Public Enemy’s Chuck D won’t waste time at the podium when the hip hop pioneer speaks on race, music and society at the University on Feb. 8.
Chuck D’s speaking style goes beyond rhetoric — he’s not afraid to take a stand, according to Joel Friemark, a member of University Activities Organization, who helped organize the free event.
“He doesn’t hold his tongue much,” said Friemark, who has seen him speak on several occasions.
What comes from that tongue is worth hearing, Friemark added. “He’s a brilliant, brilliant speaker.”
Chuck D has plenty of experience to speak about aside from having made 13 politically charged albums with Public Enemy. He hosted his own segment on the Fox News Channel, has served as spokesperson for free music on the Internet and wrote a book called “Fight the Power: Rap, Race, and Reality.”
“He can draw from such a wealth of knowledge and experience,” Friemark said.
UAO isn’t the only group responsible for the event — the Black Issues Conference Committee approached the group with the idea, according to Jonathan Warren, who served as a liaison between both groups.
“Basically, they were looking for someone who could talk about how hip hop affects our everyday lives,” Warren said.
Though the event was initiated by the Black Issues Conference Committee, UAO has been interested in Chuck D for some time, according to UAO President Jordan Ohler.
“We’ve been wanting to bring this guy for years,” Ohler said. Few groups have the same initiative in approaching UAO for help with events, according to Warren.
“Any organization that comes to us and needs help (with an event), we’ll consider it,” he said. “Lots of organizations just don’t ask.”
Though the event will be part of the Black Issues Conference, it is open to any student, staff or faculty member, regardless of race.
“If they’re not an African American, they should still feel free to listen to this great speaker,” Ohler said.
Chuck D’s style is also inclusive, according to Friemark.
“It’s almost more of a conversation with the audience in some ways,” he said. “You feel a lot of energy going back and forth.”
That conversation starts at 2:30 p.m. in the Lenhart Grand Ballroom in the Student Union. A book signing will follow the event, which is free with a University ID.
