Public Enemy’s surprise album, Black Sky Over The Projects: Apartment 2025, released over the summer, will be released on CD and vinyl next month. Their 16th album is the first in five years and was their way of thanking fans. “This album is a give-back to all of our fans with gratitude and appreciation,” says Chuck D, “we see and appreciate you.” “We’re bringing our beats to the world with this album,” adds Flavor Flav. It’s been three plus decades since the group released their groundbreaking political missives It Takes A Nation Of Millions to Hold Us Back and Fear Of A Black Planet. Both albums were a response to a late ’80s and early ’90s world but they are even more relevant in 2025. Black Sky has the same spirit of truth as Chuck D and Flavor Flav are still observing the world’s shortcomings. They also take the time to celebrate music  so the album is not all social critiques. 

The vinyl release of Black Sky Over The Projects: Apartment 2025 has three versions: “Earth” (Barnes & Noble/Natural Black Swirl Opaque Mix vinyl), “Wind” (MVDShop.com/Light Gray Marble Opaque Mix vinyl, Exclusive Artist-Signed Edition), and “Fire” (Zia Records/Blood Orange Opaque Mix vinyl). Pre-order the CDHERE (CD) and the vinylHERE. You can also pre-order the CD and vinyl via Amazon. Both versions will be available on October 10th. 

Chuck D is back with his first solo single in seven years and it’s a collaboration with Daddy-O called “New Gens.” The new song is included on his next solo album, Radio Armageddon. The Public Enemy co-founder and Daddy-O, who founded Stetsasonic, the first hip-hop group to use a full band, rap about the current generation of rappers. The two rap pioneers share their perspectives on contemporary artists and what it means to be a legend. Chuck D makes sure to send them love at the end of each verse. The video is a collection of vintage scenes from hip-hop and the two of them interspersed in between the footage of those early days of New York City b-boys and b-girls.

Chuck D’s last solo effort was Celebration of Ignorance, which came out in 2018. It was only five years ago that Public Enemy released the critically acclaimed What You Gonna Do When The Grid Goes Down? Radio Armageddon has guest appearances from Philadelphia legends Schoolly D and Phil Most Chill; Donald D and Jazzy Jay of the Zulu Nation; hip-hop’s first hypewoman, 1/2 pint, NYC’s Miranda Writes; and artists from Chuck D’s SpitSLAM label: The Impossebulls and Blak Madeen. Radio Armageddon comes out on May 18th and can be preordered now. 

Rapper Consequence questions his patriotism on the single “What Has America Done,” featuring Public Enemy frontman Chuck D. Consequence raps about the injustices done to Black people with Chuck D, and Tony Williams sings the chorus. The single is from his forthcoming Nice Doing Business With You (Deluxe Edition), which comes out on December 6th. 

Public Enemy, De La Soul, Cypress Hill, and more are scheduled to perform at Hip-Hop 101: From New York To The Bay, a one-day concert at Oakland Arena. The show takes its name from the role the artists played in hip-hop’s Golden Era. Dilated Peoples, Mistah F.A.B., and Too $hort are also slated to perform at the event, which takes place November 9th. Tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster and there is a special four-pack for $120, including fees. Public Enemy co-founder Flavor Flav B-Real of Cypress Hill made a statement about the show in a press release.

“I’m hyped for Public Enemy to come back to the Bay and bring the noise and everything we got for this legendary lineup of hip hop history. In just one day, people will get to see how far hip hop has come and how unlimited its artistry can be,” added PE co-founder Chuck D. “Prepare for minds to be blown by how every act on that stage will be bringing something different to the mix. But the common denominator is that we’re all going to rock the house,” he continued. B-Real of Cypress Hill declared, “We’re comin’ atcha, Oakland! The Hill and all of our brothers about to come through and smash the whole city up. Don’t miss this!”