Reviews (page 8 of 13)
Probably my least favorite of the Public Enemy albums we listened to.
A classic for a reason. Political poetry and funky beats
I first heard this when I was about seven years old. My brother had a tape, and I saw the Tipper Gore naughty lyrics sticker and could not resist. What was inside this that made it so risky, dangerous, and taboo to have that magical sticker? The cover was strange. Why are these dudes in a cell? Why is the album name a paragraph? It's loud, filled with sirens, bass, and amazing samples. The samples on this disc are amazing: Angel of Death on She Watch Channel Zero!?, that's just rad. It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back is one of the most innovative and listenable hip-hop records ever recorded. The first four PE records are essential, and everyone should own them, except those who wish to limit speech; you can go fuck yourself; that includes the PMRV ringmaster Tipper Gore and all who wish to tell us how our freedom of speech should work.
Public Enemy #1. I enjoy their early 90’s stuff a little more as it hits harder.
I feel more or less the same about this one as Fear of a Black Planet. I dig it, but am exhausted by the somewhat monotonous rhythmic onslaught.
I don't know why, By PE hit me in a certain way. Maybe it is because i listened to them a fair bit back in the 90s, but I enjoy their music a lot more than other rap artists from the same era. I would always listen to this album
Well I can unabashedly give this album all the stars. A record I absolutely devoured in my youth. And still return to often. These guys were my absolute favorite in high school. I drug Sharon to a concert and its a fun memory. We had second row. Cant say enough about the influence this album had on popular music. Ugly soundscapes, found sounds and a sampling masterpeice that can never be made again due to music lawyers. Sampling is a lost art crushed by litigation and this record is the pinnacle. Along with Pauls Boutique and 3 Feet High And Rising. Gotdamn!!!
Kay, why on earth have I never listened to Public Enemy until now??? They’ve been in my general awareness since like, middle school? But somehow I had never heard this before and it is SO good! Unreserved 5/5!
Pioneros
Dnf
Classic hip hop album.
Classic
Man.. The lyrics.. "You wanna hike get a back pack, get out the whack sack." What a burn, if someone said that to me I'd probably cry. I'm pretty predisposed to disliking this era of rap. Only a few artists were doing it at this time where I feel it doesn't strike me as corny. The production is exceptional, especially when you consider how they had to use samples back in the day, so I will give them that. I doubt there will be any pulls for this project. Man, I really wish I liked this more. I do think that seeing this live in their prime was probably wicked. It's just not translating for me.
Legendary album and more relevant than ever
It's hard to be unbiased when rating music. I'm not into hip-hop, so I don't really have a baseline for comparison. I liked the lyrics in most songs, and I think the message holds up to this day. It was a rather pleasant listen, even though I prefer completely different music! However, the album did seem a bit too repetitive and therefore longer than I'd have liked to enjoy it.
go back
I actually enjoyed this more than I thought it would, however I can only listen to this genre of music in small doses so a whole album was a bit overkill for me. I enjoyed listening to it when I was walking and it hyped me up for the day! Would definitely add a couple songs to a running playlist or something (if I ever went running…) and I think bring the noise was my favourite track.
YEEEAHHHHH BOOIIIIII! This album slapped so hard. It gave me big Jet Set Radio vibes, it’s probably why I liked it so much, there wasn’t really a bad song in the album. Classic old school hiphop/ rap is fantastic it’s so like. Boppin. Though sometimes the repetitive sound in the back got annoying SOMETIMES. Some of them hurt the ear, others are more subtle.
Ollie kys
I respect the lyrics very cool social and political commentary and such. Cool aggressive beats and cool mix of sound. The singer guy is not holding back bro means business which I respect very confrontational type singing yknow. However for me personally this all gets old before the halfway point of the album and it was a chore for me to finish the rest. LOWWWWW TAPERRRRR
yeaaaa boiiiiiiiiiiiiii As the book says "Chuck D. conjured up the sample at home: My mother said, what the fuck are you doing? Is there a kettle in that record?" - the samples in this album are bonkers and I actually like the songs a lot more than I thought I would. I probably need to re-listen to this album and pay attention to the lyrics to get the politics and deeper meanings, but some of the intros are mega, oiboi is not even slightly cool at all, furthermore big fan of Night of the Living Baseheads - Here it is BAM and you say godDAMN, this is the dopejam B) For me, the sampling and rapping was right on the limit of being too much Fav song: Night of the Living Baseheads
Never listened to this before, by all accounts seems like a seminal monument in hip hop. Generally enjoyed it, but do think it was probably more impressive when it was released 3.75/5
I like public enemy and there’s a lot in here to like. However seemed too much of a good thing this one. Found myself willing it to end by the last few songs
meh
Leuke Queen reference, maar ik hou niet genoeg van hiphop om hiervan te genieten
This is a certified classic. Mindbender. Innovative production as is always the case with the Bomb Squad. Lyrics are intelligent yet accessible too. Early Public Enemy is top tier.
Terminator X I think was a great DJ for the time. Chuck D’s rhymes, while strongly political, are weak and have no bite. I don’t even think he was very good compared to others of the time and he has 99% of the lyrics. Flav is overrated as a hype man. Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos I probably enjoyed most on the album but feel no need to ever listen to it again even.
Once again an album that deserves 6 stars. This is in my top ten all time albums. Chuck D is a legend.
Some interesting social commentary in some lyrics and cool to hear the sources of some (now) old school slang. I wouldn't choose to listen again. "Caught, Can I Get a Witness" resonated with me.
Gonna be a nooo boooiiiiii from me
Exemplifies 90s hip hop in how it just samples differently than nowadays and has such infectious energy. Hearing Flava Flav yell "aw yeah" earnestly as part of a song instead of reality TV meme is great. Maybe a little long and without enough dynamics, but this is a great listen. (3/6 new albums so far)
This is great over all and there’s some really fab use of samples but it did NOT need to be that long my god. Favourite Tracks: Bring the Noise, Show ‘Em Whatcha Got Least Fav Track: Cold Lampin’ With Flavor
While is not totally my thing, I appreciate this music and what PE did for music. Chuck D was and is a force. That being said, much of these songs sound very similar.
Für meine Ohren unerträgliches Album, dass ich zur Vermeidung von chronischen Kopfschmerzen nach 5 Songs abrechen musste - das ist der bislang (nach 385 Titeln) tiefste Tiefpunkt im Mariannengraben.
Not a fan of this era. It’s not held up well at all
no ess para mi
Pretty good (for a rap album)
Public Enemy's It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back goes beyond being just another late 80s album, This marked a cultural turning point in the genre with its fusion of radical social commentary and groundbreaking production. At its core, Nation is a call to action. Chuck D’s commanding voice delivers sharp critiques of American society, black identity, and systemic oppression. Tracks like “Bring the Noise” and “Rebel Without a Pause” are anthems of defiance, challenging the establishment with relentless energy. Chuck D’s gravity contrasts Flavor Flav’s chaotic humour, creating a unique dynamic that amplifies the impact of each of their albums. What truly sets this album apart for its time is the production. The Bomb Squad’s dense, abrasive sound blends samples from rock, funk, and jazz into a chaotic yet thrilling sonic landscape. From the sirens in “Night of the Living Baseheads” to the layered, industrial production of “Don’t Believe the Hype,” the sound mirrors the urgency of the album’s message. The concept of “noise” was no accident—it was a weapon, disrupting the status quo and amplifying marginalized voices. The album’s visual presentation was equally powerful, with bold imagery that matched the revolutionary spirit of the music. The black power fist on the cover reinforced the album’s militant tone, making the visual aesthetic an inseparable part of its message. Critically, Nation was groundbreaking. It received widespread acclaim for its raw energy and unflinching social commentary, resonating commercially and proving that politically charged music could reach mainstream audiences. Post-Nation, Public Enemy’s sound and message evolved, but nothing matched the raw power of this release. It influenced hip-hop both in the U.S. and abroad, shaping artists like Nas, KRS-One, Dead Prez, and more. The title itself—It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back—is a call to the collective. Public Enemy didn’t want to speak for the individual; they wanted to empower millions to rise together and challenge oppressive systems. They succeeded, crafting an album that continues to reverberate with relevance today. In Nation, Public Enemy made a defining and deafening statement. It remains one of hip-hop’s most powerful works, and its legacy is undeniable.
