It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back

The opening intro track was very obnoxious and I bet it’s supposed to instill a feeling of fear in you but it just wasn’t for me and it really stressed me out ha ha. The song “don’t believe the hype” has a really annoying sound effect in the background that sounds like a squawking bird that’s really obnoxious in my opinion. “She watch Channel zero?!” Reminds me of a black version of this Suicidal Tendencies song I know from high school. There is some other weird noise in the background of “night of the living Baseheads” that I cannot get past. I can hear nothing else unfortunately.

Really enjoyed this

8.5/10

Ass tbh, two good tracks

Don’t see why this is praised any more than any other rap album. Sounds pretty much like a lot of other classic rap.

Powerful messages, but not amazing music

p604. 1988. 2 stars. Rap, so wrong audience. Seems well done of its type though.

Great listen!

Louder than a bomb and she watch channel zero - quite good. Chuck D - super blowhard.

It’s so…

Erste Überraschung, das war wirklich gut

Bit of a slog, but undeniably powerful

Here's another one (and my second Public Enemy album) where I have trouble rating it because I personally didn't like it but I understand that it's a very important, very good hip hop album.

I loved Public Enemy at the time, but that time was almost 40 years ago. Like most hip hop from that era, this album just hasn't aged well. Fear of a Black Planet is a better album with more depth to it if you are adverse to listening to any rap music made after 1990.

An ambitious, provocative and groundbreaking release, A Nation of Millions hasn’t lost an ounce of its sonic or cultural import. Tracks like the trippy “Show ‘Em Whatcha Got” demonstrate that PE was early to the jazz-sampling trend, while they capitalized on the nascent rap-rock trend by sampling Slayer on “She Watch Channel Zero?!” (one of 20 samples on the track). Terminator X is in top form with his scratching and trademark tea kettle/horse-whinny refrain, Flavor Flav plays the role of hype man/street jester (except when he raps, such as on “Cold Lampin’”) with aplomb and Chuck D is like a whole weather system on the mic. There’s so much going on in this seminal release, and I haven’t even gotten to the pointed social and political commentary. Le plus ca change…

Absolute classic. One of the best rap albums released pre-91. D and Flava had such a good thing.

a little bit of filler but some bangers, too.

They brought the noise.

YEAHHHHHHHHHH BOIIIIIIIIIIII

Top-shelf old-school hip hop… Flava Flavvv!

Any album that samples the Flash Gordon theme song is an automatic 4 for me

It all sounds very similar and I found none of it particularly galvanizing, unfortunately…

I did not enjoy this production but the rapping isn't bad. Not enough to redeem these songs though, I kinda hate this album. I don't think this style of rap has aged super well. There were a few moments of lyrical brilliance and I liked the Flash Gordon sample, but otherwise, nope. Public Enemy was better with Anthrax.

dont believe the hype!!! esse é meio clássico demais pra falar qualquer coisa negativa a respeito a nível de beat e flow não me agrada tanto, mas as letras são brutais

fortíssimo esse hein!! curto bastante os beats e as letras! brutal demais como eh bem atual 30 anos depois dito isso não me agrada o flavor flav gritando YEAAAAH BOIIII a cada 20 segundos

Enjoyed this 6/10

just feels deflated and weak

Going in to this I knew that Public Enemy is not really my thing, I listened though and heard a Queen "Flash's Theme" sample which reminded me that I have a pretty great Queen Favorites playlist I made. I promptly put that on when the album was over - yes this is much better!

I didn’t like it as much as I expected to. Very similar to nwa, one beat samples the same song Still goes hard

Revolutionary album; dated, but great for its time.

Yeah booyy! Pretty groundbreaking early hip hop that mostly stands the test of time. Chuck D waxes poetically and the beats are pretty great. Standouts: “don’t believe the hype”, “night of the living baseheads”, “party for your right to fight”

Nobody has had to carry the weight of a hiphop band like Chuck D. He is consistently phenomenal whilst having to deal with the clownshoes Flavor Flav cheesing up every song he gets his hands on. But D manages to bring home classic after classic after classic, just the best that old school hiphop has to offer.

Lyrically it's great, but musically this just isn't good. 2.0/5.0: Disappointing

not as good as the one we got from them last week. its always a pleasure to listen to chuck d but less so when it comes to flavor flav.

This lowkey gave me a headache to much repetition in the songs, I did not like one song to put on my playlist. Just not my album but I'm sure its someone's.

Tried to appreciate it as someone in the late 80's hearing this for the first time, but simply couldn't get into it. Not a fan of the vocal delivery, felt dated unfortunately

This album and Fear of a Black Planet are the Ride the Lightning and Master of Puppets one-two punch of Hip Hop. It's the apex of the game. Just outstanding. Really dig the Bring the Noise version with Anthrax, I missed out seeing their tour together in '91 because of a job I had. Wrong choice, I should've quit that dead end job and went to the gig. This thing hits you with a solid wall of music that is just pummeling with energy, and it never lets up. It's a masterpiece.

Pretty damn cool old school hip-hop. Yeeeah Boiiiiyyeeee!!!

Black

Nooooooo

Already familiar with this one but gave it another listen to determine my rating, I was originally thinking giving it just below 5 stars but after another listen it’s definitely higher than that, it’s just that good. Every song is really good, the only ones I didn’t like as much are party for your right to fight which is a little repetitive and she watch channel zero which is a little extreme but I guess that’s kind of the point. This album is also dated but in the best possible way, it’s of its time with the explosive, energetic rapping and flavour flav doing his thing, he’s also got one of my favourite rap verses on this album with cold lampin’. Definitely deserves a 5 as it’s also an iconic album. Overall 9.5/10.

Crazy listening to this on my beats how the beats jump around ear to ear; it’s like real surround sound. Very consistent sound and message. The sampling is incredible; the layering is so artistic and creative. I miss the sound of mixing and scratching and socially conscious lyrics. I’m proud to been around for this album’s inception.

klassikko ihan ok

Except for a cool backing track on one of the tracks this was a pathetic album.

Didn't think I'd like it but actually did. Can't ignore those beats

I just dont enjoy this shit okay

I didn’t like it

Stenhårt. Politiskt. Tungt sväng.

Not my style 1

if you don't know then your ass better call somebody. this is the most important rap album of the 80's.

This political HipHop sounds trite, boastful, and limp from a distance of over thirty years.

