Public Enemy goes after 50 cent. Here goes a soon to be public verbal fisticuffs

[Drudge]

Public Enemy Vs 50 Cent
antiMusic reports: Public Enemy will go down as one of the true pioneers of rap but right now they feel they aren't getting the props they deserve and they don't like what has become of the genre when they look at today's big rap stars. In an interview with E4 Chuck D and Professor Griff discussed their legacy and the current state of rap. "We don't appreciate being written out of history," says Chuck. "We keep hearing about the Who, about Cream. I understand they made a contribution, but sh*t." When asked by the host Rick Edwards about today's mainstream rap, especially 50 Cent, Chuck gave a weary sigh and attacked Fiddy's popularity by saying, "There has to be a way of judging on quality of music, not quantity." Griff had even stronger words about 50 Cent and what the genre he helped pioneer has evolved into. "Rap has become a sad reality," says Griff. "50 Cent comes out with a movie that's a step-by-step instruction in how to be a thug. And sells it to children?" Check out the full story for a lot more and learn about the current state of Public Enemy as they bring the noise to the UK.- Click Here for the Full Story  http://observer.guardian.co.uk/omm/story/0,,1795958,00.html

[Conan]

While I agree with some of what Chuck is saying - particularly regarding the way 50's music and products are intensely marketed to a young audience that they may be unsuitable for - there's always a risk when rap vets like Public Enemy speak out on something like this. Even if a lot of what they're saying is simple fact, newer hip-hop listeners will likely dismiss the group's points as the ramblings of a grumpy elder spokesperson for the genre. They partly bring this on themselves, however, with certain questionable comments. No-one (to my knowledge) is "writing out" the quality and impact of classic albums like "It Takes A Nation...". Quite the opposite, as Public Enemy's earlier work is regularly referenced in lists compiling the all time best hip-hop albums, groups, etc.

Those particular "written out" comments are likely to do with the fact that their newer work isn't gaining the same level of attention. That's got to be frustrating for any artist. However, PE were very much the product of a certain time (at least, in my opinion) and, while I don't want to take anything away from their countless accomplishments, that time has passed and they just don't relate as well as they once did, I guess.

[QuietTruth]

Those particular "written out" comments are likely to do with the fact that their newer work isn't gaining the same level of attention. That's got to be frustrating for any artist. However, PE were very much the product of a certain time (at least, in my opinion) and, while I don't want to take anything away from their countless accomplishments, that time has passed and they just don't relate as well as they once did, I guess.

  Exactly.

[Wessia4LiaNia Chieee Chieee]

and they are right, so right...it was about time for PE to stand on that muthaphucca

[The "Untouchable" DJR]

While I agree with some of what Chuck is saying - particularly regarding the way 50's music and products are intensely marketed to a young audience that they may be unsuitable for - there's always a risk when rap vets like Public Enemy speak out on something like this. Even if a lot of what they're saying is simple fact, newer hip-hop listeners will likely dismiss the group's points as the ramblings of a grumpy elder spokesperson for the genre. They partly bring this on themselves, however, with certain questionable comments. No-one (to my knowledge) is "writing out" the quality and impact of classic albums like "It Takes A Nation...". Quite the opposite, as Public Enemy's earlier work is regularly referenced in lists compiling the all time best hip-hop albums, groups, etc.

Those particular "written out" comments are likely to do with the fact that their newer work isn't gaining the same level of attention. That's got to be frustrating for any artist. However, PE were very much the product of a certain time (at least, in my opinion) and, while I don't want to take anything away from their countless accomplishments, that time has passed and they just don't relate as well as they once did, I guess.

Props well put and unfortunately this may also regard alot of other ol' skool hip hop pioneers...

[M Dogg™]

If this is outta touch to you, then Hip-Hop in general is outta touch to you. Hip-Hop is a party culture, but at the same time, it's a culture that came up from the slums, and responds to shit like what the government did to the people in Katrina. It's both, party and conscience, and if Public Enemy to you guys is outta touch, then you are only understanding half of Hip-Hop.