Overally pretty great album. I love the start of it.
What can I say. It's another Public Enemy album :D not my jam any more and not really quality hip hop either. I did enjoy it more than Fear of a Black Planet, so I'd give it half a star more, but it still settles on 3 for me. Reminds me of GTA Sand Andreas lol
Hell yes.
every public enemy song kinda just sounds like a slightly worse version of “fight the power”. reductive take i realize but i can’t come up with anything else.
I see how this was influential but personally it doesn’t really hold my attention. I’m not super into the accompaniment but their delivery does make it more interesting.
I have always had a weird take on Public Enemy. I really enjoyed Chuck D’s lyrics and message, but can’t stand flava flav. I also feel like if we were to remix a lot of Public Enemy with new beats I feel it would be way better, but that’s just one white guy’s opinion
Ah, don’t think I’m a rap girlie, but enjoyed listening to this influential album and heading Flava Flav rap instead of trying to find love
Propper Hip-Hop
This album cemented Public Enemy’s place in hip-hop history, but I’m realizing that their sound just doesn’t work for me. Chuck D’s delivery is solid and commanding, but Flava Flav’s nasal tone remains a constant irritant, making it difficult for me to connect with the music. The sampling, while groundbreaking for its time, feels repetitive to my ears, which further detracts from the experience. I can appreciate their influence and the significance of their message, but ultimately, Public Enemy’s style isn’t one I enjoy. Score: 2/5
Yeeeaah Boooy! I especially liked Night of the Living Baseheads. There's a few reviews here calling out Flavor Flav as a weak point, but he's an essential component IMO.
a lot bouncier than rap tends to nowadays, so sonically vibrant and layered
iconic
obviously its goated
Pretty good even though it's not really our genre.
Great lyrics, great beats. Standout songs: Dont believe the hype Louder than a bomb Rebel Without a Pause
Songs seem nothing special. Plain Rap
C: 8/10. Loved this! Honestly way better than expected. I was so engaged by all the sounds and textures. It was so much more avant garde than I anticipate. I was a little surprised at how politically ambiguous it was at first, but it kind of eased into more explicit messaging which seemed intentional, as if to cast a wide net. K: 7/10, good, noisiness not all my preference
Great album well sampled
YEAAAAAH BOOOYYYY
Yeeeeaaaah boooyee! This album is very late 80s hip hop. Clever lyrics, strong samples and beats (some surprisingly modern), and the infectious energy of Flavor Flav carried me through the album. Fun, impactful and a worthy listen.
Lots said & rightly so but well said?
I don't really listen to hip-hop but my expectations on this were still pretty high. Then the album was a flop, which lowered my expectations, which made me realize this album was actually pretty good.
only 1 because there is no 0
нормалек. не часто слушаю хип-хоп, но этот альбик довольно вайбовый и атмосферный. подойдет для вечеринок в американском стиле или поездки на лоурайде
No
Definitely have heard of these guys. I know this song, Bring the Noise. Really down to listen to this true hip-hop. Album is very cool. I can totally tell that there are a lot of samples used today from this album, even on some of my favorite dance tracks.
Important album, but it never resonated w me, I liked but only a little bit. I do love the no BS chuck D♥️but flav gets on my nerves a bit
Powerful, but sometimes repetitive.
Just damn. Unlike some classics of the genre - there is so much meat on this bone. Musically - the wall of sound uses a ridiculously diverse mix of samples to underscore the armageddon - narrated by two of hop hops most distinctive MCs. Hooks galore with beats to match. Preacher and jester bring the truth and have a damn good time doing it.
Superlative - first album listened to in 2025. A banger!
Listen, it’s a classic for a reason isn’t it! Powerful, aggressive, lairy boom bap hip hop at its finest! My word, they’re angry I aren’t they!
Good but not my jam
Outstayed its welcome by track 3. A time capsule made not for me … moments of brilliance almost utterly lost in the tones of the time.
Chuck D is where music and message meet. Meshed with some heavy metal-hip hop and you have a groundbreaking labyrinth, that has since been oft-copied.
really hard for me to listen to this era of hiphop
sure
Not just hype, not just 80's rap... this is a national treasure.
More of a historical interest than a fun listen for me. Sampling and effects were pretty basic. Flavor Flav got tiresome. Rapping was good though. The Slayer sample took me by pleasant surprise. I don't see myself returning to this album.
Complete shite
Really good album. Not the biggest Hip Hop fan but these guys are legends.
i'm glad i heard it but i did not like it!
These guys hadn't hit for me over the last 35yrs or so. But thanks to this list, I've got three 4 star records to listen to. Could use a bit less of the rhythmic whistle/screech
The rapping didnt age that well, beats are hard despite being heavily rock influenced
No lo terminé de escuchar
These dudes were MC's. The style was fresh and the DJing was something to behold at the time. These guys were political, tough, but not the braggarts about women and drugs. MCs with a purpose. But out of the context of the times it's tired. The album sprawls and doesn't have the original bombast.
I don't think I'll ever consider RAP as legitimate music.
Masterpiece. Favourite tracks are Night Of The Living Baseheads and Black Steel In The Hour Of Chaos, which alone makes this album a 5/5
last two songs bumped it to 4 stars, Prophets of Rage is amazingggggg
Very rarely you'll find an album where it changes for the better halfway through, but here we are. However, side A is so mediocre that a few good tunes on the other side can't really save it. It just feels gratuitous as a whole.
Word
Scratchin’ may not be my favorite instrument but it has it moments. Public Enemy’s music is necessary. I’m not looking for this but when I hear it I recognize its import.
i get that it was revolutionary and the poety is beautifil, cannot get fully behin the sound
Dure it's great for people who like hip hop, i happen to abhor this genre. There is no melody of any kind in sight, the main instrument is traffic noise and alarms, and it's basically the same song 15 times over.
This album is very much of its time. But as a child of the 80s I have fond memories of that time. Sure it's dated, and the wordplay could be sharper and flow more easily, but I don't care. I enjoyed this quite a bit.
It's better than the last Public Enemy album I reviewed. The intro and the song after it were fantastic. I liked the beats in this album and the lyrics too. Soon, I'll be listening to "Fight the Power", the best Public Enemy song. Friday will be the day I'll hear my 200th album. 4 stars for "ITaNoMtHUB"
I started listening to this album on my way to work at 5am and I thought it was annoying. Driving home from work…I loved it! Either the songs got better as the album progressed or I’m really not a morning person.
I would like this so much more, if the DJ didn’t lean so heavily on that high-pitched, whiny siren sound. It’s the hip hop harmonica. It’s clear that the intention was to sound the alarm. But it is too distracting and hard to hear the message. Wish it could be remixed to edit that gimmick down. Otherwise, this is legendary for a reason.
It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back (1988) is already a classic, an overwhelming and sophisticated sample of revolutionary music. The rappers press dramatic and paroxysmal in a jumble of rap noises, casual bandits, scratch improvisations (Terminator X, aka Norman Rogers, the scratch wizard) and electronic noise. The traditional kinds are massacred by the process of mimesis. Louder Than A Bomb's funk-like funk , the overwhelming anthem Rebel Without A Pause , the heavy-metal unleashed by Channel Zero , the oriental hypnosis of Shaw 'Em Whatcha Got , the dadaist cacophonies of Terminator X , the sarabandas funky-tropical Bring The Noise, the dissonant minimalism of Black Steel , are alienated by demented arrangements that enhance the tribal qualities. The real protagonist of this mosaic art is the producer and arranger Hank Shocklee (the leader of the "Bomb Squad" who is credited with the production): he is the one to construct with a meticulous method the pieces that the lyrics of Ridenhour transform then in war songs. Drayton is his giullaresco counterpart, and the alternation of tones of the two constitutes in itself an important novelty. A
Está bueno pero me quemó che
Classic. Not my style but it's good stuff on its own.
enjoyed it more than i thought i would.
Absolutely banging. Like a sledgehammer to the base of the spine.
I’m sure this was groundbreaking at the time but doesn’t really hold up in my opinion.
Not my thing but I didn’t hate it.