Absolute fucking classic, incredible production, catchy hooks and Chuck D's best bars and performance. Favourites - Bring the Noise, Don’t Believe the Hype, Caught, Can We Get A Witness?, She Watch Channel Zero?!, Rebel Without A Pause

Chuck D is a phenomenal rapper. Outstanding flow, great lyricism, and perfectly balances an aggressive tone with a bouncy, rhythmic, and often melodic musicality to his voice. However I feel on this record particularly, he’s let down by tiresome, repetitive beats. And the less said about Flava Flav the better. Countdown to Armageddon (N/A) Bring the Noise (8/10) Don’t Believe the Hype (7/10) Cold Lampin’ with Flavor (4/10) Terminator X to the Edge of Panic (5/10) Mind the Terrorist (N/A) Louder Than a Bomb (8/10) Caught, Can We Get a Witness? (6/10) She ‘Em Whatcha Got (N/A) She Watch Channel Zero?! (8/10) Night of the Living Baseheads (8/10) Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos (8/10) Security of the First World (N/A) Rebel Without a Pause (10/10) Prophets of Rage (8/10) Party for Your Right to Fight (6/10) 7.2/10

I understand for its genre it is a classic. Not something I would listen to regularly but I enjoyed the experience.

This still holds up! I really enjoyed it, a throwback for sure with the progression of language and terms over time. Hearing Flava Flav say cold medina so much was a trip in 2025. A classic!

Saw them live on 23 Augustus 2012 in Metropool (Hengelo) with a complete band backing them up. Great concert!

Not exactly my vibe, but undoubtedly important and influential hip hop album

There's a few bits that haven't aged especially well, but otherwise this is an absolute powerhouse of a record. Incredible sampling and production combined with the urgency of Chuck D's vocals just means that this always hits hard.

I love the energy, I love the bars, I love the message, but frankly I just couldn’t help but find this one slightly annoying. Maybe it’s the whiny beat production, maybe it’s flava flav’s background musings through all the good verses, I just couldn’t get there on this one.

it is so funny i know Flavor Flav from reality TV and not his actual body of work????? that's on me but it's soooo funny marrying the version of him i know with this album (which is good!)

Dat we dit mogen meemaken... een rap album dat ik volledig uitluisterde... niet allemaal even straf, maar toch genoeg om me mee te voeren tot het einde... hoewel dit toch een iets te lange trip was

Chuck D & Flavor Flav get down to business on this one. Their personalities compliment each other so well. A really energetic project.

hip hop não é meu tipo de música, eu não escuto no dia a dia mas curto de tempos em tempos. a grande coisa aqui são as barras. o groove que eles tem é legal e bem forte, agressivo, mas nada demais e meio que nunca muda. a produção é bem diferente, a voz ta extremamente clara aqui, mas isso deixa um espaço meio vazio no instrumental, não sei explicar bem mas é o que eu sinto ouvindo. eu tenho certeza de que quando lançou isso aqui era "The Mothafucking Bomb", mas me soa meio datado hoje em dia. como é com quase todas boas coisas antigas isso aqui foi claramente bastante influente no hip hop dos anos seguintes e o impacto cultural supera qualquer bobagem musical.

Lots a talk about their DJ?

I love their rap style/flow, great beats, absolute legends. I "grew up" with the hip hop from the 90s and early 2000s, but the rap from the 80s really is my jam.

I’ve heard many of these songs (and the samples) but this was the first time I sat and listened with the lyrics on (thanks Spotify). Who says humor and politics don’t go together, cue up Chuck D and Flava Flav.

influential during its time. However, the boom bap, hardcore rap is not my thing

I see the impact, even if this isn't fully to my tastes.

Great beats, love those slowed down drums. Chuck D has a commanding voice, and Flavor Flav is there too. The lyrics can get a bit too on-the-nose, even approaching kitsch. Good classic album, though. Key tracks: Bring The Noise Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos

Flav doesn’t get enough credit

12/05/2025 2nd album in a row for these gents, i don't mind it.

A pretty nonstop groove sesh.

Chuck D's socially conscious flow, Flav's interjections, and Terminator X's scratching forrm the backbone of this densely produced masterpiece of a hip-hop album.

Sound wise this is very much the hip-hop of the era, or at the very least the sound of what would become the black hip-hop flow in the 90's. It's fine but it always just ends up reminding me of MC Hammer or Sir Mixalot since that's probably the 90's hip-hop artists I've listened to the most. And that ends up undercutting the edge of the is album quite a bit for me. I preferred "Fear Of A Black Planet" over this one Standouts Bring The Noise Caught, Can We Get A Witness? She Watch Channel Zero?! Black Steel In The Hour Of Chaos 3/5

Je vibais bien au début, me pensais un homme nouveau, un véritable papillon mélomane émergeant d'un cocon de rock archaïque et de funk usé. L'ennemi publique a eu raison de moi et de ma patience à la longue, m'écœurant à la longue à coup de «YEEEAAAAAAH BOI» et de beats des plus basic. Ils ont tués le papillon en moi, les monstres.

I consider this to be the best rap album of all time. I remember the day I got this on CD and just listening to it over and over again. I'm sad because I don't think people who are listening to it for the first time in 2025 are going to recognize it for what it is. Some of the sound effects do not hold up. There is some self-referential stuff (the S1Ws, etc.) that don't make sense if you don't know what's going on. But Bring the Noise is an incredible track. I generally listen to the PE/Anthrax cover these days, but the original is amazing. Don't Believe the Hype is tremendous. It's been a while since I've listened to Baseheads and Channel Zero. But it's so nice listening to music with meaning and a political message. Black Steel, Rebel Without a Pause and Prophets of Rage are just the best way to end an album. The number of listens this has on Spotify is criminal. This is the GOAT.

Okay lowkey I’d listen to this. But only lowkey.

My favorite rap album of all time, timeless and important.

Solid listen! I'd say my favorite part is Chuck D's voice, which is just super smooth and buttery to my ears. I actually hadn't realized that Public Enemy basically had only one primary MC in Chuck D, and then of course hype man Flava Flav. I had thought there were more members, but I'm probably just confusing them with some of the other hip hop groups of the era like Run DMC and N.W.A. Flava Flav definitely feels like comedic relief at times, not sure if that was the intention, or whether its just my bias based upon his presence in the pop world, and sterotypical " YEAHHHH BOIIII". I don't hate it but sometimes I'm not sure if I'm supposed to take it seriously or not. The beats consist of layers and layers of samples, they're definitely pretty dense at times, but overall fits the vibe pretty well.

Pretty Banging, would love to hear this on some big speakers

One single word - Classic.

One of the great ones.

Masterpiece.

Flava Flav in his prime. I appreciate Public Enemy and their message. They bring light a number of important issues and their style is slightly more hip hop and not just rap. They also have the DJ, spinning quality to it that makes it more.

