October 14, 08

Why is Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power” considered by Vh1 as the top 100 greatest hip-hop song?

“Fight the Power,” by Public Enemy is considered by VH1 as one of the top 100 greatest hip-hop songs ever because of many elements. Unlike many other hip hop songs in the world today, “Fight the Power” is focused on something other than something shallow such as getting girls, getting action, making money etc. “Fight the Power” is about people of African American culture getting together, realizing who they are, where they originated from and together, create something wondrous and revolutionary through beats.
Public Enemy bought out what was true. Although they called Elvis racist, they also called John Wayne-someone that would be called as one of their own-racist. What they mean when they write that John Wayne is racist because he continues with the stereotypes that America portray African Americans. Through his music videos, instead of rapping and singing something useful, something educated, he raps about girls, where he wants them, and what he wants them to do.
“Elvis was a hero to most
But he was never meant --- to me you see
Straight up racist that sucker was
Simple and plain
Mother --- him and John Wayne
Cause I’m black and I’m proud” (37-42, Public Enemy)
“Fight the Power can be considered as such a great hip hop song because the reason for hip hop is to evolve stories, experiences and emotions into beats that can be shared with others. Hip hop music is supposed to be more than a shallow subject. It’s supposed to be something important to the artist, a belief, or a feeling. “Our freedom of speech is freedom or death; we got to fight the powers that be” (13-14, Public Enemy.) Public Enemy did just that by rapping what they want others to hear. They made a shout out to all of their people that they should unite, to “fight the power.”