Sounds really dated now.
A true game changer for hip hop. It definitely sounds a little dated, but I love it.
15. Public Enemy - It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (1988) I appreciate the commentary but I found this quite irritating to listen to. Maybe the background samples were groundbreaking (I'm guessing because it sounds futuristic) but they are tough on the ears and mind. Sounds coming all the time and some very annoying choices for those sounds. I find the rapping better than most old-school rap albums I've heard though. I liked the heavier guitar in "She Watch Channel Zero" but that chours was rough. I thought the "Flash, saviour of the universe!" sample was funny. 2.5 stars.
3.5
Honestly a really strong album for a genre that's hard for me to get into. But I do really like the flow of the raps and the all around beat and prodution. That horn/siren/whatever sound that they used though grates on my nerves to the nth degree. Another thing that I dint think affects my score but I didn't like was the live hype bits which to me didn't flow with the studio tracks.. I think if they were craftfully edited in instead of fade in and out it would have felt more like they were part of the album. But as I said I think the rest of the album was strong enough to ignore them as a whole. (8.2) ★★★★
I right the old school beats on here. My favourite type of hiphop. 4.5 stars
Despite being an '80s rap album, I think it holds up incredibly well. There's a lot of modern elements PE pioneered, including more complex rhyme schemes, more dense sampling, and the shift to more conscious lyrics. Highlights for me are "Bring the Noise", "Don't Believe The Hype", "Rebel Without a Pause" and the goofy Flavor Flav showcase, "Cold Lampin' with Flavor". 4.5 Stars
3.5
Certainly no enemies when it comes to making classic albums. Very trailblazing for the hip-hop genre with its mix of ferocious swag, punchy MCing, constant brutal blast of Bomb Squad beats and firebrand politics. A fully rambunctious listen from start to end and maybe a tad samey because of that and also a tinge dated sounding but still a classic. 4 yeah boii’s out of 5. EDIT: Actually on further thoughts, maybe only 3.5 yeah boii’s out of 5.
This was a hard one for me because if you took out the screechy noise I would have loved this album
Too long to be an albumof all the same kinda thing on repeat, but I always seem to take it easy on early hip hop.
Ei meinaan ropissut juuri yhtään. Lajissaan varma klasari, mutta se laji ei ole minun laji.
I wrote this review once already, but it dissapeared, so F it. TL;DW: have it, bought it way back when, really thin sounding, time has not been nice to it, don't really like to listen to it anymore.
Public Enemy definitely has earned their vaunted status, but I don't know if hip hop records of this error have aged particularly well. They were certainly limited by technology and their message is still pretty apt, but it just sounds really outdated.
I’m not into rap that much tbh. At least not this kind of rap
Fun as hell hip hop album. I feel like a lot of 80s hip hop hasn't aged the best, but this one definitely still holds up.
I've never really been a big fan of rap but I remember listening to this when it came out. It was amazing then, and it still is.
Great album!
"It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back" é um álbum crudo e desafiador, com uma energia primitiva que, embora limitada em alguns aspectos, representa a essência do que faz o hip-hop tão impactante: a capacidade de ser intimidador, rebelde e militante. Esse caos sonoro se alia perfeitamente às batidas agressivas, criando uma poesia política potente e sem concessões. O álbum é radical e revolucionário, não apenas pela sua mensagem, mas também pela maneira como influenciou gerações de artistas e a evolução do gênero. No entanto, vale ressaltar que as 3 estrelas que atribuo ao disco refletem o prazer de sua audição, mas não o impacto transformador. "It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back" é sem dúvida uma experiência interessante e de grande relevância, mas, pessoalmente, não chegou a me convencer a escutar outras vezes.
So much energy. Expected this to be vegetables and instead was an old can of 4loko. Almost a live album and kinda would prefer it to be a live experience. Wore on me listening sitting down in my living room after the first 3/4 or so but really enjoyed that time regardless
Didn’t sound angry to me. Didn’t love it but didn’t hate it.
Completely uneducated when it comes to hip-hop but not completely ignorant. A fan of Beastie Boys and A Tribe called Quest so I enjoyed this. it definitely grows into itself and it also helps if you can tune Flava Flav out. There's only so many "YEAH BOOOOOOOOOOIIIII"s you can take. The guy was stealing a living. Highlights are She Watch Channel Zero?! & Prophets of Rage.
My dad has a collection of about 300 vinyls, even more if you count the ones he sold at some point in time. Only approximately 7 of them are of albums released after 1990. Even more rarely, only *one* (1) of them is a hip hop album. That album is Public Enemy's It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back. Someone else can be bothered to talk about just how incredibly influential and important this record is for hip hop as a genre, or how timeless the messaging on here is. But in spite of a few moments where the album does show its age, it's an absolute benchmark in rap history and masterclass in what makes it such a culturally significant genre. One of the greatest of all time.
A certified classic. Is Flava Flav sorta annoying? Ya but he earned it.
8/10
What's not to like, great album
My second Public Enemy album in as many days. I’m a fan, although I liked Apocalypse 91 more. — 4/5 Highlights: Terminator X To The Edge Of Panic Caught, Can We Get A Witness She Watch Channel Zero?!
This is my second Public Enemy album. I found myself really enjoying this one- the Terminator X featured songs were bangers, and Flavor Flav actually came through with some good verses rather than just small soundbites. The instrumentals were varied and catchy- at some points getting really bombastic with horns and drums, which I loved. Overall- very solid hip hop album. I could see how it solidifed Public Enemy as a force in the genre
Just like anything I listen to by Public Enemy, they're better poets than they are musicians. Their songs can use better production, rhythm, and beats, however, this album contains the absolutely greatest lyrics for a hip-hop album ever. Favorite Track: "Night Of The Living Baseheads"
Talk about noise!!
Boring then. Boring and dated now.
Boooooeeeeey! Quite liked this. Energetic, clever, impassioned.
I freely admit this album is not for me as a middle-class white man. However, the discontent and unrest present throughout this album is as prescient now as it ever has been in mid-November of 2024 (iykyk). It's artists such as Public Enemy speaking truth to power that has been at the core of hip hop since it's inception and keeps it as fresh as ever. Given that the themes are (unfortunately) evergreen and the amazing DJ skills of Terminator X on display, this album still holds up 36 years after release. Notable Tracks: - Bring The Noise - also love the lyrical and rhythmic allusions to this track throughout the rest of the record - She Watch Channel Zero?! - Night Of The Living Baseheads - Black Steel In The Hour Of Chaos - Party For Your Right To Fight 8/10
Understandably a foundational record in raps's development
поставлю двоечку хоть и тречки неплохие и некоторые акапелла читки меня удивили, но я что-то ничего себе не добавила и опять же сложно с языком
Chuck’s style, lyrics and commentary is great. Flavors’s style, lyrics and commentary is not great. While Chuck forms coherent sentences that speak on social issues of the time, Flavor can be heard just saying random things that are completely irrelevant. Almost all the songs featured an ear grating noise that continued throughout the whole song and almost drove me crazy. Its the equivalent of having a smoke alarm going off while someone is rapping to it. Could have been an amazing album if Flavor shut up and they replaced the batteries in their smoke alarm. 5/10
“It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back” by Public Enemy is not just an album; it’s a cultural milestone that (re)shaped hip-hop . Released in 1988, this album became the blueprint for political socially aware hip-hop This album has since become an undeniable classic, influencing generations of hip-hop artists who use their music to speak on societal issues. It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back transformed hip-hop into a platform for social justice, proving that music could be powerful, thought-provoking, and a force for change. Its legacy in hip-hop is unshakeable, marking it as one of the genre’s most essential and impactful works. Ps let’s not ruin it by talking about Professor Griff 🤔😱
all the beats were kind of the same but it was the 80s so I get it, pretty good though
Listened to this while playing The Loop. I lost. This album was pretty darn solid from the very start! I can absolutely understand why the "yeah boy" became such an iconic sound...ha ha. I enjoyed this so much more than I thought I would! Almost a 5...but just shy.
good, clearly pioneer type sound for hip hop, very political and thoughtful while still maintaining an edge, theres some cool sorta DJ inspired production aspects that I really enjoyed. Due to its age its kinda played out though, not because the records content is tired or because they weren't doing something cool but theres been so much music after this record that is clearly influenced by it that it seems to push this back deep into the catalog of the genre
Not really the type of music I normally chose to listen to, but I appreciate how this album was new and significant when it was released.
