Long before Black Panther became a box office behemoth, Chuck D was a fan of the revolutionary comic book. So, when Marvel Studio wanted to use two Public Enemy posters in the movie, the legendary frontman was all about it.
At the beginning of the film, director and Oakland native Ryan Coolger takes viewers to the blacktop of his hometown circa 1992 — also the breeding ground of the Black Panther Party.
While in N’Jobu’s apartment (played by Sterling K. Brown), a Public Enemy Fear Of A Black Planet poster can be seen hanging on the wall.
Later in the movie, another Public Enemy poster pops up, only this time it’s for the Long Island group’s seminal album, 1988’s It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back.
“The photographer who shot Yo! Bum Rush The Show and It Takes A Nation Of Millions is Glen E. Friedman,” Chuck explains to HipHopDX. “Glen shot Ice-T, Rob Base, Run-DMC and then Glen shot us. We shot the jail shot at a precinct in midtown Manhattan not too far from Madison Square Garden. We got in there and shot it.”
“Glen was the one who probably had to approve it and then we all had to,” he continues. “I was a big Black Panther fan — not only as Black Panthers but the comic book created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in ’68. It was a no brainer. Marvel doesn’t make any mistakes. It was a phenomenon to know the Black Panther movie was coming before everyone knew it was a phenomenon because I grew up with it.”
Once Chuck actually saw the film, it was another story.
“To see it in the movie twice, it was prideful, yes,” he admits. “It felt good. I knew it was going to happen but to see it happen was definitely prideful. A lot of people didn’t see the first one. That photo shoot was in Birmingham, U.K. our second year and that’s right before It Takes A Nation came out.” [apple_news_ad type=”any”]
Even with all of Public Enemy’s accolades, Chuck knows there’s still work that needs to be done. He notes seeing JAY-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs having a battle on Twitter about who’s going to be #1 on Forbes’ 2018 List Of Hip Hop’s Wealthiest Artists. He believes that does nothing for Hip Hop as a whole.
“As a structured organization, I wish the money was distributed to more people better,” he says. “To see JAY-Z and Puffy have a playful argument about who’s going to be the top of Forbes, I look at my peer group and they’re just trying to get by. Look at a guy like Masta Ace who’s just trying to continue his art and feed his family, I just wish the distribution is a little less painful.
“It could be a lot more fair across the board. It’s the lack of administration. I was talking to [DJ] Premier, I said, ‘I do so much of this and it’s not based on money.’ Yeah, I go out with Prophets Of Rage and our job is do our thing but everything else I do is painfully for free. JAY-Z and Puffy arguing about who has most money — something’s wrong with that. How many jobs have you created? Who are you paying and what are you doing for it? It all came out from the sacrifices we made for you.”
I blame the Republicans. Those greedy bastards usually have something to do with it.
– Hillary voter
After Trump destroys the economy with this trade war then he’ll start a real war to try’n sace face but we all know he’s a piece of shit
Stay Mad while Trump keeps winning. & Keep praying for that collusion LOL
I’m not with nothing Chuck’s saying about redistribution of someone else’s funds. That’s crazy, and a problem with our community. A pioneer creates the path but that doesn’t entitle them to someone’s pockets. That’s like LeBron giving Elgin Baylor money…
He’s not saying give people money. And he’s not saying they’re entitled. He’s just saying it’s something he WISHES could be a reality.
That shouldn’t be a reality though, it’s just a handout. And that’s exactly why black people go through a lot of the shit we go through, waiting on somebody else to do it for us. Nobody gave either of them anything, I think they’ve created enough jobs over the years to justify their position. But to compare them to Masta Ace is wrong on multiple levels…
Theres more blacks working more than ever Thanks to President Trump. What happened to that hope and change your “brother” obama promised yall? Time to recognize real people doing real things.
Remember The Big O is the one that got us out the recession fool and was doing excellent with job growth weakly. Stfu and read more..
it’s crazy that people really believe that, even with access to the truth smh
The white man ruined the economy and the “brother” Obama save it. You guys never want to give black men credit for anything good. You were raised wrong and still ain’t right. The trump economy is just a by product of obama economics. If obama didn’t rebound the economy where would u and trump be now. Trump knows nothing about economics expect how to cheat the government of out tax revenues. The rich don’t need another tax break. They were sitting on trillions of dollars already. Plus, the rich made out like a bandit during economic meltdown and only a few people went to jail. Where’s my tax break? Republicans are so screw up because they watch fake fox news all day. Finally, criminal trump can’t make america great again because minorities including white women have more money and power than ever. In order to make America so called great again, white women must stop working and people of color must have their job opportunities shrink severely so the white man can have all of the america dream back. The dream is over and it is never coming back. It was a night mare for the rest of the country. Everybody wants a piece of the American pie not just white men. You can’t put the genie back in the bottle it is too late “brothers”. If u learn how to love instead of hate, u wouldn’t need don trump to spread hate to make u feel better.
