Livin' Loud

‘I was raised with an artist’s mentality; my first 25 years were spent as somebody who wanted to live among graphics and artwork and illustration, and then for the next 30 years it was all music. Recently, I’ve reverted into the arts, combining all these elements in my work, still trying to change the world. This is truly what I want to do. My deepest thanks to Genesis for giving me a place to be able to display all of this through my artwork.’ – Chuck D In his first fine art book, Livin’ Loud, Public Enemy founder, hip-hop pioneer and revolutionary activist, Chuck D, presents a body of artworks which continue to address the social and politically conscious issues of his lyrics. In Livin’ Loud, Chuck D’s artworks reveal his visual dexterity as he explores a diverse range of subjects paying homage to his musical influences and peers from James Brown and Woody Guthrie to Def Jam labelmates Run-DMC and Beastie Boys; a host of the most influential hip-hop artists from Ice Cube to Run the Jewels; his twin passions of baseball and basketball; creating a collection of landscapes on tour with Prophets of Rage, and a range of sociopolitical pieces that explore the issues continuing to shape our culture. Chuck D has been creating musical and cultural observations that challenge public opinion since 1985 and his visual compositions continue to interpret and question the world around us. Chuck D’s written commentary traces his musical and artistic trajectory from his early roots and the central figures that critically shaped him and his voice, the formation of Public Enemy through to their Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame induction, his time with Prophets of Rage through to current day world affairs. With a foreword by Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello, Chuck D’s art debut Livin’ Loud is a visual experience of over 250 artworks, each piece reflective of the man behind the music. Beautifully produced in a large format, richly illustrated hardback by the world’s foremost rock ‘n’ roll publishers, Genesis Publications.

Author Biography

Chuck D, born Carlton Douglas Ridenhour, is an American rapper, activist and founding member of the iconic hip-hop group, Public Enemy. As the first artist to create hip-hop entrenched with political sensibilities, his works have continued to speak out in unexpected and necessary ways, commencing with the group’s debut album,Yo! Bum Rush the Show. His lyrics are now considered some of the greatest of all time and Chuck remains a pioneer in rap music.

His passion for graphic arts persisted throughout the years, and Chuck’s influence in the visuals of hip-hop can still be seen today. As a firm believer that hip-hop both visually and sonically could be as big as rock music, he created the now-famous Public Enemy logo.

Decades later, Chuck has rediscovered his passion for the arts. A multi-platinum recording artist, recipient of a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, an educator, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, activist and celebrated visual artist, co-founder of the supergroup Prophets of Rage, Chuck D’s credentials are arguably the most impressive in hip-hop.