5 stars
✊🏽
I think this album has the disadvantage of being the third rap album from the same time period I've listened to in the last 10 albums. Everyone's flow and production sounds the same! This isn't bad, but I find myself zoning out. Also, some of the slang is so out of date its hilarious.
I’ll admit, I wasn’t too excited going into this one, because Public Enemy feels like old news by now, especially since I remember how big they were back in the day. But it was actually a fun throwback to listen to this album for old times sake. It’s wild how many samples I recognize now, and it really shows just how influential this album has been over the years.
3/5
I don't know much about hip hop, but that was incredible. The lyrics are dense, powerful, and masterfully delivered. Cold Lampin' with Flavor was the weakest track, and was still pretty fun, if nowhere near as good as the rest of the album.
YEAHHH BOIII
⭐ She watch Channel Zero?!
Rap is not my thing, but I generally reasonably like old school rap. I didn't really like this album though. So many beats are just so so screechy. No real cool songs, although one sampled Angel of Death and Sabotage, which was unexpected.
Ok. I mean it's ok . It's just not for me.
It's not bad. It's all very samey. Yeah boiiiiiiii.
скучно
Most timely album ever
That's not my taste in music. But ok.
Landmark album.
hell yes Flavour Flav kind of sounds like a more chilled out westside gunn I get why my dad loves this album. RIP Radio Raheem
This was great. Chuck D laying down truths and Flavor Flav doing his thing. My one complaint is that it’s so long. Maybe my attention span is just shot.
Gear: Hifiman Arya Artwork: 𝄜🕑😎 Production: 🔊🥊🔥 Music: 🛹🎮🏆 Rating: 🕛🕧🕐🕜/5
I’ve made a conscious decision to stop listening to the rap/ hip hop albums. Beats mean nothing to me and I don’t care about the stupid shit they’re running and that seems to be the basis around which all these recordings revolve. Life’s too short.
Public Enemy was a force within the genre. Even some great artists of the era suffered from toxic lyrics and glorification of violence, even if they exhibited brutal honesty between the lines. Public Enemy on the other hand focus on social commentary. The anger at the system comes through loud and clear. Chuck D and Flava Flav complimented one another's vocal styles. The music is forceful loud, fast, and abrasive, as it should be. This is their breakthrough album, at least as far as the rock kids knew. 'It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back' is a bit dated musically, only because it inspired so much else that would come later. Despite that, it has some of their best moments, particularly 'Black Steel'. Politically, the album is as relevant as ever. It shouldn't be as we've had nearly 4 decades to make more progress. But it's still a powerful anthem for change.
I think I like this! Will listen to it again. Good beats, good variety.
I like it and respect its importance, but once again, I find myself wishing I liked it more than I did. 3.5/5
Damn this is a great album. Every song is a banger. I'm someone who hates it when the sound of an album is so monotonic that the tracks blend together. Somehow, Public Enemy can produce very similar sounding tracks while keeping each track distinct from the next. Love this one, despite the fact that when Public Enemy that made this album, they would've not wanted me as a fan.
Not as refined as Fear of a Black Planet, Public Enemy set out to make a name for themselves with this one and really did it. Love how they wanted to make their albums more like their more well-received live shows and just did it. I don't think you can quite call it "Rap's What's Goin' On" but it definitely helped them publicize their conscious rap
good album w good songs but nothing special in my eyes
I’m not deeply into rap, but you have to respect this album. Yeah, it can be a touch repetitive, and the yeah bois year a bit thin. But it’s still awesome.
Rap. It’s ok but not go to for me. Not as bad as ithooight
Bra album. Inte bangers rakt igenom, men det finns en hel del riktigt bra låtar på plattan. Inte heller tidlöst, man vet direkt att det här var 80-talet. Men man hör också hur många det här inspirerade och vad det ledde till.
Political, funky heavy beats, yum
This album feels very long, and a little samey with generic sounding beats while he raps. Many songs are also repetitive which I did not like at all.
Rap is still not my bag, but I did like this album.
An absolute classic.
I really liked Public Enemy when I was younger but something about this just doesn’t feel the same. It’s good but I remember it hitting harder
Such crisp and clear racial/political angst. The juxtaposition between the vocals of Chuck D and Flava Flav really gives this a lot of character. The punchy drum kit and occasional electric guitar are not really my favorite, but I do cherish Public Enemy nonetheless.
Favorite Track: Bring The Noise
A necessary 80s rap album, every track is amazing, sounds really hardcore in a way, dont have any issues with it
I really miss this era of sampling. These "sampledelia" records. It's frankly incredible what people like the Bomb Squad (and the Dust Brothers on PAUL'S BOUTIQUE) could do, taking all these tiny snippets and stringing them together to make something that's not only new, but goes hard as hell. I feel like Chuck D and Flava Flav would've always been as good as they are — the former's message combined with delivery, and the latter's ability to be the hype man of hype men — but it just wouldn't be the same without the bed of samples under them. Like, goodness, who would have even thought to add a Slayer sample to the beat? It's an awe to behold. And it's not like this kinda sampling went away completely after O'Sullivan's lawsuit against Biz Markie caused the general price of samples to rise considerably. J Dilla's DONUTS exists, after all. And even using less samples, people have been able to do really good shit: look at MADVILLAINY, for instance. Besides, online mashup artists, not beholden to sample prices, have been able to do amazing things. Just look at Girl Talk, Titus Jones, The Kleptones, or Danger Mouse's THE GREY ALBUM. But still, this era of sampling was special, and I don't know if it could truly be replicated, even if price wasn't an issue. So, y'know, I cherish very much what there was. Believe the hype — this brings the noise.
Still relevant, even today. Solid 5 Stars.
I’m at a 5 – that might just be the best rap album of the 1980s. I mean, there’s some competition in there, but I don’t know if anyone can listen to that and definitively say it’s worse than either Beastie Boys album of the decade, anything from N.W.A., or Run-DMC. For my money’s worth, it’s certainly the most complete 80s rap album we’ve gotten yet – Paul’s Boutique didn’t quite click for me, and I thought Straight Outta Compton kinda stumbled its way to the finish line. There’s some all-timers on here, and not a single miss throughout most of the 16 tracks (ok, the interludes kinda suck) but the one that specifically caught my ear is “Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos”, because it so distinctly shows to me just how badly Tricky botched that damn track on Maxinquaye with “Black Steel”. Public Enemy’s version here is a masterclass in storytelling about a jailbreak, behind an all-time beat with some great flow and lyricism. Tricky’s version mainly takes from the first verse, and turns it into a sort of psychedelic rock take that removes all the storytelling and soul from the original track – it’s technically sound, and probably the best track on that dogshit album, but when you hear this version of the track, and realize just how much got cut and mutilated by Tricky… ugh, it just makes me mad, man. I could keep going with the praise for the production (excellent sampling work throughout), the flow, the vocals (Chuck D is on fire throughout this whole thing), and the lyricism, but I feel like listening to the album gets that across better than anything I could say. It’s a super fast hour, a tightly produced album, a very enjoyable one, and it probably culminates in the best rap album of the 1980s. Stellar effort across the board here, and a rather easy 5. They brought the noise.