Artist: Public Enemy
Album:  Rebirth of a Nation

[Chuck D] {*storm raging in the background*}
Does it gotta come down to this...
In order to see things for what they are and what it is...
We still might not be free up in this piece
Or treated very equally as far as I can see...
Hell no we ain't alright!

[Chuck D] + (Flavor Flav)
Now all these press conferences, breaking news alert (this just in)
While your government looks for a war to win
Flames for the blame game, names where I begin
Walls closin and get some help to my kin
(Who cares?) While the rest of the Bush nation stares
As the drama unfolds, as we the people under the stairs
Fifty percent of this "Son of a Bush" nation
is like, hatin on Haiti and settin up assassinations
Ask Pat Robertson, quiz him (mmm - smells like terrorism)
Racism in the news, still one-sided views
Sayin whites find food
Pray for the National Guard who be ready to shoot
Because they be sayin us blacks loot
(What is your boy "Son of a Bush" doin?) {*laughing*}
(NUTTIN!)

[Chorus 1: repeat 3X]
New Orleans in the mornin afternoon and night
Hell naw! {HELL NAW} We ain't alright

[Chorus 2]
New Orleans in the mornin afternoon and night
Hell naw! "Damn, damn!"

[Chuck D] + (Flavor Flav)
Now them fires, earthquakes, tsunamis, I don't mean to scare
... wasn't this written somewhere?
Disgrace is all I be seein is hurtin black faces
Moved out to all them far away places
(Emergency) state, corpses alligators and snakes
Big difference between this haze and (the little diamonds on the VMA's)
You better look what's really important
Y'all under the sun, especially if you over 21
This ain't no TV show, ain't no video (this is really real!)
Beyond them same ol' keep it real
quotes from them TV stars, drivin big rim cars (streets keep floodin B)
No matter where you at no gas, driving is a luxury (urgency)
Don't y'all know? They said it's a state of emergency
Show somebody's government is far from reality
(Aiyyo check one two!)

[Chorus 1] - repeat 4X instead of 3X

[TV broadcast samples]
And they don't have a CLUE of what's going on down there
I'm like you've gotta be kidding me, this is a NATIONAL disaster
It's awful down here man
God is lookin down on all this
And if they are not doin everything in their power to save people
They are gonna pay the price

[Chuck D] + (Flavor Flav)
Now I see we be the new faces of refugees, who ain't even overseas
But stuck here on our knees
Forget the plasma TV, ain't no electricity
New world's upside down and OUT of order
Shelter, food, what's up yo? (Where's the water?)
No answers from disaster, them masses be hurtin
So who the f#$! they call - HALLIBURTON?!
"Son of a Bush" how you gonna just trust that cat
to fix s%#t when all that help is stuck in Iraq?
Makin war plans takin more stands in Afghanistan
Two thousands soldiers there dyin in the sand
But that's over there, right? What's over here?
It's a noise so loud some of y'all can't hear
But on TV I know that I can see
Bunches of people, lookin just like me

[Chorus 1] - repeat 4X, change city/state name each refrain
[1] - New Orleans
[2] - Mississippi
[3] - Alabama
[4] - U.S.A.

[Chuck D]
We definitely ain't alright
And some of y'all voted for that cat! "Son of a Bush"
That's right, what God giveth sometimes your country taketh away
Yeah, one love, comin from Public Enemy, #1 y'all
Public Enemy, 2006 (yeah)
Public Enemy 2007, all gettin together now

[Flavor Flav]
Let me tell y'all somethin
All of our hearts is out there with y'all, you know what I'm sayin?
And we sendin trucks, we sendin boats
Boxes of.. cans of soup and everything
Clothes and all of that, shoes
We donating everything to y'all, you know what I'm sayin?
Don't worry, y'all ain't by yourself
You need to know that

[GangstaBoogy]

hip hop beefs are so common now its not even exciting anymore.

[J Bananas]

did this guy say fisticuffs?