Fear of a Black Planet

Public Enemy - Fear of a Black Planet
Critic Score
Based on 7 reviews
1990 Ratings: #11 / 370
User Score
Based on 747 ratings
1990 Rank: #9
Liked by 149 people
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CRITIC REVIEWS

100
AllMusic

This isn't as revolutionary or as potent as Millions, but it holds together better, and as a piece of music, this is the best hip-hop has ever had to offer.

100
NME

This record is perhaps less revolutionary sounding than its predecessors, but that may well be deliberate, for 'Fear Of A Black Planet', as well as confirming Public Enemy's place at the cutting edge of le rock moderne also seeks to nestle them more comfortably than ever before in the unfolding tableau of black pop.

100
Sputnikmusic

Hip-hop has a habit of moving at such a pace that records date in a matter of years, but Fear Of A Black Planet is utterly timeless. Musically, it's funky, avant-garde, dense, and original (and it uses live instrumentation, as if that matters). Lyrically, it's inspired, intelligent, emotive, and angry as hell.

91
Entertainment Weekly

Fear of a Black Planet isn’t Public Enemy’s masterpiece. But it’s a formidable piece of work, and the one pop album released so far this year that no one interested in the current state of American culture can afford to ignore.

80
Rolling Stone

The group's determination and realism, its devotion to activism and booty shaking, make Fear of a Black Planet a welcome, bracing triumph.

AllAboutMusic
84

"Got so much trouble on my mind, REFUSE TO LOSE!!!"

Man that record never gets old. Hands down their craziest track ever in my opinion. Traced back to 1988, Public Enemy's sophomore album was easily one of the biggest and most important hip hop releases at the time. Alongside Boogie Down Productions, they were the first artists to kick afrocentric and political themes in their music. Fast forward to 1990, and these themes are being rapped about by damn near the whole hip hop scene. ... read more

Ascension
95

Not a controversial take I think, but...
Fear of a Black Planet > It Takes a Nation of Millions

I feel the lyrics are a more bold and thought-provoking statement and the beats are incredibly produced. On Fear of a Black Planet they touch harder into those subjects they bring up on It Takes a Nation of Millions. They do it in a playful manner which I really love especially on 911 Is a Joke despite it bringing up the topic of Police being useless.

One of the most underrated albums of all ... read more

WM0002
85

Certainly not as great as their previous album, but Chuck's rapping is still great and the song concepts are powerful & thought provoking throughout.

qwayZ
100

FIGHT THE POWER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Ascension
95

Not a controversial take I think, but...
Fear of a Black Planet > It Takes a Nation of Millions

I feel the lyrics are a more bold and thought-provoking statement and the beats are incredibly produced. On Fear of a Black Planet they touch harder into those subjects they bring up on It Takes a Nation of Millions. They do it in a playful manner which I really love especially on 911 Is a Joke despite it bringing up the topic of Police being useless.

One of the most underrated albums of all ... read more

Jago
86

Relistening to this album, it sounds much better mainly because I'm not distracted by Discord messages every 5 seconds. A few tracks get removed from the album, and then you get competition against It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back

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Added on: October 13, 2012