Consequence and Chuck D are speaking out following the reelection of President Donald Trump with a conscious single, “What Has America Done.” According to The Source, both hip-hop greats gave a State of the Union address not too long ago, so they are making sure they are making their voices heard. The Queens native spoke about how the Black community needs to stick together and level up as much as possible. While instilling inspiration, he also kept it real that could lead to issues with one another. “The results of the 2024 Presidential Election are a reflection of who and where we are as a nation. Like it or not, especially if you’re African American, we must continue to pursue our equalities and make sure we do everything in our power to level the playing field as best we can. In doing so, we can forget where we’ve been and what it took to get where we are.”
Public Enemy’s Chuck D didn’t mince words either, adding, “Avatars like they’re the new Klan hoodies. The more things change, the more they stay the same!” “What Has America Done” isn’t an easy listen by any means. However, it sure sounds beautiful with its dramatic and thematic piano-led instrumental. Consequence dominates the verses, talking about how Black people constantly get the short end of the stick while other groups truly get to live the American dream. This single will land on Consequence’s deluxe of his most recent LP Nice Doing Business With You, which is out on November 22.
“What Has America Done” – Consequence, Chuck D, & Tony Williams
Quotable Lyrics:
My country, tis of thee, sweet land of Liberty Same land where they lynchin’ me, for over more then four centuries The plantations wherе they sent for me, plan for mе was penitentiaries Psychological injuries, but still we rise to be kings and queens But what has America done for me, besides take the swag and the sauce? What has America done for me, besides make me kiss the a** of my boss?
After joining A Tribe Called Quest at their induction into the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame (only the 12th hip hop group to be inducted), Consequence releases a new single, “What Has America Done,” which is now available. “What Has America Done” features Public Enemy’s Chuck D (and he also illustrated the singles cover art) and Tony Williams. “What Has America Done” will be included on the deluxe edition of Nice Doing Business With You (which will include seven new tracks) which will be released on 11.22.24.
With the video that was premiered by TMZ earlier today, Consequence and Chuck D give a State of the Union address on the heels of the Presidential election.
“The results of the 2024 Presidential Election are a reflection of who and where we are as a nation. Like it or not, especially if you’re African American, we must continue to pursue our equalities and make sure we do everything in our power to level the playing field as best we can” Consequence commented. “In doing so, we can forget where we’ve been and what it took to get where we are.”
“Avatars like they’re the new Klan hoodies” Chuck D asserted. “The more things change, the more they stay the SAME”!
Nice Doing Business With You features appearances from Con’s frequent collaborator Kanye West (who guests on “No Apologies,” and produces “Bloodstain”), Chris Rock, YNW Melly, Tony Williams and Con’s son Caiden The Crownholder. Consequence also produced the bulk of Nice Doing Business With You.
After joining A Tribe Called Quest at their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as only the 12th hip-hop group to receive the honor, Consequence has released a powerful new single, What Has America Done. The track features Public Enemy’s Chuck D, who also illustrated the cover art, and singer Tony Williams. The single addresses pressing social issues, creating a “State of the Union” moment amid the post-election climate.
“The results of the 2024 Presidential Election are a reflection of who and where we are as a nation. Like it or not, especially if you’re African American, we must continue to pursue our equalities and make sure we do everything in our power to level the playing field as best we can” Consequence commented. “In doing so, we can forget where we’ve been and what it took to get where we are.”
“Avatars like they’re the new Klan hoodies” Chuck D asserted. “The more things change, the more they stay the SAME”!
What Has America Done is part of the deluxe edition of Nice Doing Business With You, set for release on November 22, 2024. The expanded album will feature seven new tracks, including collaborations with longtime partners like Kanye West (who appears on No Apologies and produces Bloodstain), Chris Rock, and Caiden The Crownholder, Consequence’s son.
With its politically charged message, What Has America Done adds another layer to Consequence’s extensive discography and affirms his commitment to social commentary in hip-hop.
