Public Enemy

Public Enemy

East Coast hip-hop, hardcore hip-hop, political hip-hop, progressive rap

United States Est. 1986

"The music is characterized by its relentless rhythm and layered samples that create an intense sonic tapestry, propelling messages forward with unyielding force."

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Begin with Public Enemy…

Muse Sick-n-Hour Mess Age

Muse Sick-n-Hour Mess Age

1994
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Career Arc

Public Enemy's discography from 1987 to 2020

1987 2003 2020
Yo! Bum Rush the Show (1987) Bring the Noise (1987) You're Gonna Get Yours (1987) Rebel Without a Pause (1987) It Takes a Nation of Mill... (1988) Night of the Living Baseh... (1988) Fight the Power (1989) Fear of a Black Planet (1990) 911 Is a Joke (1990) Apocalypse 91... The Enem... (1991) Shut Em Down (1991) Greatest Misses (1992) Muse Sick-n-Hour Mess Age (1994) He Got Game (1998) There's a Poison Goin' On (1999) BTN 2000 (2000) The Best of Public Enemy (2001) Revolverlution (2003) It Takes a Nation: The Fi... (2005) New Whirl Odor (2005)
Public Enemy matters for their fearless confrontation of social injustice, effectively transforming hip-hop into a powerful platform for political discourse.
Public Enemy matters for their fearless confrontation of social injustice, effectively transforming hip-hop into a powerful platform for political discourse. They challenged the status quo, using their music to amplify marginalized voices and raise awareness about systemic issues, thus reshaping the cultural landscape of the genre and inspiring future generations of artists to engage with activism through their art. Their innovative approach combines dense layers of production with aggressive delivery, resulting in a sound that demands attention. Public Enemy’s use of sampling and sonic collage creates a chaotic yet cohesive musical environment that mirrors the urgency of their message. This method not only enhances their lyrical content but also reinforces the sense of community within the hip-hop scene, encouraging collaboration and dialogue. Lyrically, Public Enemy often explores themes of empowerment, resistance, and identity, employing a confrontational tone that balances irony with sincerity. Their storytelling merges personal experience with broader societal critiques, allowing listeners to connect deeply with both the personal and political narratives presented. This duality creates an engaging listening experience that resonates on multiple levels.

Full discography

Public Enemy's albums in order, from earliest releases to latest.

35 releases • 26 albums • 1987–2020
Type:

Albums ()

Nothing Is Quick in the Desert album by Public Enemy

Nothing Is Quick in the Desert

2017

Man Plans God Laughs album by Public Enemy

Man Plans God Laughs

2015

Most of My Heroes Still Don't Appear on No Stamp album by Public Enemy

Most of My Heroes Still Don't Appear on No Stamp

2012

The Evil Empire of Everything album by Public Enemy

The Evil Empire of Everything

2012

Remix of a Nation album by Public Enemy

Remix of a Nation

2007

Fight the Power: Greatest Hits Live! album by Public Enemy

Fight the Power: Greatest Hits Live!

2007

How You Sell Soul to a Soulless People Who Sold Their Soul? album by Public Enemy

How You Sell Soul to a Soulless People Who Sold Their Soul?

2007

Bring That Beat Back album by Public Enemy

Bring That Beat Back

2006

Rebirth of a Nation album by Public Enemy

Rebirth of a Nation

2006

It Takes a Nation: The First London Invasion Tour 1987 album by Public Enemy

It Takes a Nation: The First London Invasion Tour 1987

2005

New Whirl Odor album by Public Enemy

New Whirl Odor

2005

Power to the People and the Beats: Public Enemy's Greatest Hits album by Public Enemy

Power to the People and the Beats: Public Enemy's Greatest Hits

2005

Beats and Places album by Public Enemy

Beats and Places

2005

Revolverlution album by Public Enemy

Revolverlution

2003

The Best of Public Enemy album by Public Enemy

The Best of Public Enemy

2001

BTN 2000 album by Public Enemy

BTN 2000

2000

There's a Poison Goin' On album by Public Enemy

There's a Poison Goin' On

1999

He Got Game album by Public Enemy

He Got Game

1998

Muse Sick-n-Hour Mess Age album by Public Enemy

Muse Sick-n-Hour Mess Age

1994

Greatest Misses album by Public Enemy

Greatest Misses

1992

Apocalypse 91... The Enemy Strikes Black album by Public Enemy

Apocalypse 91... The Enemy Strikes Black

1991

Fear of a Black Planet album by Public Enemy

Fear of a Black Planet

1990

It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back album by Public Enemy

It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back

1988

Yo! Bum Rush the Show album by Public Enemy

Yo! Bum Rush the Show

1987

What You Gonna Do When the Grid Goes Down? album by Public Enemy

What You Gonna Do When the Grid Goes Down?

2020

Fight the Power... Live! album by Public Enemy

Fight the Power... Live!

Singles ()

Harder Than You Think album by Public Enemy

Harder Than You Think

2007

Shut Em Down album by Public Enemy

Shut Em Down

1991

911 Is a Joke album by Public Enemy

911 Is a Joke

1990

Fight the Power album by Public Enemy

Fight the Power

1989

Night of the Living Baseheads album by Public Enemy

Night of the Living Baseheads

1988

Bring the Noise album by Public Enemy

Bring the Noise

1987

You're Gonna Get Yours album by Public Enemy

You're Gonna Get Yours

1987

Rebel Without a Pause album by Public Enemy

Rebel Without a Pause

1987

Black Is Back album by Public Enemy

Black Is Back

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Timeline

How their sound evolved over time

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Public Enemy sound like?

The music is characterized by its relentless rhythm and layered samples that create an intense sonic tapestry, propelling messages forward with unyielding force. Rooted in hardcore hip-hop and East Coast hip-hop. Start with It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back.

What is the best Public Enemy album to start with?

The best album to start with is "It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back" (1988). It's the most representative of what makes Public Enemy worth hearing.

Who is Public Enemy for?

If you're into hardcore hip-hop and East Coast hip-hop, Public Enemy is worth your time. The music is characterized by its relentless rhythm and layered samples that create an intense sonic tapestry, propelling messages forward with unyielding force.

How many albums does Public Enemy have?

Public Enemy has 35 releases in their discography, including 26 albums.

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