Chuck D gives us Radio Armageddon, and it truly is “a funky old record!”

Chuck D is back. This time Chuck presents us with a renegade radio station- in your face and delivering a poignant message for a limited time. Simply put, it’s fresh and filled with impact.

Chuck D is an anomaly. He has been making music and spreading his message for nearly 40 years. Typically, an artist’s output diminishes over time. That initial impetus, that place of despair or inspiration that was the muse that inspired music and the message, gives way to success and comfort. Either an artist sees more years between each new record, or they live on their hits from the past as they continue their career in concert. Chuck defies this. If anything, he has more output and more avenues now than he did in the past. Chuck continues to alter our world, work of art by work of art.

Since 2020 and Public Enemy’s last release, Chuck has released:

  • two original albums- “We Wreck Stadiums” (as Mistachuck) and now “Radio Armegeddon”
  • a spoken poetry album “The Writings of Barbara Dumas Francis” (his aunt)
  • a series of “naphic grovels” Stewdio trilogy
  • Summer of Hamn- Hollowpointlessness Aiding Mass Nihilism
  • Livin’ Loud Artitation
  • Interficial Artelligence

If Chuck D isn’t pointing out the problems in our social society through his musical art, he is telling us through his fine arts sensibilities and observations. He has become a chronicler of our generation.

It’s hard to narrow down the message on this record. As usual, Chuck is commenting on society, politics and music. One theme that seems prevalent is that we are going down the wrong path. We are not listening to the past, and in many ways actively working against our past. While the current music and tech is shiny and new, it isn’t necessarily better. In fact, it can be detrimental. This is where Chuck seems to want to lead New Gens and those who are younger and searching for the path to a more responsible and fulfilling place. It won’t be an easy path, but being an artist shouldn’t be about comfort. It certainly has never been for Chuck. So, let’s get into it. What does this album have to offer?

*note- this is simply my interpretation of the songs and how they hit. I don’t claim to speak for what Chuck is saying or for any particular group of people. I’m simply someone who has learned a lot from Mr. Chuck D since 1987 and values what he has to say. This is how I interpret the message and the music.

Radio Armageddon: The album begins in typical Chuck/Public Enemy fashion with a short intro. Here we have the title track, Radio Armageddon clocking in at 52 seconds. Alongside new sounds, textures a guitar riff and a simple drum beat is the ever present scratching so absent in today’s music. I love that Chuck refuses to remove it from his music. It brings back a sentimentality to the early days of rap, and it’s original intentions of “fighting the power,” for a better choice of description. Toward the end of the song, we skip from station to station, giving the illusion of an actual apocalyptical radio station. This song smoothly transitions to the second track.

What Rock Is: First actual song on the record. It’s hard to tell where we are going on this record as the song drops. “When you’re black, you’re pro rock all the time.” From there Chuck begins listing all of the facets of rock music. Some are great and respectable, others from a sordid past. At the mention of “racism” a second voice enters to question it. After all, rock is simply the white version of rhythm and blues, right? Not so easy. Chuck D goes on to describe rock in more salacious terms. Again, “rock is the offshoot of Black music.” It is true, but Chuck points out that rock merely has the effect of “enjoyment” on the listener. The interlude kicks in and the “hype man” for rock begins pumping the crowd. Chuck makes striking commentary here that contemporary rock has lost what made rock important. The further from it’s rhythm and blues origin, the more innocuous it has become. It’s all about entertainment now.

Black Don’t Dead: This jam continues the notion that youth has changed and the message has been lost. It’s easier to do drugs, play the game and shoot up the charts. However, someone who is black and a rapper might be famous, but they are still dancing like a marionette or on full display, “livin in a fish tank.” I believe Chuck still sees rap as an avenue to be the “black CNN,” to be the voice of the people, and to stand against what is wrong. “For a cat to excel, I still rebel.”

Chuck uses the phrases “Black don’t crack, but it can surely die.” Black don’t crack alludes to the youthful appearance of young black men as they age. Chuck reminds us, though, that while that may be true, young black men can surely die. He points out here that it isn’t just outside forces that threaten the black man. Here, silly rivalries can spell doom for a young black artist. “Vibe with the reason y’all beefin’ for, 666, lost track of the real war.” Violence is senseless in many ways, and the community is turned against each other which takes eyes off the real problems. In the end, it’s the young black man who suffers, and they “surely die.”

New Gens: This is a call to all the new rappers and societal influencers out there who look down on what came before. This track is a little more sparse than others with a more dis-jointed rap performance by Chuck. It’s jarring like the message. I love the change in music during the chorus, a little more upbeat with the addition of horns.

“Woah, new gens can’t dance to this

New gens don’t listen to it”

It’s a dangerous game ignoring the past. There is wisdom there. In the face of those who claim Chuck is simply chasing clout or trolling, Chuck continues to put out the message. As he reminds the younger generation, and this may be the most powerful line on the record:

“I been your age, you ain’t been mine yet”

Chuck knows and has experienced what they have not, and may never. But in the true spirit of hip hop, Chuck wishes them well and hopes they come around. The odds are stacked against them in the age of “screenagers” but that won’t stop Chuck from sharing the message.

Station Break: First station break to give the feel of a real radio station. The verse is laid down by CM aka Creative. CM is smooth, excellent flow and lands on the rhyme with perfection. Short, but leaves with much work to do.

