Public Enemy call for “free Palestine” during RiverBeat Festival set in Memphis

Public Enemy used their set at RiverBeat Music Festival in Memphis this weekend to call for a “free Palestine”.

The veteran hip-hop group were playing at the Tom Lee Park on Saturday (May 3) and in keeping with their trademark of being politically outspoken, they declared their support for the people of Palestine, as well as reserving criticism for President Trump.

They played ‘State Of The Union’, their 2020 track that was written at the end of Trump’s first term in office and at the height of the Black Lives Matter protests. “Whatever it takes, rid this dictator…White house killer, dead in lifelines / Vote this joke out or die tryin’” Chuck D raps on the track.

Introducing ‘Fight The Power’ to round out the set, Flavor Flav addressed the crowd: “No matter what part of the world we come from, no matter what language we speak, no matter what colour we are, we are all one person. With peace and togetherness, we would have so much power” (via Far Out).

Yeah, boiiiiiiiiiiiii! Public Enemy showed Memphis BIG love – talking up the power of our music and our city throughout their killer set of “rock-ass rap music” (Chuck D.’s words). Bonus: Memphis’ own Khari Wynn joining them on guitar.

Read More