignancy, but it's clearly they're having a lot of fun doing it. Public Enemy is quite an interesting slice of hip hop - highly politically charged - nerds with machines and just making music in their own sound - sadly not many have try to pick this up stylistically - but in a way it shows how trail blazing Chuck D, Flav and Terminator X were. And hats off to Gunnar - so long, good bye, and thanks for all the fish!
Lo dicho: Public Enemy convence hasta al menos fan del hip hop. Qué letras, qué poder, qué apasionado es cada uno de sus tracks. Buen descubrimiento, seguiré escuchándolos con gusto.
The second album release from Public Enemy. I am more familiar with their first. This is comfort territory for me. Boom Bap rap with solid DJ backing. The rapping is better than most similar efforts from the time (1988 to 1990!) Chuck D and Flavor Flav combining well Interesting music fact all the excerpts from Incident at 66.6 FM are real. It came from a phone in interview with Chuck D and the radio station.
This one was good, just a little too weird for my taste. I like the guitar a lot. My favorite was Jeepster. Rating - 7.5
I liked it more than I thought I would.
While I think there are a few odd or repetitive tracks on here that drag the overall rating down a tad for me, on the tracks where everything comes together it has to be one of my favourite combinations of style and skill. plenty of grit but also not afraid to be cheeky
this is literally the last of it's kind as an album and i'm not exaggerating. there was a lawsuit over rappers using samples in 1991, and now it's basically impossible to ever make another album like this again. the chaotic funk mixes of a million different samples will never be matched again, the trve art of the MC forever lost, and fear of a black planet was one of the last and the best to do it. fear somehow manages to embrace the chaos that so many used to stereotype rap in the late 80s and 90s as 'just noise' while also having a unique, clear and succinct sound. the blend of funk, soul and rap is unmatched and i can't really do it justice by trying to explain it with my white boy ass terminology. and then all the instrumentals including blends of criticisms on their prior albums is the icing on the cake only a 4 because i still think that they did it it better on it takes a nation of millions to hold us back highlights: 911 is a joke, fight the power, pollywannacracka
The production style here would have been groundbreaking at the time, sampling and musique concrète would have blown my fucking mind if I were alive when this came out. However, the 'right about now' sampling at the very end of Power to the People on Side A genuinely felt like being in a multiplayer lobby where someone is spamming something on their soundboard and all you can do is sit there and listen because you're too focused on being bad at video games. However, the lyricism and musicality here really shines. People who say politics and music don't mix should be pelted with rocks. The significance of this album cannot be understated in terms of what it did for music at large. In terms of music, this had far-reaching impacts on a lot of artists that I love across a lot of genres (couldn't imagine NIN being a thing if not for this album). I am certain this is like the monolith from 2001: A Space Odyssey in terms of hip hop music, but I must confess again that it's not a genre I am as familiar with as I am with lily-white milquetoast 70s easy listening slop so I can't speak to its exact significance for the genre. Despite my very idiosyncratic issues with the production, I enjoyed this album. The second side is preferable as I find that I enjoyed the production more (or I got used to it?). As an album it's a well-curated experience and clearly something that the artists had great pride in creating. Whether you like hip hop or not, you can't deny the influence this has had, and you cannot look me in the eye and honestly tell me you listened to all of this and didn't thoroughly enjoy yourself. Highlights: Burn Hollywood Burn, Fear of a Black Planet, Fight The Power
Super fun, super loud album. This is the original “scaring the hoes” type of album. It’s made to piss off the right people for the right reasons. Honestly I was super on the fence about this album at first (not if it’s bad or good, but if it’s good or great). I listened to this album quite a few times before deciding how I felt cause like a lot of rap music, sometimes it might take several listens before I can really follow the lyrics. And that obviously could be taken as a positive or a negative thing depending on how you look at it. But in this case I think it’s less of a case of them not annunciating enough and more so that there’s so much noise and speed to this album that makes it feel full of energy. The samples and beats are really the highlight on this album. And that’s not an anomaly, I think terminator x is one of the most under appreciated djs ever, and he is at the top of his game on this album. Seriously everyday I think this album ages alittle better and better. Definitely go check this album out if you have never heard Public Enemy cause this is a great jumping off point.
chuck d is fun to listen even if the messages are heavy. album itself is a bit long for what it is
Great Album! Classic from my youth. The message is really great. Chuck D is great and Flavor FLAV!!
It took a long time to accept the production for what it is. There are times where the sampling and instrumentals really take away from the album. It may be a limitation of the time but the collages feel very purposeful so idk. Otherwise, very good and I’m sure very historically important. It’s definitely as punk as any of the punk rock at the time. Fight the power rules.
I'm glad to have received some Public Enemy material as I really haven't spent enough time digging into them. The sampling is great. Beats are phat. Synths are synthy. Lyrics and storytelling were harmonized. I really got into many of the songs on this record. The two things that I didn't love about this album were: 1. These 90s hip hop records are always entirely too long. 2. Although I do love when musicians add "conversational" parts to songs/albums, but I think this record was too full of them. 4/5
So smart, so prescient. I would need to listen to the lyrics closely and repeatedly to really get its impact. Besides the songs I already knew, I really liked “Burn Hollywood Burn” and “Can’t Do Nuttin.” “Fight the Power” will be forever linked to Do the Right Thing as one of the best film musical combos of all time.
My heart dropped at another classic Rap / Hip-Hop album. Not my thing really. However, I was pleasantly surprised by PE FoaBP. OK, some tracks just don't work for me, but ... I like it. Nice ! (Probably sounds like Damning With Faint Preaise, but ... I will return to this LP.)
Really good album. Almost as good as It Takes a nation of millions to hold us back
While I’m most likely not the target audience at all I love this album. Especially the final song, “Fight the Power” this feels like the apex of early hip hop. The sampling is unmatched with how many references they’re throwing at you. The lyrics still carry a weight. My only nitpick is that it’s a bit too long. They could’ve trimmed a couple of songs. 4.5/5
From a young age, Flava Flav was always the silly clock guy. When I eventually started listening to Public Enemy, I was surprised with how serious the music was. Anyway, this album rocks. I don't really need an hour of it, but hey better value for their fans. Album cover: (A+) I'm sure this kept Tipper Gore awake at night.
Good ass album, beats were good as hell.
Fantastic Album. From the sharp lyrics to the crazy samples everything about this album shines beautifully.
All the Public Enemy albums generally sound the same, but that also means they are all good.
