An Afternoon With Chuck-D

Sticking to the theme of the last post which was essentially hip-hop, i thought I'd post some of the interview i did with legend rapper and hip-hop star Chuck D of Public Enemy for the BBC just before Barack Obama was elected the first black president of the US. I spoke to him about politics, the music, and whats the deal with Flava Flav's clock, does he keep it on time?

Its the 20th anniversary of 'It takes a nation of millions to hold us back', its often been called revolutionary. What do you think it was about the album that made it such the success that it is?

I think some of the things that made it were, it was the first album of its time to come out without any single street credibility before. At the time hip hop was a singles market, and we were kinda like the ones that come up with the album concept, the way the album was put together, there was live aspects, the combination of instrumentals that broke up the record and it was very topical and relevant about those things that were happening at that time which made it a little bit more grown up that a lot of the rap at the time.

How do you feel about the current state of hip hop as its changed an awful lot since public enemy started out?

Well wouldn't it be fair to say that rap changes every year just like most music changes every year, nothing remains the same. Public Enemy came along and made this statement like Bob Marley did in reggae, or Bob Dylan did in rock and roll making innovative experimental statements both musically and verbally so that's what signifies us. It doesn't mean that everyone else should try to do what we do. But if an artist comes out and raps about cars, money, women, drugs, drink, good times, parties, those have been the topics of stories from the first time we had recordings so we have to understand the history.

Most artists can usually attribute their music to being inspired by a group, band, rapper, artists of some kind, are there any in particular that inspired you to create music of your own?

Of course, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five in hip hop, Run DMC, Houdini, i mean we were record collectors so i grew up in a household of James Brown, Curtis Mayfeild, Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone, Ike and Tina Turner, The Beach boys, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, music from the 60's, 70's, 80's, from Elton John to Aerosmith, we were thorough with the records that influenced us.

What does Flava Flav do with his clock when traveling through time zone's?

(Laughs) He keeps it on the same time and usually in that time zone its wrong. I think he keeps it on New York time.

Public Enemy has always been outspoken with Politics, how do you feel about Barack Obama and what kind of impact it would have on the US getting a black president should he be elected?
I'm voting for Barack Obama for all the right reasons and all the wrong reasons. Meaning all the right reasons are i think are he's prepared, he's honest, he's equipped although he's going to have to deal with three times as much press as any other president. And the wrong reasons I'm voting for him is just cause he's black. But the wrong reasons for America having just a white male for 200 years as the president, but not only that but the person who has lost to him has been a white male. It's very non reflective of the melting pot.

What's it like these days, going on tour and leaving your whole family behind now that your a tad older?

Easier than before. We had to take a dip in the 90's as everyone had kids who were in single digits. It starts this way, a band starts as teenagers and they have nothing but time, then when they're in the late 20's and 30's then they have kids and a family. Then there's the 40's and 50's and there kids are grown so they have available time again. That's why you see a regrouping of the Eagles, they have so much available time. But speaking for myself you have to find a balance between your life and the group, so we concentrate on less is more, quality over quantity.

Do you think the reason Public Enemy has stayed consistently popular and sold so many records is that the audience can personally relate to the lyrics which deal with politics, oppression and a social and cultural consciousness?

I think every group has to try the best it can in Public Relations. You always have to be able to relate, and be humble.

You were in the UK a couple of months ago giving a speech at Westminster College, they're used to politicians, ex-leaders giving speeches. How did it come to par you giving a speech and what issues did you deal with?

I normally talk about, rap, race, reality and technology. I've been on the lecture circuit for 18 years, long time.

Are you a fan of UK Hip Hop like Dizzee Rascal for example?

Yeah Dizzee Rascal's in the US right now doing his thing. We've got the same working people at the moment which is a great thing.

Twenty years, 10 albums, 61 tours, millions of records sold, one word to sum it up?

Bring The Noize!