On this date in 1991, legendary Hip Hop collective Public Enemy dropped their fourth full-length album entitled Apocalypse ’91…The Enemy Strikes Back on the Def Jam/Columbia imprint.
Drawn from the fictional movies Apocalypse Now and Star Wars sequel The Empire Strikes Back, the Bomb Squad produced project was a rush job according to Hank Shocklee, having to re-create the production after the discs from the past five years with album contents were stolen. “Once you lose all your data, it’s very difficult to get that data back…you may get some of it back, but you’ll never get the complete set. You won’t even know what the complete set is, because there’s data in there you didn’t really know you had,” Shocklee said of the missing project.
The certified platinum album offered up a couple of timeless singles including “Shut Em Down”, “Can’t Truss It” and “By The Time I Get To Arizona”, where in the video the depicted killing of Arizona Governor Evan Mecham was seen in response for not recognizing MLK Jr. Day as a national holiday.
Salute to the entire P.E. for this timeless 14 track piece of Hip Hop history!
Chuck D recently appeared on SiriusXM’s Flavor of the Week hosted by Flavor Flav.
During the interview, Chuck D revealed his favorite Public Enemy records and teased what’s next for Public Enemy in 2025. He also shared the reason he is upset with Flavor Flav’s mother.
When asked about his favorite PE joints, Chuck replied, “I like them all ’cause they just like, you know, like kids. You don’t rate your kids, so I mean, it’s like, to me personally, I like, “Welcome to Terrordome.” You know, Keith came in and put the spanking on that. I like “Harder Than You Think” ’cause it’s easy to do and it was done so quick and that’s Gary G-Whiz. Of course, “Rebel Without a Pause.” “Shut Em Down” is always a favorite. “Public Enemy No. 1″ is because it was our first, you know, and I wanted to make a record that made people look at it ugly and made them run away. I didn’t want to, you know, I’m always that difficult dude, so I don’t want you to say you like my shit. Matter of fact, I want you to say you hate my so I could beat your ass with it. How about that? That’s what I like.”
WHenever someone’s mother is mentioned, everyone is all ears, but Chcuk was very candid about why he was upset with his hypeman’s mom.
Chuck D is arguably the most famous political rapper of all time. He rattled the music industry as the voice of Public Enemy, and solidified himself as a genre legend in the process. Chuck D is a name that’s synonymous with rebellion and individuality, which is why his recent decision has drawn so much criticism. The rapper partnered with the U.S. State Department and President Joe Biden to serve as a Global Music Ambassador. It’s a title that sounds good on paper, but is setting off alarm bells for hip-hop fans.
Variety announced the partnership on June 25. Chuck D was unveiled, alongside Lainey Wilson, Herbie Hancock, and several others, as the face of the program. The Public Enemy icon even issued a statement that outlined his intentions. “Bridging cultural divides and inspiring positive change has been part of my life’s work,” he claimed. “And it is a responsibility I don’t take lightly. Being a global music ambassador is an opportunity to use my voice and music to inspire everyone.” Chuck D also expressed a desire to set a good example for future artists. “[I want to see] new generations of human beings from many places,” he asserted. “Leading, activating and uniting making a better world through Music which is the universal language.”
Public Enemy’s Chuck D named by the U.S. State Department as one of its Global Music ambassadors to “promote world peace”
The hip-hop star, perhaps best known for his track “Fight the Power” is now being criticised for fronting the U.S. State Department and YouTube initiative… pic.twitter.com/E6fF4jJPdv
The comments were not as optimistic as Chuck D. Twitter users took the rapper to task for aligning himself with the government. Especially given the topics he’s spent his entire career rapping about. “Promote peace on whose terms, though?,” one user asked. Another user spun the meaning of the rapper’s iconic anthem “Fight the Power” against him. “‘Fight the power’ by joining an empire of lies,” they tweeted. There were even some who pointed out that Chuck’s decision contradicts the things he was saying earlier this year.
