The last time I went to see Public Enemy was around 1988 during the Def Jam tour with the Beastie Boys, LL Cool J in Manchester. So move forward 25 years to the KOKO Club in London 25th July 2013. They had just recently played Glastonbury a few weeks earlier without Flavor Flav, due to immigration issues. This time Professor Griff was missing. I was not really sure what to expect and how many people would turn up. I got there quite early and headed straight for the front of the stage.
The audience was mix of all races and made up of all age groups from 18 upwards which was great to see people who where not even born when I last seen Public Enemy.
The gig started with a warm up act Caxton Press who did a few tracks including "Hunger" & "this Ain't Living". Caxton Press have a good future judged on this. Caxton Press's Amy True has a distinct voice and comes across with real issues in her lyrics.
The audience was mix of all races and made up of all age groups from 18 upwards which was great to see people who where not even born when I last seen Public Enemy.
The gig started with a warm up act Caxton Press who did a few tracks including "Hunger" & "this Ain't Living". Caxton Press have a good future judged on this. Caxton Press's Amy True has a distinct voice and comes across with real issues in her lyrics.
To the main event. The appearance of Chuck D on stage was met a raucous crowd but an even louder cheer with the appearance of Flavor Flav, who jumped around the stage with all of the energy of a teenager and not someone who is fifty five.
They played all of the classics from the extensive back catalogue of hits. Rebel without a Pause, Fight the Power, Don't Believe the Hype to Harder than you Think ending with Shut Em Down. Overall they were on stage for around one hour forty minutes. There was a lot of interaction with the crowd.
With social justice running through some of the Public Enemy tracks there was a few mentions on "Fuck the United States" and showing their anger regarding murder of Trayvon Martin. There was a chorus of boos when Flavor Flav dedicated Bring the Noise to Prince George. Flav reminded everyone the the audience that we are all part of the same race "the human race"
DJ Lord did a solo set which was awesome. He scratches with ease. Donald D played the Guitar and Flav had a go as well. Flav did some crowd surfing at a point he was standing right over me as in the photos. Flavor Flav proceeded to invite all the ladies to the stage to "shake their booty"
I was really surprised by the energy of Chuck D and Flavor Flav. Public Enemy are still at the top of their game and long may it continue. Public Enemy are one of the finest sights in hip hop and not to be missed. They will remain to be held in the highest esteem by the UK public. This is why they are still the number one and still Bring the Noise.
A selection of pictures from the night and a video of Harder Than You Think.
With social justice running through some of the Public Enemy tracks there was a few mentions on "Fuck the United States" and showing their anger regarding murder of Trayvon Martin. There was a chorus of boos when Flavor Flav dedicated Bring the Noise to Prince George. Flav reminded everyone the the audience that we are all part of the same race "the human race"
DJ Lord did a solo set which was awesome. He scratches with ease. Donald D played the Guitar and Flav had a go as well. Flav did some crowd surfing at a point he was standing right over me as in the photos. Flavor Flav proceeded to invite all the ladies to the stage to "shake their booty"
I was really surprised by the energy of Chuck D and Flavor Flav. Public Enemy are still at the top of their game and long may it continue. Public Enemy are one of the finest sights in hip hop and not to be missed. They will remain to be held in the highest esteem by the UK public. This is why they are still the number one and still Bring the Noise.
A selection of pictures from the night and a video of Harder Than You Think.