Epic
7/10 some lovely beats n food rhymes
I dread reviewing this thing, because no matter what, I'll never be able to do this special album justice. As I've gone on listening to more and more hip-hop over the years, this particular record has crawled its way to the top of my "favorite albums of all time" list. And I wouldn't hesitate to call it my favorite hip-hop album of all time. And I'll tell you why. Public Enemy's 'It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back' (and '80s hip-hop in general), gets a uniquely unfortunate rep. That "rep" being: unanimous critical acclaim - with 10s across the board, but a mild reception post-translation to younger hip-hop heads. You'll get the occasional "This album is essential!" or... "It's one of the greatest in hip-hop!" paired with, of course, the "But I wouldn't put it on willingly - this is an album I respect more than I enjoy". And I'm not here to shit on other people's opinions, but for once, I'm with the critics on this one - all the way through. It wouldn't really help my case to reduce this album to its significance in hip-hop history - that aspect has been well-documented by every self-proclaimed "music historian" - individuals who are way more qualified to describe this record more objectively in its historical context than I. And of course, you have the testimonies of the people who actually witnessed this thing firsthand in the late '80s. I, on the other hand, was born in 2001 so all I have is the occasional documentary, and of course, my ears to try and shoot me back to this time and era. With all that said, you'd be hard-pressed to find a hip-hop album that was as politically fueled as this one around that time...PE drew heavily from the worlds of punk after all (with the Anthrax reference here right off the bat). But also, their whole "persona" just screamed "rebellious" - you have this image of Chuck D and Flav behind bars, you've got their logo being a black man seen through a sniper crosshair, and of course you have their name being Public Enemy (#1). Maybe describing this album and its ideas as angry is in of itself reductive, because this album's more passionate than anything, and with the closing song, you're getting something genuinely anthemic. Though maybe no song here is quite as anthemic as their seminal song 'Fight the Power' that would come out of their (nearly as good) follow-up 'Fear of a Black Planet' - a staple when it comes to movements resisting racial oppression in the modern era (and also a core sonic motif in my favorite Spike Lee movie 'Do the Right Thing'). Okay time to talk about the music, I think the best way to go about this is to break this group down into its four distinct pillars: First, let's talk about Chuck D. Every word the guy says sounds like it's coming out of the loudest PA system you can find in the center of some benign yet passionate conglomerate of militants. His deep voice is assertive, yet welcoming and the man does not shy away from tackling the most hot-button of topics from the '80s. His constant repping of Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam can be seen as contentious and/or problematic even today though its importance in hip-hop culture can not be understated - it again adds to this album's historical value. 'Don't Believe the Hype' might have his best rapping here, with him constantly telling the listeners to "Not believe the hype" when it comes to the media and press' close-minded opinions and portrayals of Public Enemy, the black community, and hip-hop in general. 'Louder Than A Bomb' has D voicing his grievances with the FBI and the CIA referencing Malcolm X and MLK's assassinations directly and linking them to those shady U.S. agencies. That paired with the bomb imagery of the track and his whispered "Louder than a Bomb" makes this one of the more striking tracks here. 'Caught, Can We Get A Witness' has him coming at individuals who devalue the art of sampling, 'She Watch Channel Zero?!' deals with the disconnection from reality and unrealistic standards that come with obsessive media consumption (a message made only more relevant with the social media age). 'Night of the Living Baseheads' deals with drug addiction and 'Black Steel In The Hour of Chaos' may be my favorite song here lyrically. Likely inspired by Muhammad Ali's arrest following his refusal to fight in Vietnam, the song follows Chuck D's prison time for committing a similar "crime" and his posse's attempt to break him out. "I got a letter from the government" is such an iconic opening line (I also really like "Bass!! How low can you go" off the opener 'Bring the Noise'). 'Rebel Without a Pause' is nice in the sense that it just encapsulates all of this album's attitudes into one explosive track - it's another timeless classic off of this album. Secondly, we have Flavour Flav...the man with a clock on his chest to make sure EVERYONE knows what time it is. Like it's not even close, Flav IS the best hype man of all time. I get nightmares imagining a world where he didn't get into the group - I mean he almost didn't; producer Rick Rubin thought Flavour Flav would detract from the album's serious tone. And I guess he was sort of right? But like Flav makes this album so unique and gives it so much character, his interjections all over this thing are undeniably impactful. And no he's not just the "Yeah Boy" guy - he really does make Public Enemy feel like a group. And just like Ringo, he gets one song on each Public Enemy album - his one here being tied with '911 is a Joke' for my favorite. It's certainly less meaningful than that song because like what the fuck is he talking about half the time on 'Cold Lampin' With Flavor'? I'm not too sure but I love it to death. Third is Terminator X. The guy has an ominous and looming presence on this album - this tall mysterious dude with sunglasses who's hyped up like no one else on this record. I mean what's an old-school hip-hop album without record scratches? Okay maybe that's a dismissive question but record-scratching here adds a lot to the chaotic nature of this album. He makes quite the "entrance" too with his titular song 'Terminator X At the Edge of Panic' by absolutely fucking up that Queen sample. Now, I don't know who's responsible for this ONE noise on this record, but I'll credit it to both Terminator X and the Bomb Squad (more on them in a bit). This ONE sound may be the biggest "hate it or love it" thing on any hip-hop album I've heard. Of course, I'm talking about that squealing and screeching, high-pitched saxophone sample that is used very liberally here. And when I say "liberally", I mean it, on 'Don't Believe The Hype', it pops in like every single bar. And on 'Terminator X...' and 'Rebel Without A Pause' it IS the beat (I think they use the same sound too? Just chromatically ascending on Rebel and descending on Terminator). Anyways, I bet you can guess already...but I'm on the love-it side of things. Like Flav, this one sound gives this album its character. It sounds like a siren, or a bomb about to go off, or like a kettle whistling as the heat furiously shoots out of it. I think a lot of people hate how incessantly grating it can sound and I wouldn't blame them - but the boldness of adding a sound that Public Enemy KNEW would likely polarize listeners on this album and then also using it so freely is something I will forever respect. It certainly grows on you too. Finally, though, we have the Bomb Squad. Just their name...Bomb Squad...holy shit. I mean the samples on this album are all hip-hop staples, the amount of times the samples of this record have been used (or re-used I guess) in hip-hop is ridiculous. The drums are fat and punchy, constantly pummeling and thumping, and while the bass isn't very present (I guess it does go "very low" as Chuck D himself admits), I almost don't mind at all - the mix is busy enough as is. For people who call this album outdated, I NEED you to sit down, get some good headphones, and absorb the intricacies of the production here. The beats are so well done. You have horn samples here, a lot of them, but digging deep you'll find some unique and strange noises that can easily slip by you. Let's take the full opener 'Bring the Noise' for example. On the surface, it's a horn sample, with a large chunk of it being only drum, but listen to that weird high-pitched horn-sounding thing that sort of morphs as Chuck D gets closer to the instrumental break here - or that strange fluttering noise that sounds like record scratching, but I don't think quite is? Or on 'Louder Than a Bomb' with the weird crowd cheering or screaming in the background. The piano, an Isaac Hayes sample, on 'Black Steel In The House of Chaos' is beyond iconic and brilliant, it works perfectly to soundtrack the song's very epic yet unsettling premise. I also love the wall of horns that blasts the listener on 'Prophet of Rage' with that low-mixed guitar sample hovering over the verses. I also cannot ignore the Slayer sample on 'She Watch Channel Zero?!' one of the most striking sample usages of the '80s and one that demands a reaction from the listener. But, by far the best production here is 'Night of the Living Baseheads'. This is my favorite song here and it also has one of my favorite music videos of all time. I beg you to look up the sample list for this song, it's long and nuts, sampling everyone from Aretha Franklin to David Bowie. It's so chaotic as you're just constantly being hit with sample after sample. It really does sound like something off their follow-up - a proto-plunderphonics record if you will. And holy shit that instrumental breakdown after the halfway mark...the horn sample, the "How Low Can you Go" record scratching, (of course) that high-pitched noise, the drums, and the way it transitions back into the verse with that 'Ain't No Half-Stepping'-associated Big Daddy Kane sample (I looked it up out of curiosity seeing as both songs came out in June 1988 - this 'UFO' sample was used twice within the span of like 7 days which is crazy). I don't think anyone will be able to do what The Bomb Squad did in those 20 seconds, ever, and don't even try to prove me wrong. I think about one paragraph in, this "review" stopped being a review and just turned to me gushing over this album. So I didn't do it justice I guess. I think over the years, I've just grown obsessed with this one album - more than any other album out there. If I ever was to do music it'd have to sound like this, not literally sound like this, but just sound like the idea of how this sounds...y'know. What an album...one so bold, powerful, prevalent, iconic, and one-of-a-kind. Public Enemy's 'It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back' really is THE best hip-hop album ever.
