Chuck D facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chuck D
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Chuck D in 2000
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Carlton Douglas Ridenhour |
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| Born | August 1, 1960 Hempstead, New York, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1984–present |
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Carlton Douglas Ridenhour (born August 1, 1960), who is known by his stage name Chuck D, is an American rapper. He is famous for being the leader of the hip hop group Public Enemy, which he started in 1985 with his friend Flavor Flav. Chuck D is also a member of the rock group Prophets of Rage.
Chuck D and Public Enemy became famous for making hip hop music that talked about important political and social issues. The magazine The Source named him one of the top hip-hop lyricists of all time. As a member of Public Enemy, he was welcomed into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013 and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
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Early Life and Education
Chuck D was born on Long Island, New York. As a kid, he listened to many kinds of music that his parents played. He started writing his own rhymes after a big power outage in New York City in 1977.
He went to Adelphi University to study graphic design. This is where he met William Drayton Jr., who would later be known as Flavor Flav. While in college, Chuck D hosted a hip hop radio show and designed flyers for local music events. He earned his degree in 1984 and later received an honorary doctorate from Adelphi in 2013.
Music Career
Using the name Chuck D, he and Flavor Flav started the group Public Enemy in 1985. A record producer named Rick Rubin heard one of his early songs and signed him to the famous Def Jam Records label.
Success with Public Enemy
Public Enemy released many important albums that changed hip hop. These include:
- Yo! Bum Rush the Show (1987)
- It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (1988)
- Fear of a Black Planet (1990)
- Apocalypse 91... The Enemy Strikes Black (1991)
Their music was known for powerful lyrics about society and politics. They also made the soundtrack for the movie He Got Game in 1998.
Working with Other Artists
Chuck D has worked with many famous musicians from different genres. He collaborated with artists like Janet Jackson, Run–D.M.C., Ice Cube, and rock bands like Sonic Youth and Anthrax. In 1990, he was featured on the alternative rock song "Kool Thing" by Sonic Youth.
Later Career and Other Projects
In 1996, Chuck D released his first solo album, Autobiography of Mistachuck. He has always been a strong supporter of sharing music online. In 1999, he launched the website Rapstation.com to support hip hop artists.
He has also been involved in movies and video games. He was the voice of a radio DJ in the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. He also helped create the theme music for the TV show Dark Angel. In 2016, he formed the group Prophets of Rage with members of Rage Against the Machine and B-Real of Cypress Hill. In 2023, he released a PBS documentary called "Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World."
Rapping Style
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Chuck D is known for his strong, powerful voice. Many people say it is one of the most recognizable voices in hip hop. He has said that he was inspired by other rappers like Melle Mel and by sports announcers.
When writing songs, he often thinks of the title first and writes his lyrics on paper. He prefers to record his vocals all at once, rather than in small parts.
Political Views
Chuck D has always been politically active. He uses his music and his voice to talk about issues he cares about. He co-hosted a radio show and has spoken to the United States Congress about music sharing.
He believes that art and music can be a healthy escape for people. However, he also thinks it's important for artists to talk about real-world problems. In interviews, he has said that the relationship between some rappers and record labels is unfair. He has also spoken about the need for equal opportunity for people of all backgrounds.
In 2022, he supported a candidate running for the New York State Senate. He is also a US Global Music Ambassador, a program that uses music to promote peace and democracy around the world.
Personal Life
Chuck D has three children. He lives in California. In 2017, his home was destroyed in a large wildfire known as the Thomas Fire.
Selected Discography
This is a list of some of Chuck D's most well-known albums.
With Public Enemy
- Yo! Bum Rush the Show (1987)
- It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (1988)
- Fear of a Black Planet (1990)
- Apocalypse 91... The Enemy Strikes Black (1991)
- What You Gonna Do When the Grid Goes Down? (2020)
With Prophets of Rage
- Prophets of Rage (2017)
Solo Albums
- Autobiography of Mistachuck (1996)
- The Black in Man (2014)
- Celebration of Ignorance (2018)
