Chuck D is not the cranky uncle you may expect from his fiery rhetoric on white supremacy. Inequality and prison industry issues; instead he is an upbeat realist with warm soul who can represent all hip hop fans; such as Killer Mike and Kanye West respect him as they pay their respect to him.
In 2009, he contributed the foreword for Kamau and Akilah Butler’s book The Love Ethic. Additionally. He sang alongside rock singer Meat Loaf on. “Mad Mad World/The Good God Is a Woman and She Don’t Like Ugly”. From their 2011 album Hell in a Handbasket.
Recently, Chuck D joined UCLA Hip Hop Initiative’s event at California African American. Museum to engage in dialogue and debate alongside. HHI Director Professor Samy Alim, Bunche Assistant Director Tabia Shawel and Ethnomusicology doctoral student Samuel Lamontagne.
Chuck D Is a Legend
Chuck D, the revolutionary MC who guided Public. Enemy through their groundbreaking works such as Fear of a Black Planet and. It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back, remains at the forefront of hip hop. He upholds other artists he works with while receiving uplift from them all in return. You may even hear his name mentioned frequently within songs.
Later career
Chuck D is still an influential voice in hip hop culture despite. Changes to the music business and culture in general. He currently sits on the board of Universal Hip Hop. Museum in New York City and contributed a book on black love ethics.
He spoken out against the US government for using hip hop culture to recruit soldiers. For war (citing Vibe magazine and commercials that promised Hummers and platinum teeth). Collaborated with rock singer Meat Loaf. Duetted with rapper Mat Zo and formed Prophets of Rage alongside B-Real from Rage Against the Machine.
Chuck D, or Carlton Douglas Ridenhour (known by his stage name Public Enemy). Helped pave the way for politically conscious hip hop with Public Enemy and his solo albums. His powerful, authoritative baritone voice provided a platform for verses about crucial issues such as racism and drug epidemics.
With Public Enemy to Chuck D
Chuck D is an undisputed icon and continues to have an immense impact on contemporary rap artists. His legacy lives on. As other musicians use him as an example and often include him in their album. Credits and lyrics as they pay him tribute with lyrical. Shout outs or feature him on their albums as part of their credits.
He stressed the significance of community and education, encouraging students to reject what he termed the “dumbassification of America” caused by programs like Jerry Springer and dating shows, as well as contemporary rappers glamorizing violence and materialism.
Samy Alim welcomed everyone by noting that this same room hosted Jeff Chang’s inaugural Hip Hop Initiative course back in 2005. He then discussed how hip hop has used by people like those in South Africa and France to challenge those with power.
W/ Confrontation Camp
His political convictions led him to join Public Enemy members Professor Griff and Kyle Jason in creating Confrontation Camp; their sole studio album released through Artemis Records on July 25, 2000 and entitle Objects in the Mirror Are Closer than They Appear.
Chuck D enthralled audiences with personal anecdotes of his childhood as an all-round artist (rapper, visual artist and award winning poet), while discussing relevant social and economic issues.
He took issue with America’s imperialistic foreign policy and insisted that “smart bombs” alone won the Gulf War. He likened American culture to empty Jerry Springer-esque dating shows, exhorting audiences to think for themselves – an idea which Space Ghost Coast to Coast promoter continued pushing outwards.
W/ Prophets of Rage in Chuck D
Chuck D and Public Enemy joined forces with guitarist Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave), drummer Brad Wilk (Cypress Hill frontman B-Real) and others to form Prophets of Rage with an intent of spreading their message further afield.
The group’s debut self-titled album proves their success: it has a lively, politically charged rock-rap hybrid with songs like Fight the Power and Killing in the Name Of that continue to excite crowds.
Chuck D points to Kanye West and Dixie Chicks’ public criticisms of George Bush to explain why less musicians are willing to discuss politics today; yet that does not equate to Prophets of Rage being silent on such issues.

