Madlib: “Rap music right now should be like Public Enemy, but it’s just not there”

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In a brand new interview with The Guardian, American DJ, music producer, multi-instrumentalist, and rapper, Madlib, has spoken about the message that he feels new rap and hip-hop music sends to listeners.

After speaking about MF Doom, new material, and a missed collaboration opportunity with fellow rapper Kendrick Lamar, Madlib, real name Otis Jackson Jr., spoke about modern rap music, and how he hoped more artists like Lamar would up the ante in the music sphere.

“Rap music right now should be like Public Enemy stuff, but it’s just not there,” he said. “I wish it was more like how it was in the earlier days when I was coming up. My influences. Real music. Music can teach you… things not to do. Most of the music today is telling you bad things to do. My type of hip-hop can help you grow up.”

Last year, hip hop legends Public Enemy were vocal about their continued fight against racism and inequality, as well as the U.S.’s political climate, releasing a song titled ‘State Of The Union (STFU)’. 

In an interview for NME, the group’s Chuck D also discussed the 2020 Black Lives Matter movement and protests, speaking about the roots of activism. “Activism comes in the aftermath of citizens being shown time and time again that they have no power,” he said. “People in authority can do anything they want and nobody checks them on it. It has hit a tipping point and people are done with authority being misinformative assholes. All around the world, people are like, ‘Fuck this shit – I can’t get no clear answers’.”

You can read the full interview with Madlib via The Guardian here.

Last month, Four Tet and Madlib unveiled a new track from their forthcoming collaborative album.