This was one of my favorite albums as a teenager and it still is one of my favorite albums. My favorite favs are: Bring the Noise, Louder Than a Bomb, Caught Can I Get a Witness, Black Steel, Prophets of Rage, and the last song... Party for Your Right to Fight. So cool the way they did the stereo mix with Chuck D in one speaker and Flavor Flav in the other. And the message is pretty right on. Some fight for their right to party. Others are partying for their right to fight. She Watched Channel Zero is a pretty cool song but wasn't Flavor Flav on a season of The Real World?.... you're watching that garbage baby, pure garbage... just sayin.

Public Enemy was nailing it hard in the late 80’s and early 90’s hip hop scene. Their albums hold way the hell up and will be relevant as long as racism exists. Bring The Noise, Don’t Believe the Hype, She Watch Channel Zero?! and Show ‘Em Whatcha Got are clear highlights. Cool note: Security In The Free World provides the beat for Justify My Love by Madonna.

I can see why this album has so many accolades. The lyrics are very meaningful and important, the rapping is next level, the samples all weave so well into their tracks, and the music under the lyrics is pretty impeccably produced. And while I appreciate how well done and influential this is, I have to go with a 4 because it's not necessarily something I'd choose to listen to all the way through very often, solely based on personal preference. This type of musical structure doesn't totally move me. I wanted to love it, but didn't quite get there.

Aggressive political hip hop form the bad boys of the scene.

I'm surprised that I haven't heard anything about these guys when they have three whole albums on this list and appear to still be popular. Then again, I'm not a hip hop enthusiast so my ears aren't exactly inclined to discussions about the figureheads of this industry. It's pretty solid - quite possibly the best hip hop album I've listened to. There are many good verses and Chuck D's vocals are well-suited to this style of music. As mentioned previously, I think 80s and 90s hip hop are the only decades where this genre of music had any meat on it's bones and this is definitely an example of such. I like the instrumentals. I dig the turntable sound and booming percussion as well as the many good samples in here. My only real gripe is that this album gets real fatiguing after a while due to the constant high energy.

106/1089 - Take out the repeated sax/trumpet/nails-on-chalkboard/tea-kettle sample and all the interludes with absolutely nothing going on and it goes up a star or two. Annoying as fuck to listen to.

ass

hani nur dureskipped bruh. han mer denkt geil entlich rap aber ewie so hella old school ewie sochli ahstrengend zum lose. beats gar ned nice gsi. ben enttüscht type shit

This was fun. Expected it to be overly grim and preachy, but they're too energetic to let that happen. 'She Watch Channel Zero' is a great piece of rap rock.

Wow, I really liked this! Angry but fun. Ngl, Flav's "yeahhh boyyy" hyped me every time. High four stars.

This album was hard to listen to, because both the beats and the rapping felt far too abrasive and in-your-face. While I understand that this is kind of the point of the album and that it’s not *supposed* to be easy to listen to, but it does raise the question: at what point have you gone too far in trading listenability in service of a political statement. Favorite Track: Party For Your Right To Fight

Wish I liked this one more than I do, I appreciate the direction this pushed hip-hop because as a big fan of the genre it would be way worse of without the influence these guys gave the genre. I thought the album was a bit too long and bloated, as well as the production feeling dated. The subject matter of the songs were great and I support them but the songs themselves didn’t stand out much to me unfortunately apart from a few tracks. Favorite Tracks: Party For Your Right To Fight, She Watch Channel Zero, Louder Than A Bomb, and Don’t Believe The Hype.

Always have enjoyed this album

I could’ve sworn we already had this one but I guess not. Incredibly hard album title. I’m not sure the mixing of live and studio really worked but I’m guessing there’s some thematic reason for it. The rapping is strong, the style is dated and the lyrics seem almost trite now but maybe because this was so influential. Light 4.

Why did they combine live and in studio material into one record? Actually didn’t mind this. Lots of political messages with catchy beats.

A lot to take in sonically but I’m sure that was the point. I didn’t love most of this but it was so important and the great songs were really great. The partnership of Chuck D and Flava Flav should not work at all but somehow really does.

Classic Rap. Gefällt mir sehr gut, hab schon lange keinen Rap mehr gehört aber die machen hier alles richtig.

Again, it's fine, just not for me.

Excellent production on this, what an achievement

I enjoyed this album and can hear its influences on lots of other music/bands. I constantly forget how much I enjoy Hip Hop, especially the political stuff!

Solid 3. Not really my thing, but appreciate the impact this music had at the time it came out and influence on hiphop as a genre

Nice

3.6 Solid early rap album. faves: rebel without a pause, bring the noise

YEAAAA BOIIIIIIII

kann man machen, bisschen monoton

Classic Public Enemy. Hitting it hard

this album flip flops between paid in full by eric b & rakim for my fav 80s rap album, stellar shit right here

Upbeat. I wanted to be able to sit with this album and read all the lyrics, because I really appreciate the poetry. It is not music that I would reach for on the regular.

That was 57 minutes I’ll never get back…just another record with guys talking or yelling, and in the background lots of sirens and squeaky noises. I couldn’t be bothered to listen to the lyrics; perhaps it requires me to be in a particular mood to appreciate this…no probably not.

I thought it would be hard to take this seriously (because Flavor Flav is to me a goofy vh1 personality), but actually it wasn't. He hardly even says "Flavor Flav" (although he does say it)! The worst part for me is the frequent noise that sounds like a squeaky toy making an ambulance siren. What is that? A record scratch? A modulated kazoo? I don't know, but I hate it passionately. The actual lyrics are fine, but the beats are, imho, wack. Speaking of beats, "Beat is for Sonny Bono (Beat is for Yoko Ono)" is a line that holds multitudes. 'Don't Believe the Hype' was inspired by Noam Chomsky, but I don't think it was "Syntactic Structures" that did it. Slur count here is low (just one carefully deployed n-word, by my estimate). Fun wordplay in the song titles too. I didn't at all enjoy listening to this but I can respect it! But, this isn't a respect ranking, so it's a 2 from me.

I learned a lot about this group and the impact it's had, so that was cool! I'm not super sure any of the songs stood out to me. Maybe "Rebel Without A Pause".

Chuck D is right, the beats and the rhymes are so dope. Don't Believe the Hype is another great song. There's not a lot of East Coast rap from the late 80s through the mid 90s that doesn't owe a debt of gratitude to Public Enemy. Cold Lampin' with Flavor is better than I remember. I could do without the Terminator X solo song. Louder than a Bomb is the best song on the album so far. Rumpshaker could not be further from Public Enemy, and yet....She Watch Channel Zero?! is the invention of NuMetal! I wish everyone else, other than Rage, had left it alone after this. Night of the Living Baseheads is another great song. Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos is one of the best Public Enemy songs, maybe my favorite, great lyrics. Political hip hop was perfected on this album....every other attempt is still trying to reach these heights.

30+ years on, This is still as relevant as it was when it debuted.

