The greatest intro of a song ever - I got a letter from the government the other day I opened and read it it said they were suckers This should be the national anthem for EVERYONE - the people even if you served or didn’t don’t mistreat us
Whatever anyone says, the album this is off IS the greatest album in rap history. Nothing to this day comes close to me -- between the beautifully menacing beats, to Chuck's narration with Flavor there to break the ice. Groundbreaking. Night of the living Bassheads (anti-crack song during the heart of the epidemic) or Bring the Noise can certainly be added to your list.
@@ABoomerReacts Sounds good. Rebel Without a Pause is my favorite song in history. Think you will like Night of the Living Bassheads. Bring the Noise is also classic - note they remixed the song with the heavy metal band Anthraxx and put the heavy metal version of Bring the Noise on their 91 Album, Apocolapse 91, The Enemy Striked Black.
You’re right about Chuck D’s voice being very clear and forceful. He mastered the art of inflection in his music and had a huge presence on the mic. He took inspiration from Marv Albert’s voice and incorporated that into his music. Thanks for reacting to this timeless classic.
This song is so fucking cool. I love how Chuck doesnt even start rhyming until like 4 bars in. The title alone is one of the most badass combination of words possible.
@@ABoomerReacts Lol its the kind of title that sounds like it would be a metaphor or a reference to something, but its just Chuck D picking the coolest words possible to describe the story.
It Takes a Nation is often considered one of the greates Hip Hop albums of all times. It's also in the top 100 of the greatest albums of all time in any genres. The content and production techniques were revolutionary.
Ok sir, you have now leveled all tf the way up!!!! Public Enemy was Hip Hop Security , they are one of if not thee most important Hip Hop representatives ever. That Bomb squad production was superb. Salute to you , my friend
PUBLIC ENEMY!! One of my very first albums to own as a teen!! Chuck D really deserves his flowers as a lyricist! He's a dope Emcee. Anywho, you got the gist of the song. Chuck D is a revolutionary rapper. Even the title of the group(Public Enemy) with the logo is a powerful statement in itself. In this song he's portraying what many "Brothers" went through and felt about America and the government draft. Meanwhile, even though times may have changed, they were still under a mental state of oppression and slavery while being locked up(in many cases without just cause). His lyrics were showing that when you treat people like animals.. what happens is they start acting like animals and will do anything to be freed(physically and mentally).Killing the women CO is really just to give the listener shock value and keep them staying in tuned to his interpretation of what was happening back then and to what still happens in the present day. You should react to Welcome to the Terrordome from P.E.
Well stated. Even as a child who wasn’t knowledgeable about the penal system, I thought Chuck D was brilliant. He has one of the best rap voices ever, his voice commands you to listen to every word, like your father is talking to you. The juxtaposition of him reminding himself that he was indeed civilized, to subsequently killing a woman CO was a brilliant illustration of how quickly one can lose their humanity under inhumane conditions. It’s also metaphorical to how Black men of African descent were once coveted as scholars, soldiers, sages, and griots, from a glorious history of giving Europeans the model for civilization and how far we have fallen since the slave trade and Jim Crow as a result of their humanity being stolen from them. We can only be better when we remember our humanity and see humanity in eachother that they have been denied as a result of the oppression they face in America today.
