Crate Diggers: Public Enemy
Showing posts with label Public Enemy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Public Enemy. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Happy Birthday KRS One

“Hip is to know, it's a form of intelligence. To be hip is to be update and relevant. Hop is a form of movement, you can't just observe a hop, you gotta hop up and do it. Hip and hop is more than music, Hip is the Knowledge, hop is the Movement. Hip and Hop is Intelligent movement”
Image result for krs one(KRS One)
KRS One was born as Lawrence Parker on August 20th, 1965 in The Bronx, New York, USA. At 16 years old he left his home to become an MC. He then lived in a homeless shelter in the South Bronx. He then met Scott Sterling who later became “ DJ Scott La Rock”. Parker then started to go by the name “KRS One” (Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everybody). They then formed the group “Boogie Down Productions”. In 1987 they released “Criminal Minded”.
Image result for krs one 1987(KRS One in 1987)
Rapper D-Nice also joined the group. They then dissed rappers MC Shan and Marley Marl in the song “South Bronx” and “The Bridge is Over” because they claimed Hip Hop began in Queens when it really began in the Bronx.
Image result for krs one and scott la rock(KRS One (Left) and Scott La Rock (Right))
Scott La Rock was later shot and killed in a dispute. In 1988 they released “By All Means Necessary”. Ms. Melodie and DJ Kenny Parker then joined the group.
Image result for krs one 1988(KRS One in 1988)
In 1989 they released “Ghetto Music: The Blueprint of Hip Hop”. Also in 1989 KRS One formed the Stop the Violence Movement featuring rappers such as Public Enemy, Stetsasonic, Kool Moe Dee, MC Lyte, Doug E. Fresh, Just-Ice, and Heavy D.
Image result for krs one 1989(KRS One in 1989)
In 1990 they released “Edutainment”. In 1992 they released “Sex and Violence”. In 1993 he released his 1st solo album “Return of the Boom Bap”.
Image result for krs one 1993(KRS One in 1993)
In 1995 he released “KRS One”. Also in 1995 he organized the group “Channel Live”.
Image result for krs one 1995(KRS One in 1995)
In 1997 he released “I Got Next”. In 1999 he released the song “5 Boroughs” for the movie The Corruptor (1999).
Image result for krs one 1999(KRS One in 1999)
In 2000 he released “A Retrospective”. In 2001 he released “The Sneak Attack”. In 2002 he released “Spiritual Minded”. In 2003 he released “Kristyles” and “D.I.G.I.T.A.L.”. In 2004 he released “Keep Right”. Also in 2004 there was a controversy with his comments about 9/11 where he said “we cheered when 9/11 happened...9/11 affected them down the block; the rich, the powerful those that are oppressing us as a culture”.
Image result for krs one 2003(KRS One in 2004)
In 2006 he released “Life”. In 2008 he released “Maximum Strength 2008”. In 2011 he narrated the documentary Rhyme and Punishment.
Image result for krs one 2011(KRS One in 2011)
In 2012 he released “The BDP Album”. In 2015 he released “Now Hear This”. In 2017 he released “The World is Mind”.
Image result for krs one 2017(KRS One in 2017)
Today he turns 52 years old and we would all like to say happy birthday KRS One.
Albums by KRS One
  • “Return of the Boom Bap” (1993)
  • “KRS One” (1995)
  • “I Got Next” (1997)
  • “The Sneak Attack” (2001)
  • “Spiritual Minded” (2002)
  • “Kristyles” (2003)
  • “Keep Right” (2004)
  • “Life” (2006)
  • “Adventures in Emceein” (2008)
  • “Maximum Strength” (2008)
  • “The BDP Album” (2012)
  • “Now Hear This” (2015)
Videos of KRS One
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Tuesday, August 8, 2017

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.
Image result for chuck d 2016(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=gWqsuuWjQHE  “Chuck D talks Ice Cube, N.W.A, Death of Hip Hop groups, Hip Hop needing Black Leaders + More”
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Thursday, March 16, 2017

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

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Happy Birthday Sly Stone

“Stand, you've been sitting much too long, there's a permanent crease in your right or wrong” - Sly Stone
(Sly Stone)
Sly Stone was born as Sylvester Stewart on March 15th, 1943 in Denton, Texas, USA. After Stewart was born his family moved to Vallejo, CA. Stewart and his siblings formed a Gospel band and performed at their church. At 7 years old Stewart had already become proficient on the keyboards.  In 1952 Stewart and his siblings recorded a single called “On the Battlefield”. By the age of 11 he had mastered the guitar, bass, and drums. In high school Stewart was in multiple bands. 1 group Stewart was in he was one of the 2 non white members of the band, this gave him the idea of an interracial band later in life. In the mid 1960’s Stewart became a disk jockey in San Francisco, CA. He then adopted the name Sly Stone. In 1966 he formed a group called The Stoners. Later he formed the band Sly and the Family Stone, which included Cynthia Robinson, Larry Graham, Greg Errico, and Jerry Martini.
(Stone in 1967)
In 1968 they had their 1st hit "Dance to the Music". In 1969 their album “Stand!” was a major hit which sold over 3 million copies.
(Sly and the Family Stone)
The group then performed at the concert Woodstock.
(Stone performing at Woodstock)
In the same year the band started to get involved in heavy drugs. From 1969 to 1971 the band only released 1 single due to being wrapped up in drugs. The single “Thank You” reached #1 on the pop charts in 1970. After moving to Los Angeles, CA Stone’s behavior became more erratic. Their 5th album released in 1971, “There’s a Riot Goin’ On” was mostly done by Stone, with him doing most of the instruments and most of the vocals. In 1973 Bob Marley and the Wailers opened up for Sly and the Family Stone. The group's 1973 and 1974 albums featured more of Stone and less of the band. They became pioneers of Funk and R&B. By 1975 the group’s famed declined. As a solo artist Stone went on to record 5 albums.
(Stone in 1975)
In 1981 Stone collaborated with George Clinton. In 1983 Stone was arrested in Fort Myers, FL, and charged with cocaine possession. In 1984 Stone toured with Bobby Womack.
(Sly Stone (Left) and Bobby Womack (Right))
In 1986 Stone collaborated with Jesse Johnson. Stone's racial, sexual, and stylistic mix, had a major influence in the 1980s on artists such as Prince and Rick James. In 1990 Stone collaborated with Earth, Wind & Fire. In 1993 Sly and the Family Stone was entered into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Artists like Public Enemy, Fatboy Slim, Beck, Beastie Boys and LL Cool J sampled many of Stone’s songs. At the 2006 Grammy Awards Stone gave his first live musical performance since 1987.
(Stone performing in 2006)
Stone filed suit against Jerry Goldstein, the former manager of Sly and the Family Stone for $50 million in January 2010. In January 2015, a Los Angeles, CA jury ruled in favor of Stone, awarding him $5 million.
(Stone in 2015)
Today is his 74th birthday and we would all like to say happy birthday Sly Stone.

Albums including Sly Stone
  • “A Whole New Thing” (1967)
  • “Dance to the Music” (1968)
  • “Life” (1968)
  • “Stand!” (1969)
  • “There’s A Riot Goin’ On” (1971)
  • “Fresh” (1973)
  • “Small Talk” (1974)
  • “High On You” (1975)
  • “Heard Ya Missed Me, Well I’m Back” (1976)
  • “Back on the Right Track” (1979)
  • “Ain’t but the One Way” (1982)
  • “I’m Back! Family & Friends” (2011)
  • “This Day In Music History” (2015)
Videos of Sly Stone

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