Chuck D urged fans to be wary of the State of Union address President Biden gave in March. He told people to pay attention, even if they didn’t like what they were hearing. He also made it clear that he wasn’t endorsing one political side over the other. “When I say pay attention,” he wrote on Twitter. “It doesn’t mean I’m making a [sic] assumption of who to vote on. I just tell folk stop voting for candidates and expecting them to be Jesus. They ain’t and you best to make them accountable.”
Chuck D is one of the most outspoken artists in history. His rhymes on Public Enemy albums remain the gold standard for empowerment rap, and he’s maintained this quality as a solo artist. The only thing the rapper hates more than injustice, however, is other rappers who spread negativity throughout the music industry. Especially, it seems, if the rappers are old enough to know better. Chuck D made it very clear where he stands on the matter of immature veterans during a recent Twitter thread.
The rapper did not mince words when it came to what annoyed him. “If you over 40, and spitting meaningless dark energy in rap,” he wrote. “[Then] you have to really think about what matters in the hip-hop foundation that birthed your chance at it.” Chuck D didn’t stop there. He proceeded to reason that rappers over the age of 40 should know better, and lead a good example for the generations that are following their lead. “I didn’t say cease and desist,” he explained. “I said think ……. A over 40 mind should have a better ability to KNOW self and surroundings better. The ‘green’ days is greying…”
I didn’t say cease and desist. I said T H I N k ……. A over 40 mind should have a better ability to KNOW self and surroundings better. The ‘green’ days is greying…
This is not the first time Chuck D has expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of the genre. In April, the Public Enemy icon derided the notion of rap beef as a damaging practice that should no longer be championed. “Rap and Hip-Hop didn’t form from battle culture,” he tweeted. “It formed from party dance culture. The battle culture was a mutation alongside moving the crowd. The battle diss [sic] thing was a side evolution tumor. Started benign then ignorance made it malignant in the 90s.”
To Chuck D’s credit, he practices what he preaches. When everybody was picking sides in the Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar battle, the rapper was putting forth the notion they should squash it. He went as far as to suggest the two superstars should team up with J. Cole and go on tour together. “These fantastic three rappers (I’m biased for KL) have songs that never will get this public attention,” he reasoned. “Hence this low hanging kid sh*t turns casuals heads… Get them all on a TOUR so we can pick seats.”
Chuck D was one of the most controversial and combative rappers of all time during his prime. He had no problem taking it to anybody that criticized his message. That being said, the Public Enemy rapper is not one to promote division for division’s sake. He’s been watching the Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar battle like the rest of the world, and while there are aspects he’s enjoyed, he’d prefer to see the two stars make up. Chuck D went as far as to suggest that they should reunite with J Cole and take the “Big Three” on tour.
Chuck D hopped on X (formerly Twitter) May 5 to set the record straight on the Drake vs. Lamar battle. He clarified that he was team Lamar, but felt that both men would be better serving the genre by banding together and presenting a unified front. He included J. Cole in his hopes. “These fantastic 3 rappers (I’m biased for KL) have songs that never will get this public attention,” he noted. “Hence this low hanging kid sh*t turns casuals heads.” Chuck D felt the best possible outcome for hip-hop fans would be a tour. “Get them all on a TOUR so we can pick seats,” he added.
The Public Enemy rapper also noted the difference between rap now and when he got into the game. He pointed out how he was considered “old” when he hit his 30s, yet Drake, Cole and Lamar are all pushing 40. “I didn’t make music for kids, but if they got it, it wouldn’t ROT them,” he explained. “When I turned 30, I was old in Rap. Same with 40, 50, 60. Now, with all going on in the world, 40 year olds asking me about 3 millionaire great rappers beefing.”
There have been lots of veteran rappers who have weighed in on the Drake vs. Lamar battle. Memphis Bleek voiced his support for Lamar, as did Rodney O from the duo Rodney O & Joe Cooley. Bun B didn’t pick a side, but he had a more positive take on the situation than Chuck did. He took to Instagram to say that as long as there isn’t violence involved, rap beef is entertaining for the fans. “Fans get more music done on a high level,” he asserted. “No one is physically hurt. Enjoy it! I know I am!”
