Released 38 years ago this June
It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back
Public Enemy · 1988
57 min · 16 tracks · hardcore hip-hop · East Coast hip-hop · political hip-hop
Aggressive beats and incisive lyrics fuse to create an explosive manifesto against systemic oppression.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- explosive energy for activism
- dynamic flow with peaks
- cathartic release of frustration
- background for intense discussions
- headbanging anthems for empowerment
Maybe skip if you want
- prefer soft, melodic sounds
- seek consistent, mellow pacing
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on June 30, 1988, 'It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back' was Public Enemy's second studio album, following their debut 'Yo! Bum Rush the Show.' At this point in their career, they were solidifying their reputation as leading voices in political hip-hop, with innovative production from The Bomb Squad that blended samples and noise.
- Stylistic neighbors
- KRS-One· Nas· A Tribe Called Quest
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Countdown to Armageddon 1:40
- 2 Bring the Noise 3:45
- 3 Don’t Believe the Hype 5:19
- 4 Cold Lampin’ With Flavor 4:17
- 5 Terminator X to the Edge of Panic 4:31
- 6 Mind Terrorist 1:20
- 7 Louder Than a Bomb 3:38
- 8 Caught, Can We Get a Witness? 4:53
- 9 Show ’em Whatcha Got 1:56
- 10 She Watch Channel Zero?! 3:49
- 11 Night of the Living Baseheads 3:14
- 12 Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos 6:23
- 13 Security of the First World 1:20
- 14 Rebel Without a Pause 5:02
- 15 Prophets of Rage 3:18
- 16 Party for Your Right to Fight 3:25
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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