PUBLIC ENEMY

Public Enemy Radio (formerly Public Enemy) is an American hip hop group consisting of Chuck D, Professor Griff, and DJ Lord. Formed in Long Island, New York, in 1985,^[1] they are famous for their music with a heavy political message alongside extreme criticism of the media of the United States, with many of their works also revolving around frustrations and concerns of the African American community.

Public Enemy's debut album, Yo! Bum Rush the Show, was released in 1987 to critical acclaim and their second album, It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (1988), was the first hip hop album to top The Village Voice's Pazz & Jop critics' poll.^[2] The group has gone through lineup changes over the years, with Chuck D being the only constant member of the group. Professor Griff left in 1989 but rejoined in 1998, while DJ Lord joined Public Enemy the same year as the replacement of the group's original DJ Terminator X. Flavor Flav was part of the group from its formation in 1985 to his firing in 2020. Since his departure from the group, Public Enemy tour and record music under the name of Public Enemy Radio which consists of the lineup of Chuck D, Jahi, DJ Lord and the S1Ws.

Public Enemy's first four albums during the late 1980s and early 1990s were all certified either gold or platinum and were, according to music critic Robert Hilburn in 1998, "the most acclaimed body of work ever by a hip hop act".^[3] Critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine called them "the most influential and radical band of their time".^[4] They were inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013.^[5] They were honored the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at the 62nd Grammy Awards.