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Given that the general tastes among listeners relates somehow to a 'collective consciousness', to what would you attribute the shift in main stream hip-hop from groups like P.E., KRS1, DeLa Soul etcetera to what is now mostly a misogynistic and materialistic offering? How much can we blame consumers for not choosing ‘fruits and vegetables’ when they are being offered, mostly, a buffet of cakes and candy and the ‘healthy food’ is two floors up behind an unmarked door? To be specific I am mostly thinking of the role that the record companies play in what is offered to the consumers considering that sex, the high life and violence ‘always’ sell?

I am from India and I am really a big fan of Chuck D. Thank you for choosing Chuck D as a guest for this whole week.

Sachin

What should be hip-hop's response to the onslaught of narrow-minded, anti hip-hop Propaganda that it faces on a constant basis?

My question is this, it seems that hip-hop has lost sight of what it was originally intended for. I think Afrika Bambaataa's coining of the four elements of hip-hop was ground-breaking and is essential for understanding hip-hop, because as you know hip-hop is not just 'emceeing'. Should there be a shift or a re-focus on the four elements?

What can be done to change the what passes as hip hop these days ? What happened to the culture ? What happened to the Black Rock Coalition and all of the positive things that hip hop set out to do in the 80's ?

As-salamu-alaikum bro:

It is a huge honor to holla @ you through this venue. I am hands down one of your biggest fans, everybody who knows me knows that! My question has to do with this so-called Radio tax. I am not all that aware of its details and the extent of its possible impact as suspected on lots of black radio stations. I assume your aware of this and would be very grateful if you could explain as much as you know about it. Including any personal opinions your willing to share on the topic.

Thank you:
Logan Carter, repp'n Philly.

why do we have goverment that takes from the people but when a person doesn't comply with what they want they destroy you? example mike vick went to jail for dogs and got time for that and they treated him like a murderer and we so caught up by the media and the lies could you answer that for me I think we have been willie lynch!

Chuck, why are you! We don't need Jay-Z, Diddy, Jezzy, and the rest of them to keep bringing or energy down!!! How can you just sit back and let this ish happen! Are you one of them???

Often we here the critique of Hip-Hop music from those who are shame of the lyrics of the youth of today. As a member of the Hip-Hop generation, it was in my youth that NWA released "F-da police", The same year B.B.D. released "Poison".

I only ask that we not forget that Hip-Hop is nonetheless an art form that only portrays the reality in which our society lives.

Take notice that each generations artistic movement is fueled by the priors struggle or success.

So when you here the harsh lyrics of todays youth, remember that it is not the artist that is at fault, for an artist can only be true to themselves when the music or medium reflects the reality in which they live.

So, we must look at society as a whole, which provides the atmosphere for today's artistic movements(Hip Hop).

What do you think about the idea of bringing the Olympics to Africa by the year 2020? Do you think it is feasible? I most definitely do. Reading some of the previous comments it is evident that there are ENOUGH minds out there to make this not only do-able but it can catapult us to the future as a race (human, that is).

hopefully Mr. Chuck D. will remmeber me from the Tower Records in Atlanta. (most "record" stores are gone now). i used to have blonde/purple/red hair at times, he and i would talk about rock music. at the time ('94, '95ish) grunge was the good music, which still holds up to this day. we'd talk about how there's no more r & b, and little to no hip-hop since P.E. days...i'd like to join the conversation, expressing the fact that rock music was started by blacks. even VH1 had a documentary of the history of rock, in the beginning were black men.

if this message get's to you, i'd be happy to talk about any issues involving music and the life of black men nowadays. whomever get's this message, please pass along to Chuck D, maybe we could catch up on old times. peace to all, and i truely love PBS and the progamming. thanks for your time...James Hayes Jr.

Many have posted their opinions of the state of hip hop & rap. I think its easy to idealize what something (like hip hop) SHOULD be.
Given all that, what do you think of the potential for hip hop & rap; what ways will it touch & move us?
Thank you.

I read your comic book series and loved it. I thought it was brilliant to turn yourselves into comic book characters in order to reach a younger audience that may not have been aware of your music and yet still reach your core audience. How did you come up with the idea and where are you planning on taking this? Will there be even more reality based themes or historical events interwoven with the fictional drama?

Thanks again for all of the music and now the great comics. Loved the story and art. Loved How You Sell Soul by the way as well as Beats and Places.

Peace!

Skeep

I am a white man from Michigan that grew up listening to P.E. and I have always appreciate and respected your work (an understatement). I can't remember what I had for lunch last Thursday but I can instantly call to mind every word to Shut 'em down, Louder Than a Bomb or Terrordome. I hope you realize how far your words reach.

I have to admit, however, that I've often felt that my race automatically made me the enemy of Public Enemy.

What do you say to white people who love your music? Are your non-racist white fans excluded from those lyrics aimed at the "other man" or are they guilty by association?

With respect and admiration,
Andrew

Recently, Rachel Maddow described you as having a Zen like quality about you. Do you study any Eastern philosophy?

