Public Enemy - Yo! Bum Rush the Show

With Yo! Bum Rush the Show, Public Enemy introduce a new kind of bravado that's not just directed at other players and sucker MCs but is an out-and-out middle-finger challenge to the whole world, as these serious brothers roll right over you in a slow-moving convoy of 98 Oldsmobiles ("You're Gonna Get Yours"). PE crowd these tracks with disparate sounds that move your butt while they buzz from every channel. Despite their serious posturing, you'll be grateful for the sloppy bass line in "Timebomb" and Terminator X's brilliant tone experiment, "Public Enemy No. 1." Yo! isn't PE's masterpiece, but it's a truly standout album, a warning shot for the full-scale assault they would later initiate on It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back. --Todd Levin Amazon.com essential recording

The beginning of the Public Enemy legacy--

Yo! Bum Rush the Show-
Formerly a loose congregate of college-radio DJs and party promoters in the Long Island area, `Spectrum City' became Public Enemy when Def Jam exec Rick Rubin allegedly badgered Chuck D into accepting a record deal; Chuck insisted that Flav come along, and hip-hop history was begun. Along with producers Bill Stephney and Hank Shocklee, Chuck and company considered themselves hip-hop's answer to the Clash: The first album as almost a punk effort, more about rhythm & noise rather than rhythm & blues. The LP opens with "You're Gonna Get Yours", Chuck and Flav's ode to the Oldsmobile 98: "Smoke is coming, when I burn/ rubber when my wheels turn; tinted windows so super-bad; looking like the car the Green Hornet had." The riskiest cut may have been "Sophisticated Bi*ch": hardcore metal guitar (courtesy of Vernon Reid) and hip-hop bassline make for a powerful punch. The lyrics rail against a loose woman, though later statements by Chuck assert that this was an allegorical rant against the policies of urban radio stations at the time. Other standout joints include "Public Enemy #1" (covered years later by Puff Daddy), "Miuzi Weighs a Ton", "Timebomb" ("They go `ooh!' and `ah!' when I jump in my car, people treat me like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.."), and the anti-crack-cocaine diatribe "Megablast". This is the true beginning of the PE dynasty, even before "Nation of Millions". Not to be missed.
June 4, 2007

If you're expecting the usual Public Enemy, you'll be surprised

This is a really strong album, although there are a few misses, and that's understandable, since this is P.E.'s first album. It does sound like the Public Enemy that would become world famous hip-hop icons on a few tracks, but for the most part this album sounds like a transition from old school rap to Public Enemy's own sound as heard on albums two through whatever they're on now. You can hear it in the way Chuck D raps- he sounds like himself, but with an almost Run DMC timing. It's still great, but not indespensible like It Takes a Nation of Millions or Fear of a Black Planet. I'd suggest buying this album, but either get a good deal on it, or get it after you've gotten better Public Enemy albums. March 16, 2006

Public Enemy

This was always one of my favorite albums/tapes & I wanted the CD. IT is in great condition. Thanks so much February 18, 2006

If you don't know; you better ask somebody

In the 80's, I never missed a Public Enemy concert. You can't be a true hip-hop master unless you know where it began. Public Enemy's music had a message. Nearly all rap in the 80's had a message, unlike todays music. This is an outstanding CD!! Do not hesitate one second; buy this CD right now!! It is worth it!!!! January 30, 2006

Conscious Hip-Hop at it's finest!!

This was only the introduction, but what an introduction!!! Their best work (in my opinion) was yet to come, but "Yo, Bum Rush The Show" was and is the truth!!

Stand out hits are "You Gonna Get Yours", "Miuzi Weighs a Ton", the title track, and....well hey, I'm not gonna sit here and list like 9 of the 12 tracks I dig....too much typing! :) Suffice it to say, to any old schooler (who was in high school like me when this first came out) or to any young head who wants to educate themselves to when Hip-Hop music truly had something to say, this is your album to purchase! After this, exhale and then get "Fear of a Black Planet" and then...take a pause, and then get their all-time greatest (the 5-mic classic as far as I'm concerned) "It takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back".

How I miss conscious Hip-Hop! Eons away from this rap mess today. And if you don't know the difference between Hip-Hop music and rap music, IMMEDIATELY purchase Boogie Down Productions/KRS-One and Eric B & Rakim! September 22, 2005

More reviews at Amazon.com ...