Legendary masters of hip-hop Public Enemy made their seventh visit to Australia to play to 800 fans at St Kilda’s Esplanade Hotel on May 17, after consecutive shows in Brisbane and Sydney.
Original members Chuck D and Flavor Flav belted out their most popular hits including “Don’t Believe the Hype”, “Welcome to the Terrordome” and “Fight the Power” from their 25 year-long recording career .
Many in the largely male crowd would not have been born when Public Enemy made their first trip to Melbourne in 1990, as Chuck D pointed out in jest. I think it just goes to show how Public Enemy have impressed upon those fans of rap and hip-hop a legacy of which they can be very proud.
Rapper Chuck D had high praise for the Australian hip-hop industry, going as far as say that it surpassed the US's in regards to its musical and lyrical quality.
He noted the hip-hop community’s sense of unity and solidarity towards the music, culture and other forms of street artistry. Chuck D also expressed his solidarity with the struggles of the people of the Koori nation.
Chuck called up on stage five people from the audience claiming to be MCs, each one getting about five minutes to show off their style.
The show had the feeling of a musical anti-racism rally. Chuck D and Flavour Flav made it clear that we are one people, living on one planet, regardless of race or religion. They advocated a strong message of peace and putting an end to all types of segregation that exist in many other nations, as well as in their own neighbourhoods of the Afro-American community.
As a Public Enemy fan and an activist against racism, I would like to thank Chuck and Flav for their 25 years of lyrical and musical activism, which will leave a positive legacy for many years to come.
Chuck D announced two new albums would be released in the near future. For details, and downloads, check their website.