Happy Birthday Chuck D

“Government and culture are two diametrically opposed forces - the one blinds and oppresses, the other uplifts and unites” - Chuck D

(Chuck D)

Chuck D was born as Carlton Ridenhour on August 1st, 1960 in Queens, New York, USA. Ridenhour attended Adelphi University in Long Island. While in college he met William Drayton who would become Flavor Flav. In 1984 he received a B.F.A.

(Ridenhour in 1984)

In 1986 he formed the group “Public Enemy”.

(Public Enemy in 1986)

In 1987 the group released its 1st album “Yo! Bum Rush the Show”. In 1988 they released their 2nd album “It takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back”.

(Public Enemy in 1988)

In 1989 they released the song “Fight the Power” for the soundtrack of the movie Do the Right Thing (1989). Also in 1989 he appeared on the song “Tweakin’” by George Clinton.

(Chuck D (Right) with Flavor Flav (Left) and Spike Lee (Center))

In 1990 they released the album “Fear of a Black Planet”. In 1991 they released the album “Apocalypse 91… The Enemy Strikes Black”.

(Public Enemy in 1991)

In 1994 they released “Muse Sick n Hour Mess Age”. In 1996 he released his 1st solo album “Autobiography of Mistachuck”.

(Chuck D in 1996)

In 1997 he released the book Fight the Power: Rap Race and Reality. In 1998 they released the album “He Got Game” for the movie He Got Game (1998).

(Public Enemy in 1998)

Also in 1998 Chuck D settled out in court with the Notorious B.I.G.’s estate for the Notorious B.I.G. using one of Chuck D’s songs without his permission. In 1999 he launched a multi format "supersite" on the web site Rapstation.com. In 2004 his voice appeared in the video game “Grand Theft Auto San Andreas”.

(Chuck D (Center) with KRS One (Left) and Flavor Flav (Right))

In 2010 he released the album “I Don’t Rhyme for the Sake of Riddlin’”.

(Chuck D in 2010)

In 2013 he earned an honorary doctorate from Adelphi University.

(Chuck D in 2013)

Also in 2013 his group Public Enemy was inducted into the Rock and Roll hall of fame. In 2014 he released the album “The Black in Man”.

(Chuck D in 2014)

In 2016 Chuck D started touring with the band Prophets of Rage.

(Chuck D in 2016)

Today he turns 57 years old and we would all like to say happy birthday Chuck D.

Albums by Chuck D

• “Autobiography of Mistachuck” (1996)
• “I Don’t Rhyme for the Sake of Riddlin’” (2010)
• “The Black in Man” (2013)

Videos of Chuck D

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCvGX1Os35s  “Public Enemy -- Public Enemy Number One (Live '87)”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZM5_6js19eM  “Public Enemy - Black Steel In The Hour Of Chaos”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PaoLy7PHwk  “Public Enemy - Fight The Power”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=am9BqZ6eA5c  “Public Enemy - Can't Truss It”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wOcOBjB3uU  “Public Enemy-Shut'em Down”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DugqkyRG9Tc  “Chuck D - No (HD)”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPeyQ9SdiOs  “MISTACHUCK - Tear Down That Wall”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3iBlll7mfY  “Public Enemy Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2013 legendado”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWqsuuWjQHE  “Chuck D talks Ice Cube, N.W.A, Death of Hip Hop groups, Hip Hop needing Black Leaders + More”

Happy Birthday Flavor Flav

“If anyone wants to know what the definition of 'dope' means, it's: 'Definition of Public Enemy'” - Flavor Flav

(Flavor Flav)

Flavor Flav was born as William Drayton Jr. on March 16th, 1959 in Roosevelt, New York, USA. At 5 years old Drayton learned to teach himself piano. He sang in the youth choir at his church and mastered the piano, drums, and guitar at an early age. Drayton is proficient in 15 instruments. By the time Drayton was in the 11th grade he had been in and out of jail for robbery and burglary. In 1978 Drayton graduated from culinary school and cooked in several restaurants. While attending Adelphi University he met Charles Ridenhour (Chuck D). While in college Drayton took on the name Flavor Flav. Flavor Flav and Chuck D began rapping together on Chuck D’s radio show.

(Flavor Flav (Left) and Chuck D (Right))

Flavor Flav then became a part of Chuck D’s rap group, Public Enemy. In 1984, the group released a track, "Public Enemy #1". In 1986 the group was signed to Def Jam Records. Flavor Flav served as the hype man of the group. The group gained much wider fame with their 1988 album, “It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back”, which went double platinum. By 1989 the group became hip hop superstars.

(Public Enemy)

Flavor Flav’s attire of big hats and glasses and a normal sized clock dangling from his neck got fans excited and brought some comedy to the group. In 1990 Flavor Flav released his first solo single “911 Is A Joke”.