En af grundstenene til hiphop, rebelsk og politisk, lidt ensformigt though
Classic. Yes it can be a little repetitive but I think the second side has so much variation in the beats and song structures that I don’t even mind some of the redundancies and “fat” that would probably be cut had this been made sooner. Anyway, a revolutionary album.
Im personally not that into old school old school beats, but good musicality.
I don't like Public Enemy I've learned. Maybe it was crazy at the time but it's like not good at all
This was great! A real mix in here but could get really into it. Interesting and captivating
Not bad, enjoyed parts of it and generally thought it was fine. A lot of it sounded the same to me but I think that actually a lot of the tracks were working off the same basis and maybe similar backing tracks and themes.
A pioneering and classic rap album , sounds dated on maybe the other side of raps peak. still, chuck D grabs your attention and the production is interesting. Not a fan of Flav, his solo track is a hard skip A few listens got me used to the sound and made it enjoyable but i don’t see a lot of replay value here , not in 2024 … i bet if it was 88 though id have this on repeat
Very nice.
Reading the Wikipedia, I'm glad to see I'm not the only person confused about what Flava Flav's roll in this group was. Chuck D is a powerhouse. Album got a little repetitive but overall this is awesome.
Isn't it funny that I got Anthrax and Public Enemy back to back considering that they've collaborated with each other before? I think it is. You know what else I think? This is a great album. I think it goes without saying that It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back is one of the most influential hip-hop albums ever made. Fortunately, it's also an album that still holds up over 35 years after its release. The sound is quite good. The production is just phenomenal, especially for the time. The Bomb Squad really knew what they were doing with this one. The rapping is also great. It's quite fun, and I feel like Chuck D and Flavor Flav have a much better balance in this album than they do on the other Public Enemy album I've gotten for the project, Apocalypse 91... The Enemy Strikes Black. I think Flavor Flav works a lot better as a hype man than a stand-alone rapper. The writing is quite ahead of its time. Of course, you can still feel that this is, in fact, 80s group hip-hop. However, not every song on here is just "let's have fun rapping." You have plenty of songs with meaningful messages. I especially love "Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos." It really shows how meaningful hip-hop can be. Overall, while there are certainly hip-hop albums that I like more, there's no denying the impact that this great album has. It's great. High 4/5.
Strong! Angry! Flav lightens it a bit, fortunately 4.2
3.53.
I'm sure in the development of rap, this album stands out as important and groundbreaking in context. But it doesn't have the musical production and artistry of modern hip hop so without context, the value must be in the lyrics. But I don't have time to analyze the lyrics although I will say that it is easier to hear what they are saying than usual. So i did listen to some lyrics and I appreciate its not the pure dickswinging and uber shock of other more recent hip hop I've heard.
I’m sure it’s great if you’re into this type of music. I can’t say I am really.
Blast from the past. Fantastic lyrics.
Their best record.
Disco esencial e histórico: el grupo de Rap más importante e influyente de la historia. Con este álbum ya hubieran logrado reinar en el olimpo pero con el posterior Fear of a black planet se ganaron la eternidad. Producidos por entonces un tal Rick Rubin (tambien le metió mano al debut de entonces unos Beastie Boys), aunque Chuck D no soltó los mandos con una imagen e impacto únicos, tirunfaron a todos los niveles. En una época en la que uno podía usar los samples a su antojo y sin permiso alguno, lograron con Rebel with a pause superar el impacto de I Know you got soul de Erik B and Rakim, tomando un testigo que tardaron muchos años en soltar (aunque ya estaban los NWA por ahí). Tanto este como Fear of a... son discos inconcebibles hoy en día tanto por sus inabarcables listas de atracos musicales en forma de sampleados como por sus proclamas con referencias entre otros a Jesse Jackson, Farrakham, Malcom X... también a M. Thatcher o a otros músicos (Party for Your Right to Fight va a por los Beastie Boys aunque está dedicada a los Panteras Negras). El disco consta de temas que ya habían sido publicados previamente tanto como sencillos o como caras B, además de ser ampliamente interpretados en directo, con enorme éxito. Abre con Countdown to Armageddon que es la presentación en directo del grupo en Londres. La conocida triada "Bring the Noise", "Don't Believe the Hype" y "Rebel Without a Pause" impulsan un disco que no ha perdido un ápice de fuerza con el paso de los años. Podría decirse que construyeron un puente particular entre Marvin Gaye y The Clash. Su alianza con Anthrax para Bring the noise marcó otro hito difícil de imaginar entonces. Otros discos de 1988: Pixies con Surfer Rosa, Daydream Nation de Sonic Youth, Lovesexy de Prince, Green de R.E.M. ,Talking Heads con Naked, el debut de Tracy Chapman, Eric B. & Rakim con Follow the Leader, Tender Prey de Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, Morrissey debut con Viva Hate , I'm Your Man de Leonard Cohen, el debut de The Sugarcubes con Life's Too Good, Bug de Dinosaur Jr, Pet Shop Boys con Introspective, Vivid de Living Colour; Prefab Sprout con From Langley Park to Memphis, 69 de A.R. Kane, Run-D.M.C. con Tougher Than Leather, The House of Love de The House of Love, The Serpent's Egg de Dead Can Dance, Barbed Wire Kisses de The Jesus and Mary Chain, 101 de Depeche Mode, Bummed de los Happy Mondays, Bummed de Happy Mondays, Songhai de Ketama, Sex & Drugs & Jesus Christ de Christian Death, Birth, School, Work, Death de The Godfathers, el debut de L7, Stronger than pride de Sade, G N'R Lies de Guns and Roses, Only life de The Felies, Today de Galaxie 500, Fisherman's blues de Waterboys, 16 Lovers Lane de The Go-Betweens, Spirit of eden de Talk Talk, Watermark de Enya, Cocteau Twins de Blue Bell Knoll, Peepshow de Siouxsie & the Banshees, Idlewild de Everything but the Girl , Conscious Party de Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers, The First of a Million Kisses de Fairground Attraction, People de Hothouse Flowers, Straight Outta Compton de N.W.A, It Takes Two de Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock, Nothing's Shocking de Jane's Addiction, Ancient Heart de Tanita Tikaram, Mary Margaret O'Hara con Miss América, La pistola y el corazón de Los Lobos, Talk Is Cheap de Keith Richards, Everything de The Bangles, el Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1, Look Sharp! de Roxette, El Ritmo Mundial de Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Shaday de Ofra Haza, Straight out the Jungle de The Jungle Brothers, California de American Music Club, The Trinity Session de Cowboy Junkies, Isn't Anything de My Bloody Valentine, Pata Negra y su Blues de la frontera No digo ya cosas como Robert Palmer, Eight Wonder, Boby McFerrin, Tiffany, New Kids on the Block, Jean Michel Jarre, U2, Martika, Milli Vanilli o Womack and Womack, que tuvieron su gracia.
Very cool. Good momentum, some great tracks. Glad I listened.
Classic 80s NY hip hop with driving beats and powerful lyrics, Public Enemy first got my attention in Do the Right Thing. I’ll bet no one would have imagined back then that Flavor Flav would become a Swiftie.
Brings me back to my skateboarding days.. through the n64 controller of course.
I'm a big hip hop fan, but these guys just don't do it for me. Not interested in listening again.
Energetic and fun. I really enjoyed this album. Helped that there were no skits.
Not for me.
Loud, angry and important. Chuck D's remains one of the greatest MC's to have ever picked up the mic. His lyrics and flow hit clear and true time after time. The beats strike like a punch to the chest and Flavor Flav, whilst at times annoying, adds his own je ne c'est quoi to many tracks.
No surprise this hasn’t aged well…no, not fair. It once sounded sharp, now a bit antiquated. 1n 88, PE were doing stuff no one had done before - trailblazing can be a rather lonely business …
YEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAHHHHHHHH BOOOOIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII! Enough said there really, there's some really cracking early hiphop beats here and some pretty decent rap however, why did they keep Flava around? Flava is to Public Enemy what Bez was to the Happy Mondays except, Bez had the grace not to shout over Shaun Ryder constantly. 3.5
Don’t really get it, loved their version of Bring the Noise with Anthrax though.
What a piece of shit. FLAVA FLAV the worst. Is Public Enemy a one trick pony sort of situation? Because Bring The Noise seems to be on every record. Good song... But come on guys. And I'm beginning to think Chuck D has very limited flow. FLAVA FLAV can not rap. His writing is kindergarten level. Bullshit album.
