It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back is the second studio album by American hip hop group Public Enemy, released in April 1988 by Def Jam Recordings. Public Enemy set out to make the hip hop equivalent to Marvin Gaye's What's Going On, an album noted for its strong social commentary. Recording sessions took place during 1987 at Chung King Studios, Greene St. Recording, and Sabella Studios in New York City. Noting the enthusiastic response toward their live shows, Public Enemy intended with Nation of Millions to make the music of a faster tempo than the previous Read more on Last.fm.
One night when I a college DJ at WUOG, I got a request to play, “Night Of The Living Baseheads.” When I dropped the needle immediately I became a fan of Public Enemy. That was the first time I heard them. I loved the power and the wall of sound and samples. Chuck D’s voice is authoritative and forceful while also being eloquent and passionate.
Other highlights include, “She Watch Channel Zero,” and “Black Steel In The Hour Of Chaos.”
This whole record plays like a movie. Listening to it from start to finish takes you on a journey.