Public Enemy have returned with their first album in five years, which they surprise released as a pay-what-you-want drop on Bandcamp.
The record, titled ‘Black Sky Over The Projects: Apartment 2025’, landed on Friday (27th June) ahead of the hip-hop troupe’s historic performance at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
It features twelve high-octane tracks produced by Chuck D and Flavor Flav, including the group’s latest single, ‘March Madness’, which protests against gun violence and “crooked politicians”. Listen below.
“This album is a give back to all of our fans with gratitude and appreciation,” Chuck D said in a statement. “We see and appreciate you”.
“We’re bringing our beats to the world on this tour and with this album,” Flavor Flav added. “So if you can’t get yourself to the stadiums and the festivals, then these new tracks are for you to get down to at home. Pay whatcha want for the next 72 hours.”
‘Black Sky’ follows their 2020 album, ‘What You Gonna Do When The Grid Goes Down?’, which featured collaborations with George Clinton, Run-DMC, Nas, Ice-T, and the surviving members of the Beastie Boys.
Following their London headliner last week, Public Enemy have reunited with Guns N’ Roses on their stadium tour across Europe through late June and July. Later this year, the hip-hop pioneers will head back to North America to play festivals across the US until year’s end. Check out their full 2025 tour dates below.
‘Black Sky Over The Projects: Apartment 2025’ is out now digitally on Enemy Records. The vinyl and CD editions will be out 10th October.
Earlier this month, Chuck D released a solo album, ‘Radio Armegeddon’, which he described as a “broadcast of truth, rhythm, and resistance”. In 2023, the frontman narrated an audio docu-drama series celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip-hop.