I think it was a draft letter. As for shooting the female CO. He said a Few lines before that they captured the 6 C.Os and that they "Ought to put there head out" Meaning these cruel folks might deserve to die but Chuck says he is civil so he will give them a chance to live. He asked the female C.O to call him a helicopter but she refused and tried to run away and he shot her. Showing that meaning yes he will give these prison guards a chance to live but if any if them act up he won't hesitate. I guess. And I guess if you are breaking out of Prison you don't wanted a captured guard escaping and calling the police or something. A great song. Btw the S1Ws were a group associated with Public Enemy. They were like a crew of black brothers who would dress in like cool military type uniforms and where down with the pro black movement and were down with Public Enemy and were a big part of their crew. They are in many PE Music videos and would come out on stage and so on. Some of then were enjoy considered to be part of Public Enemy even though they didn't really make musical contributions. Professor Grif who you will here about if you read about Public Enemy, he was one of them
Great reaction. I know I'm not the only one who discovered PE while being into thrash and punk. For me they blended well with Bad Brains, Fugazi, Megadeth, Metallica, Slayer. Anthrax, Clash, Talking Heads, Ramones, Sonic Youth (who featured Chuck D on Kool Thing) the music of my youth
Here’s a KiLLer Hip-Hop list of songs to review. They are not commercial Rap in any way. 1… “Broken Language” ~ Smooth the Hustla / Trigga the Gambla 2… “Grindin’” ~ The Clipse 3… “T.R.O.Y. / They Reminsce Over You” ~ Pete Rock and CL Smooth 4… “Simon Says” ~ Pharoahe Monche 5… “Brooklyn Zoo” ~ Ole’ Dirty Bastard 6… “Come Clean” ~ Jeru the Damaja 7… “So What’cha Sayin’” ~ EPMD
@@ABoomerReacts Well, let me finish off with my Top 10: 8… “Brooklyn’s Finest” ~ Jay-Z and Biggie Smalls 9… “Liquid Swords” ~ The GZA 10… “Follow the Leader” ~ Eric B. and Rakim ThanQ sir!
Your interpretation was right on. Obviously the exact story is fictional, but Chuck was inspired by his uncles and guys in his neighborhood who were drafted to fight in Viet Nam and came back resenting having to fight for a country that they felt had exploited them. The "black steel" is a triple entendre - jail bars, a gun, and the strength of Black people.
Great review. You have a knack for reviewing songs that trigger my high school nostalgia. I can’t express enough how mind blowing and revolutionary this was in ‘88. Music was made to get on the pop charts and every one sings along merrily. This group released a single that describes chuck d going to prison for refusing to join the army via the draft, then they all concoct a prison breakout. Needless to say, that blew my high school brain.
How about that been looking for a PE reaction and my man came through Public Enemy is my favorite rap group of all times but most people can't stomach it
@@ABoomerReacts after I typed that, ended up watching, great story, with a message, loved the video, set in a prison, with Flava Flav plotting to get him out. Chuck D was/is the man. Didn't get the album til after all the singles dropped but I watched this video and Night of the Living Baseheads over and over again when I was younger. I would record all the video shows. Night of...needs a reaction as well, album version is the same for the video but the video is has edits that enhance the song, side skits that help you understand the meaning of Basehead, although you probably get it. 1988 was a good year for hip hop. This is one reason why, Public Enemy.
PE sampled from these songs @the the beginning of that song ⭐Little Green Apples by The Escorts (1973) get in that cell @5:12 ⭐Living for the City by Stevie Wonder/Innervisions (1973) piano sound is around @7:15 ⭐Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic by Isaac Hayes (1969)
@@ABoomerReacts Okay Cool I enjoyed watching And Im a 80s baby who grew up on alot of 80s Hip Hop as a kid in the 80s I don't know what music you were listening to 35 to 40 years ago, But if it was'nt Rap Music I can feel you in on some good stuff for some good reactions.🎶😎
Black steel was just monster when it came out, couldn't stop listening to it . You could react to almost anything public enemy and you Got me, consistently powerful. By the time I get to Arizona or can't truss it are equally powerful and forceful
Idk the name of this song..Thanx Boom lol Now, u maybe can see why we was last to the NWA party. Public enemy was getn Letters from the Government b4 anybody lol If I'm not mistaken it was bc of the Video of "Night Of The Living Baseheads"(Dope Verison). These guys really had white America Quaking n their boots on that 1st album frfr 🤣
Another Boomer. Chances are it was a selective service notice, a failure to register for the draft used to be illegal, I don't know if it remains so. I tend to view "message music" as a sub genre so it was just a matter of time before I discovered the incredible early Public Enemy "rekkids"! Enjoy😊!
in my teens i didnt like PE , i loved chuck d who has the best voice in hiphop imo but then flavs voice comes in and kind of ruined it for me, took me decades to get used to the contrast, now i appreciate it more, my favourites apart from this one: invisible man, she watches channel zero, so watcha gonna do now, love the reactions
If that was head bopping, then you need some dance lessons 🤣😂😂 just kidding my guy, you did great glad you liked the song it’s a classic. Keep reacting it was good.
