Legendary hip-hop group Public Enemy shook things up last night when they performed at the Manchester Ritz.
The group’s original line-up came together last year and re-grouped, including Chuck D, Flavor Flav, and Professor Griff. Public Enemy released their debut album, ‘Yo! Bum Rush the Show,’ in 1987. Their sophmore album spawned the smash hit single, “Don’t Believe the Hype.” Public Enemy continued on political themes for their album with the 1990 release of ‘Fear of a Black Planet.’
‘Fear of a Black Planet’ proved to be a crucial album for the group. The album’s lead single, “911 Is a Joke,” became the group’s first Top 40 hit, peaking at No. 34 on the Billboard Hot 100 while reaching No. 15 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart. Another single featured on the album, “Fight the Power,” was used for the soundtrack of the film ‘Do the Right Thing.’ Although the soundtrack version of the song differs from that featured on the album, it was named the Best Single of 1989 by The Village Voice. Since 2005, the album has been featured at the Library of Congress.
The group has released nine more albums since ‘Fear of a Black Planet,’ and are expected to release a new album on 2012.
The group performed every song from ‘Fear of a Black Planet’ at last night’s show and will be performing tonight at Kentish Town Forum in London. They are later expected to be taking the stage at the Bestival Festival.