I would have to listen ten more times (which I guess I might) to really comprehend all the lyrics, but the fact that they used the samples to create a new, chaotic sound is enough for me.

Terminator X is a dope ass DJ name.

I liked this a lot more than fear of a black planet. This was fun. Catchy. Good stuff. Flavor flav yeahhhhh booooyyyyy gets old fast though. That said I’ll give this 4 stars.

Sounds like one long song

I like 90s rap

I'm just not into Public Enemy.

Clear to see why this album was so influential. Great listen. Engaging lyrics and fun instrumentals.

Landmark hip hop album. If folk was the protest music of the 60s and punk of the 70s, rap had taken on the mantle by the 90s thanks to Public Enemy The beats are great, moving transcending the funk of sound of 80s hip hop into something much more full-on. The lyrics are fantastic and Chuck raps with such intensity and anger that it's hard to ignore. Classic

Really really interesting and very punchy (which I've been talking about a lot though). I very much like the use of sound in this with unconventional sounds being played into tracks to give a strong feel to them

This was fine, not something I'd ever listen to again.

Influential, radical, and Flav shows respect for good time-keeping.

Просто не мой жанр. НО. Понравились три композиции подряд. Caught, Can We Get A Witness? Show 'Em Whatcha Got She Watch Channel Zero?! это прямо крутяк!

Yeah boyyyy

I enjoyed the album all the way through, even with being less attuned to the genre compared to my usual listens. I also thought the songs worked well altogether as a whole, which I always like in an album. It felt like there was a lot of variety even if the style was the same throughout, and it didn't seem too bloated even though there were 16 songs. Maybe one negative was how late 80s/early 90s it sounded; I actually thought it contributed in a good way to the feel of the album and found it to be fitting with the messaging, but does take away from the "timelessness" aspect I find a lot of great albums to have. Overall: 3.5/5

Some groovy backgrounds but just cannot enjoy the 80s rap style; too goofy.

Not my go-to music style, but the upbeat tempo and the complex lyrics had me fully invested in this album. A great second studio album from Public Enemy.

Top 10 album of all time. It blew us away on first listen. It’s still so fresh sounding. It never gets old. It always hits hard. PE at the absolute top of any game.

This album contained a few pearls I didn't know I needed but now I can't live without them. Such skillful rapwork. Music was definitely great too.

It's good, hard-hitting and powerful stuff. Beats are exceptionally funky and varied. Some of the tracks do tend to get a bit too much with repetitive yells and callouts.

They sampled some great grooves for this and layered on excellently enunciated politically conscious raps on top. Terminator X features perhaps the weakest sound, the whine in the background struck a nerve with me.

Interesting hip-hop album. Can see the message and mvoing nature of the album overall.

Not my taste, but still significantly better rap than modern day. I can actually tell what they are saying

Whatever. Hip-hop's not my thing. Some of these tracks are pretentious and self-important, some sound okay.

First listen although have heard many of the tracks before. Not someone to listen to whole albums of rap but this is good all the way through. No passengers here. Cant lose with Chuck D's voice. Great lyrics. Flava Flav: Ya, boiiii.

social commentary, bops, good beats

It's a no, thank you.

Heard them first on GTA:SA so a bit nostalgic. It gets a bit formulaic after half of the album("yeah boooi", gets old pretty quick). still I enjoyed it and didn't skip anything.

not bad

Good 90’s rap!

Terminator X go go go go ! Black steel in the hour of chaos got me moving my head ! I enjoyed more the last part of the album, first songs weren't for me

Unfortunately has not aged too well production wise/stylistically but it’s iconic nonetheless and a bunch of my teachers were involved w it. Love flava flav too

Solid, but feel like they inspired better acts after them like NWA

87/100. It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back by Public Enemy is a classic hip-hop record—groundbreaking, intense, and politically charged. Personally, I think it’s great, but some of the production is starting to feel a bit dated by today’s standards. That said, the "Side Black" half of the album stands out for me—it feels more consistent and features some of the tightest flows on the project. Still a powerful and important record in hip-hop history.

Yeah boy

Used to love this album, now not so much. Strongest tracks “she watch channel zero” and “prophets of rage”

I think this album just caught me at a bad time, this was fine nothing that blew my mind

Didn’t get all the way through, but have listened before . The yell-rap genre isn’t my favourite, but I gotta give them credit for how direct they were w the message. 3.2/5 Fav song: don’t believe the hype

This is the best rap album we've had so far... By far... I appreciate the social message throughout the album, but it's not super "in your face" or vulgar (a la nwa) but the production is super good and the back and forth style of rapping actually works

Public Enemy's second album, It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back, is a seminal album in rap's early history. PE used an extensive array of samples in this engaging sonic assault; Chuck D's focused, pointed social commentary made for an album that is as much a political statement as a musical release. The album is regarded as the best rap album of all time, and sits near the top of most "best album of all times" lists. Public Enemy set standards for hip hop sampling and rap with singles like "Don't Believe the Hype," a comment on media in politics.

This album was amazing when I first heard it so many years ago. It had meaning then, it still holds up. It's kinda sad that it's themes are STILL relevant. Chuck D hadn't even hit his peak with this album. If you liked Bring the Noise from this go look up the version with Anthrax. Hits even harder.

Ich interessiere mich mehr für Musik.

It's difficult to find a good hip-hop album.

The problem with albums that are chronicles of their times is that times change Still pops with a lot of energy but doesn't have the urgency it had nearly 40 years ago

Not my cup of tea. Got interesting towards the end.

Started off feeling this is okay okay... But somehow I began to enjoy it the more I listened- especially in the 2nd half! Didn't really understand the lyrics - the references and the cultural context (as is generally my experience while listening to hip hop) But the rhythm and the beats were so much fun! I also surprisingly liked the repetition (all songs sound kind of the same!) I think this is one of those albums I need to listen to more than once to truly like it! Songs that stood out: she watch channel zero, party for your right to fight, louder than a bomb Album rating: ⭐⭐⭐1/2 I should definitely listen to rap more! Makes me feel upbeat and optimistic about life without being sickly sweet!

Really dug this one.

Yeeeeeeeaaaaaaahhhhh boiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

Funky and easy to listen to.

If I had a nickel for every YEEAAHHH BOOYYYEEEEE on this album, I'd have enough $$ to quit my job and retire in Monaco. The lyricism is hard-hitting and poignant, though the beats themselves aren't anything noteworthy. Definitely a 'you had to be there' kind of album - no doubt it was a groundbreaking release in the world of late 80s/early 90s hip-hop, but it doesn't entirely have a timeless feel to it.