No, not for me.
It's the GOAT for the genre
My favourite public enemy album so far
I first heard black planet so that was my favorite PE, but this one is really good too.
The beats take a backseat to Chuck D's voice. His lyrics and flow are remarkable. but, that being said, these songs sort of blur together and his flow is mostly same in these songs. done with the album, flav is great hype man, does good with the backup vocals to chuck d. nothing gripped me so hard that i feel like listening to more of them but im glad i put in at least one listen to this album
Ok. So this sounds like a parody of 80s rap. I mean I guess that shows that it's super representative of the genre at the time, but it is really dated. That's not a bad thing though - I still contend that hip hop is pretty much all terrible and has just gotten progressively worse since the inception of the genre. So while this is not great music (to my ears) it's not as bad as almost any hip hop record that came after. Absolutely the best thing about this is Flavor Flav in the background making nonsensical and random rhymes or else throwing in the 'yeeeah boyyyee' at every opportunity, it's sort of endearing. Plus one star just for that. But don't get me wrong, this music is still bad. I appreciate the politics behind this, the social commentary, the perspective that they bring, but I just can't get on with hip hop at all. 2/5
Similar to other old scholl rapper, I would say i appreciate a little bit more than the average but nothing special
good but similar to other things i heard 🧐
Try not to bounce
I’m not a fan of this album. The songs all sound similar to one another. I don’t get why it’s on the top 1000 list.
Fun album. Funky having fun and gets political points in. Awesome beats and samples.
This was a fun album to listen to. Had me dancing in my kitchen. I’m a little too young to have been able to appreciate this album back in its heyday, but growing up watching Flavor of Love had me excited to hear Flav in his element. And I gotta say, it did not disappoint. His higher pitched YEAHHHH BOYYYY was a perfect play off of Chuck D’s lower vocals. I felt so much nostalgia for childhood and the rap music vibes from the late 80s/early 90s. I could see myself adding songs to playlists in the future, maybe I’ll bust this album out again for the right occasion. It’s crazy (sad) how the things they’re rapping about back in 88 are still relevant today. Actually thinking on it, I may do a deep dive on this band soon because it was a very interesting and fun listen. A glimpse into a world/time frame I’ll never experience, I guess?
Groundbreaking!
Ja heel erg vet, maar ook wel vooral voor die tijd.
Jaja heel dope All time classic
Grew up knowing Flava Flav as the television personality - glad this project can remind me that many reality tv stars were people once
Excellent album
Название на шесть звезд из пяти. По музыке я понимаю, насколько это важный альбом, но сам этого не слишком чувствую. Тем не менее, должен признать, этот альбом значительно лучше раннего-раннего хип-хопа, что мне уже приходилось слушать в этом списке. Лучшая песня - Show Em Whatcha Got.
Listening to rap makes me want to plug my ears and run the other way.
Was not a fan of the screeching tire sample on half of the songs, realized how much I do enjoy 90s rap with jazz and funk samples. This isn’t a bad album but it is not my favorite. Has some replayable songs but not too many for me
Relentless, slamming, fierce and smart - believe the hype!
A little bit of a different feel than some of their other albums. I think Just as good and just as powerful as the others.
I can't say that I like this album, but it is less annoying than most of the rap albums so far. 2 stars or D is my rating.
Moyen rap
I was never a fan of hip hop growing up then about 5 years ago I heard this album for the first time and it blew my mind, from the beats to the lyrics this album is fire. I can't choose a highlight as it's all great.
More than 35 years on this album is still blowing the roof off and busting shit up. In your face politically, poetically and rhythmically. Truly, it takes a nation of minions
Clearly these guys are skilled, but it's hard to enjoy the music when they seem to be actively shooting themselves in the foot at every step. The SFX soundbites include this very grating high-pitched loop that shows up relentlessly in most of the tracks. There's extremely little in the way of melody, harmonies/interesting chord progressions, any kind of acoustic or rhythmically engaging percussion, variation within or between the tracks, and so on. The album is essentially a 58-minute wall of angry political yelling and drums. Often hip-hop can make up for the lack of harmony and melody with complex rhythms, sampling from tracks with many acoustic/melodic instruments, or backing vocalists – but in this album, Public Enemy doesn't appear to do any of those. These factors are very distracting from what's presumably an important political message. Apparently this album was meant to be, thematically, the hip-hop equivalent of Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On". The latter pulled this off much better in just about every way. It Takes A Nation Of Millions... gets slight bonus points for being ahead of its time in the genre, but not impressively enough to push this beyond the 1/5 it deserves. 1/5 Key tracks: none
YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
Very late-80s hiphop. A lot of the tracks reminded me very strongly of NWA's Fuck The Police. I'm sure this was a revolutionary album, and it had some great rhymes and flow, but I don't think I'll ever feel the need to listen to it again. Three stars.
La misma base repetida una y otra vez. Al no entender las letras se queda en nada.
Besides the "obvious" albums like The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, etc. this is probably my personal "easiest five star" album so far. Biggest thing I remember is this album was SO big, so immersed in the black community, that we were studying it with college-level rigor in our African American Studies course at UMASS, and no one including the college professors and administrative thought that was weird. Public Enemy was THAT prominent as a legitimate cultural representative of what the African American diaspora was thinking about. AND they had jams, lol. The whole album is revolutionary: Chuck D's rhythmic flow spouting KNOWLEDGE, Flavor Flav's appropriate mix of humor as a counter to Chuck's seriousness, and don't even get me started on the Bomb Squad's production. All the squeals, samples and beats come together in this chaotic cacophony that cuts through you but is also melodic and engaging in its own way. A classic, start to finish.
Not my cup of tea...
Some of the tracks blended for me. There were aspects I really appreciate especially in context of its time but not very memorable for me and I wouldn’t return to listen.
Rap, kann man anhören, aber nix für Dauer
It's difficult to listen to this album without picturing the "Yeaaaaaah boiii" meme.
Great political rap album. Terminator x is underrated in just how much the dj used to play a part in hip hop
Not a rap fan
Rap is not my thing
Public Enemy is the transitional form between Grandmaster Flash and NWA. Neat. Holds up pretty well.
Just great stuff. Chuck D maybe the best voice ever in rap. Wore this one out on cassette and CD. 4.25
Imagine my surprise after only knowing Chuck D from Prophets of Rage and Flavor Flav from Flavor of Love.
I liked it better than the other Public enemy album. it still jumps back and for between good and corny. And not the fun corny.
sample heavy, to an overwhelming degree at times. the bomb squad really loves that tea kettle sound effect. but everything just works, a phenomenal album.
Didn’t finish but who can forget cold lampin’?
Not a massive hip hop fan but not a bad album.
I can’t believe I was a teenager in the 80’s and never heard the songs off this album. Overall I thought it was pretty good—songs that make a point while still being good songs to listen to. Aggressive and funky, a good combination. My one con was lack of dynamic. Everything felt at the same level to me—you can only shout something so long before your shouting is tuned out.
Pioneers. Everyone needs to hear this.
Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh boyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy Raw, production is bonkers, bars. What more could you ask
Another never ending hour of hip hop without anything remarkable.
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed listening to this. I knew Public Enemy by reputation, and went into it as open to it as I could be, wanting to find out why. But what I didn't expect was that the very things I liked about it were things that I'd often dislike or at least not want to listen to: it's abrasive, aggressive, full-on, and loud - certainly not a melodic easy listen - and it doesn't concede much to the new listener. Yet I found myself compelled by it, intrigued by what it was doing, and wanting to hear more. I'm not sure when I'll listen to it again - it doesn't seem right for most of the circumstances in which I listen to music - but I will make the time.
Yeah boiiiiiiiiii I had no knowledge of rap in the 80s (or 90s, for that matter) going into this, but this went HARD. It's powerful, militant, aggressive, bombastic. Flavor Flav (he gets a star by himself for being such a huge supporter of the US Olympics and Paralympics teams) is a great hype man and Chuck D is just angrily spitting poetry throughout the whole thing. This blew me away - it's unapologetically and assertively Black, and I think their political commentary is still relevant (unfortunately) 30+ years later. This album is funky, explosive, energetic, and feels fresh even now.
