Public Enemy


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Public Enemy
It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back
Release Date: 1988 04 zz
Running Time: 57:51
Label: Universal Music TV
Rating:

Yo! Bum Rush the Show was an invigorating record, but it looks like child's play compared to its monumental sequel, It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back, a record that rewrote the rules of what hip-hop could do. That's not to say the album is without precedent, since what's particularly ingenious about the album is how it reconfigures things that came before into a startling, fresh, modern sound. Public Enemy used the template Run-D.M.C. created of a rap crew as a rock band, then brought in elements of free jazz, hard funk, even musique concrète, via their producing team, the Bomb Squad, creating a dense, ferocious sound unlike anything that came before. This coincided with a breakthrough in Chuck D's writing, both in his themes and lyrics. It's not that Chuck D was smarter or more ambitious than his contemporaries -- certainly, KRS-One tackled many similar sociopolitical tracts, while Rakim had a greater flow -- but he marshaled considerable revolutionary force, clear vision, and a boundless vocabulary to create galvanizing, logical arguments that were undeniable in their strength. They only gained strength from Flavor Flav's frenzied jokes, which provided a needed contrast. What's amazing is how the words and music become intertwined, gaining strength from each other. Though this music is certainly a representation of its time, it hasn't dated at all. It set a standard that few could touch then, and even fewer have attempted to meet since. Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Tracks:
TitleComposerTime
1Countdown to ArmageddonD., Shocklee, Sadler1:42
2Bring the NoiseShocklee, D., Anthrax, Sadler3:45
3Don't Believe the HypeShocklee, Drayton, Flavor Flav, D., Sadler5:19
4Cold Lampin' with FlavorSadler, Drayton, Shocklee4:17
5Terminator X to the Edge of PanicD., Drayton, Flavor Flav, Rogers, Rodgers4:31
6Mind TerroristSadler, D., Shocklee1:21
7Louder Than a BombSadler, D., Shocklee3:38
8Caught, Can We Get a Witness?Shocklee, Sadler, D.4:53
9Show 'Em Whatcha GotD., Shocklee, Sadler1:56
10She Watch Channel Zero?!Shocklee, Sadler, Griffin, Griffin, D., Flavor Flav, Drayton3:49
11Night of the Living BaseheadsSadler, D., Shocklee3:14
12Black Steel in the Hour of ChaosDrayton, Public Enemy, Sadler, D, Shocklee6:23
13Security of the First WorldSadler, D., Shocklee1:20
14Rebel Without a PauseSadler, Rogers, Shocklee, D., Rodgers5:02
15Prophets of RageFlavor Flav, Sadler, Drayton, Shocklee, D.3:18
16Party for Your Right to FightD., Shocklee, Sadler3:24

Other Releases:
It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back [Bonus DVD]
Release Date: 1988
Label: Um3








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