Rap legend and Public Enemy co-founder, Chuck D, has just unleashed “New Gens,” his first new solo single in seven years. His last solo effort was 2018’s Celebration of Ignorance. Coming with a music video, it serves as an introduction to his new solo album, Radio Armageddon, arriving on May 18, via Def Jam Recordings. Watch the new video and find out more below.
Stream “New Gens” here: https://chuckd.lnk.to/NewGens
Pre-save Radio Armageddon here: https://chuckd.lnk.to/RadioArmageddon
“New Gens” alternates between rowdy horns, scratchy cymbals, samples from old school educational VHS tapes and even pops of distorted guitar. The soundscape proudly throws it back to the golden age of hip-hop—which he helped pioneer. At the same time, he adopts a fiery and fresh flow evocative of his signature delivery, yet simultaneously future-facing. He tips his hat to this era as he urges, “And don’t forget, ‘New Gens’, I love y’all, have a ball.” He still remains rap’s most poetic and prescient provocateur though, going on to muse, “We don’t know what’s behind the race, right here right now, the place to be.”
It serves as the perfect prelude to Radio Armageddon, a 14-track opus that finds Chuck D in top form. Special guests include Daddy-O of Stetsasonic, Schoolly D, Philadelphia hip hop legend Phill Most Chill, Donald D and Jazzy Jay of the Universal Zulu Nation, hip hop’s first hype woman 1/2 Pint, ULTRAMAG7, NYC’s Miranda Writes and artists from Chuck’s own SpitSLAM Record Label Group: The Impossebulls and Blak Madeen.
Threaded together by transmissions from “Enemy Radio,” he turns the dial to one knockout banger after another. Following the intro “Radio Armageddon,” a jagged guitar riff kickstarts the hard-hitting “What Rock Is.” As if teasing what to expect across the LP, he proclaims, “Philosophy, politics, rebellion, recovery, gimmicks, magic, inspiration, music.” Feedback echoes on “Black Don’t Dead,” and a slick beat bounces in tandem with his incendiary delivery punctuated by elastic rhymes. Among other standouts, “Is God She” layers jarring vocal echoes over a thumping bassline and otherworldly scratching and samples. Chuck D’s razor-sharp cadence cuts through the haze as he wonders, “Is God she?” Then, there’s “Carry On,” which revolves around a classic lyrical masterclass and off-kilter groove. The trip concludes with the broken-sounding synths, warbly sampling, and spacey exhale of “Signing Off,” providing a fitting finale.
Radio Armageddon tracklisting:
01 Radio Armageddon
02 What Rock Is
03 Black Don’t Dead
04 New Gens
05 Station Break
06 Rogue Runnin
07 Is God She
08 Station Identification
09 Here We Are Heard
10 Superbagg
11 Carry On
12 What Are We To You
13 Sight Story Style Sound
14 Signing Off
Just five years ago, Chuck D and Public Enemy unleashed their 15th album What You Gonna Do When The Grid Goes Down? on Def Jam in 2020. It incited unanimous applause worldwide. It boasts collaborations with Beastie Boys, Cypress Hill, George Clinton, Ice-T, Nas and more. Now, in 2025, Chuck D continues to look forward and bring the culture with him.
Legendary hip-hop pioneers and cultural icons Public Enemy will take the stage for a historic, once-in-a-lifetime performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London on June 27, 2025. The UK exclusive event marks the 35th anniversary of their seminal anthem “Fight The Power”, a track that has transcended generations as a rallying cry for justice and empowerment. This monumental night will see Public Enemy deliver a powerful set, blending their timeless classics with an electrifying live experience in one of the world’s most iconic venues. Expect a night of revolutionary beats, razor-sharp lyrics, and anthems that continue to inspire. Buy Tickets here: https://m.ticketline.co.uk/order/tickets/13376593/public-enemy-london-royal-albert-hall-2025-06-27-19-30-00