Public Enemy is one of the most distinctive groups, not only in hip hop, but in music history. Chuck D’s memorable voice, the Bomb Squad’s beats and, of course, Flava Fav. And Fear of a Black Planet is an extremely important album. I’m not going to say I listen to this regularly, although it’s increased due to the most recent election. This is just a classic album. Period. The significance cannot be denied. This is a 4 rating for me. 4/5
Great scratching, great lyrics. Good rap!
Great album from PE. Love the rawness of this brand of hip hop.
I feel like I need to listen to this about 15 more times. This was a great listen though.
If you like rap (I'm not a big fan), you'd likely appreciate this album. Strong and clever lyrics. I liked that the last song on the album is the opening song to Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing movie.
Public Enemy - Fear of a Black Planet This definitely needs more than the one full listen i’ve given it but it’s great ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Super awesome. Samples were great and the rhymes ruled
I absolutely love Public Enemy for their ability to make an album with such amazing and important social commentary and criticisms of society, and yet at the same time this album is fun as hell and can also be enjoyed in a much more light hearted way.
Fantastic. If any HipHop can be traced back to those dudes dancing in their high-waisted pants in the video for “Apache” then I can dig it. I enjoyed this from start to finish. Great samples, groovy grooves and strong songwriting.
23/1001 Another solid album this week, recovering from a brutal prior week. Public Enemy never really captivated me but I always respected and appreciated their music and heard plenty of it growing up. Chuck D always has control of what he’s doing. He somehow manages to be angry and yell at you for a whole hour and still don’t tune him out, although by the end I was ready for a change. He is so passionate and his poetry is so vivid, it is a joy to listen to voice that so uniquely his but you can hear and feel all the MCs of the early 80s melded into one strong and powerful flow. The thing that make the whole of PE great is those snippets and samples and cut and scratches and all the collage of aggression and passion sewn together masterfully with Chuck giving you an earful is just so raw. They building the next generation of sampling and producing in hip hop that will be carried for all of the 90s and beyond in some form or fashion. These guys are pioneers that stand the test of time. Listening back 35 years after after it came out and it’s even better today then when I first heard it (which I can’t remember when that was, but probably around 2000). So many hip hop albums from the late 80s/ early 90s seem very dated. This album, while sounding very much like the era, it was done so well that it doesn’t age the same others have. I may have considered a 5 if it were shorter, tho I don’t know which song(s) I’d cut to do so. Individually all these songs carry their weight, and as a complete work are very strong, but over an hour of all the parts is too much. As magnificent a MC that Chuck is, is voice and flow (which I love both) are just too much. I love pizza too, but I need I shouldn’t eat it for a whole hour straight. On top of that, Flavor Flav’s hype man act becomes tiresome too. Though he by and large is arranged perfectly where he fells love he is part of the music. The production is so heavy too that by the end my brain is over flowing with simulation. When I was done I had to put on some Coltrane to let my brain digest. But I guess that is the point of PE in a way. 8.5/10
Swag
Questa volta basta una nazione di migliaia per fermarli
Again, I was never into rap music when I was younger, and this list continues to surprise me with some great rap albums. This is a fantastic album. Blown away.
i lowkey vibed throughout this entire album. big 90’s rap jammer here. i think “911 is a joke” was one of my favorites. not download-worthy but still a fun listen. this album was an hour long but went by SO UNBELIEVABLY QUICK. i liked the transitions from song to song — this album almost felt like one continuous track. bravo! 4/5.
Angry, funny and hard as fuck
Fun production, fun album
Cracker
Don’t know if I’ve ever actually listened to them before but have always heard how influential they are. Even though realistic and progressive lyrics like this aren’t to hard to find these days, I’m sure back in the early 90s this was pretty mind blowing. Also really liked their flow and was pretty entertaining to listen to.
https://youtu.be/eJ_bgq8CCEg?si=5YHI_hnIbeAqbQTQ First time I’ve had a deep dive into a Public Enemy album and it was a little long, but fun nonetheless. Always a big fan of socially conscious lyrics when it comes to rap, and this album has plenty to go around. It also deserves a second listen to catch all of the different references from the 70s and 80s. It’s a travesty that almost all younger millennials know Flavor Flav as a reality tv star. Also definitely going to try and model my basketball public announcer voice after Chuck D’s delivery.
I love me some hip-hop. This is super cool, but probably a bit samey across an entire record. Favourite tracks: Brothers Gonna Work It Out, 911 Is A Joke, Fear Of A Black Planet.
Still relevant to this day, great album.
Nice enough, better than a lot of other similar records. Maybe could have done with being a couple of tracks shorter. But good.
Never really listen to them, but I do like a bit of the Public Enemy. Chuck D is quite the charismatic character that makes you listen to him, plus has to be one of the most politically impactful narrators there’s been. The sampling and production is also top notch, not sure how they do it, but it keeps a really high pressing tempo while not becoming too samey. Just wish the bass for was prominent in the mix. Will be back to this.
Awesome use of samples, much more than I thought there would be going into it
Enjoyed this one, some cool samples & pretty consistent if a bit long
Maybe no one will know what I’m talking about here but I’ll try anyways. Do you guys remember that audio clip where some people would hear “Yanny” and others would hear “Laurel”? I would hear Yanny and it would baffle me that other people could hear something entirely different. That is, until one day, after listening to it with a group of friends, it switched. I could hear Laurel, clear as day. And I couldn’t believe that I ever heard Yanny in the first place. Putting a pin in this for now. I have heard many speak of the production style that’s used by Public Enemy. Often described using layers upon layers of loops and samples with atonal and industrial sounds chopped in sporadically, it never sounded like something that I would want to listen to. And it honestly wasn’t something I was very interested in. I’d heard Fight the Power before anything else and it was these qualities of the musicality that made me unsure Public Enemy’s sound is one that I could enjoy. I respected it, but I didn’t get it. Outside of its messaging and Chuck D’s imposing presence, it didn’t feel like something I could get into. It’s those 2 qualities that have made me leave a page for Public Enemy in my musical catalogue. The messages of the lyrics are challenging and important in all the best ways and Chuck D has one of the best voices in hip hop period. But listening to the album, I was having a hard time getting past the production. It is exactly as advertised and it was difficult for me to immediately find the groove that these tracks offer… until it looped for the 4th or 5th time and a flip switches for me and it all makes sense. I could hear Laurel, clear as day. And I couldn’t believe that I ever heard Yanny in the first place. I am completely entranced by this atonal, industrial, hodgepodge of samples.