Remember: President obama turned around the economy. Trump is just a recipient of a good economy. Tax breaks are just making the rich richer. Meanwhile, teachers in red states are begging for a raises and better healthcare. The tax breaks should have went to the average person instead of the rich. The average person pays taxes unlike trump and the rich. This is not a liberal or a conservative problem. It is a common sense problem. Finally, chuck d was saying jay z and puff daddy are overrated. There are more talented artists that should have more of money. Jay z and puff daddy are sell out artists and don’t deserve the money.
Do you support those artists? If not, be quiet.
I don’t support sell out artists. Either love hip hop or leave it alone. Sell out artists of any genre help kill the real art.
Maybe if more conservatives knew how to read and write then they could become journalists too. Instead of complaining about the “liberal” media. Whining and complaining must be prerequisites for becoming a Republican.
Chuck D is not talking about giving away money he’s talkin about creating opportunities for others
I love jay-z a.k.a. bozo the clown. I think puffy out rapped too short and biggie on the song the world is filled. regardless if he didn’t write it. Also I agree with Chuck. These rap guys so out of touch with the street now. I also love elvis but his little Richard cover aint shit to me.
Chuck D has missed the point. – It is not about talent or opportunity. It is about work….. and hard work at that. Jay-Z and Diddy have worked HAARRRD to get to where they are. Jay-Z and Diddy provide more jobs and do more for the community than Chuck D (notice I didn’t say their music. I said them personally.) For example, Jay-Z paid bail for hundreds of black men young men last fathers day….. Chuck D would have made a strong empowering song about them. Words vs Action
Chuck D makes music that makes Black Men want to stand up but Jay-Z has got the S Carter scholarship that actually sends black kids to school. Puff has a school in Harlem empowering the black youth.
Now, I am not saying Chuck D should be like Jay or Jay like chuck….. but the black community needs them both in different ways the empower and uplift. It is very narrow minded of chuck to think He has done more than Jay or Puff
Now that is real talk right there… I have been saying this for years. Chuck D always tell the truth! Preach Chuck D and would not for you guys these anal holes would never made it…Biggie and Nas made both of these clowns.
So true bruh… one love…
No, the work chuck d put in wasnt even able to get hov a label deal. Hov is rich cuz he had the means and foresight to start his own shit. Chuck D has nothing to do with either of those things.
jay z and puffy created jobs for alot of people and they made alot of people rich.
Love and respect to Chuck but, when Jay and Puff tried to teach dudes how to lead from the front they didn’t want to hear it. The idea of being successful beyond the realm of hip hop wasn’t “real” or “street” enough. There is a certain mentality that Jay, Puff, Dre, Drake, Swizz etc. have that gets them to the next level. Kind of like Jordan, Magic, Kobe, LBJ. Not every OG is out here broke barely able to feed their family. I’d ask Chuck how many jobs and opportunities has he created in comparison?
If you were born in the late 80’s and beyond, you wouldn’t have no idea what Chuck D is talking about. Jay Z and Puffy is owned by the elites, Even if they wanted to do something to help not only the culture of Hip Hop but black culture period, they are not allowed to do so. Why? Because their holders don’t want them to do that. Their job is the keep the masses dumb, deaf, and blind. 2Pac knew that and Biggie found out at the last minute what Puff’s whole agenda was all about. Gene Deal said, Biggie didn’t fuck with Puff like that, only when it was time to do shows….that was it. Shoutout to Chuck D and Professor Griff
Salute to Mr. Chuck D for his ongoing wisdom and talent expressed through Public Enemy and Prophets of Rage!
The irony of black panther is that an all black cast makes a billion for two white dudes who created the comic….
Everyone is aware. We were aware before the release.
Damn a beautiful story about PUBLIC ENEMY (not just Chuck D, but the entire group) ruined by trolls
JayZ and Diddy will be forgotten in 30 years, Public Enemy will still be revered and talked about for their contribution to hip hop and black music. Money cant buy that …..
Jay z and Puff will not be forgotten in 30 yrs or ever and should not feel guilty for success
Jay Z and Diddy really arguing about being 1st on the Forbes Rapper list when the top 5 on the actual Forbes list creepin on 100 BILLION tho. Why should a mouse look up to rats when cats run the house?
Puff and Jay Z have NEVER been on twitter arguing about who will be #1. NEVER! Jay is never really on social media. Get the jealousy out of your heart Chuck. Let it go!
It was a “fear of a black world” poster not the album cover of fear of a black planet