Reviews (page 9 of 13)
nok PE's sygeste beats, for vild energi! Alle hiphopgrupper burde have 1 der er glad og 1 der er sur, hvorfor er det kun PE, der har forstået det
Bedste hiphop plade fra sin æra by far! Lyder stadig farligt
Yiiiirhh boiiiii det' fed rap!
The music doesn't really suit my taste.
Enjoyed the bass and beats and generally it's a great vibe. Didn't quite stick with me as much a Fear of a Black Planet but still good, solid stuff.
Chuck D has an amazingly powerful voice, and commands not only the room, but the ears of those that hear his booming delivery. Everyone already knows that, though, so I'd also like to praise Terminator X's DJing for being a perfect time capsule while still being immediately fresh. It's not only sick as Hell, but really charming that Public Enemy has their own catchphrases to fall back on in every beat, every chorus, and just overall fill out the tracks. Even Flavor Flav as a hype man feels less goofy here than other projects by the group, even if his track doesn't align with the tone of the rest of the album. The whole album just has a chokehold on everything it speaks on, and while some of it comes off as dated (She Watch Channel Zero?! has a fantastic beat, but the framing device feels off-putting), it's an album with purpose, with sole intent, and it'll either destroy you if it finds you in its path, or get you to join in on the destruction. Also, just a little thing for the 1001 Generator, but that 2nd top review is laughably bad. Like, Jesus.
Favourite Song: Cold Lampin' With Flavor
Hardcore
Public Enemy has an energy like no other hip hop group. Rap with the energy of punk band. It Takes A Nation of Millions… is one of the most important records of all time. It’s importance probably outshines the actual music which highs are ultra high but it’s a bit long as usual 7.9/19
An adrenaline rush from start to finish. As far as hip-hop goes Public Enemy is one group that I enjoy listening to. Can be repeatative at times, but overall a good listen.
I as a rule do not have a closed mind to rap, if it's done intelligently, and with a good backing track. I saw this come up and thought oh dear. Public enemy were certainly at the beginning of, if not the ones who who started it all off, as social commentary on the lives of young blacks in America. And I have to say they did a good job of it. The more modern exponents of what is now known as gangster rap could learn a listen or two here, but mainly, that it is more powerful, and people when you use words like fuck and nigger sparingly, rather than every other word. I find myself wanting to give this a 3, but as my acid test for scores is would I buy it, and as much as I can appreciate this a very competent piece of work. No, I wouldn't buy it. So it has to go down as a 2.
I enjoyed that more than most from this genre. Rumbled along nicely.
A classic influential album, full of energy and minimal swearing! Groundbreaking in its commentary of black racial issues in America. Musically it is very well constructed. It was on my radar, as my brother used to play it, but it wasn't and still isn't my thing. That said, I do have a soft spot for ' Don't Believe the Hype' and 'Bring the Noise'.
There are a few songs in the beginning that rely on high pitched samples, which always kept me away from the rest of the album. But yea it’s good, obsession with whistles aside, great rhymes, unparalleled beat making.
Okay let's go Public Enemy!! This still sounds so fresh! 😁😁😁
Public Enemy is the greatest rap group of all time. My first introduction was actually when my brother encouraged me to watch 1991 Anthrax-collab video for Bring the Noise, which both came off this album and name drops fellow Brooklyn boys Anthrax. I was blown away. Then I heard Fight the Power, Hazy Shade of Criminal and more and was hooked. What separated them was they took rap from a backstreet genre to the mainstream by giving it a national voice. This album was the catalyst for the entire genre after. Unfortunately when gangster rap started within a few years, it’s hedonism and rawness overpowered Public Enemy’s trajectory as an industry leader. This album still is relevant. It still hits. It should be listened to again right now at high volume. Key songs: all of them, except for Flava’ flab’s such still kind of come off as silly, but he was the best hype man aside to Bobby Byrd to James Brown.
I never really was into Public Enemy when it came to rap. I liked the Beasties and Run DMC, then gangster rap, and any "pop" rap too. This is not party music as it is much more social commentary and awareness. This has aged much better than gangster rap in my opinion. I was never broadsided by misogyny listening to this album. I didn't feel the hooks on this but overall it was a good listen. I'll like add this to the list of albums that need multiple listens to truly appreciate.
Nauseating beats and a rapper who cannot shut up for even a few seconds.
as mind-expanding and exhausting as i remembered! huge sense of deliberacy to the tracklist here, a double LP with less then an hour of music total is a signal that just a little bit of extra space was needed to make room for everything they thought was Vital. disc 2 i think is the most packed with "i cant believe theyre basing the song around This Sound" moments for me, but the record is famous 4 that shit 4 a reason. considering this project is basically selecting my Morning Music its hard to imagine it getting much more startling to my half-awake brain then this, at least in the hip hop realm!
I'll die happy if I've never heard this again. 1/5
#281. Don't worry, I don't believe the hype. This shit is terrible. Flavor Flav is just as annoying as you'd expect, and almost all of the songs have some annoying high pitched squeal as part of the beat. No fucking thanks all round. 2/5: noo, boi Song added to playlist: Bring The Noise I've created a playlist on Spotify that consists of the best and/or my favorite song from each of the albums in this book. This list can be found here if you are interested: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7MAXDGLWlwLkFLb8veGfkA?si=FqkQQPgZTFWG0jAUJXLFZA&utm_source=copy-link
never make music again
Yeaa 🅱️oiiiii!! 😎🫱 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Dated
Wonderful samples and grooves. A bit too repetitive at times, but it feels like a classic.
Notable tracks: Bring The Noise, Rebel Without A Pause
сразу котирую только очень необычный реп, тут скорее просто отголоски последующих омажей запомнились + путешествие по википедии Шер
this album had some great raw old school rap tracks, great album and great message, insane influence
It was better than I expected, at times I found it mildly interesting.
Non stop fast raps; not bad, not bad.
This is a well-regarded album in the world of hip-hop, and for good reason. Chuck D's politically charged lyrics and commanding vocals in this record still bite after so many years. The overall message and theme within this album are legendary. There's a reason, after over 30 years, this is still one of the most influential hip-hop albums ever made. Best - Bring The Noise, Don't Believe The Hype, Show 'Em What You Got, Black Steel In The Hour Of Chaos, and Rebel Without A Pause Worse - Terminator X To The Edge Of Panic and Caught, Can We Get A Witness? YEAHH BOII 3.50-3.75/5
Public Enemy is an interesting group. More political than N.W.A. but with plenty of the same themes. I think it hits in a different way for me.
Countdown to Armageddon (intro) 3 Bring the Noise 3 Don't Believe the Hype 2.8 Cold Lampin' with Flavor 3 Terminator X to the Edge of Panic 2.9 Mind Terrorist (interlude) 3 Louder Than a Bomb 3.1 Caught, Can We Get a Witness? 3.2 Show 'Em Whatcha Got (Interlude) 3 She Watch Channel Zero?! 3.3 Night of the Living Baseheads 3 Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos 3 Security of the First World (Interlude) 2.8 Rebel Without a Pause 2.7 Prophets of Rage 3 Party for Your Right to Fight 2.9 Score: 2.98125
Classic
58 minutes of pure adrenaline that always leaves you needing to catch your breath at the end.
