Black Steel In The Hour of Chaos
1989 · Columbia FC44303 · Roosevelt, New York
- Artist
- Public Enemy
- Title
- Black Steel In The Hour of Chaos
- Release
- It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back
- Year
- 1989
- Label
- Columbia # FC44303
- Format
- LP · Album
- Language
- English
- Country
- Roosevelt, New York, USA
- Genre
- Hip Hop · Rap
- Primary theme
- Post-War
Annotation
Popular and well-known East Coast Hip Hop group, with strong political & social-economic commentary, formed in 1985 in Roosevelt, New York, USA, including the members Chuck D, Flavor Flav, Terminator X, and Professor Griff. In the song "Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos" (Def Jam Recordings # 38-68613) from the album It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (Def Jam Recordings # BFW 44303) dealt with someone who refused to fight in the Vietnam War and so ended up in prison. It criticised the war, the prison system, and racism.
Annotation by Justin A. Brummer
Annotation — Civil Rights Songs
Popular and well-known East Coast Hip Hop group, with strong political & social-economic commentary, formed in 1985 in Roosevelt, New York, USA, including the members Chuck D, Flavor Flav, Terminator X, and Professor Griff. The song "Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos" (Def Jam Recordings # 38-68613) dealt with someone who received a draft card to fight in Vietnam: "I got a letter from the government... they wanted me for their army". The lyrics criticised the war, the prison system, and racism, with several Civil Rights references, such as why should an African American fight in a war when they did not have equal rights at home: "here is a land that never gave a damn about a brother like me... I'm a Black man and I could never be a veteran". This theme was usually found in blue and soul music from the 60s and 70s, and rarely repeated by other hip hop artists. Featured on the album It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (Def Jam Recordings # BFW 44303).
Annotation by Justin A. Brummer
About the artist
American hip-hop group formed 1985 in Roosevelt, Long Island, New York. [Source: Wikipedia]
Themes
Draft · Vet · Anti-Government · Civil Rights