Rogue Runnin: Rogue Runnin is a complicated song with three distinct narratives. The first is Chuck pointing out the treatment of black folk by the police, “My hands up high, I ain’t got no gun.” Sirens play in the background. The second verse is from the point of view of a disenfranchised older black man. The music is slowed down here as Chuck slowly raps. He doesn’t feel part of this generation, nor does he feel like a citizen of this nation. He is lost and powerless. Two lines stand out here. “Lack the power of persuasion against this hatred.” The black man has no power to change things on his own. It is a defeating notion. Secondly, Chuck cleverly slides a “soft” line in the background, “I see Negros holding jobs that belong to me.” It paradoxical that Negros struggle to better themselves, but are then blamed for taking others’ jobs. Truly stuck. Finally, the third verse picks up the pace with Phill Most Chill. I love the call back to two older Public Enemy songs: Welcome to the Terrordome and Rebel without a Pause (paws here because he has lost his power). This makes total sense if part of the theme of this record is that the New Gens are missing the point, the old songs can redirect them.

Is God She?: I love this song! For many, the young ladies rapping on this may be new to them. They were to me. The first verse is knocked out of the park by 1/2 Pint. That flow is killer. “Melenated magic, blessed by the spirit, My body is a temple so, no, you can’t feel it.” How refreshing to hear that lyric in the world of songs like WAP. Miranda Writes takes over on the final verse. She raps of empowerment and the importance of women. It is such a powerful and positive message. Both 1/2 Pint and Writes are a breath of fresh air to the rap community; they absolutely slay in their approach to this song.

Station Identification: “My mission to never sеttle, no—
No— no— no— no bars like we thе rebels“

Here We Are Heard: This song seems to be the most direct depiction of the world around us. Chuck makes references to the border wall and to alternative facts. He cleverly starts by having a soundbite calling for the National Anthem before launching into an alternative statement to Make America Great Again- “Make Racists Afraid Again.” From there it is an onslaught against the regression our nation has taken under current leadership. This song is powerful! Chuck and the Impossebulls provide message, rhyme, and flow that make this song one of the smoothest and most important songs to come out in a long time.

Superbagg: When I heard Superbagg, I was instantly floored. The flow on this banger is out of this world. I tweeted to Mr. Chuck D on X to share my joy. Chuck commented on twitter about the flow in this one:

If you listen to Bring the Noise, pay attention at the 1:06 mark for that second verse. You can definitely hear the connection. Again, on an album that is referring to the past as a reference, this makes total sense. Not sure if Superbagg is referring to something specifically, but on the surface it seems like it represents anything that our society now sees as worthy of pursuing: money, fame, things, etc. We will do anything for that Superbagg. No matter what has come before; no matter the warning, we can’t help ourselves because society says it’s important. Love these lines,

“Your family in the cemetery say, “Learn from us,” what?
What’s the fuss about the money you make?
And the food you consume ’til your stomach’ll ache
Kids are runnin’ for the bag like a stolen base”

Carry On: Excellent beat on this one, plus another example of different lyrical flows on the same track. Chuck D hits it hard on the first three verses before handing off duties to Ultramag7. The fourth verse has a beautiful and insightful line about cell phones.

“The lies, deception, in my pocket, there’s a weapon
I use for information, y’all just use for textin'”

Chuck has been ringing the bell about AI and cellphones for years. It has truly consumed our lives, changed how we receive information and altered the information that we receive. It has played a role in splitting the nation. Chuck, as usual, is on point.

What Are We to You?: This one begins with a simple, driving drum beat, that gives way to an upbeat keyboard. Chuck implores us on this one to see each other as human beings.

“Bein’ a human being should unite a human being
Automatic, sight unseen, but you believe in a screen”

Sadly, we are having a wedge driven between us. And according to Chuck on this track, it’s through a bastardization of what the Statue of Liberty and Uncle Sam stand for. Sadly, those who are unaffected by decisions on high, are the ones who sew division in the rest of us- those of us who have way more in common with others like us, not those who “serve” in Washington.

“Statue of Liberty got a habit of talkin’ shit
Her man Uncle Sam got ’em grabbin’ and takin’ shit”

Those in power will stay in power by dividing us. Get to know someone and realize how hard it is to treat that person badly. Hide behind and a screen and an agenda makes it much easier to be awful. Another great jam!

Slight Story Style Sound: This track actually gives us different story, style and sound as Chuck and Donald-D share the vocals incorporating different styles, all the while giving props to the DJ. It’s a quick hitter, fast paced and filled with the glory of being a rapper who understands the impact on culture. The switch from Chuck D to Donald is smooth and transitions from a hard hitter to a laid back flow that has it’s place lounging on the beach. They both give props here because they would be nothing without the DJ, in this case Jazzy Jay.

Signing Off: This song closes out the album, effectively shutting down the station and the message.

As usual, Chuck D music, whether solo or with Public Enemy, offers a lot of instruments, sounds, textures, and scratching. While scratching is antiquated to some, it’s familiar for Chuck. It lets us know that, regardeless of message, we are in for a good time, a time reminescent of yesteryear. As for the message- it is certainly bleak, but what I love about this record is that Chuck D points out the weakness in the new generation, but invites them in to carry the torch.

Rating- A Must Listen

If you are not on Chuck’s Bring the Noise App, find out about it here.

As always, check back with One Big Blank to get Filled In.