Chuck D Is a Wack Mc

Chuck D Is a Wack Mc
Chuck D began attending college parties where anyone could pick up the microphone and emcee, eventually teaming up with Hank Shocklee to form Public Enemy after their demo recording caught producer Rick Rubin’s eye at Def Jam Records.
Professor H. Samy Alim and Bunche assistant director Tabia Shawel co-taught the Hip Hop Initiative’s “Rap, Race and Reality” course this spring; featuring activist/rapper Maya Jupiter.
Rapping Technique and Creative Process
Chuck D, as leader of Public Enemy, social awareness back into hip-hop with a force not Marvin Gaye ask “What’s Going On?”.
Long Island-born rhymer Chris Isaaks has long been recognized for his powerful vocal capabilities on songs with both Public Enemy and Prophets of Rage (his side band featuring members from Rage Against the Machine and Cypress Hill). Additionally, Chris collaborated with rock singer Meat Loaf on Meat Loaf’s 2011 album Hell in a Handbasket.
Chuck D is known for uplifting other musicians and they in turn, lift him. An avid fan of Led Zeppelin and Marvin Gaye among others, Chuck D has often shouted out MCs he admires during performances with either his band or solo acts – always providing high quality results.
Politics and Personal Life
Samy Alim led this course and opened discussion by drawing attention to two significant historical moments: 1) Our room served as the same location where Jeff Chang delivered a keynote for UCLA’s inaugural Undergraduate Hip Hop Studies Conference nearly 11 years prior; and 2) At this momentous occasion we are also meeting in an exact replica of where this conference had its inaugural edition almost exactly 11 years before.
Alim made note that, as Chuck D and Public Enemy have noted for decades now, hip hop has long been used by those at the bottom to fight power — from South Africa and France all the way to Palestine and Brazil.
Alim was shocked to see Chuck D working closely with Antony Blinken’s State Department as an “international music ambassador”, an attempt at mimicking Washington’s Cold War-era efforts at regime change through arts initiatives.
TV Appearances and Discography
Chuck D is known for his extensive hip hop catalog; however, his interests also extend into Classic Rock, R&B and Soul music. Chuck contributed his voice for an episode of PBS series Blues to Sing along to. Additionally, he composed the theme song for ESPN’s Monday Night Baseball show.
He can be heard rapping powerfully on numerous songs, such as “Fight the Power” for The Dillinger Escape Plan film and Meat Loaf’s 2011 album Hell in a Handbasket; additionally he provides play-by-commentary commentary for NBA Ballers basketball video game.
He’s an advocate for other musicians, often appearing on their albums as a guest artist or rapper, often uplifted other rappers or artists who return the favor by including him in their lyrics.
Music Appearances and Music Videos
Chuck D has made appearances on numerous hip hop and rock artists’ albums since 2011. In March 2011, he recorded vocals for The Dillinger Escape Plan’s cover of “Fight the Power,” duetted with Meat Loaf on his 2011 album Hell in a Handbasket, and performed alongside B-Real as former members of Rage Against the Machine as Prophets of Rage.
Chuck D is a visual artist, best-selling author (This Day In Rap History), and founding member of Enemy Arts; his work represents Hip-Hop as well as R&B and Classic Rock genres. Additionally, he has spoken out against numerous social issues; Public Enemy released numerous critically acclaimed albums during their 1980s run such as It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back, Fear of a Black Planet and Apocalypse 91 under his guidance.
Inspiration from Chuck D
Chuck D was studying graphic design at Adelphi University on Long Island when he joined forces with DJ Terminator X, Professor Griff and clock enthusiast Flavor Flav to form Public Enemy – becoming renowned for their outspoken opinions and refusal to shy away from controversy.
Over three decades, they helped pave the way for politically and socially conscious hip-hop music. Still touring frequently today, they remain an influential presence in music.
Chuck D has continued producing new music and publishing poetry. Additionally, he has contributed forewords to books on black love and racism and spoken at academic and technology conferences.