Getting some Griselda vibes from the instrumental intro. Right there with Kev on this one: Chuck D has such a silky and powerful vocal delivery. Unsure if I'm correct, but it seems like Pusha-T's Trouble on My Mind is referencing the same line in Welcome To the Terrordome. Both songs are jams -- this one features some of the best flowing wordplay from Chuck D so far. I mean, the internal rhymes are so nimble here its as if the entire thing is an elaborate tongue twister: "Crucifixion ain't no fiction; So-called chosen frozen; Apology made to whoever pleases; Still they got me like Jesus." Pollywanacracka is a nice change of pace, trading bombast for a filtered laid back vocal story of interracial relations. Instrumental and production is supreme on this. Anti-Nigger Machine is an interesting one in that it plays out as if it is going to be an instrumental and then abruptly (nearly 2 minutes in) drops into an unrelenting flow from Chuck D -- clean handover into Burn Hollywood Burn which features some solid inputs from a strong supporting cast (Ice Cube and BDK). Love the instrumental and really everything about Reggie Jax. This one certainly ran on the long side, and depending on what I was doing, was at times distracting. But for those failings, this is a very solid album featuring far better than average instrumentation and beat production, as well as detailed lyricism and delivery from Chuck D. On paper, Flavor Flav's whiny/snarly foil to Chuck D's smooth powerful delivery seems odd, but in practice it works quite well. I'd say that for me this exists on the low end of a 4.
Chuck D has a a rapping style that's smooth af. Flava Flav is an excellent compliment to him as well. Only song I really knew on here was Fight The Power, but felt myself jamming throughout. Loved the bits of rock added in. Been on a bit of a downslide here recently and this is an excellent comebacker for me.
I absolutely adored the first Public Enemy album I had on this list - "Apocalypse 91." It had so much of what I love about late 80's/90's hip-hop - killer beats that don't get old, great samples, energy, humor, a message, and a sense of importance without becoming self-indulgent or overly serious. So I was and wasn't surprised at how I felt about this one. It at times felt much more experimental than what would be their next album in "Apocalypse 91." This one felt a little more frantic, a little more all over the place. It still has that same energy, though, and that same feeling that if left unchecked the entire thing would burst at the seams with just how much energy it has. Aside from the classics "911 is a Joke" and "Fight the Power," I found it difficult to connect with this one or stay focused with it. Where the previous one grabbed me and didn't let go, this one grabbed me a little less tightly and was ok to let me go at times. I'm wondering that's due to the difference between a third album and a fourth album in a group's career, and the experience gained between the two. All of that said, I still loved it and it's getting four stars from me. Standout Tracks: Brothers Gonna Work It Out, 911 is a Joke, Pollywanacraka, Burn Hollywood Burn, Revolutionary Generation, B Side Wins Again, Fight the Power
what can i say i love me some good social criticism
Wow, really blown away by this. For some reason (ignorance) this has never been on my radar but it rocked my socks. Steve Buscemi was right
Undoubtedly cool. I miss when mainstream music was this political
definitely an album i gotta parse more, very clear in its messaging but also very densely layered lyrically, there's likely lots more to dig into than I have. Pairs well with the very hard hitting production. It's a kind of production where it is easy to tell what era it's from but it still does so much interesting stuff that, at least personally, it's easy to overlook it sounding dated in spots. consistently very good throughout, definitely want to dig in more
Public Enemy’s Fear of a Black Planet is undoubtedly a classic, and there's no denying the massive cultural impact it had when it was released in 1990. The album is a revolutionary work in the world of hip-hop, blending hard-hitting political commentary with some of the most innovative production of its time. While I respect the significance of this album, personally, it’s not one I can fully vibe with from start to finish. Let me break it down. First off, the production on this album is absolutely stellar. The beats are thick, textured, and dynamic, with the use of samples and layered sounds giving it a unique atmosphere that was groundbreaking at the time. The beats hit hard, the basslines are heavy, and the way Chuck D’s vocals are woven into the music is just powerful. Tracks like Welcome to the Terrordome and 911 Is a Joke showcase this perfectly, with the production acting as a kind of chaotic backdrop to the powerful messages being conveyed. It’s dense and in-your-face, but also deeply hypnotic once you settle into it. Chuck D’s delivery is commanding and fearless, and he does an incredible job of mixing political, social, and personal themes in his lyrics. The man’s voice alone is like a force of nature, demanding attention. His deep baritone really cuts through and makes you listen. It’s impossible not to respect the clarity of his message and the energy he puts into every line. His partner, Flavor Flav, provides a much-needed contrast with his signature ad-libs, making for an interesting dynamic throughout the album. Now, I have to admit that despite all of this, the album doesn’t completely click for me. While the production is bold and impressive, sometimes it feels like it’s a bit too dense or overwhelming, making it harder to connect with the individual tracks. I love complexity in music, but with this album, the sonic chaos can occasionally feel exhausting rather than exhilarating. A track like Brothers Gonna Work It Out is a prime example of this. While it's got a strong message, the production feels so busy that it detracts from the focus of the song itself. Another downside for me is that while the album’s political and social commentary is incredibly important, it sometimes comes across as a bit heavy-handed. The messages are crystal clear, but the delivery can be somewhat one-dimensional. I appreciate the directness, but there are moments where I would have liked a little more subtlety or nuance in how the points were made. Fear of a Black Planet is a landmark album that deserves respect for its influence on both hip-hop and wider culture, but it’s not one I find myself reaching for constantly. The production is dense, the lyrics are powerful, and Chuck D’s voice is as commanding as ever. It’s an album that demands to be listened to, and while I admire its ambition and significance, it’s not something I’ll revisit as often as other albums in the genre. It’s definitely worth the listen, especially if you're into politically charged music or just want to hear a classic from hip-hop's golden era. I give it a solid 3.9/5 stars. It’s impactful, but it’s just not entirely my vibe.
it's nice !
8/10 Some of the best “Finger-Pointing songs” of all time, while there’s a bit of excess to the album that could’ve been left off, Fear of A Black Planet managed to pack quite a bit of punch with even more layered production and radical sentiment. I still prefer their first record as a whole package, but there’s no underestimating the impact of this one. fuck elvis all my homies hate elvis
Good listen.
My least favorite genre, and the third hip hop album in the last 8 days, so I wasn't looking forward to this. But god damn, this was really good, both musically and lyrically.
Probably the weakest of PE's entries on this list, but it's still damn good (with the exception of "911 is a Joke," which just sucks).