I quite enjoyed it, late 80s beats which I enjoy. Bit samey in places and as with all rap albums you can drop the skits thanks

Heel NWA, heel GTA San Andreas

Ну репчик не мое, хотя вроде все качественно, и атмосфера таких вечеринок из фильмов начала 90х. В качестве исследования пойдет

Un álbum totalmente adelantado a su tiempo, con una velocidad y agresividad acompañadas de un mensaje político nunca visto hasta entonces. Una bomba sónica, como ellos mismos dicen en "Louder than a Bomb" (a veces hasta suena a nu-metal). Escuchado hoy no suena especial, pero eso no le quita mérito alguno. Una década más tarde aún teníamos por estos lares a Violadores del Verso copiando los sampleos de Terminator X, y eso es sólo un ejemplo. Aunque sea un álbum demasiado crudo y repetitivo para mí gusto, definitivamente pertenece a esta lista.

“It Takes A Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back” remains profoundly relevant to contemporary US society, serving as both a historical document and a continuous source of cultural resistance. Released during a time when racial tensions and political oppression were rampant, the album’s incisive critique of systemic injustice resonates with current debates over inequality, police brutality, and governmental transparency. Public Enemy’s incisive lyrics—such as the refrain “Don’t believe the hype”—challenge listeners to question mainstream narratives and scrutinize the power structures that shape societal norms. This call to skepticism is echoed today, as citizens demand accountability from institutions and media alike. The album’s aggressive sonic landscape and politically charged rhymes mirror the ongoing struggle against marginalization and systemic racism. Lyrics like “Fight the Power” underscore a timeless ethos of resistance, encouraging communities to stand against oppression. In an era marked by mass protests and movements such as Black Lives Matter, the album’s message finds renewed urgency. The rhetoric of empowerment and defiance that Public Enemy championed provides a framework for understanding modern social activism. Contemporary discussions about reparative justice and equity often echo the confrontational spirit of the album, which argued that the voices of the oppressed must be amplified to effect change. Furthermore, the album’s innovative production and sampling techniques paved the way for future generations of artists who use music as a medium for political expression. Today’s artists continue to build on that legacy by addressing issues such as systemic racism, economic disparity, and the surveillance state. In essence, the album functions as a cultural touchstone: its messages of vigilance, unity, and resistance continue to inspire a critical examination of authority in a society where similar issues persist. Public Enemy’s work not only chronicled the struggle of its own era but also laid down a blueprint for activism that remains relevant in the ongoing fight for social justice.

Punk rock as all hell and with wild beats for the time. Loved it.

I like rap even but this wasn’t for me.

Pretty solid. Will probably come back to this

Fun listen and pretty groundbreaking at the time I imagine

Great samples, fun record to listen to and a staple in hip hop and what came after.

After a long streak of indie rock albums, this album really stood out. I especially enjoyed the raw sound which blended well with the rapping.

Damn near perfect album. So good. High 4s.

This is the 74th album I’m rating. I’ve heard this is the first modern hip hop album but what about Slick Rick? Adding to my Playlist - Nothing. Not Adding to my Playlist - Countdown to Armageddon (Intro), Bring the Noise, Don’t Believe the Hype, Cold Lampin’ with Flavor, Terminator X to the Edge of Panic, Mind Terrorist (Interlude), Louder than a Bomb, Caught, Can we Get a Witness?, Show ‘Em Whatcha Got (Interlude), She Watch Channel Zero?!, Night of the Living Baseheads, Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos, Security of the First World (Interlude), Rebel Without a Pause, Prophets of Rage, and Party for your Right to Fight. Bring the Noise - This sounds so unbelievably dated and in 2025 I’m not sure if this is good anymore. All in all I liked 0/16 songs. This was really dated. Maybe it was good back then but right now this isn’t very revolutionary and it just kinda sucks.

++: Countdown to Armageddon, Bring the Noise, Don't Believe the Hype, Cold Lampin' with Flavor, Terminator X to the Edge of Panic, Louder Than a Bomb, Caught, Can We Get a Witness?, Show 'Em Watcha Got, She Watch Channel Zero?!, Night of the Living Baseheads, Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos, Security of the First World, Rebel Without a Pause, Prophets of Rage, Party for Your Right to Fight +: Mind Terrorist 9,7/10

If I had to rank the top 100 hip hop albums of all time - It Takes a Million is a top 5 for sure and perhaps top 3. There is a magnetic energy and charge to Chuck D's lyrics that make this an important album for the ages.

Really liked this. Chuck D is a great rapper love the samples and mixing and production. Flava Flav just ruins it at times with his shouting and blurring out nonscense.

A blast of energy and attitude. One of the great albums and certainly a milestone of the genre.

So confusing. "Don't Believe the Hype" they tell us. But what do I do if the hype is entirely justified.

Pretty cool album from a big hip-hop group. Must say that there were quite a few and hard-slappin tracks here like legendary 'Rebels Without A Pause', and 'Show 'Em What You Got', for example. Wasn't too impressed somehow after first playthrough, but now when skimming through a second round I don't know why I was so critical. This stuff is great! Almost all songs are very solid and cool. A few minor pain points is that I think their rapping style can get a bit tedious after listening through many songs. Also, their "broken record squeel" (or however you want to describe it) sample found on 'Don't Believe The Hype' and 'Rebels Without A Pause' for example, also gets a bit old. In summary I found this really cool, and well deserving of a 4.

There has been quite a few 80s rap albums and I can never really work out why I like some and not some others. Maybe it’s just my mood for the day? Anyway I liked this. It starts off with two heavyweight classics in “Bring the Noise” and “Don’t believe the hype”. Both has great rhymes, lyrics and beats. It really is Public Enemy at its best. The mid part of the album goes into a bit of a slump. The beats takes a back seat for sample loops which just drag. And then I find my number one rap enemy. Rap metal. It’s not egregious but “Shy Watch Channel Zero?!” is too close to rap metal for me. Luckily the tail end saves the album. Some really good songs at the end though I can’t decide if the tea-kettle-sample (is it a tea-kettle?) in “Rebel Without A Pause” is genius or annoying. Would be an easy 4 star if it was shorter and cut some things in the middle. Still think it deserves a 4 but a weak one.

It's cool and better than the other Public Enemy record I've had from this, but it's dated.

не

Overall: 1.3/5 Favorite Song: Security of the first world Notes: yeeaa boiii yeeaaaaa booiiiii it’s flava fllaaaavvvv! a revolution in its time, a big flop for me now. This album was chaotic from the jump with receptive loops and lots of talking. The music distracted me from the writing and the writing distracted me from the music. And not in a good way. As my late Grandma Shaky would say - turn this shit off

Some cool moments and iconic style but also I had a headache and that high-pitched sound that’s repeated throughout the record did not help!

did not use a private spotify session for this one as I just listened to this album Friday of my own volition. I like this album, hip hop with social commentary an album that takes itself and its message seriously, but not too serious with a little levity provided by Flav.

