Public Enemy have made the surprise announcement that they are re-signing with Def Jam Records, a label that they helped build in late 1980s and early 90s.
This will mark the group’s return to Def Jam after two decades. The have also announced their new album What You Gonna Do When The Grid Goes Down, the followup to 2017’s Nothing Is Quick in the Desert. Check out the official artwork below.
“Cultural Institutions are important. Being an integral part of one is an honor bestowed and to uphold,” said Chuck D. “Public Enemy songs are forever sonic prints in the sands of time. And it’s time – it’s necessary – to bring the noise again from a place called home. Def Jam. Fight The Power 2020.” Flavor Flav added, “Def Jam is like the house we grew up in. It’s cool to be home.”
“Like so many of us, I have long been a Public Enemy fan, and the group was incredibly formative for me and the path I would take,” said Def Jam Chairman & CEO, UMG General Counsel Jeff Harleston. “PE has consistently been a living example of how music can profoundly move and unite people, and affect real change in the national conversation. As we continue to confront inequality and injustice, we need PE’s voice in the national dialogue. Def Jam is proud to partner with Chuck and welcome Public Enemy home.”
In June, Public Enemy released ‘State of the Union (STFU)‘ produced by DJ Premier, a hard hitting track where they took aims at Donald Trump and his fascist regime. They have also released the studio version of ‘Fight The Power’ today with Nas, Rapsody, Black Thought, YG, Jahi and Questlove that they originally debuted at the 2020 BET Awards. Listen below.
