Public Enemy performing Fear of a Black Planet

The year was 1990, I was 5 and still in the height of my Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle craze. I didn't know about music that wasn't on Sesame Street, let alone the idea of hip-hop, still largely amongst the African-American community. In fact, most of us had no idea. And then came along Fear of a Black Planet.


Ignoring the garish clock-laden neck-wear of Flava Flav, Public Enemy (specifically lead lyricist Chuck D) challenged the notion of music, allowing the largely ignorant caucasian listeners to see things from an afro-centric point of view. And they did it with bloody good songs and clever lyrics.

The album went platinum and hit the charts in many countries. It even got added to the USA's Library of Congress' National Recording Registry. Despite the greatness of the album, most of us will know it for it's closing track, Fight the Power.

In celebration of 20 years since this groundbreaking release, my alma mater the University of Iowa (GO HAWKEYES!) hosted a hip-hop exhibit entitled “Two Turntables and a Microphone: Hip-Hop Contexts”. As part of this, Public Enemy got together to host a discussion panel on Fear of a Black Planet. And then they performed the album in full.

"That's great Chuck, but that's half a world away and a few months in the past!" I hear you saying. Yes, but now Public Enemy is taking the album tour on the road. And they'll be bringing it to our little town on January 5 2011, at the Sunset Sounds festival. Held at the Riverstage.

I presume they are the headliners, as the rest of the lineup will be announced on August 11th.