Public Enemy at Pitchfork’s Festival
by Pete
In the annals of classic hip-hop, last week’s Public Enemy show at the Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago has to go down in the books as Historic.
Chuck D., Flava Flav and the boys performed their classic, It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back, in its entirety.
Here’s “Rebel Without a Pause”…
I saw P.E. perform “Rebel” 20 years ago at a concert in Milwaukee with LL Cool J and Whodini (and..?) – long before the hipsters grabbed hold of “It Takes a Nation…” Aren’t I awesome?


July 27, 2008 - 12:08 pm
I almost went to this, but didn’t. I’m always leery of legendary reunions. But my professor went (and was in the damn photo pit for the whole set!) and by all accounts it was awesome. Despite not having Terminator X, and despite Flava Flav’s name change to Flavor Flav. Yes, seriously.
July 27, 2008 - 12:37 pm
I was trying to find out about Terminator X – I guess I assumed he was still a part of PE. A PE without Terminator X?? Just doesn’t seem right….
July 29, 2008 - 2:11 pm
It was PE, Doug E Fresh, Eric B and Rakim, Whodini, and LL. That was an unbelievable show. I don’t know if you remember but PE actually opened up the show. I remember them starting off with the sirens noise and the S1w’s marching and people wondering what this was. I’m beginning to feel really old (20 yrs ago).
July 29, 2008 - 3:45 pm
That was it, Chris.
Look at that lineup! I still have crappy little photos from that night.
July 29, 2008 - 5:37 pm
I like all the jheri curls suckers wearing high heel boots (not Prince because that is an exception to the rule.). We had great seats.
July 30, 2008 - 4:23 pm
Pete cannot wait for the festival.
July 30, 2008 - 5:14 pm
You’re right. He can’t.
August 21, 2008 - 6:51 am
This is worth watching if you haven’t already:
http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/feature/144792-public-enemy-it-takes-a-nation-of-millions-to-hold-us-back
September 10, 2008 - 6:52 pm
the fact that you know about a FreshFest gives you props.