One of the most controversial, intelligent, and socially conscious groups in the history of hip hop has been Public Enemy. Since their onset, they have delivered incredible classic after classic, and stirred up an amazing level of controversy. Led by lead emcee Chuck D, and backed up by Flavor Flav and Inspector Griff, they have seemingly been brought in as the Malcolm X of hip hop. Chuck D's extremely intelligent and controversial lyrics, along with his powerful delivery was the driving force behind Public Enemy, not to mention their unique instrumentals, which seemed to almost always match with his lyrics. Not to mention almost everything they had to say made sense as they preached with the problems with the planet, and the racial and ethnic hatred that was going on, and all of the problems that blacks faced. Public Enemy will always be remembered for It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold us Back and Fear of a Black Planet, and thats respectable, but many forgot about another of their classics Muse Sick n Hour Mess Age, and for those idiots who dont know, that means Music and our Message, for you brain scientists out there.

Track List & Rating

1. Whole Lotta Love Goin On In The Middle Of Hell (****)
2. Commercial 1 (NOT RATED)
3. Give It Up (****)
4. Bedlam 13:13 (*****)
5. Stop In The Name (****)
6. What Kind Of Power We Got (****)
7. So Watcha Gonna Do? (*****)
8. White Heaven/Black Hell (****)
9. Race Against Time (****)
10. They Used To Call It Dope (****)
11. Aintnuttin Buttersong (****)
12. Live And Underdrugged (Pt. 1-2) (****)
13. Thin Line Between Law & Rape (*****)
14. Death Of A Carjacka (*****)
15. I Stand Accused (****)
16. Godd Complexx (****)
17. Hitler Day (*****)
18. Commercial 2 (NOT RATED)
19. Livin In A Zoo Remix (****)

Public Enemy kicks off Muse Sick n Hour Mess Age with the opening track "Whole Lotta Love Goin On in the Middle of Hell". Chuck D gives us powerful messages with a deep social conscious eye, as he gives us a tight narrative about uniting with those around us, and that nowadays it seems like the world is hell. Chuck D's loud delivery pulsates on the track and matches with the up-tempo and fast hard drum beat that he is given to rap over. Chuck D has always been one of the best to voice his opinions, and each one is filled with clever, yet truthful intellect as he hits us with harsh brutal honesty, which is Public Enemy's best trait.

This is continued on other tracks like "Bedlam 13:13" and "What Kind of Power We Got". On the first of the two, we get a mix of braggadiocio and clever street poetry about the chaos that Public Enemy has given us since their debut. Chuck D brags about all of the controversy that they have caused, and Flavor Flav gives us a simple, yet tight chorus for the song. The instrumental has some memorable scratching and screeching over hard drums. On the second of the two, we get more introspective, as Flavor Flav raps about the iron clasp of the government, and how it enslaves us all constantly, and at times, not even Public Enemy can do anything about it. Chuck D throws in his narrations, but its mainly a Flavor Flav solo, pulled off nicely.

"Give it Up" and "They used to call it Dope" are mirror tracks. Public Enemy decides to touch on the topic of drug use in America on both these tracks. Chuck D delves deep into his mind on the first of the two tracks, telling us that the actual U.S. Government has released drugs on the streets on purpose for control and to knock out our minds, therefore paralyzing our ability to think for ourselves. Some may think that this is a ridiculous concept, but Chuck D's powerful vocals and intelligent lyrics really do impact you as you are listening. The second of the two is more of a narrative, and a bit more light-hearted. Its very short, but Chuck D describes cleaning up the streets and the dangers of drug use, from his own point of view.

On "So Whatcha gonna Do", Public Enemy changes from their political rhymes and opinions, to take a more straightforward route, rapping in the style of KRS-One, about the sickness of hip hop music. Chuck D basically raps angry lyrics about the ruination of pure hip hop music due to the takeover of gangsta rap. He basically metaphorically explains the ruination of hip hop due to this genre of rap, by rapping about the thugs, drug-dealers, and fiends of the streets. At times, Chuck intelligently mocks this style of rap, but keeps his angry flow and introspectiveness throughout the track. The instrumental is also excellent, featuring a banging drum and bass line, some low xylophone keys, and synthesizers, giving us our first true classic of Muse Sick n Hour Mess Age.

On "Godd Complex" and "White Heaven / Black Hell", Public Enemy attack the racial boundaries of the world. On the first of the two, Flavor Flav gives us another solo as he attacks and basically mocks the white majority's opinion of being God. Flav gives us a meaningful track, yet it keeps its crude humor that we all know from Flav. The second is a much shorter, interlude style track where PE compare the various occupations of white and black individuals, basically stating that white individuals can get better jobs because they are judged by skin color by most employers. While everything they spit on these two songs is basically pro-black, anti-white, you must understand that Public Enemy are not racists, they just want an equality similar to the world that Martin Luther King and Malcolm X pictured years ago, and PE are the first to majorly turn it into music, namely hip hop. So dont be scared away if you're white.... trust me on this one.

On "Hitler Day", Chuck gets introspective similar to the way Ras Kass would. Basically, Chuck brings us back to the discovery of the "new world" by Christopher Columbus, and how he, and the white man, brought death and destruction to an entire race, namely Native Americans, just for their selfish abuse and need of more space. He claims that this is what the white race is attempting to do once again. Backed by extremely loud production, Chuck gives us meaningful lyrics, loaded with some complexity that has to be heard more than once to understand, except for some like me, where the message is loud and clear.

Public Enemy gives us yet another classic with 1994's Muse Sick n Hour Mess Age. Chuck D and his friends return with hard beats, political and intelligent rhymes, and a vocal delivery unlike any in all of hip hop music. This album is extremely underrated, and i think is a must-have for PE and fans of Hardcore hip hop music with a message. Only problem is, its one of the rarer titles from PE. Luckily, Epinions has one, so i think its a more-than-worthy purchase. Public Enemy makes sure that the "mess age" is clear - They rule.

4 Stars


This is my SECOND entry into the legendary MadTheory's 3rd Annual Hip-Hop Appreciation Week Write-Off. The purpose of these write-offs is to promote unity and respect in Hip Hop Music, so that it may live for decades to come. This year's theme is Responsibility. Dont forget to check out the other participants in this Write-Off:

andrewtarr, anthony06511, Boffie, brotherman, cletta1201, ekidd911, heirograffiti, madtheory, matthos, mrjulius, PacManY2J, paulyoungotti, roheblius, konspirator01, sadgit, speeddemon531, sun_tzu, youngchinq

Recommended: Yes