I think, on the whole, I enjoyed this less than Fear of a Black Planet. There were more songs that just didn't really hit all that hard.

Lotsa threes lately.

I don't normally listen to Hip Hop or Rap but this blew me away. Great album!

Is this like any Francis Ford Coppola film, where I need to be American to really get it? I tried really hard - it's got a good energy but I'm just not following it.

Yo man! Political lyrics and funky ass beats. Have to be in the mood for this but i wasn't on this occasion

I liked the social commentary. Felt like lots of the songs were similar.

Yes. The best by the best. Although being in the same room as either Flava Flav or Professor Griff for more than two minutes seems like a nightmare.

Don’t think I was in the right mood for this.

Bring the noise! Yeah Boyyy! etc etc......USA and the World could really do with a Public Enemy in this nuts time! Iconic, ground-breaking with some serious f'kin attitude. Chuck D has that perfect dominating voice that perfectly matches the message. Awesome....silly Rabbit!

2 core memories prevail Prophets of rage supergroup, Live in Werchter in 2019 Then being a teen Playing Tony Hawk Wasted hours

Unapologetically militant and clever. The album flows like a live concert and is aggressive and focused like a revolutionary manifesto. That is, until Flava Flav does his thing. The skits take away from making this album a 5*

Yeahhhhhhh boyyyyyyyy. I’m supposed to like this album but I rly don’t. Absolutely ear piercing beats mixed with flavour flav yelling over them. Just sooo repetitive and it’s not even good. If they didn’t just replay the same horrid sound in every song it would be so much better. I don’t see the hype other than it’s “before” it’s time which I sorta get. I’m not even gonna give good songs cuz I don’t want too. Fuck fantano giving it a 10 this is ass don’t listen too it it’s a 3.7/10 1.8/10

Pretty classic. Establishing the raw hiphop sound, and sets the tone for whats to come

Yeaaaaaahhhh boy!

As powerful and poignant now as it was then.

Ебануто крутое звучание! А еще говорят что и тексты заебись, верю на слово

минусы крутые, а вот вокальная часть мне не особо зашла...

countdown to armageddon- 5 bring the noise- 5 don't believe the hype- 5 or 6 cold lampin with flavor- 5 terminator x to the edge of flavor- 5 mind terrorist- 5 louder than a bomb- 5 caught, can we get a witness- 6 show em what you got- 5 she watch channel zero- 5 night of the living base heads- 5 black steel in the hour of chaos- 5 or 6 security of the first world- 5 rebel without a pause- 5 prophets of rage- 5 party for your right to fight- 6

Sensational! Ahead of its time. Still holds up.i like Fear of a Black Planet More. But that takes nothing away from this being a great as it is. One of the best 1-2 punches in hip hop history

Boring

Ok, I'm done with that quickly. I played the hits and thought they all sucked. Then I didn't bother with the rest at all. 1/5

Extremely solid.

such a high energy and exciting album that includes classic hip-hop samples and formed such a fantastic basis for future generations. The high energy beats utilizing free jazz, heavy funk, and other samples are contrasted with sociopolitical rhetoric and dense lyricism at a fast beat.

This is what I’ve been looking for. So happy to have committed the time to listen thoroughly.

Me right now in 2025 is thinking that this album is the most classic 80s-90s rap sound, but that's in retrospect, and apparently this album started it? Hats off to the creators of a sound that I love. I just love how funky and high energy the hip hop is from that time. Being Canadian my first exposure to this sound was with Maestro Fresh Wes, and this album taught me that Wes shouts Public Enemy often in his music so that's cool. Wes sound clearly inspired by tracks like Night of the Living BaseHeads, so funky, so clean. Can also see how they influenced RAtM sound and Zack's rap style, especially from She Watch Channel Zero?!. Can't stand the repetitive aggressive stuff like in Mind Terrorist. Love the lyricism and beats on most other tracks. Overall a very interesting and intense album, they clearly went in with a vision and executed it perfectly.

Shoutout to Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 for bring the noise. First time hearing Flavor Flav rap, cold lampin was silly af. Enjoyable, 4*

Fajny album. Nie tak fajny jak nieco późniejsze Apocalypse, ale wciąż kawał dobrych rapsów. Mega podobały mi się sample i nawiązania do "Flasha Gordona" Queenów i "Fight for your right to party" Beastie Boysów (zresztą BB mieli jeszcze krótką wstawkę w "Louder Than A Bomb". Pewnie było jeszcze mnóstwo innych nawiązań do lat '80, ale umknęły mi. Podobały mi się też autocytaty, które pojawiały się w różnych miejscach. Brakuje mi jednak w tym albumie muzykalności i słuchalności. Muzycznie jest to ciekawe, ale mało płynne. Teskty i przekaz są dużo ważniejsze, niż wartość muzyczna (co zrozumiałe przy takim albumie), ale przez to będę miał mniejszą ochotę, żeby do tego wracać. Nie jest to dla mnie album, którego słucha się dla samej przyjemności obcowania z muzyką. Jeszcze mi przyszło na myśl, że ten styl PE mógł zainspirować pewne elementy twórczości Rage Against the Machine. Niektóre poglądy (MLK i Malcolm X kontra CIA) lub ich delivery ("The Revolution will not be televised") brzmiały jak wyjęte z RAtM. Takie słabsze 4.

Yeah boiiiiiiiii!!!!!

Nope. Don't really 'get' rap either. doesn't do anything for me

One of the greatest works of art in American history

The reasons are sev-er-al…. Stabbing horn siren amongst them

Amazing and explains a lot of phrases that would come out at the time.

Those repetitive horn and whistle sounds are excruciating

Amazing display of sending a political message through art with this album. They made an album you can bump to while also speaking on the American social and political climate in America at the time, although a lot of it still applies today. Chuck carries the whole thing, Flava Flav doesn’t add enough for me to consider him part of the music

Very good album, commanding, powerful rap. Not so complex like rap is today.

Brutal and raw OG album. This is one of the first true modern hip-hop albums, paving the for what hip-hop was going to become. You have everything you might want from an album of this kind. The beats are raw, heavy and hit hard. The technique and delivery are spot on, the lyrics are clear and the flow is great. The themes are mostly political and deal with the oppression of black people in America, and criticizing the American society in general. You could say it's an act of fighting back against those who mistreated you. One final thing I have to add, the guys even sampled Slayer's Angel of Death on She Watch Channel Zero, what more can you say.

Great album

Game changing music that both encapsulated a moment in time and still brings that moment into the present. This is music I feel every time I listen.

Strong 3, for sure. Kind of starts to sound similar after a while.

