Studio Album · No. 2

It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back Songwriting Credits by Public Enemy

1988 Def Jam / Columbia 16 tracks 57:51

Produced by Chuck D, Rick Rubin, Hank Shocklee  ·  Engineered by Nick Sansano, Matt Tritto, Chris Shaw

Def Jam / Columbia East Coast Hip HopPolitical Hip Hop
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Holds writing credit on 16 of 16 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 16 / 16 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 16 tracks with documented writers, by whether Public Enemy carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
16 trackswritten by Public Enemy 0 tracksoutside writers
Public Enemy's roles on this album

Share of the 16 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer0%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

16
Tracks
6
Lyricists
1
Producers
1988
Released
Data Insight

Sixteen tracks, all credited, with Chuck D and the Bomb Squad on nearly every one. The record that made their reputation is also the best documented in the catalogue.

It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back came out on Def Jam in June 1988 and became the first hip-hop album to top the Village Voice critics poll.

Track Listing & Credits 16 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Countdown to Armageddon
Chuck DEric SadlerHank Shocklee Carlton Douglas RidenhourEric SadlerHank Shocklee the Bomb Squad Public Enemy (Performer)
2
Bring the Noise
Chuck DEric SadlerHank Shocklee Carlton Douglas RidenhourEric SadlerHank Shocklee the Bomb Squad Public Enemy (Performer)
3
Don't Believe the Hype
Chuck DEric SadlerHank ShockleeFlavor Flav Carlton Douglas RidenhourEric SadlerHank ShockleeWilliam Jonathan Drayton Jr. the Bomb Squad Public Enemy (Performer)
4
Cold Lampin' with Flavor
Eric SadlerHank ShockleeFlavor Flav Eric SadlerHank ShockleeWilliam Jonathan Drayton Jr. the Bomb Squad Public Enemy (Performer)
5
Terminator X to the Edge of Panic
Chuck DTerminator XFlavor Flav Carlton Douglas RidenhourNorman "Terminator X" RogersWilliam Jonathan Drayton Jr. the Bomb Squad Public Enemy (Performer)
6
Mind Terrorist
Chuck DEric SadlerHank Shocklee Carlton Douglas RidenhourEric SadlerHank Shocklee the Bomb Squad Public Enemy (Performer)
7
Louder Than a Bomb
Chuck DEric SadlerHank Shocklee Carlton Douglas RidenhourEric SadlerHank Shocklee the Bomb Squad Public Enemy (Performer)
8
Caught, Can We Get a Witness?
Chuck DEric SadlerHank Shocklee Carlton Douglas RidenhourEric SadlerHank Shocklee the Bomb Squad Public Enemy (Performer)
9
Show 'Em Whatcha Got
Chuck DEric SadlerHank Shocklee Carlton Douglas RidenhourEric SadlerHank Shocklee the Bomb Squad Public Enemy (Performer)
10
She Watch Channel Zero?!
Chuck DEric SadlerHank ShockleeProfessor GriffFlavor Flav Carlton Douglas RidenhourEric SadlerHank ShockleeRichard GriffinWilliam Jonathan Drayton Jr. the Bomb Squad Public Enemy (Performer)
11
Night of the Living Baseheads
Chuck DEric SadlerHank Shocklee Carlton Douglas RidenhourEric SadlerHank Shocklee the Bomb Squad Public Enemy (Performer)
12
Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos
Chuck DEric SadlerHank ShockleeFlavor Flav Carlton Douglas RidenhourEric SadlerHank ShockleeWilliam Jonathan Drayton Jr. the Bomb Squad Public Enemy (Performer)
13
Security of the First World
Chuck DEric SadlerHank Shocklee Carlton Douglas RidenhourEric SadlerHank Shocklee the Bomb Squad Public Enemy (Performer)
14
Rebel Without a Pause
Chuck DEric SadlerHank ShockleeTerminator X Carlton Douglas RidenhourEric SadlerHank ShockleeNorman "Terminator X" Rogers the Bomb Squad Public Enemy (Performer)
15
Prophets of Rage
Chuck DEric SadlerHank ShockleeFlavor Flav Carlton Douglas RidenhourEric SadlerHank ShockleeWilliam Jonathan Drayton Jr. the Bomb Squad Public Enemy (Performer)
16
Party for Your Right to Fight
Chuck DEric SadlerHank Shocklee Carlton Douglas RidenhourEric SadlerHank Shocklee the Bomb Squad Public Enemy (Performer)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 12 contributors

CD
Carlton Douglas Ridenhour
Writer
On this album15 written
CD
Chuck D
Writer
On this album15 written
ES
Eric Sadler
Writer
On this album15 written
HS
Hank Shocklee
Writer
On this album15 written
FF
Flavor Flav
Writer
On this album6 written
WJ
William Jonathan Drayton Jr.
Writer
On this album6 written
N"
Norman "Terminator X" Rogers
Writer
On this album2 written
TX
Terminator X
Writer
On this album2 written
PG
Professor Griff
Writer
On this album1 written
RG
Richard Griffin
Writer
On this album1 written
TB
the Bomb Squad
Producer
On this album16 produced
PE
Public Enemy
Performer
On this albumGuest

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Frequently Asked Questions It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back

Who wrote It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back?
Chuck D with the Bomb Squad across all sixteen tracks, with Flavor Flav sharing several.
Did any single chart in the Hot 100?
No. "Bring the Noise", "Don't Believe the Hype" and "Night of the Living Baseheads" all missed it.
How did it sell?
The discography publishes certifications for it rather than a sales figure.
Who produced it?
Chuck D, Rick Rubin and Hank Shocklee.
Who engineered it?
Nick Sansano, Matt Tritto and Chris Shaw.
Why does it matter?
It was the first hip-hop album to top The Village Voice's Pazz & Jop poll, and its dense sampling changed what a rap record could sound like.
How long is the album?
57:51 across sixteen tracks.

Sources

Wikipedia: It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back Wikipedia: Public Enemy discography Wikipedia: Public Enemy Wikipedia: Bring the Noise Wikipedia: Don't Believe the Hype Cover Art Archive: It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back by Public Enemy