Public Enemy, Chuck D, Sunshine Theater, Albuquerque, NM

- Exhibition Label
- Born Queens, New York
- In the early 1980s, while at Adelphi University on Long Island, Chuck D (Carlton D. Ridenhour) created a tape for the student radio station where he worked (WBAU) to fend off a fellow local MC. The tape was titled Public Enemy #1. Chuck D’s interest in politics and activism formed the basis for the hip-hop group Public Enemy. Joined by fellow student William Drayton (Flavor Flav), they ushered in a new sound to hip-hop. With layered, noisy street sounds and Chuck D’s booming voice and anti-establishment message juxtaposed against Flavor Fav’s comic relief, Public Enemy changed the face of hip-hop. Chuck D remains a constant voice today, writing a song about Hurricane Katrina and appearing before Congress regarding music file sharing.
- Since 2000 David Scheinbaum has photographed more than a hundred hip-hop performers, both in concert and backstage.
- Credit Line
- National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
- Restrictions & Rights
- © David Scheinbaum
- See more items in
- National Portrait Gallery Collection
- 2002
- Object number
- S/NPG.2008.81
- Culture
- Chuck D: American\African American
- Artist
- David Scheinbaum, born 1951
- Sitter
- Chuck D, born 1 Aug 1960
- Topic
- Chuck D: Male
- Chuck D: Performing Arts\Performer\Musician
- Portrait
- Medium
- Gelatin silver print
- Dimensions
- Image: 31.5 x 47.9 cm (12 3/8 x 18 7/8")
- Sheet: 32.8 x 49.2 cm (12 15/16 x 19 3/8")
- Mount: 50.8 x 61 cm (20 x 24")
- Mat: 55.9 x 71.1 cm (22 x 28")
- National Portrait Gallery
- Type
- Photograph