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Chapter 57
Public Enemy
Chapter at a Glance
Listen to This First
A Layered, Sampled Timbre
Verse-Chorus Form
A Repetitive Rhythmic Groove with Syncopated Lyrics
Profile: Public Enemy
Expand Your Playlist: Public Enemy
Historical Context: Hip-
Chapter Objectives
After reading this chapter and listening to the work, students should be able to:
57.5 Discuss the sociological background for this work.
57.6 Outline the career of Public Enemy.
Key Concepts
sampling, quotation and references, scratching, hip-hop beats
Chapter Highlight: Hip-Hop
Hip-hop emerged from a culture of black, urban artistic expression in dance, graffiti,
Chapter Summary
Known for their abrasive and politically charged rap recordings, Public Enemy recorded
Do the Right Thing
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-hop and
represents one strain of this genre from ca. 1990. The timbre features sampling and
scratching. The verse-chorus form heard in this example is a form often encountered in
popular music. Like many
over a repetitive rhythmic groove. The way that the lyrics fall over the groove creates a
Listening Guide
al elements, depending on
how the class discussion or other assignments unfold. The text naturally lends itself to
interpretation, especially when combined with references to other musicians and their
MyMusicLab Resources
Automated Listening Guide
Chapter Audio: Chapter 57
Animated Notation: Atonal versus Tonal Harmony
Profile: Public Enemy
Connect Your Playlist: Politically Charged Lyrics
Flashcards
Discussion Topics and Critical Thinking Questions
What creates tension between the repetitive rhythmic groove and the syncopated lyrics
of rap recordings? What are the elements of hip hop?
Activities and Exercises
Using large sheets of wrapping paper or refrigerator shipping cartons, create classroom
graffiti. With colored markers or other media, ask students to adopt a political
statement about something that matters to them and express it with graffiti.
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Journaling Prompt
courses. Why do you think this particular piece appears more frequently than others in a
similar style?