Chuck D is one of the most influential voices in hip-hop history. His music has consistently addressed political and social issues, inspiring generations of listeners to take action. But while the man born Carlton Ridenhour is best known for his work with Public Enemy, his musical roots lie in punk rock. Specifically, he was heavily influenced by the Clash and their frontman, Joe Strummer.
It all started in 1981 when Chuck, born in Long Island, was a college student attending a Kurtis Blow hip-hop show in Manhattan. The crowd was rowdy, with both hip-hop and punk rock fans in attendance. But when the Clash took the stage, they completely won over the diverse crowd. Chuck D describes it as an awakening for him, as he realized that music could be a powerful force for rebellion and change. In an interview for Epitaph in 2003, Chuck recalls the following:
“The first time I heard the Clash was in 1981. I was in College at Adelphi University on Long Island, and one night I went down to this show in Manhattan-one of Kurtis Blow’s hip-hop package shows. The crowd was rough. People from different camps were there-the hip-hop people and the punk-rock people. They even started throwing tomatoes at Kurtis, so that’s the type of wild kids who were there. But the Clash completely broke it that night. It was an awakening for a New York cat like myself.”
As Chuck D delved deeper into the music scene, he learned about the punk rock scene in England and how bands like the Clash were rebelling against the establishment. He was particularly drawn to Joe Strummer’s approach to music, which incorporated elements of black music like hip-hop and reggae. Strummer was also known for his humility as an artist and his willingness to pay homage to those who came before him.
One of Chuck D’s friends from college, Bill Stepheny, was instrumental in introducing him and other hip-hop artists to the Clash’s music. Stepheny – later PE’s producer and an executive at their record label Def Jam – played the Clash’s records on his hip-hop radio show, exposing a whole new audience to the band’s unique sound. This cross-genre influence is evident in Public Enemy’s music, which incorporates elements of punk rock, funk, and soul. As Chuck has said: “Without The Clash, there would be no Public Enemy.”
But it wasn’t just the Clash’s sound that influenced him. He was also inspired by Strummer’s message of rebellion and social justice. Chuck D took this approach to heart and has used his platform to address political and social issues on an international level. In an interview with NBC, the rapper described how their political message captured the attention of the press. “They talked about important subjects, so therefore journalists printed what they said, which was very pointed. We took that from the Clash, because we were very similar in that regard. Public Enemy just did it ten years later.”
The legacy of the Clash and Public Enemy lives on today. Both bands have inspired countless artists to use their music as a force for change. In the rapper’s own words “I had great respect for Joe Strummer. How he used his music-incorporating a lot of black music like hip-hop and reggae-was very different from the guys who invented rock ‘n’ roll: He Always paid homage to those who came before him. I admired him for his humility as an artist and for the fact that he dug musical cats, no matter what type of music they played”.
In many ways, Joe Strummer and Chuck D were kindred spirits. Both used their music to challenge the status quo and speak out against injustice. Both had a deep respect for musical traditions and were constantly pushing the boundaries of what was possible. And both left a lasting legacy that continues to inspire musicians and activists around the world. But to Chuck, that’s Joe Strummer’s legacy: “The idea that you need to stand by your word every step of the way.”