(AllHipHop News) In part three of Noisey’s “Back & Forth” interview with Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin, the two Def Jam founders discussed one of the label’s iconic acts – Public Enemy. Simmons offered high praise for the legendary rap group.
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“Public Enemy changed everything about Black America. They made [Louis] Farrakhan popular,” said Simmons. “They helped make the Million Man March. They put red, black, and green s**t around n***as’ necks instead of chains. They did everything. They were amazing.”
Public Enemy made an undeniable mark on Hip Hop and mainstream culture. Albums like 1988’s It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back and 1990’s Fear of a Black Planet are considered some of the greatest rap LPs ever created.
“After months, finally they came in and they said, ‘Okay, we’re ready to do this, but it’s not Chuck D. It’s Public Enemy. The Hip Hop version of The Clash,” explained Rubin about the roll out of P.E. to the public. “Here’s Professor Griff. Here’s Flavor Flav. Here’s Hank. Here’s The Bomb Squad. We’re going to have the S1W’s. They had the whole thing planned out. And I said anything you want to do.”
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Watch Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin’s interview below.