@@joejohnson9024 Haha. In my defense, I have to synch audio and video and (with head bopping especially) I sometimes don't match it perfectly. That's my story and I'm sticking to it! 😜
The greatest intro of a song ever - I got a letter from the government the other day I opened and read it it said they were suckers
This should be the national anthem for EVERYONE - the people even if you served or didn’t don’t mistreat us
Whatever anyone says, the album this is off IS the greatest album in rap history. Nothing to this day comes close to me -- between the beautifully menacing beats, to Chuck's narration with Flavor there to break the ice. Groundbreaking. Night of the living Bassheads (anti-crack song during the heart of the epidemic) or Bring the Noise can certainly be added to your list.
Thanks! Both of those songs are on my list. I want to do a couple more songs off of this album before I react to later songs.
@@ABoomerReacts Sounds good. Rebel Without a Pause is my favorite song in history. Think you will like Night of the Living Bassheads. Bring the Noise is also classic - note they remixed the song with the heavy metal band Anthraxx and put the heavy metal version of Bring the Noise on their 91 Album, Apocolapse 91, The Enemy Striked Black.
@@dareal05 Thanks for the heads-up!
If not the greateast definitely one of the most important in any genre
The greatest with Paid in Full being the second greatest.
Chuck D is a national treasure! His lyrics taught me a lot when I was a teen. Love his side projects like a Prophets of Rage too.
Public Enemy,
"My Uzi weighs a Ton"
Thanks, Damon! I'll add it to my list.
You’re right about Chuck D’s voice being very clear and forceful. He mastered the art of inflection in his music and had a huge presence on the mic. He took inspiration from Marv Albert’s voice and incorporated that into his music. Thanks for reacting to this timeless classic.
The beat came from Issac Hayes classic Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic
That's a mouthful!
What a nice surprise, my favorite song from my favorite album! Glad you liked it.
That “piano” comes from Isaac Hayes!
Great song off a great album! Honestly that album(It Takes A Nation Of Millions) is not talked about enough.
I frigging love that song. Public Enemy is pure unadulterated Art.
This song is so fucking cool. I love how Chuck doesnt even start rhyming until like 4 bars in. The title alone is one of the most badass combination of words possible.
All my questions about "black steel" and "hour of chaos" were answered in the song. I love it when that happens. It could've easily been a metaphor.
@@ABoomerReacts Lol its the kind of title that sounds like it would be a metaphor or a reference to something, but its just Chuck D picking the coolest words possible to describe the story.
That piano is a sample from the great Isaac Hayes' Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic song.
Ah. Isaac Hayes is great but I didn't recognize the sample.
@@ABoomerReacts It's at the 7 minute 15 seconds point of Mr. Hayes' song
@@sicilia71 thank you for that. Dope!
It Takes a Nation is often considered one of the greates Hip Hop albums of all times. It's also in the top 100 of the greatest albums of all time in any genres. The content and production techniques were revolutionary.
I have Nation of Millions and 3 Feet High Rising as my top 2.
What do you think is the next song from the album I should react to?
@@danielbalboni6804 I've done reactions from both of those albums. 👍🏼👍🏼
Top 10 album imo
@@ABoomerReacts I think you should go with Bring the Noise.
Ok sir, you have now leveled all tf the way up!!!! Public Enemy was Hip Hop Security , they are one of if not thee most important Hip Hop representatives ever. That Bomb squad production was superb. Salute to you , my friend
Thank you1
I'm fifty years old and a true Hip Hop head . . . It Takes A Million' is the dopest Album not only in Hip Hop but of any album ever!
Bring the Noise is a popular request. Maybe it'll be my next PE reaction.
PUBLIC ENEMY 🔥🔥🔥
Been a fan since I was like 12 or something 😊 42 now
Legendary group.
