Can't Stop, Won't Stop, Chapter 12

What We Got to Say: Black Suburbia, Segregation and Utopia in the Late 1980s
Carolyn Aldana, Elaine Aldana, and Emma Foxall

Between WW2 and the 1970’s blacks began moving into the suburbs of Queens. This triggered white flight and realtors placed pressure on white clients to move out of the area. The area became known as the “Black Belt”. At the time moving to the suburbs was the American dream. In trying to attain the American dream the blacks triggered white flight so they still remained segregated. These suburbs soon became what is known as the inner ring suburbs. In some ways this was positive for the middle class blacks because they were able to establish businesses that may have not been successful in an integrated suburb.

The members of what would become Public Enemy had the unique experience of having disposable income but having regular exposure to the street culture in the inner city. Public Enemy was comprised of six rappers; most famously Carlton “Chuck D” Ridenhour, Hank “Shocklee” Boxley, and William “Flavor Flav” Drayton. Boxley founded the group Spectrum City while he was attending college. Spectrum City was overall unsuccessful with their record releases and were reluctant to sign another record deal. Later they were finally convinced to sign with Def Jam records, Russel Simmons’ company. They changed their name to Public Enemy and produced their first record, Yo! Bum Rush the Show. The record sold less than expected, especially compared to the other artists signed to Def Jam; Beatie Boys, LL Cool J, and Run DMC. There was a new crop of artists, particularly Rakim, whose songs made Public Enemy realize hip hop was evolving faster. Public Enemy soon released the famous Rebel Without a Pause song.