(Flavor Flav in 1990)

In 1991 Flavor Flav went to jail for 30 days for beating his girlfriend. In 1993 Flavor Flav went to jail for 90 days for shooting at his neighbor. Also in 1993 he was charged with domestic violence, cocaine and marijuana charges. Flavor Flav was then checked into a rehab center. In 1997 Flavor Flav re entered rehab after his father’s death. In 2002 Flavor Flav spent nine weeks in Rikers Island jail for driving with a suspended license, numerous parking tickets, and tardiness for probation appointments.

(Flavor Flav in 2002)

In 2003 Flavor Flav moved to Los Angeles, CA. In 2006 Flavor Flav released his 1st solo album, “Hollywood”. Also in 2006 Flavor Flav’ reality show Flavor of Love aired.

(Flavor Flav in 2006)

In 2007 The Comedy Central roast of Flavor Flav aired, which featured  Snoop Dogg, Brigitte Nielsen, Jimmy Kimmel, Carrot Top, Lisa Lampanelli, Ice-T, Jeff Ross, Katt Williams, Patton Oswalt, Greg Giraldo, and Sommore. Flavor of Love was cancelled in 2008. In 2011, Flav partnered with Nick Cimino to open Flav's Fried Chicken in Clinton, IA. The restaurant closed 4 months after opening. Also in 2011 Flavor Flav was arrested on four outstanding misdemeanor warrants for various driving offenses. Flavor Flav’s House of Flavor in Las Vegas,NV opened in March of 2012.

(Flavor Flav in 2012)

Flavor Flav opened a franchise known as Flavor Flav's Chicken & Ribs, which opened December 21st, 2012 in Sterling Heights, MI. Also in 2012 Flavor Flav was jailed in Las Vegas on felony charges. Flavor Flav’s restaurant then closed in 2013 due to payment issues. In 2013 Flavor Flav along with the rest of Public Enemy was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

(Public Enemy being inducted to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame)

In 2015 Flavor Flav was arrested on charges including speeding and driving under the influence.

(Flavor Flav in 2015)

Today is his 58th birthday and we would all like to say happy birthday Flavor Flav.

Albums by Flavor Flav

• “Hollywood” (2006)

Videos of Flavor Flav

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPNK0VspQ0M  “Public Enemy - 911 is a Joke (1990)”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3iBlll7mfY  “Public Enemy Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2013 legendado”  
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eBGuTwP7dM  “The Eric Andre Show - Flavor Flav Interview (S04E08)”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBlMrGgpwXE  “Public Enemy - Can't Do Nuttin' For Ya Man”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfGPQIDxA1A  “Flavor Flav longest "Yeah boy" ever!”

Anniversary of Khalid Muhammad's Death

“Have you forgotten, that once we were brought here, we were robbed of our names, robbed of our language, we lost our religion, our culture, our God, and many of us by the way we act, even lost our minds!” - Khalid Muhammad

(Khalid Muhammad)

Dr. Khalid Abdul Muhammad was born Harold Moore Jr., January 12th, 1948 in Houston, Texas, USA. He attended Dillard University in Louisiana after graduating high school. He ministered at Sloan Methodist Church while in college. In 1967 he joined the Omega Psi Phi fraternity. In 1970 Moore joined the Nation of Islam (NOI) under the leadership of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad. He changed his name to Harold X then to Malik Rushaddin. He became the protege to Minister Louis Farrakhan and was an active recruiter for the Nation of Islam. Rushaddin later transferred to Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, USA where he earned a bachelor's degree. In 1978 he was appointed western regional minister of the NOI and leader of mosque #27. In 1981 he became the national spokesman of the NOI. In 1983 Min. Farrakhan gave Rushaddin the new name of Khalid after the Islamic general Khalid ibn al-Whalid. By 1984 Khalid Muhammad was one of Min. Farrakhan’s most trusted advisors.

(Muhammad in 1984)

Muhammad traveled to Libya on a fundraising trip where he became well acquainted with the country’s leader, Muammar al-Gaddafi. He served in NOI mosques in New York City, NY and Atlanta, GA throughout the 1980’s. In 1987 Muhammad was convicted of mortgage fraud and sentenced to 9 months in jail.

(Muhammad (Center) with Chuck D (Left))

In 1991 Muhammad returned to being Min. Farrakhan’s national advisor in the NOI. Muhammad’s position involved public speaking where his messages of Black self empowerment were accused of being anti-white, anti-semitic and homophobic. A particular speech he made in 1993 at Kean college in Union Township, NJ caused much controversy. He spoke of White Jews as blood suckers to the Black community for owning a lot of businesses and housing in Black communities, labelling the Pope as a “no good Crakkka” for his involvement with the nazis during World War 2, and advocated the killing of all White people occupying Apartheid era South Africa.

(Khalid Muhammad making a speech at Kean College in 1993)

The US House of Representatives voted 97-0 in censuring Khalid Muhammad. Min. Farrakhan responded by condemning Muhammad’s speech. Khalid Muhammad later left the NOI. On May 29, 1994 an attempt on Muhammad’s life was made by a former member of the NOI after Muhammad made a speech at the University of California, Riverside, luckily he survived the attempted assassination.