For a group as loud as Public Enemy, I'm sure it was no small feat to follow up "It Takes a Nation..." from a few years prior. The group was, well, more "public" in their messages more so now than ever and were only moving upwards. Sample-heavy and hard-hitting lyrically thanks to the efforts of the legendary Chuck D and the Bomb Squad on production, "Fear of a Black Planet" keeps the momentum going from the group's previous album. Criticisms of racism in society/American media, and even on misogyny in the hip-hop community are among those on the agenda here. It all comes at a breakneck speed and may be a bit overwhelming at times, but these are messages that needed to be said/heard and are still poignant today, 35+ years on. Best tracks: Welcome to the Terrordome, Burn Hollywood Burn, Fight the Power
This group is talented, taking so many aspects of rap, hip hop and sampling to make a great sound that is iconic to the 90s. Really puts on display racism and America, where it was at in the 90's and mostly where it is today.
The lyrics and rapping are great, these guys are so talented and the songs are meaningful testaments on society. I also love all the creative ways they craft their tracks, the SFX and samples are super fun. Overall really enjoyed, though it did feel overly long.
Favourite era of hip-hop. Favourite area of hip-hop. Some really sick samples and equally sharp commentary. Fight the Power is good but damn Revolutionary Generation goes so hard.
It was good
Man I really wanna give this a 5 cause most of the 2nd half is so strong, but I can't really excuse the length or the underwhelming first half (outside of the sick Prince sample). Too many nothing songs in between the great ones. Chuck D got one of the best voices in hip hop, probably THE best, and the sampling on here is insane. Very high 4
Bouncy
Public Enemy's albums still have all the intensity they had at release, must have been quite the revelation then. Undeniably influential 4*
This was one of the first tapes that i bought, and it had the Parental Advisory/Explicit Lyrics stick and i felt like the biggest rebel owning it. With many more years and experience under my belt i don't really agree with some of the politics of PE, but man can they make some funky unique music. Thinking that they were getting all the samples and arranging it on 2" tape kinda blows my mind at what they were able to do in 1989. This was a fun trip down memory lane. War at 33 1/3 really stood out to me this time listening.
Really enjoyable and exciting. I can't relate to it but there is enough in there ti allow me to empathise and understand a world I'm not from. That sets it apart from the likes of Springsteen
Good listen for some contemplative drive time. The energy of this album was much different than It Takes a Nation.
Really good hip hop
Stone classic. Second best after It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back
yeah
Fight the Power a strong closer.
Nice! I've been waiting for a 90s hip hop album. Public Enemy rocks. Their music is so punchy and angry, but still fun and humorous at times. This album is the perfect transition from the hip hop of the 80s to the 90s. In that regard, this sound is definitely a product of its time, yet it still feels fresh and holds up well in my opinion. Even the political commentary, which is at the heart of the album, has aged well for the most part. The beats and samples are phenomenal, the rapping is killer, there are some great features here.. This album is TIGHT. As of right now this is tied with "It Takes a Nation-" because I seriously can't decide which album I like better. I'll update once I relisten to it. Favorite track: Burn Hollywood Burn
Still sounds good, sadly still relevant. It's an energetic album with some great loops and samples.
Very good. Does sound a bit dated now, sound wise and also in some of the attitudes, but an enjoyable listen. The singles are massive high points.
3.5.
Personal enjoyment: 4/5 Relevance to this list: 5/5
Pretty fun. Probably not something I’ll put on super regularly but I’m glad I gave it a listen 7.5/10
I hate that this album NEEDS to be relevant today, after 25 years. It makes me so angry that there was this hope back then, that things could and ought be different, that the idea of rebellion and anger was only necessarily hinted at and that even in the videos you could see they meant to stand up to force change via more peaceful methods. Too bad that seemed to work until we entered the Trump era and whitewashed everything and racism is rampant and much much worse in many ways now-a-days. This album matters. Luckily it is both enjoyable and significant musically as well as politically. The truth in this album should be long gone, but here we are...
Sign of the times, very good
kinda undefeated production
Public Enemy is a good example of the late 80s/early 90s hip hop.
Thoroughly enjoyed. Excited for a re-listen when I'm less distracted.
3.9 - Yeah liked this, nothing mega though
This is really good, and the subject matter is still really relevant. It is on ten all the way through, with lunch in the face after punch in the face which is a little exhausting after 65 mins given musically it's not that varied. Still a very strong 4 that could end up as a 5 with more listens.
Yeahhhhhhh boyyyyyeeeeeee
That album was actually pretty sick, I'm sorry I didn't focus on it but listening to it while working was dope af so it was really enjoyable, I think it wouldn't be the kind of songs I would listen without any context but while working best thing evaaaaaa
8 Очень крепкий рэп альбом старой школы с проглядывающими вайбами Jet Set Radio
Classic
Fight the power alone makes this album better than the Beatles
Good stuff. I prefer Nation of Millions, but this slaps too.
Great album, loved the high energy production and amazing performance. The lyrics are top notch and have sadly held true as our society continues to get dumber and more bigoted. But art like this album gives me hope that voices like Public Enemy can continue to reach the mainstream and educate. I loved the texture of the production, gave the whole album a raw and immediate edge. This is one I’ll keep coming back to, there’s great depth here. Rating 4.5
Not usually my jam but solid album.
this album fucking rocks. this must've pissed people off so bad, it's still very relevant to this day. i will say flav can get kinda grating.
Boing? Album holds up well after 30+ years of sending a message from the oppressed black man. Song titles and content are clever as well as political; Pollywanacraka, 911 Is A Joke. Best cut is Can’t Do Nuttin’ For Ya, Man but they’re all good. Wrap that sh*t, G! (3.8*s)
3-4
Great hip hop album. 911 is a Joke, Welcome to the Terrordome, and Fight the Power stand out on this excellent album. Chuck D channels the anger, Flavor Flav in his prime, Bomb Squad brilliance. Great album by a great group.
Nice
Favorite track: anti-n* machine other picks: 911 is a joke, welcome to terrordome, who stole the soul, fight the power
A legendary album from a legendary act. When you hear Chuck D, you know you’ve heard Chuck D.
When I was young, I couldn’t stand this album, nor the genre. Now, with benefit of experience and hindsight, I now believe that this album is a masterpiece. It makes you think! It makes you move! What an eye opener!!
Found myself reading the lyrics a lot which I really enjoyed breaking down. For a long album, it kept my attention which is rare! I’m not sure I’d go back to it frequently but as a piece of art, it stands alone so well
Favorite Tracks - Burn Hollywood Burn, Welcome to the Terrordome, Fear of a Black Planet, Fight the Power
Like. As a white kid in suburban small town UK, this did not reach me at the time (I think only the cool big city kids were allowed to "get into" hip-hop). But this is very clearly a fantastic piece of work, even if it's not aimed at me or my experiences.
Haven’t listened to this since early 90s driving around Edinburgh in my mate’s old Renault. Can’t do nothing/fight the power brings me right back. Sampling at its height.
