‘You want to get people to challenge what’s in front of them’: How do you build an iconic brand? Just ask this legendary hip hop group
Building a brand is tough, making it last decades is even tougher. But this iconic hip hop outfit knows a thing or two about staying the course.
Appearing on a special co-presents episode of Mumbrella’s one-on-one podcast and The Plug podcast, legendary rapper Chuck D of Public Enemy spoke about how the group, which started in the mid ‘80s, managed to become one of the most iconic, and influential brands in music despite constantly being hit with controversy like their 1989 hit song, Fight the Power, which dealt with the abuse of authorities.
“You want to get people to challenge what’s in front of them, challenge information, challenge their obstacles,” Chuck D told host Neil Griffiths.
“You want them to try to do the right thing. You want people to have knowledge of self, but not be selfish.
“You’ve got to take care of the people and you’ve got to hold these situations accountable and responsible.”
While Public Enemy didn’t have the powers and perils of social media as they experienced fame and success, Chuck D said social media plays a hugely important role in anyone getting a message out – both good and bad.
You got to figure out between the test, between that human being and that gadget, which has been sort of like a grown addiction by society.
“Smartphones only emerged in 2007. So, this science is a new science… it’s the entire world in the gadget – the good, the bad, the ugly.
“And the fallacy is thinking that people actually control their gadgets when the gadget actually controls them.”
Public Enemy will embark on their On The Grid 35th anniversary tour of Australia this October.
Listen to the full episode with Chuck D here.
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