Chuck D stopped by HOT 97 to talk to Nessa about his new album Radio Armageddon and what it means to be a true voice in hip hop today. He shared what led him to work with Def Jam again after decades, why he believes the genre needs more depth, and how he views his role as an OG in the culture now.
Chuck opened up about his early days with Rick Rubin, producing Ice Cube’s first album, and how artists like J. Cole, Kendrick, and Drake fit into today’s landscape. He also reflected on 35 years of Fear of a Black Planet, how “Fight the Power” came to life with Spike Lee, and what that message means in 2025. He also talked about AI’s impact on the world, his support of Colin Kaepernick, and the lessons he’s learned over 45 years in hip hop. Chuck talked about longevity, legacy, and how he hopes Public Enemy is remembered—and gave some powerful advice for the next generation along the way.