June 24, 2019

Public Enemy "It Takes A Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back"

Public Enemy It Takes a Nation of Millions to hold Us back Spin Magazine
Public Enemy It Takes a Nation of Millions to hold Us back Spin Magazine

In 1988, Public Enemy released their sophomore album, 'It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back,' through Def Jam Records. I'd bet some of you weren't even alive when this album dropped. In The Source's 100th issue in 1998, they ranked 'It Takes a Nation...' as the Best Album ... ever! When you consider the impact its had on people and the culture, Public Enemy earned that spot with this album. I included the original review in Spin Magazine in 1988 above, but I also refer to a separate Vibe article in '04 where they looked back at the album and said: 'Chuck and Flav were perhaps the oddest couple in rap history. On their sophomore release, along with Terminator X, Professor Griff, and the SW1, Public Enemy waged a fiery war of words on the powers that be over superior tracks from Hank Shocklee and the Bomb Squad. With this mighty LP, Public Enemy birthed a nation of revolutionaries.' Yes, Yes and Yes. On a personal note, I wrote Chuck D an e-mail many years ago asking for support on an initiative, and he responded ... on his birthday ... in a foreign country ... and gave me true words of encouragement, as well as a quote that I could use in the one-sheet for the project. He's on the front lines and has my eternal respect for all his pioneering contributions. 'I'm even lethal when I'm unarmed / Cause I'm louder than a bomb...' Watch the music video below...