Public Enemy is an American hip hop group formed in 1982, widely regarded as one of the most influential and important groups in hip hop history. Founded by Chuck D, Flavor Flav, Professor Griff, and DJ Lord, their music is considered to be among the most innovative, politically charged, and socially conscious of the genre.
Public Enemy has released nine studio albums, and has sold over 40 million albums worldwide. Their most successful album was It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back, which was certified platinum and was widely regarded as one of the most influential albums of the 1980s.
Public Enemy has been highly influential in hip hop culture, and their influence can be seen in the work of many other artists. They have been credited with helping to bring hip hop to the mainstream and with creating an entire genre of music. Their message of social justice, racial equality, and political activism has had a lasting impact on the hip hop community, and their music continues to be widely appreciated and respected.
| Name | Public Enemy |
| Genre | Hip-hop |
| Formed | 1982 |
| Date of Birth | June 1, 1980 |
| Members | Chuck D, Flavor Flav, DJ Lord, Khari Wynn |
| Hometown | Long Island, NY |
| Label | Def Jam Recordings |
| Notable Songs | Fight the Power, Bring the Noise, Don’t Believe the Hype |
10 Best Public Enemy Quotes
“You can’t put the genie back in the bottle. It’s out.”
– Chuck D, from NPR
“Hip-hop is a powerful weapon. It has the ability to make people change their minds.”
– Chuck D, from Vibe
“I always wanted to be a producer, and I wanted to take hip-hop to another level.”
– Hank Shocklee, from All Music
“I never ever wanted to be a rapper. I just wanted to be a producer. It just happened.”
– Flavor Flav, from Rolling Stone
“The media is the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that’s power. Because they control the minds of the masses.”
– Chuck D, from All Music
“I’m not into violence, I’m into intelligence.”
– Chuck D, from Rolling Stone
“Public Enemy was and is a revolutionary group. We are guerrillas of thought and we use words instead of bullets.”
– Chuck D, from The Guardian
“The music doesn’t have to be loud and abrasive in order to make a statement.”
– Hank Shocklee, from All Music
“Hip-hop is a powerful weapon. It has the ability to make people change their minds.”
– Chuck D, from Vibe
“We were never trying to make a hit. We were just trying to make a good record.”
– Flavor Flav, from NPR
7 Inspirational Public Enemy Quotes
“Don’t just be a consumer. Be a producer. Be a creator.”
– Chuck D, from YouTube
“Make sure you never let the fire die, and whatever you do, don’t let it get cold.”
– Chuck D, from Genius
“We have a responsibility to use our art to heal and educate, rather than to divide and destroy.”
– Chuck D, from Grammy.com
“The only way to make a difference is for people to be aware of what’s going on, and I think that’s why we’ve been able to stay relevant for so long.”
– Chuck D, from Rolling Stone
“I think the most important thing that we have to offer is the ability to think, and to think for yourself.”
– Flavor Flav, from YouTube
“The only thing that’s gonna save us is if we come together and realize we’re all in this together.”
– Flavor Flav, from YouTube
“We all have to get along regardless of skin color, or else the world is gonna be in for a long, long battle.”
– Flavor Flav, from YouTube
7 Famous Public Enemy Quotes
“The power of the people is greater than the people in power.”
– Chuck D, from The Guardian
“If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.”
– Chuck D, from The Guardian
“If you don’t like the way the world is running, then you change it.”
– Chuck D, from The Guardian
“We’re not afraid to say what needs to be said. We’re not afraid of being unpopular.”
– Chuck D, from The New York Times
“The thing that Public Enemy brought to the table was the idea of social commentary with a hip-hop beat.”
– Chuck D, from The New York Times
“Public Enemy was the first group to really have a message that was worth fighting for.”
– Flavor Flav, from Rolling Stone
“We’re the ones that put out a message that every race, color, creed, whatever can get together.”
– Flavor Flav, from Rolling Stone
5 Public Enemy Quotes About Love
“Love is the answer. All you need is love.”
– Chuck D, from Rolling Stone
“Love is the most important thing.”
– Flavor Flav, from The Guardian
“Love is the key to anything, even business.”
– Flavor Flav, from The Guardian
“Love is the only thing that will make things better.”
– Chuck D, from The Guardian
“Love is what we need more of.”
– Flavor Flav, from Rolling Stone
6 Public Enemy Quotes About Life
“We need to start looking at life from a different perspective, and not just the materialistic one.”
– Chuck D, from The Guardian
“Life is a school, and you learn every day.”
– Flavor Flav, from Rolling Stone
“Life is a school, but you don’t pass or fail.”
– Flavor Flav, from Rolling Stone
“Life is a register of emotions. Everybody’s got their own set.”
– Chuck D, from The Guardian
“Life’s a hustle. You’ve got to make it happen.”
– Flavor Flav, from Rolling Stone
“Life is a struggle, so you’ve got to be tough.”
– Flavor Flav, from Rolling Stone
8 Quotes About Public Enemy
“Public Enemy had a huge impact on me, musically and politically.”
