In light of the 25th Anniversary of the classic film, ‘Do the Right Thing’, Chuck D, Flavor Flav have spoken out on the hit that would be heard for decades! Chuck D and Flavor Flav reminisced on the makings of their revolutionary hit ‘Fight The Power’ and remember how the song almost was not created.
The trio took to their latest RollingStone interview to discuss the ‘Fight The Power’ anthem, and Chuck D unveiled that Spike had a different vision for the song.
“Spike’s original idea was to have Public Enemy do a hip-hop version of ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing,’ which is kind of like a Negro anthem or spiritual,” he said. “But I was like, ‘No.’ I opened the window and asked him to stick your head outside. ‘Man, what sounds do you hear? You’re not going to hear “Lift Every Voice and Sing” in every car that drives by.’ We needed to make something that’s going to resonate on the street level. After going back and forth, he said, ‘All right, I’ll let you guys go in there and see what you guys come back with.’”
Chuck D went on to explain that the hit didn’t come to him, till he was traveling with Run DMC and the inspiration followed by lyrics came rolling in! Flav stated that he was more laid back on the track himself, willing to take any part he saw himself fit. He stated:
“A lot of the songs that Chuck D has written, I took parts, I’d say, ‘Give me this part, give me that part.’ And I’m very grateful for the lines he gave me. I ain’t gonna lie, because those are the most memorable parts of the record…When ‘Fight the Power’ was being created, all I did was just come in, lay down my lyrics and I was out. I didn’t know that the record was going to be as big as it turned out to be. I just wanted to make a great record and keep it moving. And next thing you know, this phenomenal record was being played on the radio over and over and over. I’m like, ‘Wooow. This is crazy.’”
Check out the full interview on RollingStone
