It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back Review: Hip-Hop's Loudest Wake-Up Call
10/10 — Public Enemy - It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (1988)
Pros
- Pioneering Bomb Squad production
- Chuck D's commanding delivery
- Urgent political message
Cons
- Exhausting density
- Weaker interludes
Produced by the Bomb Squad, It Takes a Nation of Millions layers a collage of samples, sirens and scratches under Chuck D’s booming voice and Flavor Flav’s wild interjections. It set a new bar for hip-hop’s ambitions.
What works
‘Bring the Noise’, ‘Don’t Believe the Hype’ and ‘Rebel Without a Pause’ are urgent and thrilling, and the production is dense yet funky. Chuck D’s lyrics are sharp and angry, and the album has a relentless drive.
Where it falters
The wall of sound can be exhausting, and some of the interludes are less compelling.
Verdict
A landmark in hip-hop and protest music.