“I got a letter from the government the other day. I opened and read it, it said they were suckers.” Is the greatest line in the history of lyrics. And more relevant now than it was back then. This is one of the best hip hop albums of all time. It’s long, but unlike some of PE’s albums this one does not feel bloated. Everything on here works and feels necessary.

Yeah boyeeeee

Cool beats and I liked the politcal activist lyrics (although I am sure I missed most of it). The only downside for me is that I did not always like the hypeman vocals. Favourite tracks: Night Of The Living Baseheads, Black Steel In The Hour Of Chaos, Rebel Without A Pause

Just an all around classic. YA BOYYYYY

Ummm....I really wanted to like this and I did enjoy it more than most of the genre, but in the end, it's hip hop, so for me, no.

Still holds up today even with Flavor Flav’s ad libs

Hip hop, hippity hop! Fun, but not for me. Not a bad album by any means though.

Love this album. Borrowed this cassette from a friend in early 90s and gave it a good listening to. Having just moved to the US from Europe, this was an eye opener, and my first real taste of this type of rap.

If you were around in ‘88, you can’t even imagine how big this album was. Groundbreaking.

Decent. I know that this album was much more influential than I am giving it credit for, but I just wasn't feeling it necessarily.

I think these guys have been pretty consistent across all the albums I've heard. Once again, this is an album full of energy and I'm pretty on-board with it. I really like the mad squealing on all the tracks. Kna' what I'm sayin'? YeeeeeAAAH booOOOiiii. Side note: I've noticed a bunch of references from other artists. 'I'm the epitome of public enemy' is lifted by Weezer, and I've only just had the Tricky album that lifts the words from 'Black Steel In The Hour of Chaos'. 3.5 rounded up.

Great album, inspirational and lyrically profound and relevant today. Flavor Flav is okay. The music imo is not that great, even by the standards of 1988. Some of the beats are really good but the high pitched 4/4 repeating patterns can drive you insane. Great album, but probably wont revisit anytime soon.

I remember some of these songs and specifically a remix from the tony hawk video games. I definitely liked the original song more!

Great album with some fun beats and hard hitting lyrics.

This is a very energizing record. While there are a few songs that don't reach the same highs as the peaks, there is nothing but full-on explosive energy for the entire runtime. Going into it without much prior experience hearing Public Enemy, it took my by surprise in the most exciting and fun way. The cherry on top is the great ambiance and rhythm with record stabs and everything else coming from the turntables over the instrumentals. All around a great mix of bombastic bars, social commentary, and pure energetic expression.

I really like Public Enemy but honestly I dont like this as much as I should, it's not great as an album experience but it has good tracks.

this pmo just a little idk

Fantastic production in this breathtaking hip-hop album, especially for the 80s. It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back is an iconic and genre-defining record with incredible lyrics.

Its amazing to finally listen to this album and recognizing so many small, throwaway lines as the basis of songs by other artists in completely different genres. *That* is influence.

Penúltimo jueves de febrero. Segundo disco de esta banda que toca en éste reto (si no me falla la memoria) y segundo disco de hip hop de esta semana, también. Es otro tipo de hip-hop, con otros ritmos y más crítico, bardero. No tan bailable. El disco está planteado como un vivo, por lo que la obra es bien arriba, buscando la conmoción general. Sin nada más para agregar que decir que es un buen disco, me despido hasta mañana.

Not what I'd ordinarily listen to but actually a really good album that I'd probably go back to listen to again.

classic hip hop, too long

2 out of 5. Solid album just not for me.

For a rap album it ok

Rap is crap

i love listenenig to wrapping

Maso

Did not like

Нормальный альбом, люблю такой стиль, но в те времена были вещи и поприкольнее

If I had to choose to listen to hip hop, it would this kind of Kate 80’s/early 90’s stuff. I really don’t enjoy hip hop in general, but this is pretty good, actually

Classic PE - this release has some brilliant tracks on it - no complaints.

A classic.

It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back I did have this album on CD at uni, I think inspired by watching that Channel 4 series, The Hip Hop years. I liked it a lot back then and like it alot now. It is interesting listening to it after listening to Fear of a Black Planet for the first time last month. Obviously they are cut from the same cloth, both a righteous pummeling of noises, samples, anger and beats that make you feel quite exhausted by the end of the hour. Although it’s an enjoyable, exciting pummelling. I always thought the CD version sounded a little thin, despite the kitchen sink production, and although it does sound much better than I remember and packs quite a punch it doesn’t quite have the fullness of the sound on FOABP. It also perhaps feels less groove-laden than FOABP, with fewer obvious soul samples and more pounding rhythms and quicker tempos, accentuating the lyrics and rapping. The well known tracks, Bring the Noise, Don’t Believe the Hype, Night of the Living Baseheads (don’t think I ever noticed the Bowie sample before, even though it's obvious), Rebel Without a Pause and Prophets of Rage do stand out as the most immediate, but there are great tracks throughout, Louder than a Bomb, Caught Can We Get a Witness, She Watch Channel Zero?! and Party for Your Right to Fight are great, with the same density and aural bludgeon. If FOABP is a 5 star this has to be too, it’s not exactly a relaxing listen but its density and chaotic power are pretty thrilling. 🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯

I find the music is at its best when the samples have some colour i.e. not over reliant on the drum beats which becomes a bit of a repetitive trope, but with some piano and guitar. Exceptions are Bring the Noise and Don't Believe the Hype, which deliver densely packed raps delivered at high velocity. And you know they mean what they say - this isn't throwaway content. I prefer Black Planet, but this is up there.

I’ve always found this to be one of the most overrated top-rated albums of all time. It has good performances, and the sampling is of course fantastic, but many of the song’s fail to truly land with me

Great rhythm and lyrics

Glad this is over.

appreciated. (⌐■_■)

The first time I ever heard Public Enemy was on a Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater soundtrack and in hindsight I think it was sort of eye opening to me. I had some openness to hip hop before then, but these guys were the first act that made me realize that hip hop could be done with a noisy sensibility that connected with my existing tastes. I’ve expanded my hip hop palate since then, but appreciate Public Enemy for being a way in. Many years later I saw them perform outdoor at a rock festival. Flava Flav hyped up that he was going to play a drum solo and everyone went crazy, then he played the worst drum solo in the world while everyone cheered him on as if it were incredible. That was a lot of fun.

Liked it MUCH better than I expected.

Rating: 8.5/10 A bit dated but great lyrics, energy, and production.

9/10 Some of these foundational albums disappoint, this one didn’t. Sounds great still. Potent message, excellent delivery, great production. Sample selection is on point. Nobody sounds like Chuck D. Best: Caught, Can We Get a Witness?