Will the program you are hosting pay homage to how slave songs (Christian Hymns) organized the underground railroad and later after freedom, blues reported the violent abuse and suffering of a people who never gave up?
I'm directing a musical review show at the Fitzgerald in Las Vegas with a similar intent. Our people are missing from history textbook but we still pass on our stories through music. Now that schools have taken music out of poor schools we have to continue to pass it on through churches and creating our own cultural centers and youth organizations that pass on music.

i delivered electrical equipment to the projects in camden and bridgeport. i was the crazy white kid and no one bothered me - in fact i was laughed at - stupid kid in a van. To me it was about getting things done for folks to improve their lives - a rising tide raises all boats only if the boats are in the same harbor...
Kid brother bought "Fear of a Black Planet" - "Brothers Gonna Work It Out" is timeless - Chuck D. would be a great guy to sit down and have brunch/meal with - won't happen but if it did he would have to forgive me for inviting some of his Syracuse brethren - hah!

where do you start with the original movement minded hip hop artist... I used this quote, "Anything you can do, I can do better" as a reference point. Simply to state that there are so so oh so many different businesses, establishments, & institutions all throught the world but our "American" situation is a little different than others. With that said... Do you feel that we, as Black people, are able to take on the responsibility to reach into our personal situation (as a whole) and make it equal to the whole situation of the so-called "founders" of this country?? Just a lil food for thought...

Can a HBCU win a national championship, (In any sport) or be viewed with the same esteem as a MIT, Yale, or Harvard??

Can we develop our own communities with our own Money, Laborers, and Residents?? Could we do the same with a structure built as part of a city skyline??

Can we own and run our own distribution company for the music industry??

Can a black person have as many television channels as say a Ted Turner??

I'm sure you all see where I'm going with this and I could go on and on. With all these questions, I do have answers...but...it will take more organization than maybe we are able to wrap our minds around! Still, I Believe all things are possible! We have endured hardships by the boatload! Anything worth doing has never been and will never be easy...

Are We ready for the Hard Work??

Thank You

As a white middle class kid growing up around the same time as Chuck and the rest of the PE crew.. I always felt a connection to what he was saying even if it wasn't necessarily from the perspective that my immediate peer group understood..
I was born in NYC and my Parents were diverse intellectual radicals, left over 50's beatniks as opposed to self absorbed Hippies (no diss to the latter, but they were less intellectual) My father had me registering people to vote in 72 when I was 7 years old.. all of our friends were involved in the "Movement" and I attended many debates and protests with them. So "revolution" is in my blood you could say.. and Chuck's lyrics always resonated with me... again, I know a lot of the PE fan base were white suburbanites... but I'm not so sure all of them were getting the message.. and there is a Message.

Now in our 40's I respect all that Chuck has done and if I could say one thing to him.. it might have something to do with being anti-corporate. I've seen Chuck over the years turn his angst into a positive emotion and elevate his standings beyond that of a Rapper/Social Critic. He's actually come to a place of great respect.. wouldn't be surprised to see him in Public Office as opposed to Public enemy eventually..

But I'm throwing this out there where no one will ever see it or care.. but Chuck.. Don't get soft and find your place among "Them"
Fighting from the inside out is a sure path to becoming the enemy..
Stay on the outside, Fight from the edge.. it's where the real strength is..

Peace to all... and keep on fighting, because it's actually getting worse not better for the poor of this world..

Don't believe the Hype.. and Fight the Power.. are Both Calls to arms.

Be the original you've always been.
Peace

For your intellectual perspective on the task at hand. Yes we should remain "anti-corporate" and stay the edge. How we woe to be the men on the outside fighting to keep persons in control who tried so hard to do the impossible for so many years.... Nevamind that path to becoming the "enemy" we should strive to only be the publics enemy and not the Heads of the system who call all the shots and such. We need only vote the best candidate. Phew! I'm glad you decided to bless us with that. Where would we be without such sound advice like yours! From the bottom of all our hearts, thank you, for your clear opinion on our place and following up to put us in it! You're the man.........

Holla @ Me Chuck!!

When we look at (Black) american music from the 1960's and '70's and compare it to todays (Black) american music, it does appear that todays music has lost much/most of its "freedom song" quality that once made it political, socially, and radically relevant, powerful and empowering.

At the same time, when you look at the (black) political struggles (in the streets) of the '60's/'70's and compare it to todays, we see that the "struggle" today has largely become an assimilationist hustle to "fit in" to the capitalist/corporate machine, as opposed to raging against it, or trying to dismantle/destroy it....

My question is, do you think that the times shape the music, or the music shapes the times?

en lucha,

(N4)P

Chuck D. a discussion that needs to be is
The Black Minister, The Redneck Shop and the KKK in Laurens SC.
It is all truly disgusting and is still happening in 2009......

Tell the truth...do you or any of the members of P.E. have a problem with Jews? I ask this because I am a Jewish fan of your music and respect the huge contribution you have made to hip hop, but I find it difficult to support a group that is openly anti-semetic and has made songs such as "swindler's list".

THis is more of a thanks than a question. Thanks for making such great much for so many years. I grew up listening to your music and was so impressed with the Coachella show, nice work and great to hear It takes a nation on millions....." album live.

Long live PE.

With every generation it seems we have walls to break down. Last century was civil rights and prohibition. What are the major walls we have to break down this generation in your eyes?

I really enjoy listening to Chuck D, he is a smart man.

I have been a fan of Chuck D for a long time. I actually rap myself and have found listening to some of his rhymes inspirational at times for my own work. Music and football are my hobbies, For music Chuck D is my number one inspiration for football its Ronaldo, the best at each.

I am a big fan of Chuck D since long. Like PBS “Freedom Songs: The Music of the Civil Rights Movement,” have also played a mega role for me to become a fan of Chuck D.