Public Enemy: Flavor Flav, Professor Griff, Chuck D (rap vocals); Terminator X (turntables); The Bomb Squad, Security Of The First World, The Interrogators, Department Of Liberation.

Additional personnel include: Stephen Stills (vocals); Sister Souljah (rap vocals); Vernon Reid (guitar); Al MacDowell (bass guitar).

Recording information: 1988 - 1998.

One of the greatest groups in hip-hop history, Public Enemy emerged in the mid-1980s determined to take rap in a bold new direction. P.E.'s sound channeled elements of rock, funk, and soul through the conduit of the Bomb Squad's dense, inventive--and sometimes avant-garde--production techniques. While Chuck D was the focus, tackling weighty social and political issues through his fierce lyrics and booming delivery, the jester-like antics of Flavor Flav were just as crucial to the P.E. aesthetic.

This 2005 collection expertly represents Public Enemy's finest moments from 1987 to 1998, beginning with the one-two punch of "You're Gonna Get Yours" and "Public Enemy No. 1." Most importantly, the compilation boasts a generous sampling of tracks from P.E.'s groundbreaking masterpieces, 1988's IT TAKES A NATION OF MILLIONS TO HOLD US BACK and 1990's FEAR OF A BLACK PLANET. These include the original version of the blistering "Bring the Noise," the outraged "Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos" (later covered by Tricky), the defiant "Fight the Power," and the scathing, ridiculously catchy "911 Is a Joke." With its excellent selection, the 18-track POWER TO THE PEOPLE easily beats the group's 11-song 20TH CENTURY MASTERS collection, making it the essential Public Enemy anthology.

What the critics say...

Uncut (p.130) - 4 stars out of 5 - "PE harnessed the power of chaos and rage more effectively than any punk or speed-metal merchant, were more articulate in their anger than any folk singer, were as righteous as any roots reggae or gospel singer..."
Mojo (Publisher) (p.132) - 4 stars out of 5 - "[With] squealing, clashing samples..."