FIVE REASONS WHY HOLLYWOOD SHOULD BRING THE STORY OF PUBLIC ENEMY TO THE BIG SCREEN

Jalen Lovemore
Sep 6, 2018 · 8 min read

“Public Enemy is a rap group with a legacy so preeminent in music, they never get enough credit.”

Public Enemy posing in 1989.

Films that are based on real life celebrities have been the center of entertainment. Some include the success of the Bobby Brown miniseries, and the anticipation of Bohemian Rhapsody — a story documenting the life of Queen lead vocalist Freddie Mercury. Although these non fictional movies have and will reach millions, there is one musical collective, whom laid groundbreaking foundation in Hip Hop, that never had the opportunity to have their story told in theaters.

Public Enemy (P.E) is a rap group with a legacy so preeminent in rap music, they never get enough credit. Whenever we think of rap music with social commentary, the only people that comes in our minds are Black Star, Common and the old Polo wearing George Bush hating Kanye West. With so much brutal honesty in their politically charged records, Public Enemy were and still is considered as a force to never be reckoned with.

A powerhouse roster that consisted of their de facto leader Chuck D, the group’s militant DJ Professor Griff, the unknown female Minster of Information Sistah Souljah, and the animated hypeman/mascot Flavor Flav; they succeeded in creating songs that promoted resistance and independence for African Americans.

There are so many reasons why Public Enemy should have their own careers for told in either a feature length film, or a made for television miniseries. It should never be a debate over the curiosity of whether a story about a rap clan ever have potential in breaking the box office. To further give you a little anticipation for a future movie, here are five essential reasons why their story as a whole, and as each member’s personal trials should be recorded in a cinematic picture.

P.E in unknown date. Chuck D (far left), Flavor Flav (middle) and Professor Griff (right).

THEY HELPED SET THE FOUNDATION FOR POLITICAL HIP HOP

Public Enemy have created a platform for rap music that provided social views in the world. During the eighties, urban communities were in turmoil. The emergence of crack cocaine affected inner city neighborhoods. The Reagan Administration was still active in the white house, and the incarceration rate towards minority males were skyrocket.

As it seemed as if walls were closing in on African Americans, Public Enemy emerged to break them down. The groups supersonic sound combined with their conscious lyrics helped shape how people hear hip hop music. To not stray way from the fact that they were the first artists to blend other genres of music, — utilizing a soulful saxophone solo with a hardcore 808 drumbeat. Due to the innovating style that P.E provided to the world of hip hop, the group have influenced a number of well known rap artists to pursue the same messages in rap music as well, some include The Roots, Dead Prez, and A Tribe Called Quest.

2. Their hit song “Fight the Power” played an instrumental role for Spike Lee’s 1989 hood classic.

Chuck D (left), Flavor Flav (right) and members of Public Enemy leading a march in Brooklyn, NY in 1989, during the filming of Fight The Power music video.

Public Enemy have already established the vital foundation for their career in the late eighties, but it suddenly brought their style to massive attention when then rising director, Spike Lee recruited the rap ensemble to create a song for his next junior film would soon be labeled by the Library of Congress as “culturally, historically, and aesthetically”. Lee, 31 at the time, wrote, produced, directed and even starred in Do The Right Thing, an episodic dramedy about racial tensions violently escalating in a neighborhood inside Bedford Stuyvesant, NY; on one of the hottest days of the summer. The now legendary director wanted to use Public Enemy’s song, “Fight The Power” for the theme music for the film’s legendary character, Radio Raheem — a young b boyish Brooklynite who cherishes nothing other than his prized boombox.

The outcome of this song brought excessive success to the group, however both the song and the movie drew controversy. Although the film accurately portrayed how scorching weather can push people to the brink of insanity, the film was criticized for allegedly promoting violence. Critical judgement falls on Public Enemy for a simple line that gives hints that they also help innovate the gangsta rap genre.

“Elvis was a hero to most but he never meant s — — t to me you see straight up racist and sucker was simple and plain…”Mother — — — — him and John Wayne” — Chuck D & Flavor Flav (Fight the Power 1988).

The controversy continues as Chuck D stresses on how his black idols do not appear on stamp cards, instead are nothing but white figures on their. The symbolism in this song urged people of color to wake up. Both Public Enemy and Spike Lee used their body of art to detail struggle that kept blacks silent.