Chuck D, born Carlton Douglas Ridenhour, is a pivotal figure in hip-hop. He is best known as the leader of the influential group Public Enemy. His powerful lyrics, social commentary, and activism have made him one of the genre’s most respected voices. According to CelebrityNetWorth, as of 2024, Chuck D’s net worth stands at $14 million, a testament to his enduring legacy and impact in the music industry and beyond. This financial accomplishment mirrors a career that has shaped the trajectory of hip-hop music and engaged with critical social issues. This further made Chuck D a cultural icon and a successful artist.
Revolutionizing Hip-Hop With Public Enemy
Chuck D, Flavor Flav, Terminator X, and members of the hip hop group Public Enemy. Photographed in September 1988. (Photo by Jack Mitchell/Getty Images)
Chuck D’s journey into hip-hop royalty began with the formation of Public Enemy in the mid-1980s. Further, known for their politically charged music and radical messages, Public Enemy, under Chuck D’s leadership, released groundbreaking albums such as It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back and Fear of a Black Planet. These works elevated the group to legendary status and pushed the boundaries of what rap music could convey. They also blend potent political messages with innovative soundscapes. His voice became synonymous with resistance and empowerment, influencing generations of artists and activists.
Beyond Music: Activism & Influence
NEW YORK – 1988: (Clockwise from bottom left) Flavor Flav, Professor Griff, Terminator X. S1W and Chuck D of the rap group Public Enemy pose for a portrait in a studio. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Chuck D’s influence also extends far beyond the confines of music. He is a vocal advocate for social justice, frequently speaking out on issues such as racism, police brutality, and the importance of education. His activism is interwoven with his music, creating a powerful platform for change. Additionally, Chuck D has also embraced various media, from hosting radio shows to authoring books to disseminating his messages. This further establishes his role as a multifaceted leader in both the entertainment and political spheres.
Legacy & Continuing Impact
NEW ORLEANS, LA – APRIL 25: Chuck D (L) and Flavor Flav of Public Enemy perform during the 2014 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival at Fair Grounds Race Course on April 25, 2014 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images)
The legacy of Chuck D and Public Enemy is immeasurable, not only in the realm of hip-hop but also in their contribution to the broader cultural and political landscape. His work has inspired countless artists to use their platforms for advocacy, and his efforts to preserve and promote the history of hip-hop underscore his commitment to the genre’s integrity and future. As an educator, speaker, and artist, Chuck D continues influencing and engaging with new generations, ensuring his place as a perpetual force in the music industry and beyond.
The world has come to stand and acknowledge the 50-year mark of the assassination of a man who is defined as being the most influential civil rights leader in American history, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. On April 4, 1968, as he stood on the balcony of Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Dr. King was fatally struck with a bullet by James Earl Ray, an unlawful racist. The striking assassination of Dr. King follows a sturdy 14-year reign serving as a dominant figure in the civil rights movement fighting for the security of legal rights for African Americans. It was a fight drilled with nonviolence and civil disobedience, being burgeoned by the vile acts of racial segregation, disenfranchisement, and exploitation of all hanging from the centerfold of racism.
The powerfully symphonic voice of Dr. King in his iconic “I Have A Dream” speech delivered at the 1963 March on Washington sets the tone for emotional empowerment. It is currently the most sampled Dr. King audio recording in hip-hop history. In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and his sound legacy. Here are nine hip-hop songs sampled by the legendary leader’s voice.
1. Sadat X “Return of the Bang Bang” (2010)
Reigning from the silver-tongued posse who is bound to their divine blackness is Sadat X of Brand Nubian on the solo tip with “Return of the Bang Bang.” The unorthodox emcee takes to the mic to drop insight about his daily journey as a seasoned vet returning to the game. In his signature abstract style, Sadat uses Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” passage to serve rightful diction in his tunnel of bars. “Return of the Bang Bang” is featured on Sadat’s 2010 sequel gem Wild Cowboys II.