Yeeeeeeeeeeeeaaa boooyyyyyyyiiieeeeee
1. armageddon - 0 2. noize - 1.5 3. hype - 1.5 4. flavor - 1 5. terminator - 1 6. terrorizt - 0 7. bomb - 1 8. uuitnezz - 1.5 9. got - 2 10. zero - 0 11. night - 0 12. chaoz - 1 13 firzt uuorld - 14. rebel - 1 15 prophetz - 1.5 16. party - 0
Black power and rage against the man is a big theme here. Lyrics all good, social justice, etc. I don't like the backing, too tinny or lacking musicality for me, not fun to listen to. Also the high-pitched electronic whirr noise that I associate with Cypress Hill is here, which I find really annoying.
Another good Public Enemy record. I liked Fear of a Black Planet better, but this still had some great lines and samples in it.
Fun album I listened to for the /mu/ list already. I like this. 3.5/5
Probably one of the top 5 most important rap albums ever, the gateway between Run-DMC and Tupac. It shows its age a little, but much less so than NWA does- you can’t top Chuck D and Flav at their peaks. A-
Hit a bit strangely at first because I listened to “Apocalypse 91” before this one, but I ended up really liking it. Fun as hell.
first Tony Hawk song that came up in this list (Bring the Noise). This record is incredible hip-hop. A standout among an era of hip-hop I generally really like.
Yes Yes Y’all! Chuck D is still one of my all-time favorite MCs and lyricists. I think it would be impossible to argue that this album has the same impact today as it once did. The beats are dope, though, and it’s still totally listenable, and once in a while the lyrics kick down to remind you that the anger is and has always been the same,
super bombastic "fun" album - fun in quotation marks because i understand the political nature of the album and the message is not a fun message, but fun to listen to. the rapping is pretty great, although i think chuck d is way better than flavor flav. the beats are great and raw in that late 80s way. in terms of all the rap from this era i've listened to, ultimately, it's not my favorite but i would still say it's pretty consistently good.
An album that changes the world. One to listen to. Yes it’s confronting and violent and misogynistic. But it’s also a statement on what it is in the U.S. then. Bring the noise and party for your right to fight - a cheeky retort and homage to the beastie boys - are my standouts. But the anger passion and insight is strong in this one.
Hard to rate. Important influential and has a powerful presence that demands attention. Authoritative and distinctive (yes reminds me both of "the revolution will not be televised" and the 90s band 'disposable heroes sir hiphoprisy') ... Important for a list so 4-5 but listening ability 3-4. Averaging all out to a reluctant 4.
It’s refreshing to hear a hip-hop album that’s not littered with “motherfuckers” & sexist references. This album obviously was a game-changer. Chuck D was the man. The lyrics are a terrific read. Some of the samples are inspired, & not just musically. The Black Panther intro to Night Of The Living Baseheads is a winner. Party For Your Right To Fight is a nod to The Beasties from a different angle. It’s interesting that the band wanted to create a politically-charged album that would be a hip-hop version of Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On album(1971). One of Gaye’s earliest hit singles was Can I Get A Witness (1963) & here the band include a song called “Caught, Can I Get A Witness?” With a funky guitar sample that sounds like it’s straight outta Shaft. I liked Show ‘Em Whatcha Got, mainly because it’s slower than the rest & offers relief from the relentless lyrical attack.
When I was a teenager, I used to ravenously consume the Sydney Morning Herald pink pages every Monday, which had the record reviews, mostly by Lynden Barber before he threw his hands in the air and shifted to movie reviews instead of music. Poor Lynden had clearly heard and reviewed a bazillion records by 1986, and he had jaded ears. He liked records that were genuinely new and different that he hadn't heard before. In 1987, he raved - RAVED! - about the first Public Enemy album, and on the strength of that review I bought a copy, and it blew my mind. The follow-up, It Takes a Nation of Millions, was even better - a masterpiece. The first PE album certainly felt like something fresh and different when it came out, but this second record is where PE really flexed into the iconic outfit that they became. faster, harsher sounding, more political than anyone had been before, this is the Public Enemy that really blew the doors off. For a privileged white boy from Australia, they certainly had some challenging lyrical concepts, which made me think about race and racism in a way that hadn't occurred to me previously, presented with the voice of authority by Chuck D. The music was aggressive and powerful in a way that I hadn't heard before. The density of sound and noise caught my attention and wouldn't let go. The use of samples to create abrasive noise, collaged into a tightly woven musique concrete was just mind-boggling to me. I listened to this record on my walkman a million times. And, to my ears, it still sounds exciting and powerful.
absolute classic, it deserves it's place in history
Хренатень.
A lot of the beats sound the same but still great.
fire 9/10
Rebels without a pause irritated me specifically the noises in the background. Album was fine just not my thing. Think I felt similarly ab fear of a black planet.
Pretty good 7/10
3/10 - I did not enjoy don't believe the hype, the background moaning like thing was just so bad (huheheah). The intro to terminator X and Mind terrorist were both kinda cool but the rest of the songs I did not enjoy. The screaming sample in caught can we get a witness was not very enjoyable. Night of the living baseheads had a part that I enjoyed. I can't tell if party for your right to fight inspired fight for your right to party by beastie boys but i feel like it did. Overall an album I did not enjoy listening to
One of the most respected and acclaimed hip hop albums of all time, but I just can't get into it. It's pretty similar to fear of a black planet, and while I liked that on the first listen, it just kinda grew more and more annoying as I continued to listen to it.
HipHop classic. Sounds a bit dated now but still 5 stars for me
held together by spit and string at this point, but still got some absolute bangers in there
Viel Krach. Überhaupt nicht meine Musikrichtung. 1/5
Absolutely essential hip hop. You might be a fool if you’ve not listened to this album in its entirety.
