It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back

I like it and respect its importance, but once again, I find myself wishing I liked it more than I did.

3.5/5

This album feels very long, and a little samey with generic sounding beats while he raps. Many songs are also repetitive which I did not like at all.

I’m at a 5 – that might just be the best rap album of the 1980s.

I mean, there’s some competition in there, but I don’t know if anyone can listen to that and definitively say it’s worse than either Beastie Boys album of the decade, anything from N.W.A., or Run-DMC. For my money’s worth, it’s certainly the most complete 80s rap album we’ve gotten yet – Paul’s Boutique didn’t quite click for me, and I thought Straight Outta Compton kinda stumbled its way to the finish line.

There’s some all-timers on here, and not a single miss throughout most of the 16 tracks (ok, the interludes kinda suck) but the one that specifically caught my ear is “Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos”, because it so distinctly shows to me just how badly Tricky botched that damn track on Maxinquaye with “Black Steel”. Public Enemy’s version here is a masterclass in storytelling about a jailbreak, behind an all-time beat with some great flow and lyricism. Tricky’s version mainly takes from the first verse, and turns it into a sort of psychedelic rock take that removes all the storytelling and soul from the original track – it’s technically sound, and probably the best track on that dogshit album, but when you hear this version of the track, and realize just how much got cut and mutilated by Tricky… ugh, it just makes me mad, man.

I could keep going with the praise for the production (excellent sampling work throughout), the flow, the vocals (Chuck D is on fire throughout this whole thing), and the lyricism, but I feel like listening to the album gets that across better than anything I could say. It’s a super fast hour, a tightly produced album, a very enjoyable one, and it probably culminates in the best rap album of the 1980s. Stellar effort across the board here, and a rather easy 5.

They brought the noise.

3.53.

Energetic and fun. I really enjoyed this album. Helped that there were no skits.

Ok. So this sounds like a parody of 80s rap. I mean I guess that shows that it's super representative of the genre at the time, but it is really dated. That's not a bad thing though - I still contend that hip hop is pretty much all terrible and has just gotten progressively worse since the inception of the genre. So while this is not great music (to my ears) it's not as bad as almost any hip hop record that came after. Absolutely the best thing about this is Flavor Flav in the background making nonsensical and random rhymes or else throwing in the 'yeeeah boyyyee' at every opportunity, it's sort of endearing. Plus one star just for that. But don't get me wrong, this music is still bad. I appreciate the politics behind this, the social commentary, the perspective that they bring, but I just can't get on with hip hop at all. 2/5

sample heavy, to an overwhelming degree at times. the bomb squad really loves that tea kettle sound effect.

but everything just works, a phenomenal album.

Pioneers. Everyone needs to hear this.

It’s a classic, but like most 80s rap, it sounds pretty dated. 3.5 stars because the message and the lyrics are timeless.

Yiiiirhh boiiiii det' fed rap!

Chuck D has an amazingly powerful voice, and commands not only the room, but the ears of those that hear his booming delivery. Everyone already knows that, though, so I'd also like to praise Terminator X's DJing for being a perfect time capsule while still being immediately fresh. It's not only sick as Hell, but really charming that Public Enemy has their own catchphrases to fall back on in every beat, every chorus, and just overall fill out the tracks. Even Flavor Flav as a hype man feels less goofy here than other projects by the group, even if his track doesn't align with the tone of the rest of the album. The whole album just has a chokehold on everything it speaks on, and while some of it comes off as dated (She Watch Channel Zero?! has a fantastic beat, but the framing device feels off-putting), it's an album with purpose, with sole intent, and it'll either destroy you if it finds you in its path, or get you to join in on the destruction.

Also, just a little thing for the 1001 Generator, but that 2nd top review is laughably bad. Like, Jesus.

I'll die happy if I've never heard this again. 1/5

I can understand that the album is included, however, for my taste, listening to the album once every decade or so will be more than plenty.
I did notice that the sampling done was very subtle and one can see how PE set the tone for many rap/hip-hop artist which followed.

I've listened to this one many times over the years. When it was released, this was a huge deal. This album really helped set the stage for what was to come in the 90s. The singles from this one are good, but it doesn't keep me engaged for the whole album.

Best rap in the game.

This comes off my vinyl shelves and onto the turntable. Genius. Had a Party for Your Right to Fight earworm all day.

I’m sure it’s great if you’re into this type of music. I can’t say I am really.

I like when Chuck D goes off spittin' truths, but not big on the Flavor Flav contributions. Got a lot of respect for Public Enemy, but this isn't one I'm likely to return to.

I think '80s rap is the best rap. It's tuneful with an edge. Angry, but not hateful. While there are a few F-Bombs here and there, it isn't the profanity-laden tripe that we see these days. Thank god.

Really like the heaviness of this. Chuck D's voice has power, and FlavorFlav is really entertaining, especially "Cold Lampin'." Love the socially conscious lyrics throughout. Great disc!