After 20 years, Public Enemy is returning to Def Jam Recordings. The legendary rap group's forthcoming album, What You Gonna Do When the Grid Goes Down, is slated to be released on the iconic label where they began their career.
"Cultural Institutions are important," Chuck D said via statement. "Being an integral part of one is an honor bestowed and to uphold. Public Enemy songs are forever sonic prints in the sands of time. And it’s time - it’s necessary - to bring the noise again from a place called home. Def Jam." Flavor Flav echoed the sentiment. “Def Jam is like the house we grew up in," explained Flav. "It’s cool to be home."
With a string of classic albums from 1986s Yo! Bum Rush the Show through 1998s He Got Game for the label, Public Enemy is one of the most successful and acclaimed acts in Def Jam's storied history. P.E. dropped the explosive DJ Premier-produced single "State Of The Union (S.T.F.U.)" earlier this year and performed a remix of their classic single "Fight The Power" at this year's BET Awards.
Public Enemy's brand of fiery political rap feels most appropriate in the current climate; with the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and the shooting of Jacob Blake leading to protests around the country, and a surging national conversation centering on racism and white supremacy. In addition to 2020 being an election year, it just feels like Chuck, Flav and Co.'s message is urgent and necessary.
P.E.'s new album What You Gonna Do When the Grid Goes Down drops Sept. 25th.
"For true fans of hip-hop all over the world, this is a historic moment,” noted Def Jam GM & EVP Rich Isaacson in a statement. “Bringing Public Enemy home to Def Jam - in a time when their message is more necessary than ever - is a profound statement and a much-needed reunion. We are beyond excited to once again lock arms with the legendary Public Enemy.”
*HEADER CREDIT: Chuck D and Flavor Flav of Public Enemy perform at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on June 6, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)