**In-Depth Review of "It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back" by Public Enemy** **Introduction** Released in 1988, "It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back" is Public Enemy's seminal second album. It stands as one of the most influential hip-hop records of all time, widely recognized for its groundbreaking approach to lyrics, music, production, and thematic content. Produced by The Bomb Squad, Public Enemy's production team, the album combines dense, sample-heavy soundscapes with politically charged and socially conscious lyrics, making it a cornerstone in the evolution of hip-hop. **Lyrics** The lyrics on "It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back" are an incendiary mix of political commentary, social critique, and cultural analysis. Chuck D, the group's primary lyricist, delivers his lines with a booming voice and a sense of urgency that commands attention. The album's lyrics address a variety of topics, including racial inequality, police brutality, and the power of the media. **1. Political Commentary and Social Critique** Songs like "Don't Believe the Hype" and "Prophets of Rage" confront the media's role in shaping public perception and spreading misinformation. Chuck D's lyrics critique how the media often portrays African Americans in a negative light, reinforcing stereotypes and perpetuating systemic racism. "Black steel in the Hour of Chaos" tells the story of a draft dodger who is imprisoned, reflecting on the broader theme of institutional oppression and resistance. **2. Empowerment and Identity** Tracks such as "Bring the Noise" and "Rebel Without a Pause" serve as anthems of empowerment, encouraging listeners to embrace their identity and fight against oppression. The lyrics celebrate black culture and history, positioning Public Enemy as leaders in the movement for social justice. Chuck D’s delivery is assertive, almost militant, as he calls for unity and action within the African American community. **3. Social Issues** Public Enemy also tackles various social issues through their lyrics. "Night of the Living Baseheads" addresses the crack cocaine epidemic and its devastating impact on black communities. The song's lyrics are a scathing critique of both the drug dealers and users, as well as the government’s inadequate response to the crisis. **Music and Production** The music and production on "It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back" are revolutionary. The Bomb Squad, consisting of Hank Shocklee, Keith Shocklee, Eric “Vietnam” Sadler, and Chuck D, crafted an aggressive, chaotic soundscape that perfectly complements the album's intense lyrical content. **1. Sample-Heavy Production** The Bomb Squad's production is characterized by its dense layers of samples. They drew from a wide array of sources, including funk, soul, rock, and jazz, to create a sonic collage that is both complex and cohesive. The use of samples from artists like James Brown, Funkadelic, and Slayer adds a dynamic texture to the music, creating a sound that is both familiar and innovative. **2. Innovative Techniques** The production techniques employed by The Bomb Squad were groundbreaking for their time. They utilized techniques such as looping, layering, and cutting to create a sense of urgency and chaos. The use of multiple samples within a single track, often overlapping and interweaving, creates a dense and multi-dimensional sound that was unprecedented in hip-hop production at the time. **3. Rhythm and Beats** The beats on the album are hard-hitting and relentless. Songs like "Bring the Noise" and "Rebel Without a Pause" feature fast-paced, driving rhythms that push the energy levels to new heights. The use of drum machines, breakbeats, and live instrumentation adds to the album's raw and powerful sound. **Themes** The themes on "It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back" are deeply rooted in the socio-political landscape of the late 1980s. The album addresses issues such as racism, media manipulation, and the fight for social justice. **1. Racism and Oppression** One of the central themes of the album is the experience of racism and oppression in America. Public Enemy's lyrics confront the systemic racism that affects African Americans, highlighting issues such as police brutality, economic inequality, and the criminal justice system. The album serves as a rallying cry for resistance and empowerment in the face of oppression. **2. Media Critique** Another prominent theme is the critique of the media. Public Enemy challenges the role of the media in shaping public opinion and reinforcing stereotypes. They call out the media for its biased portrayal of black communities and its role in perpetuating misinformation and propaganda. This theme is particularly evident in songs like "Don't Believe the Hype" and "She Watch Channel Zero?!" **3. Social Justice and Activism** The album is also a call to action for social justice and activism. Public Enemy encourages their listeners to be politically active and socially conscious. Songs like "Prophets of Rage" and "Party for Your Right to Fight" emphasize the importance of unity and collective action in the struggle for justice and equality. **Influence and Legacy** "It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back" has had a profound influence on hip-hop and popular music. The album's innovative production techniques, politically charged lyrics, and socially conscious themes have inspired countless artists and shaped the direction of the genre. **1. Influence on Hip-Hop** Public Enemy's influence can be seen in the work of many subsequent hip-hop artists. Their politically charged lyrics and emphasis on social justice paved the way for artists like Tupac Shakur, Nas, and Kendrick Lamar. The Bomb Squad's production techniques, particularly their use of sampling and layering, have also been widely adopted and expanded upon by producers in the years since the album's release. **2. Cultural Impact** The album's impact extends beyond the realm of music. It has been widely recognized as a cultural milestone, capturing the spirit of resistance and activism that characterized the late 1980s. The album's themes of empowerment and social justice continue to resonate with audiences today, making it a timeless piece of art that remains relevant in contemporary discussions about race and inequality. **Pros and Cons** **Pros:** 1. **Lyrical Depth and Relevance:** Chuck D's lyrics are powerful, thought-provoking, and highly relevant, addressing issues that continue to resonate today. 2. **Innovative Production:** The Bomb Squad's production is groundbreaking, with its dense layers of samples and complex soundscapes setting a new standard in hip-hop production. 3. **Cohesive Themes:** The album's themes of racism, media manipulation, and social justice are cohesively woven throughout the tracks, creating a unified and impactful message. 4. **Cultural Significance:** The album's influence on hip-hop and its cultural impact are undeniable, making it a landmark in the history of the genre. 5. **Energetic and Engaging:** The album's high-energy beats and Chuck D's commanding delivery keep listeners engaged from start to finish. **Cons:** 1. **Accessibility:** The album's dense production and politically charged lyrics may be challenging for some listeners to fully appreciate or understand, particularly those unfamiliar with the socio-political context of the late 1980s. 2. **Complexity:** The complex layering of samples and sounds can sometimes create a chaotic listening experience, which may be overwhelming for some audiences. 3. **Consistency:** While the album is largely consistent in its quality and message, a few tracks may feel less impactful compared to the standout songs, potentially disrupting the overall flow. **Conclusion** "It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back" by Public Enemy is a groundbreaking and influential album that remains a seminal work in the history of hip-hop. Its powerful lyrics, innovative production, and cohesive themes make it a timeless piece of art that continues to resonate with audiences today. Despite some potential challenges in accessibility and complexity, the album's impact and significance are undeniable, solidifying its place as a cornerstone in the evolution of hip-hop and a powerful statement on social justice and resistance.
It’s public cannon, now. Yeeeeeeeeaa boieeeee!
Didn't like it
This album was a forceful expression of where rap could go creatively. It converted me from a rap skeptic in the 80s, although other trends in the genre keep trying to push me back.
Some good
It was okay. Not my fave genre. 3/5
Funky, high energy, but probably wouldn't play the songs again in my usual rotation
Go ahead
Yeaaaaaaaaa boiiiiiiiiii That ab lib was used ad nauseum. Overall the beats are nothing special. The skits on this album don't add much but at least they aren't too drawn out. It's a mix of crowd work (odd for a non-live album) and brief setups for upcoming songs. Most of the songs are really similar. Standouts for me are Bring the Noise and She Watch Channel Zero for the sick guitar. This album comes in an era of hip-hop where the bar for originality is still set pretty low. Between NWA, Cypress Hill, and Public Enemy would the untrained ear really be able to tell the difference? It's high energy, in your face rhymes with an emphasis on violence and rebellion against white America. I wanted to like it a lot more than I did but I really don't think this album stood up to the test of time.
