Public Enemy

When Public Enemy announced their tour details, I thought that there could be two possible reasons for this comeback. The first was that it would be easy money for them, the second that they might possibly be doing this tour to show all the hip-hop wannabes how it should be done. Thankfully it was the latter!



There was a real buzz circling round rock city, and even the band members (Chuck D, Flavor Flav, DJ Lord, Professor Griff) were all mingling in the audience before the show. Public Enemy did have a slight change to their line up, they replaced original member Terminator X with DJ Lord.

The support for Public Enemy was DJ Hurricane, who certainly knows how to work a crowd, his mixing and scratching and was simply awesome. Unfortunately it didn't matter how brilliant he was, the crowd were saving themeselves for the main act.



As soon as the hip-hop veterans arrived on stage, the crowd went berserk throwing cans of beer over the stage. The stage was drenched in liquid substances, at which point Chuck D told the rest of the band to stop playing, the band gave the crowd a warning that if it happens again, they will cut the show short and leave. After this warning the crowd behaved themselves.



Chuck D remains one of hip hops most famous characters - his stage presence is overpowering. He delivers 'Black Steel in the Hours' with such angst that it seems as if he still believes in the lyrics. However it was the old school hip-hop classics that got the crowd jumping around such as 'Rebel Without A Pause' and 'Shut 'Em Down'.

Flavor Flav brought an extra bit of flair and charisma to the stage when he made his entrance. Only he can get away with wearing an oversized clock and baseball cap. However his stage attire seemed to pale into insignificance once he started rapping.



Every song was greeted with an ecstatic roar of approval, although the biggest cheer occurred when they played 'Public Enemy No.1' and the hip-hop anthem 'Fight The Power'. They even took time out to pay tribute to Jam Master Jay and Edwin Starr, which included a cracking version of 'War'; rather apt considering the current state of affairs.


After a blistering non-stop two hour set, they broke tradition and stayed on stage, they told the audience if they buy a cd or t-shirt they will gladly sign it. There was some disbelieve that a group as big as these were willing to stay and make sure everyone got what they wanted signed. True to their word Public Enemy stayed behind signing memorabilia for their fans, it took them nearly an hour before everyone had got what they wanted signing. Any group that does that for their fans gains my utmost respect.



So just like the prodigal son, they have returned!!! It will be a long time before anyone comes even close to dethroning these kings of hip-hop.

Hope they tour again real soon!

FUTURE GIGS

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