I had a vague understanding of who Public Enemy are, but I knew that they were THE Hip Hop/ Rap group of the 80s and 90s. Also I feel like I did know somewhere in the back of my brain that Flavor Flav was in Public Enemy, but it made a lot more sense when I read it. Welcome to the Terrordome is definitely my favorite from this album and the only song I knew prior was of course Fight the Power. I love their use of sampling especially in their instrumentals
I always enjoy this style of hip-hop music 4/5
A great mix of rap styles and sampling keep this album interesting and not one-note.
Well I won’t be sporting any clocks around my neck anytime soon, but I have more admiration for this album consuming in its entirety. For me “Welcome to the terrordome” is the clear standout with a great backbeat. I liked a couple others. Rounding up for how impactful this was at the time. 3.5/5
In college there were 3 albums that were routinely played at every party we attended or hosted: Beastie Boys “Paul’s Boutique”, Jane’s Addiction “Nothing’s Shocking”, and Public Enemy “Fear of a Black Planet.” Pretty much sums it up for an album that made its way with little or no radio play, and took sampling to a whole other wall-of-sound level coupled with two of the most distinctive voices in the genre. 4.25/5
I have to grade on a curve with this genre from this era, as it can all feel a bit dated. I also don’t really know what’s ‘good’ or better when comparing this to its contemporaries. But this is probably my fave from what we’ve heard from this list so far.
Hear a drum I get wicked! Head bobber fo’ sure even if the record scratching and panning sounds very dated. Too many “skits” but showing this some love. 3.5 rounded up.
I’m rounding up for the influence on the genre but ultimately didn’t enjoy this as much as I expected. Still solid. Chuck D and Flavor Flav have to be two of the most recognizable voices in the game, even to this day. Maybe the most recognizable. Fight the Power as the last track is awesome. 3.75/5
Very enjoyable, need to give it another listen
Been listening to all three PE albums on the list at the same time as playing catchup. I had forgotten I had already scored "It takes a Nation..." giving it a 4 - which in retrospect should have been a 5 as is by far the strongest of the three albums. I think PE work best when the beats / samples take a slight back seat to the vocal/rap delivery - in FOBP the beats/samples feel more dense/ in your face and as result Chuck D's lyrical power is diminished. Still a great listen just not as good ITANOMTHUB!
On balance I think it's important, influential, innovative, and a word that begins with 'i' meaning powerful political messaging. It lacks Run DMC and NWA hooks.
Foundational. Not the best of their work. +1 for 911 is a Joke. 4/5
od tego wszystko się zaczęło, cały rap. Bez tego nie byłoby ani Taco ani Young Leosi. Dobre sample, z bitem mam tak, że ledwo się wkręcę i zacznie bujać, nagle się zmienia. Ale doceniam. Mogę słuchać i nawet z chęcią kiedyś wrócę. Sama się sobie dziwię, ale 8/10
I liked it but im just not a huge public enemy fan
This was a fire listen. The runtime was a bit too much for my liking, and a few songs here felt like filler. Chuck D and Flavor Flav carry the shit out of this album with their boisterous, in-your-face personality, and impactful lyrics. Overall, it's just a fun listen. Top 3 Favorites: 911 Is A Joke, Fear Of A Black Planet, and Fight The Power No bad songs 3.75-4.00/5
Loved it. I’ll be back to spend more time with this one. There’s something about a lot of old school hip hop that can come across as corny, but Public Enemy avoids those pitfalls entirely.
just based on the content, i'm not going to go my usual "fun album" route, but this is my third (of three?) public enemy albums in this project and i think this one is my favorite. i thought the tracks here were more consistent than the other albums i've listened to and, of course, the a lot of the messages on this record are still relevant today, even almost 35 years later. the beats here are great and pull from a lot of eclectic sources. chuck d's rapping is strong as ever and, of course flavor flav adds a lot of, well, flavor. now is this a contender for my favorite rap albums of all time? no, not really. but it was a good listen. closer to a 5 than a 3.
Hard, wel heel lang
I appreciate the funk in hip hop. Im not a daily rap listener, so this was a little tiring. No other complaints.
I am a fan of the band, and while I prefer "It Takes A Nation Of Millions", this is a good record.
I can't do anything else while listening to this. So much going on. Almost avant garde in places. Once I'm locked in, the music becomes mighty impressive, righteous and powerful.
A political hip-hop classic.
It was a matter of time before I checked out an album from Public Enemy. I have a soft spot for them, as they're one of the first and most prominent hip-hop groups to put the lyrical focus on racism and media scrutiny in America. I already enjoyed "Fight the Power" and "Welcome to the Terrordome" off this album Fear of a Black Planet. How does the rest stack up? I can walk away with the acknowledgment that this is one of the definitive Public Enemy albums that can't be ignored, and that starts from the lyrics. Chuck D's flow is strong on this one, where the words coming out his mouth are at a rapid-fire pace on beat while still able to be clearly understood, which is important when getting his point across about the societal issues facing African Americans and the group's perceived image at the time. Though thankfully Chuck doesn't take all the spotlight, as Flavor Flav owns with his funky delivery on "911 is a Joke", and Big Daddy Kane and Ice Cube join them for "Burn Hollywood Burn" who brought a lot of lyrical fire to the table. As for the background sounds accompanying these words, The Bomb Squad employed a variety of samples over a drum machine to give each track its distinct and danceable composition. Whether it's the "Get down" refrain from Kool & the Gang's "Jungle Boogie" on "Welcome to the Terrordome", or the refresh given to Edwin Starr's "War" on the spiritual sequel "War at 33 1/3", this is an eclectic mix of funk and audio samples to make each song feel unique. However, the amount of sampling they got away with is a double-edged sword. For as much as these audio excerpts getting recontextualized can make a song unique, there are instances where it can be too much that it becomes distracting. From the broken-down ending of "Power to the People" to the instrumental "Leave This Off Your Fu*kin Charts" leading into the chopped vocals of "B Side Wins Again" and the radio archive interlude "Incident at 66.6 FM", it can be sensory overload at times. Not helping matters is that this album goes for over an hour, and its length can be felt in places. Still, I had a good time with Fear of a Black Planet despite how crazy its sound got for its time. It is worth a listen.
Some great classic hip hop with themes as relevant today as they were back then! I even spotted a Tom Tom Club sample. Hell yeah.