Not my thing…
-YEAH BOIIIIIIII -80s rap feels prehistoric to me, I can’t say I’ve listened to much -Admittedly not really my thing but I really like the political commentary and experimental sampling -Favorite is Black Steel In The Hour Of Chaos
It's not really for me, I'm sure it would hit a lot harder after a few drinks with friends, but it's not as fun to listen to alone. I wasn't in a position to experience the context around this record that made it great during my listen
Un buen disco de rap
it was fine, seemed a bit childish at times. i get that is is a culturally significant album, but it was just not made for me. also some samples were very schreechy. dont mean to underdo the cultural signifigance
I tried to listen as if I was hearing it for the first time but I just really don’t like this music style.
Scratchin & Sniffin
Enjoyed this.
Great but far far too long 40 mins would be the perfect length, but you are thinking we are closing in on the end and there's another 6 songs left
I have been listening to this album regularly for almost 35 years. It is one of my all time favorites and it I think it is at at least top 50 of all time albums. It hits, it bangs, it makes you think. It’s fucking wonderful. I love this album. Fun fact: both sides are exactly the same length so that when listening to it on cassette, and one side ends, you can immediately flip it over and start listening to the other side.
Powerful but not as good as I remember it.
Not usually my thing but enjoyed it. Catchy, good flow, knew more of it than I expected.
Fun beats with old school DJing, sampling and scratching. Chuck D flows over the beats with powerful political lyrics. Flava Flav bounces in and out with ad libs and lyrics. The whole thing maintains a really fun atmosphere even through the serious messages. A real hip hop classic.
Didn't make my ears bleed but I don't want to listen to it again.
Oh no ... the second day row this (for me) terribly boring music. No, no, no!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah boiiiiiii origin story
Vette beats, prima raps, wel veel van hetzelfde
Not my genre…
Flava flav just gets annoying as a hype man after a whole album 2.5 stars
The Spotify description for Public Enemy notes that Flavor Flav is supposed to be comic relief for Chuck D’s gravity which….I think makes a lot of sense. There’s a lot going on lyrically that gets lost in the sound design, between the turn table effects and the name drops. It’s not a bad album but I think Public Enemy is a little easier to digest in single form.
Banger when it came out. Still a banger today. Flava flav was annoying then. He’s still annoying today.
I like it more than last time! The beats feel slightly less cartoony, although I'm sure that was a me problem to begin with! Probably the fact Public Enemy's music was watered down by so many and reduced to stereotypical boombox music shows how influential they were.. and how the mainstream tried to suppress their message..? I need to look into this! Again, maybe I'm also acclimatising to their sound myself. Defo down for partying for my right to fight, I did have a bop on this album. Plus the delivery of the title line was roll-credits worthy for sure
3.5 stars. Super energetic album. There are plenty of instrumentals on here that still hold up. Chuck D's flow doesn't sound corny or overly simplistic like other proto-rap albums sometimes do. Flava Flav, on the other hand, seems to only serve as hype, and I don't feel like he contributes much to the album other than ad libs and interjections. While the album is energetic with many cool samples (including a soundbyte that would later be used for a Ludacris sample) I felt a bit fatigued having to sustain that level of energy for about an hour.
Rap that I can actually hear a story and it doesn't sound like others.
Cool hip hop - some live
This sounds more dated than Fear Of A Black Planet. Makes sense. It is older. It has a couple of classic tracks, but I'm not going to play this very often anymore. Favorite song: party for your right to fight
A turning point for rap music. Up until then rap was generally this goofy, fun thing. But then in 1988 Public Enemy and N.W.A. attacked the airwaves, bringing a harder edge and political commentary to the fore. It's hard to imagine now but back then this was revolutionary and hit like a ton of bricks.
Don’t, don’t, don’t believe the hype. This is a (0.7*s) album. Almost every song has an incredibly annoying, constant high pitched beep or squeak in the background making it difficult to listen to. There are only two good songs; Black Steel In The Hour Of Chaos & Security Of The First World. Yo, the rest of the dog shit you can put on your toast.
I'm surprised by how much of a struggle it was for me to get through this whole album; it's actually quite long, very repetitive, and downright annoying at times. My memory of them was better than it is after this listen. I understand the impact, the social commentary of the time, and the importance of this album for hip-hop but I no longer believe the hype. Time was not good to them at all, this sounds hella corny and weak in the 2020's. It's not raw, it's whack. Flava literally says "chicka chicka" over a high pitch squeal while someone mashes a keyboard beat machine for an hour. It's a "No" for me dawg.
I understand why this makes the list. Very influential on the hip-hop scene. Chuck D speaks of revolution and social turmoil while Flava Flav keeps the hype going. Problem is, It just sounds corny and Terminator-X beats aren't that engaging...a bit annoying in fact. Although poignant lyrically, Chucks rhymes a bit weak and Flav jumps around like a crack addict. I respect it's place (and Public Enemy) in music history but I just don't really like 80's hip-hop. So a Naaaaahh Boooyyyiiee from me...1.7.
I'm not a huge rap fan in general but this is more my speed. I appreciate the old school hip hop style over modern rap. There's something endearing about an MC scratching' and ridiculous Flava Flav overtones that I can somehow get behind. 2.69 stars
They sure began with a bang. This album is filled with revendicative rage and passion. Chuck D's lyrics are stealing the show for that reason because they are thoughtful, provocative and revolutionary. As with a lot of old school hip hop albums, I tend to find the music a bit samey in the long run, but those beats are great so who cares.
YEEEEEAAAAAAAAH BOIIIIIIIIIIIII
1988, political and conscious hip-hop was breaking through the scene and Public Enemy makes it explode with this angry and badass album. And it was only the beginning, because to me, Fear Of A Black Planet and Apocalypse 91 are even better.
The interludes are the best part of this album IMO
A classic in hip-hop. More focused and better beats than some of their other albums, the music hits you like a punch in the face, while ou're dizzy from the amount of samples that fly around your heads like tweeting birds. Best Tracks: Don't Believe the Hype; Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos; Rebel Without a Pause
Loved the beats here. So fucking creative. And obviously the revolutionary hymnal vibe is excellent. I so dig PE
ganz cool aber teilweise nervige beats
Found the constant use of those shrill squeaky noises in the background and all the record scratches very annoying, and I found it hard to focus on anything else once I noticed them. Sampling songs like Flash just made me wish I was listening to something better, which is not to say that Flash is particularly good. The social commentary is commendable and the album is interesting as a piece of musical history; it’s just wasn’t enjoyable for me.
Can see how this is so influential. A great listen and socially/politically charged lyrics. Simpsons: Yes
Enjoyed the vibes of this. Not amazing but it scrapes a 4.
Just enjoyable stuff
4/5 - some bangers but their sound has never really been for me
incredible energy and all of the members have great chemistry in their different styles. but it the amount of energy got a bit draining in the end. also really enjoyed learning about some of the historical context.