Same here man. Grew up with PE, NWA, Geto Boys, Paris, Ice-T... Those were the days! (44, 45 this year.)
Public Enemy - 'Welcome To The Terrordome'
Thanks, Kai! That's def on my list.
Hey my brother, to me this is their best song. The opening lines I still replay in my head weekly.
The video is bad ass
flavor flav has a song called 911 is a joke which was popular from public enemy. but they have a lot of faster songs too
911 is a Joke is a popular request
PUBLIC ENEMY!! One of my very first albums to own as a teen!! Chuck D really deserves his flowers as a lyricist! He's a dope Emcee. Anywho, you got the gist of the song. Chuck D is a revolutionary rapper. Even the title of the group(Public Enemy) with the logo is a powerful statement in itself. In this song he's portraying what many "Brothers" went through and felt about America and the government draft. Meanwhile, even though times may have changed, they were still under a mental state of oppression and slavery while being locked up(in many cases without just cause). His lyrics were showing that when you treat people like animals.. what happens is they start acting like animals and will do anything to be freed(physically and mentally).Killing the women CO is really just to give the listener shock value and keep them staying in tuned to his interpretation of what was happening back then and to what still happens in the present day. You should react to Welcome to the Terrordome from P.E.
Thanks for the great comment, Robert! Welcome to the Terrordome is a popular request. It might have to be my next PE reaction.
@@ABoomerReacts Right on Brian!!
Well stated. Even as a child who wasn’t knowledgeable about the penal system, I thought Chuck D was brilliant. He has one of the best rap voices ever, his voice commands you to listen to every word, like your father is talking to you. The juxtaposition of him reminding himself that he was indeed civilized, to subsequently killing a woman CO was a brilliant illustration of how quickly one can lose their humanity under inhumane conditions. It’s also metaphorical to how Black men of African descent were once coveted as scholars, soldiers, sages, and griots, from a glorious history of giving Europeans the model for civilization and how far we have fallen since the slave trade and Jim Crow as a result of their humanity being stolen from them. We can only be better when we remember our humanity and see humanity in eachother that they have been denied as a result of the oppression they face in America today.
He didn’t kill the lady, he clocked her meaning he knocked her out
He says he "popped" her.
@@ABoomerReacts I stand corrected, I that case she deserved it
I think it was a draft letter. As for shooting the female CO. He said a Few lines before that they captured the 6 C.Os and that they "Ought to put there head out" Meaning these cruel folks might deserve to die but Chuck says he is civil so he will give them a chance to live. He asked the female C.O to call him a helicopter but she refused and tried to run away and he shot her. Showing that meaning yes he will give these prison guards a chance to live but if any if them act up he won't hesitate. I guess. And I guess if you are breaking out of Prison you don't wanted a captured guard escaping and calling the police or something.
A great song.
Btw the S1Ws were a group associated with Public Enemy. They were like a crew of black brothers who would dress in like cool military type uniforms and where down with the pro black movement and were down with Public Enemy and were a big part of their crew. They are in many PE Music videos and would come out on stage and so on. Some of then were enjoy considered to be part of Public Enemy even though they didn't really make musical contributions. Professor Grif who you will here about if you read about Public Enemy, he was one of them
Thanks for all that backstory! You can see in the video that I shrugged when Chuck D mentioned S1Ws. 🤷🏻♂🤷🏻♂
@@ABoomerReacts LOL, I noticed
Honestly what you said at 11:50, confirms what I always felt about 1988!
I'm happy to hear that you confirm it to me.
Great reaction. I know I'm not the only one who discovered PE while being into thrash and punk. For me they blended well with Bad Brains, Fugazi, Megadeth, Metallica, Slayer. Anthrax, Clash, Talking Heads, Ramones, Sonic Youth (who featured Chuck D on Kool Thing) the music of my youth
Did you get into anyone else? DMX, Onyx? I like a lot of "fight-starter" songs. I should make a playlist of them.
you are not the only one. same here
I always saw 'black steel' as the gun in the hour of chaos.