Nicht meine Richtung
Aggressive and radical; funky with frenzied pace that doesn’t let up for a second over its 58 minutes. “It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back” is a game changer that’s just as exhilarating today as it was 35 years ago.
Not bad
Groupe inconnu. Et qui aurait dû le rester. Les morceaux sont très répétitifs, sans aucun intérêt musical. Arrêt au 3eme morceau. =>1/5
I don't like rap, but even I can see this is really good.
Classic 90’s hip hop with a powerful message. Love it.
I’m going back to 1988 and telling Flav that he’s going to be a beloved figure at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Still holds up in 2024, which means it must have been really special when it came out. Bring the Noise is an all time classic. The rest of the album is similarly high quality, even if it doesn't quite ever hit the same high as Bring the Noise.
It’s a classic, but like most 80s rap, it sounds pretty dated. 3.5 stars because the message and the lyrics are timeless.
Pretty good
God this type of rap is boring
I like Chuck D but this album is almost exclusively incredibly obnoxious beats over even more insufferable ad-libs from the worst to ever do it.
Maybe too old school for me. Not bad though!
It all has the same lyrical spoken word vibe to me. None of it really pulled me in sound wise. I'm sure if I listened to it more closely I'd see the lyrics for their message but that's not how I listen to these albums...
Big boom bap banger beats with some stellar samples going on. Unlike some of the recordings from that era of hip hop, this stuff still slaps hard. Much of the political messaging unfortunately still holds up, which doesn't hurt it in it not sounding dated.
If it’s poetry put it in a book so I can read and follow it. It’s not really music beyond a rhythmic beat and, sorry, it’s definitely not my jam…
Catchy, but not for me.
This album still manages to feel fresh and punchy from the iconic beats to the messaging. Insane how an album like this can still sound great and skirt the usual "hippity-hop" corniness of 80s rap, for the most part. As essential as a hip hop record can get.
Great throwback jams.
One of the most important rap albums ever made. This is the Big Bang in the evolution of rap. Show Em Whatcha Got samples Darkest Light by Lafayette Afro Band. I’ve never heard the actual song but it’s got to be one of the most recognizable samples in rap/hip hop. Wreckx-N-Effect’s Rump Shaker, N2Deep’s Back to the Hotel, Jay-Z’s Show Me What You’ve Got, and hundreds more…but Public Enemy did it first.
Flava Flav is absolutely hilarious on this album with his yeaaaah boooooys. It's hard to take him serious, but I also dont think he knows this. Overall, it's pretty good, with lots of topics that are thought provoking and I'm sure this hit differently in the late 80s. I liked this much, much more than Run DMC, which played so safe and bland it was almost painful. Good group act that definitely left its impression on the industry.
Great album. Never heard flavor flav before actually rap lol
An absolute hip hop masterpiece and one of the very best albums of 1988 in *any genre*. For that year, only Pixies' *Surfer Rosa* and Sonic Youth's *Daydream Nation* beat Public Enemy in my book (Leonard Cohen's *I'm Your Man* and NWA's *Straight Outta Compton* were great albums as well, but they're still behind the east coast rap legends). *It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back* is indeed an unrelenting barrage of wild noisy breakbeat rhythms, crazy abrasive samples pillaging everything from funk to hard rock, and devastating rapping with a take-no-quarter attitude. I guess it's hard for young 'uns these days to picture how groundbreaking The Bomb Squad's production was on this thing--I do advise younger listeners to check out other rap albums in 1988 and hear the difference for themselves so that they can get it. Not that it really matters if they don't: yes that sort of fast-paced hip hop has aged, but its energy and messaging have not, most definitely. And given how f*cking intense the latter are on this record, it's still a treat to listen to decades after the fact. Out of all the LPs out of Public Enemy's early "imperial" phase, this is indeed the one album that manages to keep its momentum until the very last seconds. *Fear Of A Black Planet* has its share of classic, iconic cuts, but its second side can't compare to the one here, with its uninterrupted string of gems going from instrumental "Show 'Em Watcha Got" and "She Watch Channel Zero" to 'Rebel Without A Pause" and "Prophets Of Rage". And given that the first side is filled to the brim with epic and iconic moments as well ("Bring The Noise", 'Don't Believe The Hype", "Louder Than A Bomb", "Caught, Can I Get A Witness"...), the result is a masterwork that can't fail to impress. Chuck D was the best rapper in the world during that early phase of the golden hip hop era: his punchlines *burn* everything on their way, and his overall political analysis is still as relevant in 2023 as it was back in the day. Meanwhile, Flavor Flav was a master at creating a sardonic atmosphere as the perennial-yet-pivotal sideman that he was. And when he took the center stage, it was often for good reasons. Listening to "Cold Lampin With Flavor Flav", admittedly a deeper cut in P.E.'s catalog, I was struck by the way his goofy presence and delirious rhyming schemes (here very surreal) also brought a lot to the whole mayhem that the album was. The album ends with "Party For Your Right To Fight" a huge wink to former Def Jam labelmates Beastie Boys--with its sample of "Fight For Your Right (To Party)". Get it? Public Enemy made political consciousness in rap sound urgent, vital and even "fun" at times, and it's unfortunately a trend that's all too rare in hip hop these days. Some parts of their legacy can be found in what Run The Jewels currently do, for instance, but in a musical landscape where insane amounts of cash rule everything around rap, I guess it's far harder for more socially-conscious artists to get heard. Don't get me wrong, I love some of the most recent evolutions of hip hop, a genre that has seen its share of other masterpieces in the last 15 years or so (as released by Kendrick Lamar, Tyler The Creator, Mac Miller, Mach-Hommy, Run The Jewels, Cardi B, Metro Boomin, Travis Scott or even Kanye West before that nutcase became a full-blown fascist...). The thing is, it wouldn't hurt said rap landscape to return to that sort of political agenda P.E. once stood for--even if done differently, and mixed with the latest trends in the genre. There is so much to say about the dystopian inequities of today. An album in the vein of *It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back* would sure serve as a needed wake-up call... So here's me hoping, probably in spite of all odds. But as a rap fan, I'd rather look like a naive dreamer than give in to facile cynicism. It's all too easy to wallow in such empty posturing today... And it would indeed take a nation of millions to hold me back on my dreams of a better world. So let's start with good music and vital lyrics, shall we? Number of albums left to review: 117 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 385 (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 226 Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 284
Never listened to Public enemy (actively) before but i recognized a lot of these songs and was into it. Want to listen to more
I'm not sure I liked it.
Flavor Flavs voice is grating, his rapping sucks, and he’s an annoying hype man. Chuck D was great though.
5 stars, perfect record
Definitely unique. I'm always last on lyrics in terms of my rating and Chuck D/Flavor Flav's lyrics are a plenty. The production is pretty hard hitting particularly for its time. It gets a little repetitive but on first listen it's not grating more just a bit of an intense experience
Yeah, I can still rap along Bring the Noise. From the Anthrax Version. Or, at least until "cause the beats and the lines are so dope". Indeed they are. Plus I've learned that Tricky's Black Steel is a cover. Nice. Muuuusically, this album overstays its welcome, but it has to be a really strong 4.
Hard 3.5
Bring the Noise Don't Believe the Hype Louder Than a Bomb She Watch Channel Zero?! Night of the Living Baseheads Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos Rebel Without a Pause
Perhaps the best use of a live vocal sample is Mat Zo sampling Chuck D. in Caught, Can We Get A Witness off this album. This is carried insanely hard by the larger-than-life presence both Chuck D and Flava Flav have. Because I'm sorry, as fun as some of these beats aree, they are still clunky at the end of the day. I respect it either way
didn't mind it
Very entertaining. Today's rap could learn a thing or two
Yo
Caveat: I'm reviewing this as a listener who's been familiar with this album for a long time, but I don't consider myself a big fan of hip-hop. PE announced a sea change to hip-hop with their first three albums: "Yo Bum Rush The Show", "Fear of A Black Planet", and this album. They absolutely dominated in the day, bringing social awareness and politics to hip-hop. Respect, even if I don't consider myself a fan.