Anyone remember when MTV used to show videos?
In the beginning of MTV, I remember that there were only a handful of videos to show, mostly Rod Stewart or Cheap Trick promotional concert clips that were shot in the '70s. Once the channel caught on though, music videos became recognized as an art-form in their own right. They were mostly still crap, but at least the bands tried to create some sort of narrative or theme. Then Thriller came out and everything changed. Suddenly, videos became more and more elaborate, they had plots, helicopters, explosions and sequels. Jay Z was Big Pimpin on a yacht the size of the love boat and Lisa "left eye" was turning into the water creature from "The Abyss". Sure the spectacle was entertaining, but it became a little soul-less. No one cared about the music anymore, it was all about who had the bigger budget or the coolest car in the video.
That's why I'm happy to present a real music video by Public Enemy, not only is the song fucking awesome, but it looks like it was shot while Chuck D helped Flavor Flav move out of the apartment he occupied over the Chicken Delight on the Babylon Turnpike. This is the definition of Keeping it Real.
*I particularly love the footage of Chuck D throwing lumber in a dumpster, and pushing Flavor around in a shopping cart from King Kullen.
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