Pretty sad when we start this list years before the Apple Music 100 (which will probably be referenced a lot now since it’s completion, fyi it’s better than this list) yet they get to this album first. Either way, here it is. Excited to dive in. Another shout out to Apple Music, these albums now have their ranking in the album notes of these ones, this is #34. I'm not sure if this is my favorite Public Enemy album but it might be. Bring the Noise is a song that is always stuck in my head, of course it's the version from Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 which is Anthrax and PE and spelled Noize, but they are the same song, one just has guitar riffs and drums behind it. Funny enough, we recently had a taste of this with Ice-T in meshing hip hop and rock/metal. Headbanging for a bit before letting out a "yeahhhhh boyyy, freeze how low can you go? etc". I listened to this album a few years ago along with some others when I was diving into early hip hop which I hadn't heard a lot of, but everything I did I really liked. Really glad to get this again to let some of these songs sink in. Obviously I kept the above song, but also Don't Believe the Hype, Night of the Living Baseheads, and Party for Your Right to Fight.
Hell yes, our third from Public Enemy but it's the big one, their magnum opus according to most. I love it, as usual you get some fantastic sampling at the root of these songs, and the rapping is excellent. The initial run of 4-5 songs is so, so great. The back end wasn't quite as bombastic to me, but it's still a fantastic ride all the way through. I was expecting this could've been a 5 star on first listen, but it's not there for me yet. Maybe with time though, I know this one is pretty timeless. Very glad to have heard this, finally. Favorite tracks: Bring the Noise, Don't Believe the Hype, Cold Lampin', Terminator X, Mind Terrorist, Show 'em Whatcha Got, Security of the First World, Rebel Without a Pause. Album art: Iconic, classic, everything. Chuck D and Flava Flav behind bars, they both look not just cool but cold. Logo and font, all the periphery is bold and powerful. I forget sometimes that Public Enemy was basically just two dudes (plus some producers here and there). 4.5/5
un pò troppe canzoni uguali
I can understand that the album is included, however, for my taste, listening to the album once every decade or so will be more than plenty. I did notice that the sampling done was very subtle and one can see how PE set the tone for many rap/hip-hop artist which followed.
The standout tracks are "Bring the Noise", "Don't Believe the Hype", "Cold Lamping with Flavor", "Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos", and "Prophets of Rage". There's some filler tracks that don't quiet work, and 36 years later, that reedy hysteria sample ("Eeeeeee") is a bit overused as a leitmotiv throughout the album). But this is clearly a classic. 4.3 stars rounded down.
Fierce stuff, arguably the best hip hop album of its era and still one of the greatest of the genre. Assertive, energetic and full of righteous anger, but still great fun to listen to. Fave Songs: Rebel Without a Pause, Bring the Noise, Don't Believe the Hype, Night of the Living Baseheads, Can We Get a Witness?, Prophets of Rage, Louder Than a Bomb
Oh yeah this was foundational, the music against which I measure all subsequent hip hop I cross paths with. Ridenhour's refusal to accept our construction of black America seems ever more insightful. We're along for the ride.
Old Skool Classics - I did love this style of Hip Hop.
I enjoyed this album a lot. The combo rap of Chuck D and Flava Flav was a great mix of heavy and light, the humor went a long way to keep this fun. There are hooks and things to connect with, the beats and bed were interesting and rollicking. I completely ignored this when it was released in 1988. I probably wouldn't have liked it so much back then, but I'm glad I dove in now.
A few classics surrounded by a ton of filler. But man, when they're hot they're on fire. Cold Steel, Witness, Party For Your Right to Fight are amazing, but Bring the Noise is truly one of the greatest hip-hop songs of all time. The production is killer, the sampling is dense and wild, the lyrics iconic, and the interplay with him and Flav is perfect. Unfortunately, the rest of the album doesn't rise to those songs heights, and many of the songs start to sound the same. But this album was revolutionary then and some of the songs continue to be. Plus, I didn't hear a single mention of the B-word.
I guess I discovered the flavor of rap I dig. I was really grooving to this.
2.5 yeah boi
Socially conscious and great lyrics
I got a letter from the government the other day, I opened and read it it said they were suckers
Can only imagine how hard this hit in 1988. It’s good, aggressive, in-your-face political rap music. One of the most influential and important rap albums of all time. I’m not in love with it.
Good album. Much like the other Public Enemy albums, I like the message but sometimes the music is too militant. I know that it fits, just not my favorite to listen to. 3.5/5 Might listen again
The first Rap album I ever bought and still my favourite. Such attitude and what I use to judge the rest. Great beat, cutting lyrics.
While I'm glad to have listened to this from a culture/music history standpoint, this wasn't overly my thing. I did like a couple songs but found myself to be glad when it was over.
Again, I love the combo of Chuck D and Flava Flav. What a great album.
This was unbearable but Public Enemy's influence was huge.
BASS. The Bomb Squad were definitely ahead of the game with this one. These beats do not sound like they were made in the 80s. "Bring the Noise" and "Louder Than A Bomb" are total bangers. The guitar sample in "She Watch Channel Zero?!" is sick. Some of the repetitive sound effects and vocal lines are a bit annoying, but not enough to bring it down a star. This album is straight heat. Chuck D is locked in the whole time and Flavor Flav adds great character. Yeahhhhhh boyyyyyy!
Most of the songs are bops but that high pitched constant in many of them is so off putting it's all I can hear. If they never used that sound I would listen to the whole album again but I'll stick to replaying just a few. Other than that, nearly perfect. 8/10
No notes 😌
For the most part I think 80s rap has aged far worse than anything the 90s produced, even though they were so close in time to each other. That being said, I think this album clearly stands out from its peers as it showed how far sonically the genre can be pushed and how it can be an outlook for political and counterculture messaging like rock was in decades prior. While the flows can feel a little corny and outdated at times, I do think there was some interesting production going on here and the beats laid down by DJ Terminator X went pretty hard at points. The track list was loud, frenetic, and full of righteous energy from Chuck D and Flava Flav. This album was definitely its strongest when it was the most political. Fav Songs Louder Than Bombs Show Em What Ya Got Night Of The Living Baseheads Rebel Without A Pause
I've listened to this one many times over the years. When it was released, this was a huge deal. This album really helped set the stage for what was to come in the 90s. The singles from this one are good, but it doesn't keep me engaged for the whole album.
Yeah, bass! This is exactly how I want my hip hop to sound. Aggressive and heavy like a soap on a rope cause the beats and the rhymes are so dope. The only thing preventing me from giving 5 stars, is the album’s length. 1 hour of rapping is still too much in one sitting. Check out the collaboration with Anthrax as well, which hits really hard
Rebel Without a Pause is an all-time great. Public Enemy's sound is so distinct and also feels very rooted to a place and time. Really enjoyed listening to this
This wasn’t bad. I really liked the beats/production. I didn’t pay enough attention to the lyrics. I would say I enjoyed it overall but got tired of it 2/3 way through. I appreciate the cultural impact and influence on hip hop. 3
Favorite Track: Bring The Noise
Finally some good hip hop without the gangster attitude. But it’s still rap…
Not the worst hop hop I've had, but this just bored me.
Shit hits the fan... Ei katia kuin pieru saharaan.. Its on your face...
Als 57 minütiges Album ist es mir zu viel. In kleineren Portionen ist dieser Hip Hop sicherlich geniessbar.
