Public Enemy broke out over 25 years ago: a sonic bomb of crazy invention and crazier virtuosity; a call to arms and a call to change (music) culture as we know it. Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys maybe said it best: “No one has been able to approach the political power that Public Enemy brought to hip hop.” The truth holds. For over 25 years, Public Enemy has set the political agenda for hip hop. Today, they’re still challenging its status quo.
Because there are some things in music we can’t be complacent about. Hip hop belongs to the people. Creativity happens in the streets, and not just the studio. Gary “G-Wiz” Rinaldo, Chuck D’s manager and a longtime record producer who’s worked with Public Enemy, Aerosmith, Run-DMC and more, notes that the group’s always believed in direct-to-fan. “For many established people in the music business, there’s a fear that comes along with it. We don’t have that fear. The ability to freely share an archive and have flexibility on how it can be used is an extremely powerful tool when it comes to making music and media available.”
Download the Public Enemy Bundle, and you’ll instantly receive the group’s new single “Get Up Stand Up”, featuring Brother Ali. Opt to unlock the Bundle with your email, and you’ll get the music video, plus outtakes, from Public Enemy. You’ll also get the exclusive multitrack: 37 acapellas and stems. Make your own Public Enemy mix, and if the group likes what they hear, they’ll release it digitally for you. Call it creative activism. Here’s how it works.
1. Download the BitTorrent Bundle.
2. Make something dope.
3. Share your tracks directly with Public Enemy.
The group will listen and vote on their favorite mixes. Winning tracks will get the goods:
1st Prize: One amazing remix will get released by Public Enemy. Its creator will get equipment from Blue Mics, Native Instruments, plus Public Enemy swag.
2nd Prize: 3 remixers will win equipment from Blue Mics and Native Instruments, plus merch from Public Enemy.
3rd Prize: 5 remixers will win Public Enemy merchandise, and a feature in BitTorrent.
Free music and an opportunity to make hip hop history? Aw yeah. The next Public Enemy track could be made by you. Get your remixes in by July 18, 2013 for your chance to win.
(And in the meantime, check out more from PE on iTunes.)
