Chuck D, founder of the hip-hop group Public Enemy, will speak about race, rap, reality and technology at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 23 in Union College's Nott Memorial, 807 Union St.
A native of Long Island, Chuck D was born Carlton Douglas Ridenhour. While attending Adelphi University, he hosted a radio show with Bill Stephney and Hank Shocklee, two rappers who later joined him in forming Public Enemy.
In 1988, Public Enemy released “It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back,” considered by critics one of the greatest hip-hop albums ever recorded.
The group has continued to record over the years, most recently reuniting to record a song in response to the Hurricane Katrina disaster.
Chuck D is an advocate of Internet music file sharing and left the Def Jam label when it refused to allow him to distribute Public Enemy's music through free Internet downloads. He continues to be active in politics.
The event is free and sponsored by the Union College Speakers Forum.