Revolutionary in the context of it's time. The beats and rhymes still sound decent, but have been surpassed. Flava flav really starts to grate on my ears after a few tracks though. All that said, I love this album, it is SUPERB
Would give it 4.5 if I could
I love old school hip hop, but this album was so bland. It feels like it uses the same 3 or 4 beats for different songs and there's a lot of phrase repetition. Sad to say because I like some other Public Enemy content, but this was a stinker. 2/5
Flava Flav
Good album, great beats.
Not really my thing but pretty powerful stuff.
I adore the political commentary and almost spoken word rap style. I finally get Flavour Flav's hypeman esque role in this group, he really pulls it all together and brings so much to this album. As a listener from 2024 the flow and rhyme scheme on this album are quintessential 80s rap and this album is such a fun listen. While I don't see myself listening to this every day or adding these songs to my playlist as a standalone piece of art. It is awesome sauce
Chuck D: The prison industrial complex oppresses Black people Flava Flav: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvtQYsckLxk This one grew on me a lot as I listened to it. I grew up hearing a lot of 80s hip hop because of my stepdad, but I've always had a hard time taking it seriously. By modern standards, some of the beats on here sound a little goofy and Flava Flav is meant to be comedic relief at times. However, listening to the lyrics, it's clear that these guys had a lot to say. Chuck D's pen game carries most of this project for me, but some of the beats were also genuinely impressive (especially "She Watch Channel Zero?!"). This gave me a new appreciation for early hip hop and I look forward to hearing more from this era.
I really do respect Public Enemy as historically significant, and it’s not like their music is BAD…it’s just really not for me. I do not like Chuck D’s flow and voice. This is a me problem I know!
Interesting album. Not something I usually listen to
Really love the sociopolitical messaging in this album. Reading up on it, it was truly a revolutionary addition to hip-hop and seems to have influenced hip-hop and rap during the 90's and beyond
Ok I guess - not something I'd normally have listened to - but there again I'm not really the target audience... Overall not bad, not good, just different to my normal listen. A solid 3/5
close to a 4 but giving a 3 because realistically i’m unlikely to revisit
not my jam
This was way better than I expected. Not what I'm into, but some really good writing and now I get what the excitement was about.
Yeah boi!
Late 80’s rap
Quintessential late-80's rap album. There is nothing quite as rick as Chuck D's voice and Flavor-Flav's fill-ins. Strong effort start to finish
Urgent, aggressive, revolutionary. Surprised at how much Flavor Flav is involved in the full album. Always saw him as just a hype man, but he is on there more than I remembered.
Powerful lyricism and beats that go hard. Some of these samples are insane (sounds like Slayer on She Watch Channel Zero?!). Some songs sound a bit dated, but compared to it's contemporaries you can tell why it was revolutionary. Solid record. 4/5.
Pretty entertaining
You can hear how foundational this album was even if it doesn't necessarily hold up that well. Chuck D is still great. Flava Flav is kinda annoying.
What’s good about this album: message, beats, samples, energy, rapping What is not so much: It is definitely of its age, Flava Flav “yeah boiii” Listens: 3 Fave Track: She Watch Channel Zero?! Rating: 5
3 stars
This is easily in the top 50 albums on the list. A stone cold classic, referenced numerous times by all kinds of rap and non-rap artists. By far my fave connection is the Weezer song El Scorcho which borrows the "I'm the epitome of public enemy" line. I find the thought of skinny young nerdy Cuomo listening to Public Enemy and thinking he's a public enemy very funny. Which just goes to show how universally beloved, respected and influential It Takes a Nation of Millions... is. As a metalhead, I've always had a soft spot for She Watch Channel Zero, but pretty much every song is a winner. Party for Your Right to Fight is one of the best song names ever and almost eclipses the Beastie Boys track. Bring the Noise, Don't Believe the Hype, Louder than a Bomb, Rebel Without a Pause, Prophets of Rage... Damn what a tracklist.
I was shocked to see that the global rating for this album was higher than 3.0. That was truly awful— some of the worst that rap has to offer. I await the day “YEAHH BOIIII” finds itself erased from my memory.
Classic rap album
I had heard a lot of their song but not a complete album. I like it pretty well. It was a little repetitive at times, but I like the style overall.
Seems like an important album for hiphop history. I knew Bring the Noise, and I seemed to recognize a bunch of other clips, likely because other artists sampled Public Enemy (e.g. I think I heard the "Rump Shaker" groove in there). On the whole it's not the kind of album I would go back to.
This one would likely be a 5 star, if I had been exposed to the whole album earlier in life. Still cool to listen to it now and see it's influence in hindsight.
Proof you can have a self-serious album cover without it looking like a shitty Ren Faire ad, SIMON & GARFUNKEL.
"Socially conscious" my ass.
Not bad, I remember my buddy in junior high listening to this all the time. I didn't get it then, but can understand and respect it a little now.
i remember trying to listen to this on very low volume in my room. could i write poetry to this? y
Love the Slayer sample on "She Watch Channel Zero?!"
More like a 4.5 for me. Bring the Noise, Don't Believe the Hype, Terminator X to the Edge of Panic, She Watch Channel Zero?!, Rebel Without a Pause, and Prophets of Rage are all time great rap songs period.
classic! one of the most influential hip hop albums of all time
I like old school rap and hip-hop and this one brings me back
Not my cup of tea, but not so bad to listen to.
Great album, good combination of their hits with lesser known songs.
Hmmmm…Do I give this a 5 or a 1? On the one hand, I’m in awe of the way rappers rap. It’s so infectious. Hard to look away. But I would never choose to listen to this on my own. On the other hand, I did listen to it all the way through and felt empathetic to the feelings and messages of the songs. It was exhausting but so amazing.
This was fun, definitely enjoyable, living room record energy.
Man this was a good album. I will need to come back to it a few more times. I forgot how great they were.
It's obviously dated, but it still weirdly holds up. Chaotic and full of great beats. Chuck D sounds cool as hell. Surprisingly I could see myself throwing this on occasionally.
>Yo, man, what do you mean by suckers, man? :( Laughed out loud Good old old-school hip-hop. Probably as good as it gets Nvm too long
I said this about another public enemy album but many san andreas songs theyre good in that game but as an album its not good. I didnt like anything but those few songs and I would never listen to this album again
Beck has an interesting sound. I like it in smaller doses than an entire album.
Really enjoyed this one. Great melodies and songwriting.
Ikke bra å lese til
This combo will always be hilarious. How did these two get together?
It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back is the second album by American hip hop group Public Enemy. The hip hop on this album uses a lot of samples like their debut album, but these tracks have a faster tempo, while the lyrics rhyme about sociopolitical issues. Released to critical acclaim and regarded as one of the most influential albums of all time, this wild & experimental album has been certified platinum in the US and gold in the UK. This is an important and classic hip hop album released during the blooming of the golden age of hip hop. From tons of samples, to boomin' breakbeats, and high-velocity rapping, this album has a little bit of everything to make the perfect hip hop. It was cool and smart, but it's old-school hip hop so it's showing its age. I appreciate the classics since all modern music has trickled down from the past's, but I like modern hip hop over this album. Still, It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back deserves a listen from any fan of hip hop/rap.
