A Conversation With Chuck D

Now What? With Carole Zimmer

I started to think a lot about music when I knew I’d be talking to Chuck D, the rapper and frontman of Public Enemy. Some critics point to the group as a revolutionary voice in hip hop. Chuck D and Flavor Flav formed Public Enemy in 1985. Their songs became known for political messages on albums like Fear of a Black Planet. But in the decades since becoming a legendary rapper, Chuck D has developed his talent as an artist illustrating 3 graphic books. His latest, Rap Pilates, is about the exercise he credits with helping him to perform high-energy concerts. We talk about drawing, creativity and changing the world. “Now What?” is produced with the help of Steve Zimmer, Lucy Little and Jackie Schwartz. Audio production is by Nick Ciavatta.