I mentioned last week that Chuck D. raps on the opening song of the latest Dirty Dozen CD. That got me interested in what the great front man for Public Enemy has been doing lately. It turns out that he and Public Enemy are still putting out some music that has nearly the same energy the band had at its height 15 to 20 years ago.

Rap used to have a bad name for a good reason. Chuck D. knows that the best weapon — the most threatening weapon — is a brain, preferably a brain fueled by books. He makes gangster rap look like a silly cartoon, or a consistently sexist and shallow cartoon.

Of course, since Public Enemy’s great successes, there has been much to be angry about. Check out their “Son of a Bush,” where he keeps referring to our current president as “CIA child.”

The tune “Pump the Music” does not contain Chuck’s poignant lyrics, but the video puts the drowning of New Orleans into a larger context. Behind the cut, enjoy our song of the week, and …

May You Maintain Your Anger Through the Holiday Season!!!