Ah. Could be.
Here’s a KiLLer Hip-Hop list of songs to review. They are not commercial Rap in any way.
1… “Broken Language” ~ Smooth the Hustla / Trigga the Gambla
2… “Grindin’” ~ The Clipse
3… “T.R.O.Y. / They Reminsce Over You” ~ Pete Rock and CL Smooth
4… “Simon Says” ~ Pharoahe Monche
5… “Brooklyn Zoo” ~ Ole’ Dirty Bastard
6… “Come Clean” ~ Jeru the Damaja
7… “So What’cha Sayin’” ~ EPMD
Thanks for the list. I've reacted to 3, 5, 6, & 7. And I'll add the others to my list.
@@ABoomerReacts Well, let me finish off with my Top 10:
8… “Brooklyn’s Finest” ~ Jay-Z and Biggie Smalls
9… “Liquid Swords” ~ The GZA
10… “Follow the Leader” ~ Eric B. and Rakim
ThanQ sir!
@@gaffle-411 Those songs are def on my must-do list.
Legendary!
Chuck D was supposed to be a sports announcer, but things went the other way.
Luckily he chose Hip Hop 😃
Can you check out "Fat Cats, Bigga Fish" by the Coup when you get a chance?
te coup, oakland's own
Sounds interesting! I'll add it to my list.
@@ABoomerReacts Really dope song with a story. I wont spoil anything, but its awesome. Album version is better than radio/music video version.
Yup that’s a great song great story telling. The video is great too.
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥classic ♾
Your interpretation was right on. Obviously the exact story is fictional, but Chuck was inspired by his uncles and guys in his neighborhood who were drafted to fight in Viet Nam and came back resenting having to fight for a country that they felt had exploited them. The "black steel" is a triple entendre - jail bars, a gun, and the strength of Black people.
Thanks for the backstory, Jeffrey. I didn't even think of prison bars.
there is no 'felt had exploited them', it's a hardcore fact. no feeling involved.
Good reaction Brian. Public Enemy aka P.E. albums are like movies. They entertain and have a message and they are OG
Thanks, Jeff!
Saw you wanted do some more reactions to this album:
- Bring the Noise
- Don't Believe the Hype
- Louder Than a Bomb
- She Watched Channel Zero
✌
The Lox blessed PE's beat a month ago
The Lox - Terminator X
It made 1 mil views in a month, not bad for such an old beat 😊
Thanks for the suggestions! They were all on my list except for She Watched Channel Zero. I'll add it now.
What does "blessed" mean in this context?
About blessed
They murdered the beat 😄
@@DutchWeazel Ah, got it. I learn something new every day.
Great review. You have a knack for reviewing songs that trigger my high school nostalgia. I can’t express enough how mind blowing and revolutionary this was in ‘88. Music was made to get on the pop charts and every one sings along merrily. This group released a single that describes chuck d going to prison for refusing to join the army via the draft, then they all concoct a prison breakout. Needless to say, that blew my high school brain.
Thanks, Cedric!
I know you don't watch videos but PE videos gives the song even more meaning.
How about that been looking for a PE reaction and my man came through
Public Enemy is my favorite rap group of all times but most people can't stomach it
I also reacted to Rebel Without a Pause.
just seen the thumbnail, I'll have to save this for the afterwork tomorrow, can't wait
No spoilers from me.
@@ABoomerReacts after I typed that, ended up watching, great story, with a message, loved the video, set in a prison, with Flava Flav plotting to get him out. Chuck D was/is the man. Didn't get the album til after all the singles dropped but I watched this video and Night of the Living Baseheads over and over again when I was younger. I would record all the video shows. Night of...needs a reaction as well, album version is the same for the video but the video is has edits that enhance the song, side skits that help you understand the meaning of Basehead, although you probably get it. 1988 was a good year for hip hop. This is one reason why, Public Enemy.
@@derr3alex I watched it after - it was a fun video.