Chuck D + Flavor Flav + The Bomb Squad = some of the most influential hip-hop ever made. Fear of a Black Planet is widely regarded as the pinnacle of Public Enemy’s political output. Following the groundbreaking It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back, this album refines and expands on their formula, incorporating broader themes and more complex production. Musically and politically, Fear of a Black Planet stands as a defining moment in hip-hop. Iconic tracks like "Fight the Power" serve as anthems of defiance, pushing for social change with urgency and clarity. "Welcome to the Terrordome" delivers raw, visceral intensity, tackling black identity in America, while "911 Is a Joke" mixes humour with critique of emergency services in black communities. "Burn Hollywood Burn" challenges the portrayal of black people in media, reinforcing the album’s activism. The Bomb Squad’s production is a key element of the album’s identity. Their dense, layered approach incorporates samples from rock, funk, jazz, and industrial sounds, creating a chaotic yet meticulously crafted soundscape. The abrasive, experimental style—characterized by stuttering beats, loops, and harsh textures—mirrors the album’s rebellious tone. Tracks like "Fight the Power" and "Welcome to the Terrordome" showcase this, using distorted vocals and historical speech snippets to amplify the intensity. Scratching and turntable manipulation add another layer of disruption, reinforcing the album’s themes of resistance. Chuck D’s commanding baritone delivers powerful political messages, while Flavor Flav’s humour provides balance, creating dynamic tension throughout the album. The interplay between Chuck D’s gravity and Flav’s levity is especially notable on tracks like "Pollywanacracka", where their contrasting styles highlight the group’s unique identity. Post-Fear of a Black Planet, albums like Apocalypse 91 and Muse Sick-n-Hour Mess Age continued Public Enemy’s political agenda, but none matched the impact of this release. This album influenced hip-hop not only in America but internationally where acts were drawn to its take-no-prisoners attitude. Its bold, politically charged messages also served as a blueprint for acts like Dead Prez and KRS-One, not to mention Kendrick Lamar and Nas. Chuck D’s said the goal was to “bring chaos to the system”. It is safe to say this was fully realized in this album. Fear of a Black Planet remains one of the most important works in hip-hop, blending revolutionary production with social activism, and solidifying its place in both music history and cultural discourse. Did I own this release? No. Does this release belong on the list? Yes. Would this release make my personal list? Strong contender, although it is slightly on the long side. Will I be listening to it again? Not always an easy listen, but ulitmately rewarding.
Super solid
As I was listening to this (for the first time) I couldn't help wondering why I wasn't listening to more Public Enemy rather than the Beastie Boys back in the day. The lyrics were on point and meaningful, music was strong and layered. I personally felt the album was too long, or maybe I couldn't maintain that intensity for so long, but otherwise it is a great album.
One of the greats apparently, I've never been that on board with public enemy personally. Kind of like the Stevie Wonder of rap. I get that it was important but do not enjoy listening.
Burn Hollywood burn es un temazo, pero han pasado años y trata temas que no se han resuelto del todo. Si lo piensas es devastador que aun se hable de los mismo temas que ya deberían estar normalizados en nuestra sociedad.
I actually read the lyrics along whilst listening to this, definitely made it a more enjoyable listening experience being aware what they were rapping about. Yeah, I don't dislike Public Enemy, they seem a little angry but if I was singing about 400 years of racial injustice and oppression I'd be pretty pissed off too.
Riktigt stabilt album. Ruskigt bra flow på vissa låtar. Man känner igen en hel del samples, och det gör det ju lite klassiskt.
Listened to this album hundreds of time when it came out. An excellent album with hard hitting lyrics and great samples. Would love to own a copy
The production on this album is a maximalists dream with the volume of samples and flips here. This album is a prime example of Rap/Hip Hop as a form of protest. Hearing the news reports and the parodies of call in radio shows highlighting the experience of Black people in America in the 90s. What keeps this album in the light 4 range is the lengthiness of it and density of the production throughout the album. The last track was perfect though.
It was sobering to realize how relevant these songs still are, 34 years after the album was originally released.
I've listened to It Takes a Nation... but never this one, and I really like it. So much good music in the world. I need to listen to this one more
homophobia :( slaps tho
First listen. Pretty good. Bigger fan of their 1988 album.
Definitely an interesting take on hip hop (from someone that hasn’t heard a lot of hip-hop) and a classic
Everytime I listen to PE I feel there is more I should be listening to. Great beats, amazing lyrical content. Great stuff. 4.5/5
Enjoying this one a lot- the samples and hooks are super catchy. It touches on a lot of issues with race and makes commentary on the status of black people, specifically men, in the US at the time. Looking for some hits that stand out- I think thats the only thing this album is missing.
I need to give this a few listens. First impression, I like but a few of the songs missed for me. I do like that late 80s early 90s hip hop sound a lot. But some of these songs failed to capture my attention as much as an NWA or a Beastie Boys. But about half of it is absolute bangers. Who Stole The Soul is insane. The title track too.
Chuck D and Flava Flav bringing the heat with this one. This album is very 90's rap/hip hop in a great way. Smooth rhymes, well put together songs and an album that flows. My biggest gripe with the album would be length, and that's more nitpicky than an actual problem. Definitely gonna be exploring them more and coming back to this one.
Absolute classic.
911 is still a joke 35 years later.
It has a classic 90s rap sound. Overall, great album, good lyrics. I'm not a fan of some of the miscellaneous sounds that get mixed into some of the 90s rap albums.
Solid 90’s hip hop
Pretty solid 90s conscious rap. I didn't know Public Enemy was like that. The album is a little bloated with 20 songs, interludes and skits, but I enjoyed my time with it. I'll keep saying it, but racial issues in the 70s, 80s, and 90s are still issues today and these albums are still poignant. Best Songs: 911 Is A Joke, Burn Hollywood Burn, Fight The Power Worst Songs: Pollywanacraka
Bombastic and rightfully angry. It sucks the world hasn't improved much since.
Nice classic 90s rap. A little boring at the beginning and some parts but overall this is a classic I vibe with and respect.
Really good
this one was really cool, i just love old hiphop
fuego de verdad de verdad
Just an amazing album. Great piece of work.
Brothers Gonna Work It Out 911 Is a Joke Welcome to the Terrordome Burn Hollywood Burn Fear of a Black Planet Fight the Power
Excellent story-telling. Sonically interesting. Uncomfortable in certain parts but in a way that feels like a necessary part of the experience. I liked 911 is a Joke and Incident at 66.6 FM the most.
8/10 It's a groove!
This album is good. If I was more into hip-hop it might even be great. The very clear 90's hip-hop/rap hits clean. And it's very hard to argue with the political/cultural message of the album - and it certainly makes no apologies for itself. It's in your face aggressive critique of society and the system on top of a beat that sounds more welcoming than you'd expect. Uh yeah! FIGHT THE POWER!! Standouts Pollywanacraka Fight the Power 4/5
I liked public enemy, reminds me of the beastie boys. Never heard them before.
