Public Enemy has returned to Def Jam Recordings, the iconic record label it helped build into a globally recognized brand. Co-founded by Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons, the legendary imprint was Public Enemy’s first home along with other flagship artists such as Beastie Boys, LL Cool J and T-La Rock & Jazzy Jeff.
Over two decades later, Chuck D, Flavor Flav, DJ Lord and the S1Ws are ready to fight the power — 2020 style. On Friday (August 28), P.E. and Def Jam officially released the “Fight The Power (Remix 2020),” the explosive remix that opened the 2020 BET Awards in June.
The track features contributions from Nas, Rapsody, Black Thought, YG, Questlove and Enemy Radio MC Jahi and serves as the first offering from the group’s forthcoming album What You Gonna Do When The Grid Goes Down?
Recorded in June, the “Fight The Power (Remix 2020)” also boasts new lyrics that reflect the global protests over the police killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and others. The video features performances by the artists (filmed separately due to social distancing) and intercut with powerful protest footage.
Public Enemy, Nas, Rapsody, YG & Black Thought 'Fight The Power' To Open 2020 BET Awards
What You Gonna Do When The Grid Goes Down? will arrive via Def Jam on September 25.
“Cultural Institutions are important,” Chuck D says. “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. Fight The Power 2020.”
Def Jam Chairman & CEO, UMG General Counsel Jeff Harleston adds, “Like so many of us, I have long been a Public Enemy fan, and the group was incredibly formative for me and the path I would take.
“PE has consistently been a living example of how music can profoundly move and unite people, and affect real change in the national conversation. As we continue to confront inequality and injustice, we need PE’s voice in the national dialogue. Def Jam is proud to partner with Chuck and welcome Public Enemy home.”
Check out the cover art below and pre-order the album here.
Big shout out to all the OGs steppin back to the scene. 2020 brought some refreshing shit back to the music world for me besides Eminem.
Propagandist bowing to their masters. Rick Rubin.
dimwit racist jackass. shut all the way fuck up seriously
Yes, finally some real hiphop
Honestly they coulda left the features off. Flava is enough. But its 2020.
LMAO. yeah dude flav over nas any day
Cool can we get a political black star, wu tang, dead prez, ice cube, Kendrick and Cole albums too?
They should have sold that independent. Nobody going to buy it. They won’t sell ten thousand copies. Not even hating. That’s real talk.
Bruh. Who gives a damn about record sales outside these young people who actually subscribe to shit like that?? It’s Public Enemy. STRICTLY a legacy play. Def Jam been doing this the last 5 years, re-signing legacy acts that helped build the label. It’s about respect and carrying on tradition.
Vince Staples should be on this remix with his man I need to fight the power but I need that new Ferrari. I like the lp cover. The song is ok,
what radio stations will be challenged to play something? real talk
The way Chuck D does his thing is he uses media controversy to promote himself and rides the wave to other opportunities. During Napster era he used the tech boom to get speaking gigs, during the current era of Trump and cops killing black kids he leverages the chaos to get more live gigs and promotion. It’s the way he works. Fighting the Power is silly, his real slogan should be “Game the Chao$”.