Today is the 56th birthday of not one, but two members of Public Enemy: both Chuck D and Professor Griff are celebrating their birthdays today. The two Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees were instrumental in giving PE it's distinct sound and message.
Public Enemy's socially conscious rap and innovative production style have made them one of the most important and influential hip hop groups in history, inspiring a future generation of artists, ranging all the way from Kanye West to Nirvana to Bjork. A big part of the band's appeal came from Chuck D, with his booming voice and his smart, witty lyrics, and the band's Minister of Information, Professor Griff, who fueled Public Enemy's political activism. The combined effort of the two have ensured that Public Enemy songs like "Fight the Power" continue to be prescient and are still the go-to anthems for political discourse and protest.
Despite being born on the same day in 1960 and growing up in the same area, Chuck D and Professor Griff didn't meet until the 80's, when the two met through their mutual connection to Hank Shocklee's Spectrum City DJ crew. You can read more about both Chuck and Griff's early history, including a story from Griff about how they met, over on Public Enemy.
By Michael Lacerna for RAPstation.com
