Compatible with all MP3 players including iPod, iPad, iTunes and Window Media Player
The title says it all. In 1988, when this album was released, Public Enemy's music cut with a wholly revolutionary edge. Rarely has fear, anger, paranoia and anxiety been so masterfully compressed onto a record's grooves. The Bomb Squad's artistry is the keynote to the hard, lean delivery, while Chuck D's supremely pointed lyrics leave no stone of the black experience unturned. It is not comfortable listening, but on tracks such as 'Don't Believe The Hype', 'Night Of The Living Baseheads' and 'Rebel Without A Pause' the listener is left in no doubt that they are facing a fantastically potent force.
Recorded at Greene Street Recording, Chung King House Of Metal, New York, New York, Sabella Recording, Roslyn, New York & Spectrum City Studios, Hempstead, New York.
Engineers include: Nick Sansano, Matt Tritto, Chris Shaw.
Personnel: Fab 5 Freddy, Harry Allen, Flavor Flav, Oris Josphe, Erica Johnson, Professor Griff, Chuck D (vocals); Eric "Vietnam" Sadler, Hank Shocklee (programming); Johnny Juice Rosado (scratches, turntables); Norman Lee Rogers (scratches); Terminator X (turntables).
Audio Mixers: Keith Boxley; DJ Chuck Chillout; Rod Hui; Steven Ett.
Recording information: Chung King House Of MEtal, New York, NY; Greene Street Recording Studio, New York, NY; Sabella Recording, New York, NY; Spectrum City Studios, New York, NY.
Photographer: Glen E. Friedman.
Unknown Contributor Roles: Eric "Vietnam" Sadler; Flavor Flav; Professor Griff; Terminator X; Chuck D.
Public Enemy: Chuck D, Flavor Flav (vocals); Norman "Terminator X" Rogers (scratches); Professor Griff (background vocals); The Security Of The First World.
Additional personnel: Eric "Vietnam" Sadler, Hank Shocklee (programming); Johnny Juice Rosado (scratches); The Black To The Future Sample Stars (background vocals).
Rolling Stone (11/89) - Ranked #12 in Rolling Stone's "100 Best Albums Of The Eighties" survey. Rolling Stone (12/11/03, p.110) - Ranked #48 in Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Albums Of All Time" - "...Loud, obnoxious, funky, avant-garde, political, uncompromising, hilarious..." Spin - Included in Spin's list of the Top Ten College Cult Classics - "...In any context, a revolutionary work..." Spin (12/03, p.122) - "...NATION OF MILLIONS lived up to its hype and then some..." Q (10/01, p.44) - Ranked #47 in Q's "Best 50 Albums of Q's Lifetime" Q (9/95, p.132) - 5 Stars - Indispensable - "...the greatest rap album of all time, a landmark and classic...." Q (p.140) - 4 stars out of 5 - "Packed full of loud, obnoxious classics....You really should own this by now." Alternative Press (11/00, p.144) - Included in AP's "10 Essential Political-Revolution Albums" Alternative Press (8/01, p.112) - Included in AP's "10 Essential '80s Albums". Alternative Press (7/95, pp.76-77) - Ranked #6 in AP's list of the 'Top 99 Of '85-'95' - "...After IT TAKES A NATION OF MILLIONS TO HOLD US BACK, rap couldn't just be stupid and boom and yelp--it had to have production values and 'relevance'..." Vibe (12/99, p.158) - Included in Vibe's 100 Essential Albums of the 20th Century Vibe (6/02, p.108) - Ranked #1 in Vibe's "Top 10 rap albums". Melody Maker (7/22/95, p.35) - Bloody Essential - "...I hadn't believed it could get harder [than YO! BUM RUSH THE SHOW]. Or better....It was like being beaten over the head in four/four time with a skip..." Mojo (Publisher) (6/00, pp.124-5) - "...Responsible for the angriest polemic since The Last Poets....[They] revolutionized the music, using up to 80 backing tracks in the sonic assault....to these ears PE sound like the greatest rock'n'roll band in history." NME (Magazine) (9/25/93, p.18) - Ranked #5 in NME's list of The 50 Greatest Albums Of The '80s - "...[IT TAKES A NATION...] drags punk, rock, and hip-hop screaming towards the end of the century....Definitive..." NME (Magazine) (10/2/93, p.29) - Ranked #9 in NME's list of the 'Greatest Albums Of All Time.' NME (Magazine) (7/15/95, p.47) - 10 (out of 10) - "...the greatest hip-hop album ever....this wasn't merely a sonic triumph. This was also where Chuck wrote a fistful of lyrics that promoted him to the position of foremost commentator/documentor of life in the underbelly of the USA...."
It's a classic! I agree with you Matty Boom Batty!
This cd is a masterpiece, and ya'll's cd collection's will suck until you get it!
Chuck D is the truth ... he's a prophet not lookin for profit, and I think you oughta listen to - PE's, It takes a nation of millions.
5 stars all the way !!!
Submitted by shaunasteele (ontario,canada) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
The Best!!!!! This is hands down the greatest rap album of all time!!!!! No one has come close since. Chuck D is the best M.C. of all time as well. Not Biggie, not Pac, not Jay-Z and not Eminem! They were and are all great too, but Chuck D trumps them all. From his voice, his lyrics and his flow, nobody is better in my opinion.
The production on this album is also the best that has ever been recorded. Just straight up innovation on every front!!!! Real hip hop with a message. Submitted by John (San Francisco, CA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
love it every time my copy gets away from me
10 stars. Submitted by jackson8541 (COLUMBUS MS.) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT THIS CLASSIC LP. This is one of the greatest Hip-Hop albums ever made..period, point blank.When you mention true Hip- Hop classics ,this record has to be discussed at length or the discussion has no validity whatsoever.The entire album is a highlight on all levels.I bought the CASSETTE,no less than 6 times(my friends would get me)....and yeah the cassette...Cd's weren't the thing yet..I've upgraded since then and Brother Chuck still gets me going on whenever I pop in the cd. ...LONG LIVE PUBLIC ENEMY!!!!!! Submitted by clubba lang (planet earth) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
You have to own this! This has to be in the top 5 of society-changing-music contributions.
This album got people out of their houses and into the streets.
Close-up's of communities in immediate need of rescue from ruin and met with the ost revolutionary musical arrangements to be seen in a decade.
That's the write-up, but have to hear it yourself. Submitted by Funkdad (Chicago, IL) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
It's a classic!
Share this Product