For more than four decades, Chuck D has stood at the forefront of hip hop as one of its most commanding voices — a rapper, activist, cultural critic, and co-founder of the groundbreaking group Public Enemy. On February 10, he brings that same urgency and intellect to the page with his new book, In the Hour of Chaos: Art and Activism with Public Enemy’s Chuck D.
Far from a standard memoir, In the Hour of Chaos is a wide-ranging meditation on the power of hip hop as a political and cultural force. Chuck D explores how the genre has intersected with movements for Black liberation, feminism, media justice, and global resistance. Drawing on decades of lived experience in music and activism, he reflects on hip hop’s evolution — from its early days as a grassroots expression of marginalized communities to its status as a global cultural engine.
The book also features conversations with prominent scholars and cultural thinkers, creating a layered dialogue about the past, present, and future of the art form. Through these exchanges, Chuck D positions hip hop not just as entertainment, but as a living archive of struggle, creativity, and community.
Known for anthems like “Fight the Power” and “Bring the Noise,” Chuck D has long argued that rap music can be a tool for truth-telling and transformation. In the Hour of Chaos extends that philosophy, offering readers an opportunity to examine how sound, politics, and identity collide — and why hip hop still matters.
As the genre marks over 50 years of influence, Chuck D’s latest work serves as both reflection and rallying cry — a reminder that art can still challenge systems, amplify voices, and shape history.
