It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back

by Public Enemy

Overview

Yo! Bum Rush the Show was an invigorating record, but it looks like child's play compared to its monumental sequel, It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back, a record that rewrote the rules of what hip-hop could do. That's not to say the album is without precedent, since what's particularly ingenious about the album is how it reconfigures things that came before into a startling, fresh, modern sound. Public Enemy used the template Run-D.M.C. created of a rap crew as a rock band, then brought in elements of free jazz, hard funk, even musique concrete, via their producing team, the Bomb Squad, creating a dense, ferocious sound unlike anything that came before. This coincided with a breakthrough in Chuck D's writing, both in his themes and lyrics. It's not that Chuck D was smarter or more ambitious than his contemporaries -- certainly, KRS-One tackled many similar sociopolitical tracts, while Rakim had a greater flow -- but he marshaled considerable revolutionary force, clear vision, and a boundless vocabulary to create galvanizing, logical arguments that were undeniable in their strength. They only gained strength from Flavor Flav's frenzied jokes, which provided a needed contrast. What's amazing is how the words and music become intertwined, gaining strength from each other. Though this music is certainly a representation of its time, it hasn't dated at all. It set a standard that few could touch then, and even fewer have attempted to meet since. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	07/11/2025
Label:	Universal Import
UPC:	0602475976110

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Public Enemy   Primary Artist
Hart Perry   Director
Erica Johnson   Vocals
Oris Josphe   Vocals
Johnny "Juice" Rosado   Scratching,Turntables
Harry Allen   Vocals
Terminator X   Turntables
Fab 5 Freddy   Vocals
Flavor Flav   Vocals
Chuck D   Vocals
Professor Griff   Vocals
Norman Rogers   Scratching

Technical Credits

Terminator X   Composer
Glen E. Friedman   Photography
Jim Sabella   Engineer,Engineer
Nick Sansano   Engineer
Hank Shocklee   Composer,Producer,Remixing,Programming
William Drayton   Composer
Carlton Ridenhour   Composer
Hart Perry   Producer
DJ Chuck Chillout   Mixing
Jeff Fura   Supervisor
Carl Ryder   Producer
Chuck Valle   Engineer
Steven Ett   Mixing
Keith Shocklee   Mixing,Composer
Christopher Shaw   Engineer
Chung King   Engineer,Mixing Engineer
Flavor Flav   Composer
Eric "Vietnam" Sadler   Composer,Producer,Programming,Assistant Producer
Greg Gordon   Engineer
John Harrison   Engineer
West Street Mob   Performer
Rod Hui   Mixing,Mixing Engineer
Bill Stephney   Producer,Production Supervisor
Rick Rubin   Executive Producer
Chuck D   Composer,Producer
Professor Griff   Composer
Norman Rogers   Composer
Chuck Chillout   Mixing Engineer
Jeff Jones   Engineer,Remixing
Steve Ett   Mixing Engineer
Keith Boxley   Mixing Engineer
Nile Rodgers   Composer
Matt Tritto   Engineer