(Muhammad in 1994)

In 1998 Muhammad became the national chairman of the New Black Panther Party.

(Khalid Muhammad as part of the NBPP)

In 1998 Muhammad organized a “Million Youth March” in New York City, NY which had an estimated 6,000 people show up. The then New York City mayor Rudolph Giuliani denied Muhammad a permit calling it a hate march but a court ruled the march could go on. During the march a low flying police helicopter interrupted Muhammad’s speech. Then more than 3,000 NYC police in riot gear came to attack and disperse the crowd. Muhammad called for the crowd to defend themselves from the police. This resulted in 30 officers injured and 5 civilians injured.

(Muhammad (Center) in 1998)

0n February 17, 2001 Dr. Khalid Abdul Muhammad passed away from a brain aneurysm in Atlanta, GA. He was 53 years old.

(Khalid Muhammad’s Funeral)

Today is the 16 year anniversary of his death. Take time to remember this great revolutionary today.

Videos of Khalid Muhammad

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gb4sn622iOs&noredirect=1 “1994 - Phil Donahue Show - Dr. Khalid Muhammad - HD”   
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttIhnRkeg3M  “Dr. Khalid Muhammad's LAST SPEECH!!!”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biadSUyWr0A  “"Kill em all" -Khallid Abdul Muhammad”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQMAv6MjwOo  “Ice Cube - Death (feat. Khalid Abdul Muhammad)”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhShENTTyCo  “Khallid Abdul Muhammad speaks at Kent State Univers”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHHEL9poI40  “Dr Khalid Muhammad Million Youth March 1998”

Happy Birthday Chuck D

“Government and culture are two diametrically opposed forces - the one blinds and oppresses, the other uplifts and unites” - Chuck D

(Chuck D)

Chuck D was born as Carlton Ridenhour on August 1st, 1960 in Queens, New York, USA. Ridenhour attended Adelphi University in Long Island. While in college he met William Drayton who would become Flavor Flav. In 1984 he received a B.F.A.

(Ridenhour in 1984)

In 1986 he formed the group “Public Enemy”.

(Public Enemy in 1986)

In 1987 the group released its 1st album “Yo! Bum Rush the Show”. In 1988 they released their 2nd album “It takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back”.

(Public Enemy in 1988)

In 1989 they released the song “Fight the Power” for the soundtrack of the movie Do the Right Thing (1989). Also in 1989 he appeared on the song “Tweakin’” by George Clinton.

(Chuck D (Right) with Flavor Flav (Left) and Spike Lee (Center))

In 1990 they released the album “Fear of a Black Planet”. In 1991 they released the album “Apocalypse 91… The Enemy Strikes Black”.

(Public Enemy in 1991)

In 1994 they released “Muse Sick n Hour Mess Age”. In 1996 he released his 1st solo album “Autobiography of Mistachuck”.

(Chuck D in 1996)

In 1997 he released the book Fight the Power: Rap Race and Reality. In 1998 they released the album “He Got Game” for the movie He Got Game (1998).

(Public Enemy in 1998)

Also in 1998 Chuck D settled out in court with the Notorious B.I.G.’s estate for the Notorious B.I.G. using one of Chuck D’s songs without his permission. In 1999 he launched a multi format "supersite" on the web site Rapstation.com. In 2004 his voice appeared in the video game “Grand Theft Auto San Andreas”.

(Chuck D (Center) with KRS One (Left) and Flavor Flav (Right))

In 2010 he released the album “I Don’t Rhyme for the Sake of Riddlin’”.

(Chuck D in 2010)

In 2013 he earned an honorary doctorate from Adelphi University.

(Chuck D in 2013)

Also in 2013 his group Public Enemy was inducted into the Rock and Roll hall of fame. In 2014 he released the album “The Black in Man”.

(Chuck D in 2014)

Today he turns 56 years old and we would all like to say happy birthday Chuck D.

Albums by Chuck D

• “Autobiography of Mistachuck” (1996)
• “I Don’t Rhyme for the Sake of Riddlin’” (2010)
• “The Black in Man” (2013)

Videos of Chuck D

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCvGX1Os35s  “Public Enemy -- Public Enemy Number One (Live '87)”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZM5_6js19eM  “Public Enemy - Black Steel In The Hour Of Chaos”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PaoLy7PHwk  “Public Enemy - Fight The Power”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=am9BqZ6eA5c  “Public Enemy - Can't Truss It”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wOcOBjB3uU  “Public Enemy-Shut'em Down”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DugqkyRG9Tc  “Chuck D - No (HD)”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPeyQ9SdiOs  “MISTACHUCK - Tear Down That Wall”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3iBlll7mfY  “Public Enemy Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2013 legendado”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWqsuuWjQHE  “Chuck D talks Ice Cube, N.W.A, Death of Hip Hop groups, Hip Hop needing Black Leaders + More”

(P.S. sorry for the late post)