An important piece of hip hop history gets its due on Thursday, July 17. Future of Music Coalition is teaming up with the Pitchfork Music Festival to host a discussion about legendary hip hop group Public Enemy's seminal album, ‘It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back’. This is a free event, which will feature members of PE's production team and music media experts and will take place at 3 PM at the Chicago Cultural Center's Claudia Cassidy Theater.

When the legendary hip hop front man Chuck D and hip hop group Public Enemy released ‘It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back’ in 1988, it sounded like nothing else at the time. The album's sirens, squeals and squawks were met by fluid beats and front man Chuck D's unflinchingly observant rhymes.

Twenty years later, the record is still considered one of hip hop's finest achievements. It Takes a Nation fused politics and music in unprecedented ways, creating a dense sound collage of rhythm, noise and the voices of 20th century black leaders.

This in-depth discussion taking place in Chicago will explore the making of It Takes A Nation, as well as the cultural events that helped shape its message. The event takes place one day before the legendary hip hop group Public Enemy reunites to play the album in its entirety at the Pitchfork Music Festival.

Hank and Keith Shocklee, one half of Public Enemy's production unit, the Bomb Squad; will reveal how they fashioned their powerful world of sound. Harry Allen, journalist, activist and onetime PE "Media Assassin" will join the members of the Bomb Squad in a lively conversation led by documentary filmmaker Kembrew McLeod (Copyright Criminals).

The discussion will take place at the Chicago Cultural Center's Claudia Cassidy Theatre, beginning at 3 PM. Admission to the event is free, but those interested in attending must reserve spots by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

FMC and Pitchfork Music Festival Present:

It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back

Chicago Cultural Center, Claudia Cassidy Theatre

Thursday, July 17, 2008, 3 PM