Hip Hop. Hard pass. 1/5
This one was much more engaging than I was expecting. Chuck D is incredible and it's odd to hear Flavor Flav sound aware of his surroundings. Great samples and beats. Classic album.
3.7 - enjoyed this, did beastie boys parody them or just sound the same? Album was a little too long imo
This record hits pretty hard at the start, I like the beats, the production overall and the style. But it tails off for me and many of the middle tracks become very samey. The last 2 are more of a return to form for me. 3.3/5
Got old fast
58 minutes of headache inducing beats and Flava Flav ocassionally shouting YEAH BOIII
This just... isn't for me. I couldn't finish it so it's got to be 1/5 really.
What a great album. Black Steel in an Hour of Chaos is probably my favorite. But also Louder than a Bomb, Prophets of Rage, and Rebel without a Pause are bangers. 4.5 stars.
Really liked some of this. But really hated other parts. The flava flav "ha ha" and "ya boyeee"s got really annoying by the end. Chuck D's rapping is awesome though.
i hate flav a flav’s voice
Des samples, des samples, toujours plus de samples !! Ça afflue dans tous les sens, on baigne littéralement dans la source du hip-hop, au milieu d'une richesse de sons assez dingue ! Le flow, plus puissant et musical que celui du (trop) répétitif Licensed to Ill des Beastie Boys, y est certainement pour beaucoup dans ma préférence !
I have a hoodie for this album. Love me some good old school hip hop.
Always had a problem with this record, to be honest. It’s good, don’t get me wrong, but I think it’s severely overhyped. Obviously the lyrics are as pointed as they are on any PE album, and the production is great, but compared to the rest of their discography? I just don’t see how you can listen to Fear of a Black Planet and still say you prefer It Takes a Nation, because the follow-up improves on this album in every way. That doesn’t discredit this album’s influence, but a lot of influential hip-hop records get discredited all the time because they became “instantly dated.” And a lot of elements here are very, very dated: the DJ mix vibe, the turntable/interlude tracks, the BPM, the song length, Flavor Flav’s role as a hypeman, etc. Even some of the lyrical critiques feel very 1988 [“Channel Zero” especially], and while politics go out of fashion quick, they shouldn’t feel this stale on a supposedly “timeless” album. It’s not bad, and I get that it inevitably has to be here, because I know contextually it meant a lot. I just think it doesn’t deserve the hype as the genre’s pinnacle when it’s not even the best PE record.
We’re gonna get that Beastie Boys album, right?
It was a mistake listening to this in the car because I couldn’t tell if it was the music or my windshield wipers
It's not a good album for work, but it is a good album. Lots of themes, and nice to hear the original flows where rap was started. Some really cool beats as well.
Classic but didn't touch my soul
Public Enemy certainly had a lot to say on this album. I didn't delve too deeply into the lyrics but it sounds like they had some interesting points especially on political and social commentary. I am giving this album a rating of 2 stars based on my personal enjoyment, not because I believe it is a bad album. To me the style of rapping and the production just sounded very dated and I didn't find enjoyable to listen to. I would probably like this album better if I heard it in 1988, but from a 2024 perspective I found that it aged poorly.
I forgot to rate this when I listened to it a couple of weeks ago, but it's fucking fantastic. The end.
It's a classic, even if the genre will apparently never be my cup of tea.
my intro into rap in general.. this started m... this album is really punk rock.. or as incendiary as punk rock when it came out.
I'd give this six stars if I could. Hip hop done by one of its finest groups. Amazing.
Obviously an unimpeachable classic but I get even more enjoyment out of imagining what this sounded like to conservative parents in the late 80s. If it sounds like the album was made with a suite of dental tools to us, it must have been like a Victorian child exploding after tasting Doritos.
Solid early hip hop album. Just on the 4 side of 3.5 for me.
first listen in entirety. i know its a very good and influential album in general but at the end of the day i don't think I'll come back to it.
"It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back" es una de las cumbres del hip-hop. Su fusion de rap con free jazz, funk y rock es e plosiva. Con un sonido denso y feroz aborda temas netamente sociopolíticos. Difí il destacar una can ion, pero me quedo con "Show 'Em Watcha Got" y sobre todo "She Watch Channel Zero?!".
So many samples… good album tho, understand the relevance
a solid rap album, but i think i just like experimental hip hop more?
Det är så man får kräks.
i am eager to read the reviews, who is going to attempt to shit all over this perfection? whoever you are, you're very wrong.
This was totally fun. As the great individual who turned me on to this site said, “I think I’m actually a huge fan of 1980s-90s hip hop. Me, too, my friend. Me, too.
The greatest rap album of all time. Absolutely perfect.
nennti ekki að hlusta
Best rap in the game.
I liked it, and I know they had a lot of influence, but I will forever favor Tribe Called Quest when it comes to hip-hop. Nothing on them, sorry.
Seminal & as a soundtrack of the time it set the stage. Some great stuff on there, especially lyrically. But honestly, a whole album's worth of PE just stresses me out now. I'm old.
Yeah boyeeee! Hard for me to rate this one fairly as I don't have a ton of hip hop knowledge to compare it to. Chuck D has a really nice flow and depth to his lyrics. Dunno if I can quite say the same about Flava Flav but his presence is undeniably felt. Beats are pretty solid and funky.
nope
Completely amazing
Here for it
Wow. The energy, the truth in what is said... the sad fact that it is even more important today than even then... The only thing lackiing now-a-days from then is maybe the underlying hope, or the idea that this is it, now we take our rightful place at the table. And in 2024 we are all ass backwards and this album probably couldn't even get made (and not at all be mainstream). Plus a major shout out to the humor it has and the just plain fun it is. I think it illustrates how you can be serious and angry and silly on the same album. Maybe we need a dose of "don't be so f*ing serious all the time" which we seemed to balance better back in the day.
I'm sure this is very influential but there is nothing fun about this record. At all. Perhaps that is the point but decades later it is just a chore.
This is another favourite of mine, angry social commentary, yet so funky.
This is the 4th rap album that I've been recommended in 2 weeks, and the second Public Enemy one. I'm not a huge fan of rap music, but I like the beats from 80s rap. While I probably wouldn't listen to this album again, I can't rate it low because I can admit that I did enjoy listening it through it. 4/5
Man, what an album!! Really reaffirms my excitement in this 1001 Albums project. The funky samples, Chuck D's lyrics, Flava Flav hyping him up, it's all sooo good and works together on every single track. Never a dull or bad moment. It's kind of my ideal rap album in many ways, to the point where I can't even really pick out a favorite song. Who knew that all it took was nonstop James Brown samples and Flava Flav shouting YEAH BOIIIII
Would rather listen to the Birdie Song all day than suffer this.
Classic rap album without much mainstream appeal. Historic but not HoF.
I postponed listening to this for two days (it showed up on a Friday) because it's an hour of basically the same type of music. I am not old but this is not really my type of music. I know that this was very popular for its time but I was listening to the rap music that came out 15 years after this. It sounds alright but it's definitely not something distinctive.
