Prophets of Rage Notes

-People were learning black history from popular culture rather than it being taught in schools
-Public enemy upset the media & government with songs
-Studied at uni - goes against stereotype that they're bad people/they don't try hard to work
-Got written off as criminal troublemakers
-They played at community centres
-Political fire drives their songs
-Civil rights policies were being cut
-Drugs were allowed to keep the black population down
-Developers would buy houses and move black people out to sell for a higher price
-Popular culture provided an outlet
-Martin Luther King was a peaceful protestor but methods didn't work so they tried to convey the protest through music
-Music filled the lack of politicians
-'Who is Malcolm the 10th?' Talking about Malcolm X, shows the lack of education given about black history
-Aimed to spark curiosity to learn that black people should be respected
-Public enemy introduced people to Malcolm X as schools didn't teach it
-Their songs highlighted that no black heroes are celebrated
-Lyrics contained political content
-Most didn't smoke, drink or do drugs
-Made white people aware of problems with racism
-White supremists didn't want to see black and white people together, their songs were banned on some radio stations
-It was claimed that they didn't come to mainstream attention until one member made controversial comments about Jews, only brought to media when they are shown in a bad light
-tackled issues that African Americans face
-'Anti nigga machine'
-Their message is more important than media coverage
-'The purpose of rap music or any kind of music is to raise dialogue'
-Hip hop has gone from raising dialogue to mass consumerism
-Major labels wouldn't fund them so they had to create their own label
-First group to make internet only album
-Public enemy politicised a new generation in America
-One of the greatest musical entities but they are never heard on the radio