All songs r such bangers
THIS was my introduction to rap music when I was younger. Sure I was a Beastie Boys fan, but this album opened up my mind to the power this music had to raise awareness. PE will always be a favourite with me.
a good listen, nice walking around music
Top quality hip hop. It really shouldn’t work, with Chuck S’s rap tempo bearing very little relationship to the track beat , but his voice and presence is so strong it makes it even better. Flavor Flav gets written off by a clown, but actually is very good too. The tracks themselves really full sounding. Only downside is it’s way too long so has a lot of filler in the middle.
3.5/5
Sweet record.
A Classic Album!
This one caught me by surprise. I thought it was very good!
enjoyed all the way through, will listen again
Good bopping music
Adding this one to the list of albums I can't listen to when I have my player's window up on my desktop at work. The hard R is crazy. However, the album is very good. The lyrics are tight as hell and the beats are unique and punchy. I didn't mind the instrumentals/interludes here either, they helped with the flow and fit the overall message of the record.
These instrumentals are as dense as cinder blocks and it’s fantastic. The lyrics are politically charged and aggressive. I want Flavor Flav to be my hype man. Favorite songs were Brothers Gonna Work It Out, Welcome To The Terrordome, Burn Hollywood Burn, Revolutionary Generation, and Fight The Power.
very educational and moving. i never really listen to this type of music but i love this album. its really good! would definitely listen to it again
Another I need to sit down and listen to more closely. Overall a good listen though, although I maybe couldn't listen to it very often as it is quite intense. 4/4.5
Chuck D, I can't turn this up anymore. Stop telling me to turn it up. Liked this way more than I thought I was going to. Loved the concept. Loved Chuck D's raps. Didn't care for Flava Flav as he seems to be thwt little Weiner kid trying to hype up someone bigger than them. The one song where he takes the lead is the worst song.
There are some real bangers in here.
This one has aged really well. Great social commentary. My ceiling for hip-hop strikes again, but it's very close to 4 stars. 3.5/5
Public Enemy's music is simply alive. Nothing else sounds quite like it. Fast, raw, angry hip hop. And I am here for it.
This is good, really good. Might even be enough to get me into rap
Intense, relentless, smart, crazy sample production
Yup!
Creative, cultural, bold and in yer face with some cool grooves to maximise its appeal, this is indeed a seminal album.
A scorching album. I would live to just sit and listen to all the tracks sampled in this. It might make a better (and longer) list than these albums! Lyrically raw and angry.
Never listened to a full public album before - wasn't expecting the complex beats and samples. Nor was I expecting to like Flava Flav (Flavor of Love, anyone?). 4/5
keep your song history private with some of these song names
What a great album. I can't believe I've never listened to it until now. I don't really know Public Enemy well, even though I've seen them live... twice! I feel like I've been prompted to catch up with something I should have been listening to for years! 4.5 stars
Great album. Brought me back!
I think I like It Takes a Nation... a little more but this one is insane as well
8/10. Terrordome was awesome. Beats were great. Rapping was good and I enjoyed some of the approach on using humor to get points across. Also like the instrumental logs between some songs.
hippity hop
Actually really enjoyed this. Makes me think of the matrix and this sort of grimey 90s sound/ feel.
Still as powerful and relevant today as it was at release
The first part of the album went hard, I wanted to listen to the message they had in the songs. Unfortunately midway through it just became noice for me, until the last song.
Angry '90s hip-hop at its best. The lyrics are aggressive, unapologetic, on point and relevant as ever. The whole album is one big protest against the system and oppression of black people. FIGHT THE POWER! 4/5
Very listenable. I don’t have much else to say.
A bit long, but it doesn't feel like it drags in. Enjoyable, standard Public Enemy fare.
I have utmost respect for the social messaging on this album and think it absolutely deserves a place on this list. 5 stars on that front. That being said, the beats on some of the tracks and Flavor Flav’s voice can be downright annoying. I gave it multiple listens and with each I was snapped out of my enjoyment several times to the point I needed to turn it down. Maybe old school hip hop just doesn’t hold up, or more likely, I’m just getting old. Either way, I can’t give 5 stars to an album that had me reaching for down volume button.
Another album that I listened to in jr. High which began to shape an awareness to the world around me and a perspective I was.l not familiar. Still amazing how relevant this album is so many years later.
I thought I hated all early rap because of past Run D.M.C. albums on this list, but turns out I just hate Run D.M.C. This album kinda ripped, the beats were fire and it was a party on the track but also with meaningful lyrics. I’m no longer afraid of early rap
Funkier than ITANOMTHUB Dare I say it, I like it more!
Listened Before? N Unsurprisingly AMAZING. Nothing has caught the energy of a generation quite like these gentlemen. They're raw power and aggression mixed with humanity. All they wanted was equality, peace, and probably reparations. I dig it a lot. This is a lazy review, but suffice it to say - an awesome album that is probably timeless. Added to Library? Y Songs added to playlist: 911 Is A Joke, Fight The Power
Classic, original
Although this album is better on a technical level than Nation of Millions, it didn't quite have as big an impact on me. Still good though.
Some strong Flavor Flav contributions
I actually like this one a hair better than A Nation of Millions. Great nineties hip hop that get you BUMPin’.
Authoritative flow, relentless beats, perfectly crafted interludes, brilliant use of sampling. Intensely aggressive and full of righteous fury that's still relevant today, but still great fun to listen to. Fave Songs: Fight the Power, Welcome to the Terrordome, Brothers Gonna Work It Out, Burn Hollywood Burn, 911 Is a Joke, Contract on the World Love Jam, Can't Do Nuttin' for Ya Man, Power to the People
Classic!
Really enjoyed listening to this album. I don' take the time to listen to early hip hop. Feels like more instrumental for the majority of the album. Stand out tracks: -Welcome to the terrordome -Burn Hollywood Burn -War at 33 1/3
Stoked to be able to listen to this fully. Never really sat down to listen to ANY of their music besides what’s played on the radio or by other DJs. Such a perennial time In hip hop. As Wikipedia states the golden age of hip hop.
4/5 - rad
4/5
Organized chaos Production and protest An album phenom
Prob my fav album of this time period / genre …. Lyrics are interesting and thoughtful for the most part … good use of all the sampling …. Attack bullshit in society and do it with upbeat vibe n a great flow song to song
My friend played "911 Is A Joke" on our radio show back in college. We could only play clean music before 10pm so Public Enemy was great for that since they don't swear much. And I've also been listening to "Fight the Power" for a while, especially in 2020 haha. The indie rock band Deerhoof has a strangely good cover of it. This is another quality album from Chuck D, Flavor Flav, the Bomb Squad, and co. However, I think it's slightly less consistent than Nation of Millions.
