Photos by David Molnar – Public Enemy, the iconic American hip-hop group formed in1985 from Long Island, New York, performed at The Big E, New England’s Great State Fair in Western Massachusetts on September 28, 2024. Chuck D and Flavor Flav, the time-piece wearing rapper who recently penned a five-year sponsorship deal in July 2024 with the USA Water Polo Women’s and Men’s National Teams and is back from the 2024 Olympics held in Paris, France.
Public Enemy is known for their politically charged lyrics and their impact on both the music industry and social activism. Chuck D (Carlton Ridenhour) and Flavor Flav (William Drayton), took the stage and performed many of their hits like “Don’t Believe the Hype” and “Fight the Power” to an enthusiastic audience. Fans at the show were treated to see Flavor Flav, 65, show off his other talents of playing bass guitar and playing a drum solo during one song all while performing in a USA water polo team cap. And after Flav made an error on stage during a song Chuck D asked Flav to do five push-ups. Flav, the ever flamboyant showman, did 25 push-ups to the roar of the crowd.
Public Enemy has been performing for 39 years and Chuck D announced to the crowd “we are going on and on until the end of time”. Their debut album, Yo! Bum Rush the Show was released in 1987 and set the stage for their groundbreaking 1988 release, It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back, which launched the rappers into hip-hop fame. Known for their socially conscious messages and militant sound, Public Enemy addressed issues like racism, Black empowerment and police brutality in their lyrics. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013 and throughout their career have influenced generations of artists, from rap to rock. From the stage, Chuck D announced to the cheering New England crowd “Specticle gets you in the door, Spectacular gets you back for more!”