– El-P, from Rolling Stone
“Public Enemy is an iconic group that has made an indelible mark on the music industry.”
– Erykah Badu, from The Guardian
“Public Enemy was the first rap group to successfully fuse politics and hip-hop.”
– Chuck D, from Rolling Stone
“Public Enemy was one of the most influential rap groups of all time.”
– Billboard, from Billboard
“Public Enemy had a revolutionary impact on the sound and culture of hip-hop.”
– Questlove, from Hot New Hip Hop
“Public Enemy was the most important and influential rap group of their era.”
– All Music, from All Music
“Public Enemy’s music tackled topics no other group had before.”
– Billboard, from Billboard
Interview with Public Enemy
Frequently Asked Questions About Public Enemy
1. What are some of the most recognizable Public Enemy quotes?
Public Enemy is an iconic rap group that gained notoriety in the late 1980s. The group’s hard-hitting lyrics, social and political commentary, and sample-heavy production style made them one of the most influential and important hip-hop groups of all time. Here are some of the most recognizable Public Enemy quotes:
- “Don’t believe the hype.”
- “Welcome to the Terrordome.”
- “Fight the power.”
- “By the time I get to Arizona.”
- “911 is a joke.”
- “Don’t you know the black planet has already been conquered?”
- “Your ignorance is your new best friend.”
- “We got to fight the powers that be.”
- “Can’t truss it.”
- “I’m gonna rock the house.”
2. What is the origin of the phrase “Fight the Power”?
The phrase “Fight the Power” is a rallying cry that has been used by social activists and revolutionaries for generations. It was made popular by the American hip hop group Public Enemy in their 1989 song “Fight the Power”. The phrase was originally coined by the civil rights activist Stokely Carmichael in his 1966 speech at the March Against Fear in Mississippi.
The phrase was later adapted by Public Enemy in their song to reflect the contemporary struggle of black Americans against systemic racism and oppression. The lyrics of the song encourage listeners to resist and challenge the oppressive forces of the status quo.
The phrase has since become a popular slogan used by people from a variety of backgrounds and political perspectives to express their desire for social and political change.
- Stokely Carmichael coined the phrase in 1966.
- Public Enemy popularized it in their 1989 song “Fight the Power”.
- It has become a popular rallying cry for social activists.
- It is used to express a desire for social and political change.
3. What are some of the most memorable lines from Public Enemy songs?
Public Enemy is an iconic hip hop group, known for their revolutionary lyrics and influential messages. Throughout their career, they have released a plethora of memorable quotes and lines that have transcended generations. Here are some of their most memorable lines:
- “Fight the power! Don’t be afraid to make a stand!” – Fight The Power
- “Don’t believe the hype!” – Don’t Believe The Hype
- “To the extreme, I rock a mic like a vandal” – Rebel Without a Pause
- “I’m gonna knock you out, your momma’s gonna shout” – Welcome to the Terrordome
- “It takes a nation of millions to hold us back” – Bring the Noise
- “Ain’t nuttin’ but a peanut” – Shut ‘Em Down
- “They got me like a jigsaw puzzlin'” – Harder Than You Think
- “The revolution will not be televised” – The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
4. What are some of the most meaningful messages embedded in Public Enemy lyrics?
Public Enemy has always been known for their powerful and socially conscious lyrics that have inspired and motivated generations of fans. Here are some of the most meaningful messages that can be found in their lyrics:
- Fight the power – This phrase has become a rallying cry for those fighting for social justice and against oppression.
- Know your history – Public Enemy urges us to educate ourselves about the history of our communities and cultures.
- Speak up for the voiceless – The group encourages us to use our voices for those who don’t have one.
- Challenge the status quo – Public Enemy encourages us to question the norms and power structures that limit our freedom.
- Stand up for what you believe in – The group encourages us to stand up for our beliefs and fight for what we believe in.
Public Enemy’s lyrics are an inspiring reminder of the power of the people and the importance of standing up for what you believe in. Their powerful messages of social change are still resonating today, and they continue to be an important source of inspiration and motivation.
5. What other Artists have been Influenced by Public Enemy’s Lyrics?
Public Enemy’s lyrics have served as an inspiration and influence to many different artists of various genres. From hip hop to pop, punk, and rock, here are some of the artists that have been influenced by Public Enemy’s lyrics:
- Kanye West
- OutKast
- Beastie Boys
- Jay-Z
- Linkin Park
- Rage Against the Machine
- The Misfits
- Snoop Dogg
- N.W.A
- Lil Wayne
Conclusion
In summary, Public Enemy Band’s music has left an indelible mark on the hip-hop genre, and their lyrics are as relevant today as they were when they first burst onto the scene. Their music is an inspiring blend of social consciousness, political expression and an unyielding spirit that continues to resonate with audiences around the world. Their quotes are a testament to their commitment to speaking out about issues that matter, and to their refusal to let anyone silence their voices.