2. Heavy D & the Boyz “A Better Land” (1989)
One of the golden era’s finest, the late Heavy D is pouring his soul out in rhyme in “A Better Land” with his boyz about improving the meager conditions of impoverished communities. The telling track starts with a sample of Dr. King’s “I Have A Dream” speech that ends with one of his most acquainted quotes, “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men, are created equal.”
3. Edo G feat. Masta Ace “Wishing” (2004)
Donald Trump is not the first President of the United States to be highly scorned by most of his country. Back in 2004, George W. Bush was in office, turning America’s dream into a nightmare with his jest-like measures. Edo G and Masta Ace took to the mic to release their wishes while demanding intrinsic change in the American way. After Masta Ace crops the title of a dreamer, Dr. King’s infamous line about his dream for freedom and justice in Mississippi hoards the track.
4. Cyhi Da Prynce “Ring Bellz” (2010)
Cyhi Da Prynce is honoring his cultural edge through the barrels of black history in “Ring Bellz” a song from his 2010 mixtape Royal Flush. While mixing his braggadocios persona with black excellence, the G.O.O.D. music wordplayer takes it from Fredrick Douglass to Stokely Carmichael, with the profound words from Dr. King’s beloved speech leading the track.
5. Common feat. will.i.am “A Dream” (2006)
Chicago’s renowned poet in rhyme Common teamed up with will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas for a true hip-hop measure that reflects on the progression and condition of blacks in a known racist America, the way Dr. King stood sturdy for titled “A Dream.” Owning the same desire for nation zenith, just as King, it was sensible for the abstract collab to start with King’s pacifying “We gonna work it out” saying.
6. Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five “The King” (1988)
With Melle Mel being heralded as one of hip-hop’s earliest conscious rappers, the lingering legacy of Dr. King has certainly played a role during hip-hop’s infancy. The hip-hop pioneer rocks the mic with delight honoring the deeds of Dr. King by recognizing the Civil rights icon’s brightest accomplishments while calling for the bells of freedom. “He brought hope to the hopeless, strength to the weak.”
7. Wu-Tang Clan “Never Let Go” (2014)
Known for their supremely motivational rap hymns, the Wu-Tang Clan hit the masses with a dream driven tune in signature fashion. Docking off of their sixth studio album A Better Tomorrow is “Never Let Go” an ode to survival during challenging times. Before Masta Killa leads and after U-God anchors the track, a courteous potent chunk of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech is heard where the beloved leader makes one of his most bracing points, “For many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. And they have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom.”
8. Boogie Down Productions “Love’s Gonna Get’cha (Material Love)” (1990)
Emphasis is something KRS-One has mastered as a lyricist. Amid the prime of Boogie Down Productions‘ fourth studio album Edutainment comes its top single “Love’s Gonna Get’cha (Material Love),” a song that serves as a warning about the detrimental lust that comes with chasing after material things. To throw emphasis on “movin’ on,” the voice of Dr. King chanting the phrase from his final speech “I’ve Been to the Mountain Top.”
9. Immortal Technique feat. Chuck D, Brother Ali, and Killer Mike “Civil War” (2011)
Budding off of the musically factious Immortal Technique‘s 2011 compilation album The Martyr is “Civil War” featuring Chuck D, Brother Ali, and Killer Mike, an unapologetic effort to audibly express “trying to survive cultural assassination,” the great PE lead makes it clear in the chorus. The track samples a selection of King’s final speech, where the iconic leader encourages the destruction of fear in exchange for glory.
Dr. King’s call for sound justice fused into a faithful dream for African Americans has thrived its way into hip-hop culture out of the purpose of nature. The infancy of hip-hop culture is a result of movements that brewed during Dr. King’s time. Movements that were centered in the fight for justice and art of freedom such as the Black Panther Party and Black Arts Movement, who all commonly owned a desire to climb the path of racial justice. The youth of hip-hop’s beginnings dreamed of topnotch mobility out of the hood, reversing the culture of police brutality, and several cases of discrimination ceased. Now, since the culture has grown into a universal phenomenon, Dr. King’s dreamy element of justice is emblematic in hip-hop whenever he is sampled on a track.