PE sampled from these songs
@the the beginning of that song
⭐Little Green Apples
by The Escorts (1973)
get in that cell @5:12
⭐Living for the City
by Stevie Wonder/Innervisions (1973)
piano sound is around @7:15
⭐Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic
by Isaac Hayes (1969)
Thanks for the list! I'm horrible at recognizing samples unless it's blatant.
This songsheds light on the Colin Kapernick situation immensely, even though it was written over 20 yrs ago
That never occurred to me when I was listening to it. I'll go back and listen to it again with that in mind. Thanks!
I don't know If you Know or not, But there is a video for this song, And If you have'nt seen it check it out. It's Dope. Good Reaction.🎶🔥🔥🔥😎
Yes, I watched the video. You're right - it's great.
@@ABoomerReacts Okay Cool I enjoyed watching And Im a 80s baby who grew up on alot of 80s Hip Hop as a kid in the 80s I don't know what music you were listening to 35 to 40 years ago, But if it was'nt Rap Music I can feel you in on some good stuff for some good reactions.🎶😎
Black steel was just monster when it came out, couldn't stop listening to it . You could react to almost anything public enemy and you Got me, consistently powerful. By the time I get to Arizona or can't truss it are equally powerful and forceful
Thanks, Ennis! I can see why it was a monster - such a great beat and story. The other 2 songs you mentioned are def on my list.
I like the story telling Chuck d hits hard all the time! And flava hyped it up it’s good music
Dope reaction!
Gotta check out the music video...
Thanks! I watch all the official music videos after I have filmed my reaction.
also check out "Prophets Of Rage" by Public Enemy (also from this album)
Thanks! I'll add it to my list.
The woman CO fought back and tried to escape
Yes, it would be her job to do that.
If u shed a tear it's OK. We understand.
Back then when you could understand the rappers lyrics
I really don't know what mumble rap is but I'm guessing you can't understand them.
S1Ws =security of the first world
Thanks, Bryan!
Idk the name of this song..Thanx Boom lol
Now, u maybe can see why we was last to the NWA party. Public enemy was getn Letters from the Government b4 anybody lol
If I'm not mistaken it was bc of the Video of "Night Of The Living Baseheads"(Dope Verison). These guys really had white America Quaking n their boots on that 1st album frfr 🤣
It was white America's turn to quake in their boots. Still is.
You're only four years older than member Chuck D
He's still a whippersnapper to me. 😜😜
Please react to KRS one “ sound of the police”
Thanks, William! That song is def on my list.
Same sample as the game - remedy.
Another Boomer. Chances are it was a selective service notice, a failure to register for the draft used to be illegal, I don't know if it remains so. I tend to view "message music" as a sub genre so it was just a matter of time before I discovered the incredible early Public Enemy "rekkids"! Enjoy😊!
Thanks!
Are you reading from Wikipedia?
Many sources.
Hello Boomer check out Russell Simmons RESPONSE to d j Akademiks call hiphop pioneers dusty. It about 3 minutes long. I think you’ll like it.
Thanks, Curtis! I'll check it out now.
in my teens i didnt like PE , i loved chuck d who has the best voice in hiphop imo but then flavs voice comes in and kind of ruined it for me, took me decades to get used to the contrast, now i appreciate it more, my favourites apart from this one: invisible man, she watches channel zero, so watcha gonna do now, love the reactions
Thanks, Demoremda! Zero is on my list and I'll add the other 2.
Can't trust it. For that one you want to do the video.
Can't trust what?
That's the name of the song." Can't trust it" by public enemy.
@@rotatopoti Ah, I should have figured it out because it's on my list. 🤷🏻♂🤷🏻♂
If that was head bopping, then you need some dance lessons 🤣😂😂 just kidding my guy, you did great glad you liked the song it’s a classic. Keep reacting it was good.
@@joejohnson9024 Haha. In my defense, I have to synch audio and video and (with head bopping especially) I sometimes don't match it perfectly. That's my story and I'm sticking to it! 😜
Check out X-clan. Grand verbalizer what times is it
X-Clan funkin lesson
Thanks for the suggestions! They're the first X Clan requests on my kist.