Not my favorite style of hip hop. This is hard and choppy - I’m more into the jazzy chill stuff. The beats are all the same and not very interesting or vibey. Definitely important legends for the genre. Very brave lyrics going hard ass hell on racism!
Is it possible to make an album that is so infectiously fun which also spreads an important and profound message. Apparently so. You can hear how influential this album is and, in some cases, trace certain modern musicians songs directly to one of this albums innovations. Not as solid as their previous album, but still incredible. 4/5
Very cool
Ein sehr gutes Rap Album, hervorragend gesampelt. Zeitlos, nicht nur wegen der Texte.
A nation of millions…
Rock/rap beats had me going, peak old school hip hop. Fight the power
Boom! One of my most listened to rap albums. Great companion to Nation of Millions.
Classic hip hop. 4 stars
First, I admit it is my own shortcoming that I can’t appreciate much rap music. I liked the anger and the message. Rating this album is challenging. I doubt I will ever listen to it again but I am glad I heard it. It is one of the few albums on this list that really meet the “must listen” criteria.
Crazy loops, hooks and changes, with a constant flow and astounding sonic scenarios, with fine bass and guitars. It drives you in and makes you feel it. The fear of a black planet is to be outside it.
This was a great listen. I loved the layers of sound and the rhythms. Best tracks: Brothers Gonna Work It Out, Welcome to the Terrordome, Burn Hollywood Burn, and, naturally, Fight the Power.
4.5
Angry, powerful, on target, and infused with tremendous musicianship. Public Enemy needed to be taken seriously.
I Can’t Do Nuttin’ for Ya, Man, unless you give this album a listen! Give the Power to the People!
This has pretty much everything I like hearing in a hip hop album that isn’t an affiliate of NWA. I don’t really know how to sell it in a review, I just know that I enjoyed it enough for 4 stars. Choice Cut: 911 is a Joke
this was a great choice for the list. good beats and samples, energetic music, and powerful social commentary (that unfortunately still holds true today, almost three and a half decades later). i was really only familiar with bring the noise before this and honestly didn't know flavor flav from anywhere except crappy reality TV, but this is real stuff right here. favorites: brothers gonna work it out, 911 is a joke, welcome to the terrordome, fight the power
Awesome seeing this right after Elvis, since “Elvis was a hero to most but he never meant shit to me”. My introduction to Flavor Flav was one of those MTV dating shows, and not even the original Strange love or the one he starred in, Flavor of Love. I think it was one of the spin-offs of the spin-off like I Love New York or something. Anyway, he was the weird dude who sometimes showed up in this sorta trash television “reality” dating show. It absolutely blew my mind that this goofy guy with the clock was also in the iconic hardcore East Coast political hip hop group Public Enemy. I was familiar with Public Enemy in 2007 when I watched that crap MTV aired, but I just never made the connection until years later. EVEN THOUGH HE WEARS THE FUCKING CLOCK on the album cover of It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back Well anyway, even though It Takes a Nation… is generally considered Public Enemy’s best album, Fear of a Black Planet is my favorite. I also think it’s the album that most effectively utilizes Flavor Flav, and the album where Chuck D is at his best. On most other albums, I feel like Flavor Flav is either a bit annoying or severely under-utilized. Fear of a Black Planet hits the sweet spot: Flav adequately hypes up the other rappers on most tracks while also getting a killer track of his own here, “911 Is a Joke”. The first few songs build up to “Welcome to the Terrordome” and the album stays very dynamic and politically conscious throughout while closing out with their best song “Fight the Power”. Really my only problem is that the skits, interludes, and radio bits bring the flow of the album down.
Should we put like a drumbeat here maybe? How about a man crying out like a goose Love the genre that’s one half serious racial commentary and one half cackling gremlin noise
I cannot deny the significance and importance of the album and its messages - shines alight on a lot of stuff and cuts otthe core as oppose to railing against it ineffectually. Its also much better to listen to than most hip hop - has is quite comprehendable (vocals remind me of the band "disposable heroes of hiphoracy" and interesting - its quality stuff. I cant give it a 5 as I really would put this album on for the joy of it. and also a surpise to see how their music has evolved and they have done death metal and techno collaborations, with a remix of Bring the Noise being their tap streamed tack - it sounbds nothing like Public Enemy .
Public Enemy sound like nobody else. Such a musical mash up and Chuck D is a great voice. Only heard a couple of tracks before and the whole album deserves more listens, the words matter and I read some while listening. Gets an extra star for Fight The Power alone!
Pretty good album with some great sample based production.
Yeah, this is pretty good shit.
Hay pocos discos de hip/hop que me gustan, pero este está muy bueno
the production on this is chaotic, overwhelming, and unrelenting. this is a memorable listen, every track has a distinct feel. love the sample heavy feel you can really feel the groups anger and indignation through each and every song. fight the power is such an incredible closer, really sums the album up well.
Another classic from the golden era of hip hop. Just flows and never really drags for the better part of an hour, then you get ‘Fight the Power’! Great stuff
Really enjoyed this one. There's a balance of very insightful and pointed comments on race and politics while still having an album that can invoke both anger and amusement in the listener. I was also really impressed by the sound. 90's hip hop was still discovering and exploring the genre and, therefore, sometimes fell victim to redundant beats, but this album was musically interesting and ahead of its time.
A very good album. It's definitely old school, but it somehow doesn't sound as dated as Ice Cube's Amerikkka's Most Wanted, which was released the same year. Flavor Flav is better as a hype man than the main vocalist, so the songs that he features on are just a little weaker than the songs fronted by Chuck D, though 911 is a Joke is a classic. Like the Ice Cube album, I'd give this a 3.5 if I could, but in this format, I think the fact that it still sounds fresh, plus the fact that the lyrics and ideas on this album still hold up, pushes this to 4 stars.
Sindssyge beats, virkelig god plade! Synes Nation of Millions er en bedre plade på ca alle parametre, men mest af alt synes jeg at den her er lidt for rodet i sidste ende. For mange ideer som ikke helt bliver fulgt til dørs.
First off, this album has great production, one of the best sounding hip hop albums. I also think that the interludes do a lot to add to my overall enjoyment of this project. The first half of this album is really solid, a lot of really good beats, samples, and rapping. The second half of this album isn't as good (besides Fight The Power of course) and holds me back from giving this a 5. I think the ideal version of this album would cut 5 or 6 songs from the second half.