Chuck D Presents Enemy Radio: Radio Armageddon

2018年の『Celebration of Ignorance』から7年。ロックの殿堂(R)入りを果たし、パブリック・エネミーの共同創設者であり、グラミー賞(R)受賞歴を誇るラップ界のレジェンド、Chuck Dがニュー・ソロ・アルバム『Radio Armageddon』を発表。シングル「New Gens」を含む14曲を収録。LPで発売。

Five years after Public Enemy returned to original home Def Jam with the guest-heavy What You Gonna Do When the Grid Goes Down?, Chuck D released his first solo full-length for the label, and his first major-label album as a solo act since 1996s Autobiography of Mistachuck. Created with offshoot Enemy Radio, whose 2020 debut was overshadowed by an ill-advised April Fools Day hoax in which PE claimed to be firing Flavor Flav, Radio Armageddon revisits the chaotic, collage-like production style pioneered by the Bomb Squad back in the 80s. Sounding closer to a rap album made by Negativland than anything likely to be heard on the radio, the record is filled with booming breakbeats, melted acid rock guitars, radio static, vicious turntable scratching, and countless unexpected beat switches and sample intrusions. (The drumnbass outro of "What Are We to You" is a welcome surprise.) Chucks booming voice hasnt lost an ounce of its commanding power, and he remains front and center even as the production mirrors the albums title, resembling a broadcast soundtrack to world destruction. The lyrics offer potent commentary about right-wing world leadership and anti-Black violence at the hands of law enforcement, referencing Boogie Down Productions "Who Protects Us from You?" more than once. Guest verses and station ID-style drops are provided by Schoolly D, Stetsasonics Daddy-O, Khujo from Goodie Mob, and a few names only recognizable to a specific niche of aging hip-hop fans, like Yaggfu Front. Not surprisingly, Chuck and his peers acknowledge their advancing age and admit that they dont understand the younger generations, but arent trying to stop them from doing their thing. The records penultimate track, "Sight Story Style Sound," flashes back to the old school with an appearance from trailblazing turntablist and Zulu Nation member Jazzy Jay. Make no mistake, Radio Armageddon is intended for an audience who has been listening to Public Enemy for most of its life, but the album continues in the groups tradition of delivering timely, empowering messages with dense, confrontational barrages of revolutionary noise. ~ Paul Simpson

パブリック・エナミーの近作と同じくデフ・ジャム発となったチャックDのニュー・アルバムは、PEの後継ユニットを率いたコンセプチュアルな作品。若い世代に語りかける"New Gens"に迎えたダディOをはじめ、ドナルドDとジャジー・ジェイ、さらにスクーリーDとヴェテランを招き、ソリッドで実験的なビートも従えた主役は自信に満ちた語りで音世界を支配する。かっこいい。
bounce (C)轟ひろみ