The news that Public Enemy will perform “It takes a Nation of Millions To Hold Us Back” at this year’s Pitchfork Fest didn’t elicit much of a response in me at first, but the more I thought about it the odder it seemed to me…that album? now? At Pitchfork Fest?
In the late 80′s the hip-hop scene was as unified and political as it ever would be, and leading the charge was Public Enemy. Chuck’s signature baritone and raw, in your face delivery joined with militant theatrics made Public Enemy one of the most controversial and important hip-hop acts ever, with “Nation” posing as their crown jewel. It was uncompromising, abrasive, poetic, and desperately urgent all at the same time, and it’s still an Intro to Outro classic, but is a festival full of privileged suburban white kids deserving of such a performance? Call me a hater, but I don’t think so. I just don’t think a crowd full of kids with $5,000 worth of tattoos on each arms, $80 haircuts and $150 dollar shoes and sunglasses to match can really identify with the influences of an album that came out before most of them were wiping their own asses.
All of this is especially crappy when you consider that Public Enemy released one of their best albums in the past decade last year in How You Sell Soul to a Soulless People Who Sold Their Soul???. How You Sell Soul is infinitely more topical to the times, and this very crowd would be a perfect place for this album raging against the corruption of rap into a vehicle for selling lifestyles to be performed from first track right through to the end. I mean, wouldn’t a bunch of hipsters wallowing in a scene where image is everything benefit more from hearing Chuck preach against the glamorization of the gangster life and consumerism in general?
I think so.
But maybe I’m just an old, out of touch asshole…I mean, my bike has gears and brakes and I generally prefer Bass over Pabst.
But props to Pitchfork for putting it together, I guess. Hell, if it goes over well they’ll be golden, and if it doesn’t they can write a 1000 word snarkfest about how outta touch PE is these days when compared to the emo rap stylings of Atmosphere…
Public Enemy – Sex, Drugs & Violence
Public Enemy – Amerikan Gangster
Public Enemy – Can You Hear Me Now
Public Enemy’s Official Site, Public Enemy on myspace, Buy How You Sell Soul to a Soulless People
Autopsy IV
Part time blogger. Full time hater.