Urban Thought Collective

“As I ventured into the courtyard, followed by 52 brothers bruised, battered, and scarred but hard. Going out with a bang, ready to bang out.”

If that doesn’t get the blood pumping, I don’t know what will. In these highly politically charged times, I thought I’d bring a little consciousness to the column. And who better to shine the spotlight on than Public Enemy? It Takes A Nation Of Millions was the first rap album I ever listened to that was clean all the way through. Not only was it clean, but it was mind blowing. Trust me when I say that I was sick, when I lost my copy in 8th grade. I almost cried. P.E. meant THAT much. Well, they still mean that much. I can still recite 90% of the lyrics for the songs this week. Holla

“BLACK STEEL IN THE HOUR OF CHAOS”
“I got a letter from the government…” Best first two bars in the history of music. You can debate me in the comments if you want, but that is the most perfect intro ever. There’s so much venom in his voice when he says “suckas.” I was like, “Damn. This dude really hates the government.” It’s one of those songs that makes you wanna grab a black leather jacket, blow out your fro, and tell a person of authority to “go pound sand.”

“CAN’T TRUSS IT”
“Beware of the hand when it’s coming from the left.” What are you trying to say Brotha Chuck? Maybe things aren’t all peaches and cream when it comes to dealing with the jackass? Yep, I think he hit it on the nose. We gotta make sure we don’t take some things for granted. You know?

“BY THE TIME I GET TO ARIZONA”
Interviewer: How do you think Dr. King would have reacted to seeing the governor of Arizona assassinated for not making his birthday a holiday?
Chuck D: First, I think he would’ve been upset that he got killed in the first place. [paraphrased]

Game. Set. Match. No one does it better than Chuck.

“NIGHT OF THE LIVING BASSHEADS”
“Shame on a brotha when he dealing, the same block where my 98 be wheeling.” This was actually the first P.E. video I ever saw. And yeah, I actually thought “beeper ties” were real for a second. Hey, I was 12 and impressionable. Anyway, my first impression of Flav? “What exactly is wrong with him?” And twenty years later? Same damn thing.

SHUT ‘EM DOWN”
“I own loans. Suckas got me running from the bank.” How’d you know Chuck? Damn skippy, we need to shut it down.

Diallo Tyson is a filmmaker, comedian and old school music junkie. When he’s not busy, he is a rapper with the group “Two Pimps and a Dream.” Step into a groovin’ time machine every week on UTC.