Public Enemy is an American
hip hop group consisting of
Chuck D,
Flavor Flav,
Professor Griff,
Khari Wynn, CJ Lord, and the S1W group. Formed on
Long Island, New York in 1982, they are known for their politically charged music and criticism of the American media, with an active interest in the frustrations and concerns of the
African American community. They remain one of the most critically acclaimed bands in history. Their first four albums during the late 1980s and early 1990s were all certified either
gold or platinum and were, according to music critic
Robert Hilburn in 1998, "the most acclaimed body of work ever by a hip hop act."