Public Enemy

Public Enemy is an American hip hop group consisting of Chuck D, Flavor Flav, DJ Lord, The S1W group, Khari Wynn and Professor Griff. Formed in Long Island, New York, in 1982, Public Enemy is known for their politically charged lyrics and criticism of the American media, with an active interest in the frustrations and concerns of the African American community. Their first four albums during the late 1980s and early 1990s were all certified either gold or platinum. The group have been controversial with members supporting a black supremacist organisation called the Nation of Islam, who have been known for advocating anti-semitism and homophobia.

Links To Peel
The group got the attention of Peel, who was impressed with their innovative use of sampling and scratching, using riffs from bands such as Slayer in the track She Watch Channel Zero to the band's political lyrics that promoted black awareness, rather than the stereotypical hip hop of degrading calling women''. ''The band were regularly played on Peel's show and even entered in the Festive Fifty in 1987 and 1988.

Festive Fifty Entries

 * 1987 Festive Fifty: 'You're Gonna Get Yours #38
 * 1987 Festive Fifty: 'Rebel Without A Pause #14
 * 1988 Festive Fifty: Night Of The Living Baseheads #50

Sessions
The band were so controversial in the 80's, that even certain radio stations banned their music. Despite Peel playing their music, there was no effort in getting them a session, because of the controversy of the group's political ideology and statements.

Other Shows Played
(The following list was compiled only from the database of this site and Lorcan's Tracklistings Archive and is certainly incomplete. Please add further details if known.)

1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 2002 2004
 * 13 April 1987: Yo! Bum Rush The Show (album - Yo! Bum Rush The Show) Def Jam 450482-1  (JP:  "It's always bottoms with you Americans, isn't it?" )                                                    
 * 24 June 1987: 'You're Gonna Get Yours (12 inch-Dub/Terminator X Getaway Mix)' (Def Jam) (This was the version that made the 1987 Festive Fifty at #38)
 * 30 June 1987: 'Rebel Without A Pause (12 inch)' (Def Jam)
 * Peel Late 1987: Bring The Noise (album - It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back) Def Jam
 * 23 December 1987: 'You're Gonna Get Yours (12 inch-Dub/Terminator X Getaway Version)' (Def Jam) FF #38
 * 29 December 1987: 'Rebel Without A Pause (LP-It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back)' (Def Jam) FF #14
 * 06 July 1988: Night Of The Living Baseheads (album - It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back) Def Jam
 * 27 July 1988: 'Louder Than A Bomb (LP-It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back)' (CBS)
 * July 1988 (BBC World Service): She Watch Channel Zero?! (LP - It Takes A Nation Of Millions ToHold Us Back) Simply Vinyl
 * 05 October 1988: Night Of The Living Bassheads (LP - It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back) Def Jam
 * 11 October 1988: Night Of The Living Baseheads (12”) Def Jam
 * 25 October 1988: Night Of The Living Baseheads (12”) Def Jam
 * 20 December 1988: 'Night Of The Living Baseheads (LP-It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back)' (Def Jam) FF #50
 * 27 December 1989: 'Welcome To The Terrordome (vocal) (12 Inch)' (Def Jam)
 * 28 October 1990: 'Can't Do Nuttin' For Ya Man (Bass In Your Face 7 inch mix)' (Def Jam)
 * 13 October 1991: Nighttrain (LP – Apocalypse 91... The Enemy Strikes Black) Def Jam
 * 19 October 1991: By The Time I Get To Arizona (LP – Apocalypse 91... The Enemy Strikes Black) Def Jam
 * 20 October 1991: 1 Million Bottlebags (LP – Apocalypse 91... The Enemy Strikes Black) Def Jam
 * Peel Late Autumn 1991: Shut 'Em Down (12") Def Jam
 * 21 December 1991: By The Time I Get To Arizona (CD – Apocalypse 91: The Enemy Strikes Black) Def Jam
 * 28 December 1991: Bring The Noise (duet with Anthrax)
 * Best Of 1991 Vol 1: By The Time I Get To Arizona (CD – Apocalypse 91: The Enemy Strikes Black) Def Jam
 * Best Of 1991 Vol4ii: Lost At Birth (Apocalypse 91... The Enemy Strikes Black LP) Def Jam
 * 11 January 1992: 'Shut Em Down (12 inch)' (Def Jam) (JP: 'Just a trifle repetitious.')
 * 04 September 1992: Welcome To The Terrordome (12") (Def Jam)
 * 06 September 1992 (BFBS): Welcome To The Terrordome (12") Def Jam
 * 02 October 1992: Tie Goes To The Runner (LP – Greatest Misses) Def Jam
 * 17 October 1992: Hazy Shade Of Criminal (album - Greatest Misses) Def Jam
 * 24 October 1992: 'Hazy Shade Of Criminal (12 inch])' (Def Jam Recordings)
 * Best Of 1992 Vol 1: 'Shut Em Down (12 inch)' (Def Jam) (JP: 'Just a trifle repetitious.')
 * 24 April 2002: Da Noise (single) white label (with Freak Nasty)
 * 20 April 2004: 'Seven Nation Army/Bring the Noize/Rebel Without A Pause (CD Single)' (White Label)
 * 01 December 2004 (Rob Da Bank): 'Rebel Without a Pause' (LP - It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back) (Def)
 * 16 December 2004: 'Bring The Noise (CD-It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back)' (Def Jam)