There\u2019s not much difference between Public Enemy \u2013 the legendary hip-hop band from Long Island, New York, formed in the 1980s \u2013 and Enemy Radio, a side project of Chuck D with DJ Lord and The S1W (Security of the First World). One of Public Enemy’s leaders, Flavor Flav, has been switched out for Oakland-based MC Jahi, that\u2019s it. It should certainly be added that Enemy Radio, just like Public Enemy, is rooted in old-school hip hop. There is also a definite tilt toward reggae on the song \u201cFood as a Machine Gun\u201d, in which Flavor Flav participates. \u201cEat it up, eat it up \/ They eat it up, they don’t need it\u201d, he exclaims over a mix of rap and reggae beats, supported by the deep voice of Chuck D. Flavor Flav’s relatively limited contribution consists of a few ad-libs that serve as hooks in the song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is nothing transcendent about this new album. It is similar to many works offered over the years by various rappers. Certainly, the catchy track \u201cFood as a Machine Gun\u201d should appeal to fans of the genre, but at least a third of the ten tracks on this production lack originality. This is the case with \u201cSTD\u201d and \u201cSame God\u201d. The start is good, but it stumbles a bit during the performance. The other tracks are quite muscular and successful. One thinks of \u201cBorn Woke\u201d, \u201cMan Listen\u201d and the jazzy \u201cLock Your Wheels\u201d. As a filigree of this 30-minute work, the provocative and intelligent socio-political discourse that we expect from Chuck D and Public Enemy since decades now is still there. We must also mention the numerous scratches (DJ Lord and C-Doc), the heavy beats and the lyrics delivered with a fair amount of aplomb by the rappers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The April Fools publicity stunt ginning up the conflict between Chuck D and Flavor Flav (the latter allegedly abandoned the band) piqued the curiosity of journalists and the public about the album, which is very good for a band (Public Enemy) often neglected by the media, despite its huge success over the last 35 years or so. <\/p>\n\n\n\n