3. THE BIRTH OF SISTAH SOULJAH AND DEFIANT MOVEMENT

Photo of Sistah Souljah. Circa 1999.

It is a shame that the young generation have little knowledge of Public Enemy. Yet, people — both young and old generations do not have a clue that there was a female member of the group, and the growing number of goals she accomplished over the years. Sistah Souljah, born Lisa Williamson, was a full member of the group after the departure of Professor Griff; when his Anti Semetic comments placed the group under fire. Sistah Souljah was not your average female emcee that was blessed with an omnipotent voice and strong talent for poetry, she was a woman that was destined to become a leader.

During her time as a college years, Souljah was heavily involved in foreign international studies, and was even offered a job civil rights legend Rev. Benjamin Chavis. Her career in media was dysfunctional. Her debut album 360 Degres of Power received negative reviews from critics. Although her album did not achieve commercial glory, her opinions on the 1992 presidential election put Souljah on the map.

While being interviewed for the Washington Post, Sistah Souljah was asked about the state of black on black violence. She answered,

“If black people kill black people every day, why not have a week and kill white people”

The result of her comments drew anger from Anglo Americans, especially the then presidential candidate Bill Clinton, who tried to persuade Jesse Jackson to remove her from the Democratic campaign party. With her highly publicized comment placing her the trending topic at the time, it eventually led to the creation of the Sistah Souljah movement. Besides her being a motivational speaker and poet, Souljah is a best selling author having six of her books being listed on the NY Times.

4. THE MISADVENTURES OF FLAVOR FLAV

Flavor Flav (Circa 1987)

It would never be a Public Enemy biopic if Flavor Flav is never present. As Chuck D’s hype man, Flav, born William Drayton Jr, made sure the crowd had more than enough. His signature catchphrase, bizarre personality, weird fashion sense and uncontrollable attitude have put the Midas touch in both P.E’s and Flav’s career. His talent for music is remarkable as he is quoted to being potent in fifteen instruments. His memorable antics onstage and in the studio strongly parallels to Eazy E of N.W.A, Geto Boys’ Bushwick Bill and Ol Dirty Basterd in Wu Tang Clan.

Not only Flav’s popularity was the center point of the group, but his legal trouble with the law seemed to follow him. His battle with law enforcement dates back to his high school years, and has stayed with him ever since. In the early nineties, Flavor Flav was charged with a number of criminal offenses, some include domestic violence and drug abuse.

During the early 2000’s, it seemed as if Flavor Flav had a chance for stardom redemption when we starred in his own VH1 reality show titled Flavor of Love; a game show where female contestants compete to see if they are right for Flav.

5. THEIR CONTROVERSIAL ANTICS MADE THEM A THREAT TO AMERICA

Public Enemy took black pride to another level. However, it was on a height that untraceable. In January of 1987, Evan Mecham, Governor of Arizona at the time decided to cancel the Martin Luther King Jr holiday in the state because it was not legally authorized. This upsetting news did not sit well with Public Enemy. The band took their anger out, both in the studio.

The group recorded “By the Time I Get To Arizona”, a diss track aimed towards the late Mecham. The song was later accompanied by a music video where it featured the rap group contemplating an assassination attempt on Govenor Mecham. When the controversy was thought to be cooled down, the fire continued to spread.

In the year of 1989, Public Enemy received backlash during an interview David Mills of the Washington Post. Mills asked the group about their opinion on the political conflict between the Arabs and the Israelis. Professor Griff, former Minister of Information, took the opportunity to tell Mills how the Jews were responsible for most of evil in the world. The comment not only led Griff to be removed from the group, but also led Chuck D to take a leave of absence from the public eye.

Public Enemy’s logo

Public Enemy has been considered to be one of Hip Hop’s most iconic group. They have changed the game through music, style and narrative. It is fortunate that movies based on high profile individuals in music is the new trend for entertainment. We hear the music, we watch the interviews, and we tune in to the documentaries, and they gratify us. But, a group so pivotal in Hip Hop like Public Enemy, they should have the opportunity to have their musical achievements put on script.

Black America needs to see more influential musicians of color on film. Public Enemy have brought precision into music, and their legacy should not be ignored.