American hip-hop group formed in Roosevelt, New York in 1985. Original lineup: Chuck D (Carlton Ridenhour, vocals), Flavor Flav (William Drayton, vocals/hype man), Professor Griff (Richard Griffin, "Minister of Information"), and the Bomb Squad production team (Hank Shocklee, Eric Sadler, Keith Shocklee). One of the most politically influential acts in hip-hop history.
Fifteen studio albums starting with Yo! Bum Rush the Show (1987). Critical peak: It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (1988) and Fear of a Black Planet (1990). Notable for sample-heavy "wall of noise" production and Chuck D's pointed political commentary. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013.
