Public Enemy, one of the most important groups in the history of hip-hop, visited Athens for the third time in their illustrious 26-year career, for two shows presenting their seminal second album "It takes a nation of millions to hold us back" in its entirety. My memories from their first show here, way back in 1992 when the band was still at its peak, are a bit foggy as you can imagine but I'm sure that the 2008 shows were none the less powerful and explosive, simply because it is impossible to give a more intense performance than those two hours and a half we witnessed this time. The first half of the show was all about 1988's "It takes a nation..." classic album (no.4 in our "Best Albums of 1985-1989" list and possibly the best rap album ever), delivered with the same urgency and raw power as if it was released yesterday. The second half was a "best of" performance with highlights from all their classic albums, stretching from "Public Enemy Number One" to "He got game" and covering everything between, from "Fight the power" to "By the time I get to Arizona". A lesson in the history of hip-hop from the band that set the standards that no current rap superstar can even come close.
.
Public Enemy, live in Athens (Nov. 30th, 2008) - Still louder than a bomb!Fight the Power - Public Enemy, live @ Gagarin 205 (Athens, November 30th, 2008)
No comments:
Post a Comment