Well, I made it through a couple of "songs".
likte det
Not as good as people make it out to be, but still pretty good
This comes off my vinyl shelves and onto the turntable. Genius. Had a Party for Your Right to Fight earworm all day.
A little too old school for me
Not usually my kind of music, but it was fun!
Love this album but still not sure why it sounds like a kettle is going off for the whole record
Ok
When rap was finally beginning to form its own name, and groups like N.W.A were growing in popularity, N.W.A shot to the spotlight of the gangster rap movement that was less than satisfied with the current state of the world. I sometimes find it hard to speak about rap albums. Mostly because the content of the lyrics is what really matters, and I just don’t have enough time to sit down and digest those lyrics. With Public Enemy, you don’t necessarily have to read the lyrics to feel the energy. Imagine being strapped to a chair in someone’s dingy and dark basement and then being kicked and thrown around. That feels like the approach that these two took for the delivery. And even if, more often than not, Flav acts more as a hype man for Chuck, the charisma shared between the two is cool to hear. This album is politically driven and focused in its intent. Which is to make it clear how shit things are sometimes. I think where my issue lies in a lot of rap music from this time period is the production. Most producers were not creating as tight and punchy beats as you would hear in the 90’s and 2000’s. The drums are quieter, and the melodic aspects take more of a forefront. It’s not my favorite. This album benefits from having a really unique and varied selection of samples. Lots of funk and rock bits that intertwine with each other. There is almost always something going on. Even if I prefer what the genre would become rather than what it was at this point, this album has power, and showed people what rap could represent, and I wholeheartedly respect that. Rating: 7/10
Yeaaahh boiiiiiiii. Tuttuja sampleja. Vanhaa hiphoppia, ei sillein erikoista. Ihan solid. Parhaat: Bring The Noise, Caught Can We Get A Whitness
Believe the hype
Genre defining mind bending trickery. Epic sampling and full of classics.
I didn't love this album, but I was able to listen all the way through without being annoyed and thinking about tracking past a song. It's catchy and fun, with good rhythm and powerful lyrics. There's a reason this is a foundational album for hip-hop/rap music.
Can appreciate the importance of this record but it really sounds dated in 2024. Sad how the lyrical themes remain entirely relevant.
Still not a rap fan
Less my style, but not bad
also niet mn vibe
It's a classic for a reason.
Great essential hip hop album. A flow that is unmatched with a hard and consistent beat.
Surprisingly good hip hop record. Really fun samples and creative songs throughout. A lot of the political lyrics don’t connect with me but still interesting to hear. Also this album needs a yeah boi counter for sure.
Some fresh and lively beats and cool, politicised rhymes
Been waiting for this one and definitely worth the wait. Not overhyped- this is a genre defining classic. They took sampling to another level besides being amazing lyricists.
Revolutionary and original. Normally I like 'original' but rap has always repelled me.... even rap as brilliant as this.
Good social commentary Mostly good songs Some pure tunes, no lyrics - don’t understand Get why it’s popular
Classic. Don’t make rap like they used to.
Klassiker
Excelente, poderoso y contundente. Encima con una canción del Tony Hawk.
Bring the noise! Was featured in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater and for that only I give one extra star
This is the sound I think of when someone brings up GTA: San Andreas. Great production, very musically engaging. The subject matters don’t personally appeal to me, but there is no denying that this album accomplishes it’s set goals.
Revolutionary record that was very much ahead of its time. Passionate and emphatic music and lyrics. This record is a milestone for hip hop.
WTF. I didn’t realize Flav was more than a VH1 character. This shits slaps though. Heavy metal and jazz samples under rhymes against the government? Count me in.
This one hit me Louder Than a Bomb. But Don’t Believe the Hype from me, listen to it yourself. Do it soon, though, because the Countdown to Armageddon has begun?
It’s really wild to hear the journey Hip Hop has gone on, from this to the Kendrick Lamar album we heard previously. So different, but still connected. I love the Yin and Yang of Chuck D and Flavor Flav. Chuck gets you thinking and Flav gets you smiling. The layers of sound in the production is really inventive. I can see why these guys were so influential on hip hop. Yeah Boiiiiieeeee! 4.2
There's a lot going on here -- disjarring samples and dense lyrics, but a real snapshot of NYC in the 80s (and still very relevant today). Didn't realize how avant-garde the sampling was. It's not really my thing, but its place in history is undeniable. Probably one of those albums you have to know even if you don't like it. 3.4
The first truly great rap album
The array of samples and how well they're layered on this record is pretty amazing. It runs the gamut from funky to industrial. Chuck D and Flav are both compelling emcees and have a cool dynamic. This record really held my attention
The “Yeah boy!” in almost every song was really distracting. There were a few songs I liked.
Eh…very old school hip hop. Iconic for the time but very boring to my ears.
Flava Flav says Flava Flav a lot
Ok
A formative rap album for me. Chuck D's deep voice and Flava Flav's shenanigans at their prime.
it's fine, just not my taste
Similar to “Fear of a Black Planet”, Public Enemy bombards the listener with crazy sample-heavy beats and political lyrics. Also like that record, it becomes taxing listening to the whole thing front-to-back.
Liked it mostly, but a little repetitive
Classic
I love this album, even the unusual acapella and instrumental bits.
Countdown To Armageddon- N/A/5 Bring The Noise- 4.7/5 Don't Believe The Hype- 4.8/5 Cold Lampin' With Flavor- 5/5 Terminator X To The Edge Of Panic- 5/5 Mind Terrorist- 3.8/5 Louder Than A Bomb- 4.4/5 Caught, Can We Get A Witness?- 3.8/5 Show 'Em Whatcha Got- 4.7/5 She Watch Channel Zero?!- 5/5 Night Of The Living Baseheads- 4.8/5 Black Steel In The Hour Of Chaos- 4.9/5 Security Of The First World- N/A/5 Rebel Without A Pause- 4.4/5 Prophets Of Rage- 4.8/5 Party For Your Right To Fight- 4/5 Total- 4.6/5
Rap Rap Rap
No.
Hands down the best hip hop record of the 1980s. Banger after banger and apex Chuck D. Something about Chuck D’s partnership with Flavor Flav cracks me up. It’s like Malcom X teaming up with Chris Tucker. While Chuck D is critiquing tv as the opiate of the masses in She Watch Channel Zero, Flav is like “yo turn that shit off so I can watch the game!” It’s ridiculous
So...this one didn't really do a ton for me. Chuck D's poetry is great, and the beats are alright. The attitude is certainly there. But the sampling doesn't sound organic, the production in general is just way too much, and things got repetitive about halfway through. From what I hear, it was pretty groundbreaking upon release, so I'll give it points for that. But Fear of a Black Planet is just a much better Public Enemy record, in my opinion.
8/10 super solid rap album Public Enemy has some really great stuff
The old school beats here are amazing and the album flows nicely. I would pick this up again.
I have nothing good to say about this.