Legendary group PUBLIC ENEMY helped kick off the 20th Annual BET Awards tonight, Sunday, June 28, 2020 with a powerful performance of their anthem “Fight The Power,” intercut with protest footage and guest performances. Chuck D and Flavor Flav were joined by PE members DJ Lord, S1Ws and Professor Griff for the 2020 tribute to the classic which also featured new verses by Nas, Rapsody, Black Thought, YG, Questlove and JAHI, recorded in various locations.
The performance comes a week after Public Enemy released their new song and video, “State of the Union (STFU),” produced by DJ Premier. Their fiery return to the frontlines takes on Donald Trump and his fascist regime. An unflinching statement about the destruction the current administration has unleashed on the country and its people, “State of the Union (STFU)” speaks truth to power while urging people to fight against racism, injustice and oppression with their vote. PE is giving away the track to fans for free at www.publicenemy.com and it is also available to stream on all major DSPs worldwide.
“State of the Union (STFU)” is the latest in a string of powerful messages about Trump from PE frontman Chuck D, who has addressed Trump’s policies and rhetoric for the past several years through his work with Prophets of Rage and as a solo artist. “Our collective voices keep getting louder. The rest of the planet is on our side. But it’s not enough to talk about change. You have to show up and demand change,” says Chuck D. “Folks gotta vote like their lives depend on it, ‘cause it does.” “Public Enemy tells it like it is,” added Flavor Flav. “It’s time for him to GO.”
