{"id":75803,"date":"2025-05-05T06:44:11","date_gmt":"2025-05-05T06:44:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/75803\/"},"modified":"2025-05-05T06:44:11","modified_gmt":"2025-05-05T06:44:11","slug":"public-enemy-call-for-free-palestine-during-riverbeat-festival-set-in-memphis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/75803\/","title":{"rendered":"Public Enemy call for “free Palestine” during RiverBeat Festival set in Memphis"},"content":{"rendered":"

Public Enemy<\/a> used their set at RiverBeat Music Festival in Memphis this weekend to call for a \u201cfree Palestine\u201d.<\/p>\n

The veteran hip-hop group were playing at the Tom Lee Park on Saturday (May 3) and in keeping with their trademark of being politically outspoken, they declared their support for the people of Palestine, as well as reserving criticism for President Trump<\/a>.<\/p>\n

They played \u2018State Of The Union\u2019, their 2020 track that was written at the end of Trump\u2019s first term in office and at the height of the Black Lives Matter protests. \u201cWhatever it takes, rid this dictator\u2026White house killer, dead in lifelines \/ Vote this joke out or die tryin\u2019\u201d Chuck D<\/a> raps on the track.<\/p>\n

Introducing \u2018Fight The Power\u2019 to round out the set, Flavor Flav<\/a> addressed the crowd: \u201cNo matter what part of the world we come from, no matter what language we speak, no matter what colour we are, we are all one person. With peace and togetherness, we would have so much power\u201d (via Far Out<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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Yeah, boiiiiiiiiiiiii! Public Enemy showed Memphis BIG love \u2013 talking up the power of our music and our city throughout their killer set of \u201crock-ass rap music\u201d (Chuck D.\u2019s words). Bonus: Memphis\u2019 own Khari Wynn joining them on guitar. <\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcf8 Joshua Timmermans, David Simchock pic.twitter.com\/D50baHE1TW<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 RiverBeatFest (@RiverBeatfest) May 4, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Public Enemy\u2019s Palestine comments come after Kneecap courted significant controversy for their own statements in support of the people of Gaza<\/a> during their Coachella shows last month.<\/p>\n

Widespread criticism of those comments, including from Sharon Osbourne<\/a>, preceded counter-terror police in the UK announcing their were investigating two videos<\/a> from previous gigs by Kneecap. Politicians later called for them to be removed from festival bills this summer<\/a>, and they have seen some gigs around Europe cancelled<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In other Public Enemy news, Flavor Flav and Chuck D worked to raise money for victims on the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles<\/a> in January, launching a GoFundMe<\/a> and visiting displaced families<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The group have also announced a \u201conce in a lifetime\u201d show at London\u2019s Royal Albert Hall<\/a> on June 27, the first UK show in nearly a decade. \u201cWe are honoured to have this opportunity to stand on the Royal Albert Hall stage and perform under the same renowned roof that the greats from\u00a0Hendrix<\/a>\u00a0to Pavarotti, from\u00a0The Beatles<\/a>\u00a0to my brothers\u00a0Cypress Hill<\/a>\u00a0have,\u201d said Chuck D. \u201cThank you, London. We\u2019ll see you soon.\u201d Find any remaining tickets here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

They will also be\u00a0playing at the 2025 edition of\u00a0 Sea.Hear.Now alongside Blink-182, Hozier and LCD Soundsystem\u00a0<\/a>as well as at the Shaky\u00a0Knees Festival<\/a>\u00a0in Atlanta along with\u00a0My Chemical Romance<\/a>,\u00a0Vampire Weekend<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Deftones<\/a>. Visit\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0for international tickets.<\/p>\n