‘Nation Of Millions’: Why Public Enemy’s Masterpiece Cannot Be Held Back

"Some hip-hop groups release their most popular and best album the first time out. That was just one convention Public Enemy refused to follow. Released on April 14, 1988, It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back was PE’s second album. The title was drawn from a line in one of their debut album’s songs, but the group’s sophomore effort blew its predecessor away with its sheer power. That’s saying something, because Yo! Bum Rush The Show was a killer record in its own right. If they’d released only Yo!, Public Enemy would have remained hip-hop cult heroes. But It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back made Public Enemy legends, cultural icons, and representatives of the cutting-edge of Black music. ...”

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