Chicago, IL — On Thursday, July 17, an important piece of hip-hop history gets its due. Future of Music Coalition, a national non-profit that tackles issues that affect musicians, and the Pitchfork Music Festival will host a discussion about Public Enemy’s It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back. The free event — which features legendary MC Chuck D, members of PE’s original production team including Hank Shocklee and music media experts — takes place at 3 PM at the Chicago Cultural Center’s Claudia Cassidy Theater.
When Public Enemy released It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back in 1988, it sounded like nothing else at the time. The album’s sirens, squeals and squawks were met by fluid beats and frontman Chuck D’s unflinchingly observant rhymes. Twenty years later, the record is still considered one of hip hop’s finest achievements. It Takes a Nation fused politics and music in unprecedented ways, creating a dense sound collage of rhythm, noise and the voices of 20th century black leaders.
Chicago’s in-depth discussion explores the making of It Takes A Nation, as well as the cultural events that helped shape its message. The talk takes place one day before Public Enemy reunites to play the album in its entirety at the Pitchfork Music Festival.
Rap icon and cultural critic Chuck D will join Hank Shocklee and Keith Shocklee - one half of Public Enemy’s production unit, the Bomb Squad - to reveal how they fashioned their powerful world of sound. Harry Allen, journalist, activist and PE Media Assassin, will join them in a lively conversation led by media professor and documentary filmmaker Kembrew McLeod (Copyright Criminals: This Is a Sampling Sport).
The discussion will take place at the Chicago Cultural Center’s Claudia Cassidy Theatre, beginning at 3 PM. Admission to the event is free, but those interested in attending must reserve spots by emailing rsvp [at] pitchforkmusicfestival [dot] com.
This talk is presented in cooperation with the University of Iowa. Future of Music Coalition is supported in part by a grant from the Ford Foundation.
On Friday, July 18, Public Enemy will perform It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold us Back at the Pitchfork Music Festival at Chicago’s Union Park.
About the Future of Music Coalition
Future of Music Coalition is a national non-profit education, research and advocacy organization that seeks a bright future for creators and listeners. FMC works towards this goal through continuous interaction with its primary constituency — musicians — and in collaboration with other creator/public interest groups.
About the Pitchfork Music Festival
Like its parent Web site Pitchfork Media, the annual Pitchfork Music Festival has built a reputation for presenting the best in cutting-edge rock, hip-hop, dance, jazz, and experimental music. Featuring headliners Public Enemy, Spoon, Animal Collective, Dinosaur Jr. and Spiritualized among more than 40 acts, the 2008 Pitchfork Music Festival takes place July 18-20 in Chicago’s beautiful Union Park.
Future of Music Coalition is a national non-profit education, research and advocacy organization that seeks a bright future for creators and listeners. FMC works towards this goal through continuous interaction with its primary constituency — musicians — and in collaboration with other creator/public interest groups. More