Is The Evil Empire of Everything a good place to start with Public Enemy?

Yes, The Evil Empire of Everything is recommended as a starting point for new Public Enemy listeners. A politically charged blend of hard-hitting beats, incisive lyricism, and a call for social justice reverberates throughout the album. By the time of its release in January 2012, Public Enemy was navigating a complex legacy as pioneers of political rap. This album arrived after a decade-long hiatus following their last studio album, 'Revolverlution' in 2002, marking their return to addressing contemporary societal issues. The group continued to evolve their sound while maintaining their commitment to activism and critique of systemic injustices.

Who is The Evil Empire of Everything for?

The Evil Empire of Everything works well if you're into politically charged urgency, dynamic progression with peaks and thought-provoking lyrical engagement.

How many songs are on The Evil Empire of Everything?

The Evil Empire of Everything has 13 tracks, running approximately 50 minutes.

The Evil Empire of Everything

Public Enemy · 2012

50 min · 13 tracks · hardcore hip-hop

A politically charged blend of hard-hitting beats, incisive lyricism, and a call for social justice reverberates throughout the album.

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Top tracks — play these first

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The Evil Empire of… Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Beyond Trayvon — This track serves as a poignant reflection on racial profiling and injustice in America, making it a crucial commentary in light of national discussions regarding race.
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Riotstarted! — The song captures Public Enemy's raw energy and urgency, channeling frustration towards systemic oppression while urging listeners to take action.
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Say It Like It Really Is / Spit Your Mind, Part IV — This closing track encapsulates the album's themes of honesty and authenticity in addressing social issues, reinforcing Public Enemy's mission to provoke thought and inspire change.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album blends incisive lyricism with strong beats, addressing social justice while maintaining a distinct Public Enemy sound.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of hard-hitting beats that underpin the politically charged lyrics across nearly all tracks.
Each track typically includes multiple vocal layers, with Chuck D's commanding delivery complemented by Flavor Flav's contrasting style.
Several tracks incorporate samples from classic funk and soul records, enhancing the depth of the production while maintaining a modern edge.
The sequencing alternates between aggressive anthems and reflective pieces, creating a dynamic flow that addresses various social issues.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

politically charged urgency
dynamic progression with peaks
thought-provoking lyrical engagement
wave-like emotional shifts
cathartic expression of struggle

Maybe skip if you

dislike politically driven themes
prefer consistent pacing throughout

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Shows continued relevance with strong social commentary after a long hiatus.
Career context: By the time of its release in January 2012, Public Enemy was navigating a complex legacy as pioneers of political rap. This album arrived after a decade-long hiatus following their last studio album, 'Revolverlution' in 2002, marking their return to addressing contemporary societal issues. The group continued to evolve their sound while maintaining their commitment to activism and critique of systemic injustices.
Stylistic neighbors: KRS-One· Nas· A Tribe Called Quest

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Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

Beyond Trayvon

The narrative shifts from personal grief to broader societal implications surrounding racial violence.

This structural choice emphasizes the collective impact of individual tragedies, reinforcing the urgency of addressing systemic racism.