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