Public Enemy used their set at RiverBeat Music Festival in Memphis this weekend to call for a “free Palestine”.
The veteran hip-hop group were playing at the Tom Lee Park on Saturday (May 3) and in keeping with their trademark of being politically outspoken, they declared their support for the people of Palestine, as well as reserving criticism for President Trump.
They played ‘State Of The Union’, their 2020 track that was written at the end of Trump’s first term in office and at the height of the Black Lives Matter protests. “Whatever it takes, rid this dictator…White house killer, dead in lifelines / Vote this joke out or die tryin’” Chuck D raps on the track.
Introducing ‘Fight The Power’ to round out the set, Flavor Flav addressed the crowd: “No matter what part of the world we come from, no matter what language we speak, no matter what colour we are, we are all one person. With peace and togetherness, we would have so much power” (via Far Out).
Yeah, boiiiiiiiiiiiii! Public Enemy showed Memphis BIG love – talking up the power of our music and our city throughout their killer set of “rock-ass rap music” (Chuck D.’s words). Bonus: Memphis’ own Khari Wynn joining them on guitar.
📸 Joshua Timmermans, David Simchock pic.twitter.com/D50baHE1TW
— RiverBeatFest (@RiverBeatfest) May 4, 2025
Public Enemy’s Palestine comments come after Kneecap courted significant controversy for their own statements in support of the people of Gaza during their Coachella shows last month.
Widespread criticism of those comments, including from Sharon Osbourne, preceded counter-terror police in the UK announcing their were investigating two videos from previous gigs by Kneecap. Politicians later called for them to be removed from festival bills this summer, and they have seen some gigs around Europe cancelled.
In other Public Enemy news, Flavor Flav and Chuck D worked to raise money for victims on the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles in January, launching a GoFundMe and visiting displaced families.
The group have also announced a “once in a lifetime” show at London’s Royal Albert Hall on June 27, the first UK show in nearly a decade. “We are honoured to have this opportunity to stand on the Royal Albert Hall stage and perform under the same renowned roof that the greats from Hendrix to Pavarotti, from The Beatles to my brothers Cypress Hill have,” said Chuck D. “Thank you, London. We’ll see you soon.” Find any remaining tickets here.
They will also be playing at the 2025 edition of Sea.Hear.Now alongside Blink-182, Hozier and LCD Soundsystem as well as at the Shaky Knees Festival in Atlanta along with My Chemical Romance, Vampire Weekend and Deftones. Visit here for international tickets.