• 5/5 • exhausting sustained energy and breakthrough production - a great album • especially enjoy Don’t Believe the Hype, Bring the Noise, and Rebel Without a Pause

This is one of my favorite rap albums of all time. It just goes so hard. I can never listen to just one song, it's gotta be the whole thing. I would also give anything for a whole album of songs like She Watch Channel Zero?! rapped over a Slayer sample. But it also works so well as a kind of one-off to break up the rest of the album while not interrupting the flow.

Didnt hate it

The producing aged better than the vocal work

Just like rap, hip hop is an irritating sound for me.

Great lyrics, and cool flow. The beats are nice.

Grew up listening to Public Enemy with my dad. Not a stranger to their body of work or Flava Flav's constant "yeah boye". Solid album.

Fun album, feels really reminiscent of the beasty boys

A classic of its era and genre

did not even listen to it fully, not my vibe at all

so significant and well done and awesome 4.5

4/5

This is hip-hop I can truly get into and enjoy! After my first listen, I immediately played the album back-to-back three more times—it’s that good. Lyrically, musically, and through its well-chosen samples, this album delivers on every level. It manages to be funny, powerful, and even intimidating all at once, showcasing brilliant craftsmanship. The variety here is incredible—different sounds, styles, and rappers all coming together to create something special. This album has it all. Favorite song: Don't Believe the Hype is an absolute banger, and I also loved Terminator X. Least favorite: Honestly, every track is worth listening to—there’s no filler or weak spots apart from possibly show em wathcha got. Album artwork: Not something I’d hang on my wall, but that doesn’t take away from the music

# Album Name: It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back # Artist: Public Enemy # Rating: 4/5 # Comments: Very surprising. I dont tend to like hip hop or rap but this album was quite good. Some quality tunes like bring the noise, dont believe the hype, can we get a witness, channel zero, rebel without a pause and prophets of rage. Much more enjoyable than most of the hip hop stuff ive heard so far. Biggest downfall of this album is the length of it. It seems to be the usual issue from the time. # Top Tunes: bring the noise, dont believe the hype, can we get a witness, channel zero, rebel without a pause and prophets of rage. # Would I listen to it again? Yes

Essential hip hop.

First listen was 10 years ago and yeeeaaahhh boiiiii this still rules

intensity and cacophony mean back-to-back playthroughs daunt me, almost uniquely among bands I like. They play all channels - city traffic and din, indoor arguments, TV politicians, audience noise, radio, car stereos, the electronic noises of the street - simultaneously, and this city-in-box method is relentless, without pause. I find myself grasping at their strong voices to impose meaning on mad form. Surely no band has a better list of song titles: the track-listing reads like one of J.G. Ballard’s best contents pages. I might like this one the best.

Just incredible - sound, beats, production, lyrics. So many of their best tracks on this (and, by definition, some of the best of rap all-time). Samples from Isaac Hayes to Slayer, fantastic noise - never beaten

I like Chuck D and think he has an excellent, distinctive voice. I just feel he'd be better outside of the gangsta rap stuff. The Flavor Ice dude's voice annoys the shit out of me. Just not a fan of this stuff. There were a couple tunes with some good rock backgrounds music, Channel Zero comes to mind, but just couldn't get into this and the more I heard the flavor dude, the more I wanted to punch him in the face. Chuck D is very good. He's the only reason I can go as high as a 2. 2

4.5 Holy shit, it’s the Duke’s Mayo Bowl guy! Public Enemy is one of those groups that I really enjoy and admire, but for some reason I don’t go out of my way to listen to them nearly as often as I should. I mean, after all, their ideologies and aggression line up pretty damn exactly with what I like in my punk. And as for their music - well, this was a great reminder that that’s damn good too. There’s just something about the pairing of Chuck D and Flavor Flav that works so well for me. Chuck has a flow and a bite to him unlike any other rapper I’ve heard - it’s a kind of captivating fury that can’t help but command your attention whenever you’re listening. And then there’s Flav, who’s like the world’s best hype man - he doesn’t come off quite as radicalized as Chuck, but man, does he seem like the kind of guy you want at your party (dude’s also a musical prodigy who can play like fifteen different instruments). In some ways the two feel like polar opposites, yet they balance each other out perfectly in the music in a way that makes the tracks feel both empowering and fun. And man, is this thing filled to the brim with some of their best, including, but not limited to, Don’t Believe the Hype, Rebel Without a Pause, and Bring the Noise (though I’m admittedly a bit more partial to the version with Anthrax). Far and away though, my personal favorite track here has always been She Watch Channel Zero?! The Slayer sample is insane (to the point I would say it’s arguably utilized better than in Angel of Death itself), and it results in the most unique-sounding track this has to offer. That kind of leads to my nitpicks with this album though, being that, while the production of this album is fantastic and, in my opinion, better than Fear of a Black Planet, it’s much less varied. And while I wouldn’t go as far as to say that’s a bad thing, I do feel like the whole high-pitched tea kettle noise this thing has going on grows just a tad tiresome by the end. Still, for the most part, I would say everything is executed about as well as it can be, and I thoroughly enjoyed each of my listenings. One last thought, and one thing I forgot to include in my NWA review but surprisingly ended up being just as applicable here, was the amount of Beastie Boys samples - as much I love them boys, I really wouldn’t have thought they would have that kind of cred in the hardcore rap scene. Good on them, I guess. Despite my minor gripes, this album is a rap essential, and in my personal opinion, one of probably a handful or so to fuse music and politics perfectly (also looking at Rage Against the Machine and Dead Kennedys).

Only one of my favorite albums of all time and incredibly influential for me at 17 when it came out. Chuck D’s furious and righteous lyrics helped stoke my political and social consciousness, which led to a political science major in college and now a lifelong career in mission-driven work. It exposed me to the sonic wonders of superlative production, bass, and absolute jams, which brought me to glorious bass-heavy dance floors and electronic music scenes and a huge appreciation for hip hop. P.E. - ahead of their time, right on time, and still relevant now.

Love this album. Great energy. Didn’t hear it the first time around but by 90 was enjoying it

While not a go-to album for me, Nation is full of amazing songs with elite rapping and sampling. It would be hard to overstate the influence of this record. Copy/paste to read more: https://richcain.substack.com/p/project-1001-it-takes-a-nation-of

Quite enjoy this, but it is very samey. At almost an hour long, I do get kinda bored of the formula. Channel Zero best track.

Solid outing.

It's funny how much more dated this sounds compared to the Public Enemy albums that came out just a few years later. There are some great songs, but also some undeniably cheesy-sounding moments. It’s crazy to think that Straight Outta Compton was released in the summer of ‘88 as well.

A few classics that are good to revisit but it’s a record that that gets fatigued after the tracks that hit.

There were some highs like Bring the Noise and Hype and some real lows as well. I guess a 3 because of the mix of good and bad.