Chuck D

Chuck D is married to Dr. Gaye Theresa Johnson, an associate professor in the Department of Black Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara whom he describes as three-quarters of his whole brain.

In 1999, he launched a supersite on the website, Rapstation.com. It was intended to have original programming content and showcase many of hip-hop’s prominent celebrities, interviews, and also offer free MP3 downloads and ringtones.

Chuck D was born in Queens, New York to Judy and Lorenzo Ridenhour who were political activists. He was raised with his three siblings, Henry and Paul and Thelma, with independent thoughts.

He displayed his talent by actively participating in many hip-hop events in high school. A brilliant student, he turned down an architecture scholarship to pursue graphic design at Long Island's Adelphi University.

Rick Rubin, a fledgling American record producer heard Chuck D on a friend’s demo recording and wanted to sign him to his Def Jam Label which aimed to popularize hip- hop music.

In 1987, the rapper and his group ‘Public Enemy’ released the album, ‘Yo! Bum Rush the Show’, on Def Jam Recordings which peaked at No.28 on the ‘Top Black Albums Chart’.

In 1990, ‘Fear of a Black Planet’, the third album of ‘Public Enemy’ was released. The album voiced its concerns and opinions on the African–American community, their empowerment and social troubles.

‘Greatest Misses’, ‘Public Enemy's first compilation album was released in 1992. It features new tracks as well as mixes of previously released songs, such as, ‘Tie Goes to the Runner’ and ‘Hit Da Road Jack’.

‘Muse Sick-n-Hour Mess Age’, meaning music and our message, released in 1994, received a mixed response from music critics, some of whom criticized the group’s relevance in the hip-hop scene of the time.

In 1988, ‘Public Enemy’ led by Chuck D, released the album, ‘It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back’. Hailed for its strong social commentary, it was certified platinum by RIAA.

‘Apocalypse 91... The Enemy Strikes Black’, released in 1991, reached No.4 on the Billboard 200 and topped the ‘Top Hip-Hop Albums’ charts. Certified platinum, it is considered as one of the best in the genre.