![]() ![]() That’s the late '80s, and not saying that the early '80s was without its share of “reality rap,” because you had “The Message,” which kind of was the turning point. James Biko: It was definitely more lighter. But we’re here and this is what is going on in our community and we want to express that.” Public Enemy were more mature, more strategic in their movement.ĭavis: Before those albums came out, what was the landscape like? But you have to go back to the time, give it context, understand the background.ĭavis: How were they received at the time and are they still perceived the same way now?Ĭunningham: N.W.A., they didn’t care, they just came out and was like, “This is who we are, like us or forget about us. So if you want to look at semantics, some people get upset because they say, “Oh, they used a lot of profanity and all this. They were the ones who were like the journalists of what was happening in their neighborhood, or the 'hood, and they were real about it. At that time, they were the voice for the voiceless. Rosalind Norman: I remember what it was like when N.W.A. ![]() Both rap groups were just amazing at the time. The interview has been edited for clarity and length.Ĭhad Davis: I wanted to know, if everyone here was born at the time, I want to know, where were you all?įranchot Cunningham: I was a senior in high school so I remember this very vividly. The three reflected on the cultural significance of the albums and what they mean today. Rosalind “Roz” Norman, a hip-hop professor at Webster University, Franchot Cunningham, who has assisted Norman in her course and James Biko, formerly DJ Needles. Louis Public Radio’s Chad Davis, spoke with three hip-hop enthusiasts. But the death of Michael Brown, the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement and incidents of police misconduct have brought the lyrics and themes of the two albums back to the forefront. Louis radio station was one of the first to broadcast the first mainstream hip-hop song, “Rapper’s Delight.” And of course, the city has its own stars, Nelly and Chingy. Louis region has a long history with hip-hop. ushered in a new direction for the genre with lyrics that exposed conditions in black communities to white audiences. "It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back" by Public Enemy and "Straight Outta Compton" by N.W.A. Two seminal hip-hop albums are now 30 years old. ![]()
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