Fans lined up early outside the Center Stage arena to witness a performance from one of the greatest hip-hop groups of all time. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the release of the album, Fear of a Black Planet, Public Enemy kicked off a national tour. The group brought the house down in Atlanta on Sept. 14 before heading to Charlotte, N.C.
Public Enemy was backed by a live band and the S1W (Security of the First World). Dressed in military fatigues and with 9MM handguns strapped to their waists, the S1W marched with strict discipline and kept their composure amid themusical chaos.
Flavor Flav kicked off the show with his hit single, “911 is a Joke.” He wore his trademark clock around his neck and did the “Flava Flav Dance” that he popularized during the late ’80s. Chuck D took the lead and kept the crowd jumping and following his every word as he rapped, “Welcome to the Terrordome,” “Brothers Gonna Work it Out,” “Can’t Do Nuttin’ for Ya Man,” and “Burn Hollywood Burn.”
Chuck D also took the time to address the the immigration crisis in Arizona before rapping,”By the Time I Get to Arizona.”
Public Enemy closed out the show in resounding fashion with the songs, “Night of the Living Baseheads,” and “Fight the Power.”
After the show, rolling out spoke with several fans about the future of conscious rap. –amir shaw
Errol
Washington, D.C.
“Hip-hop is coming back. It’s been suppressed and saturated, but I think there are a lot of emcees who can move it forward. I like Dead Prez and Jedi Mind Tricks.”
Gina
Louisiana
“There is no consciousness in rap. Conscious rap is a thing of the past. That’s why we’re here to pay tribute to Public Enemy because it really doesn’t exist anymore.”
DeMarcus
Atlanta
“Conscious rap is in jeopardy. In hip-hop, we have rappers talking about rims, drugs, violence and guns. There are no more messages in rap. That’s why I am representing for Public Enemy tonight.”
