Chuck D Shares Little-Known Tupac Story & Talks Mentoring Rappers | People's Party Clip

In this clip from People's Party, Talib Kweli talks with Chuck D of Public Enemy about mentoring Tupac Shakur. Talib starts off by explaining how he thinks Chuck and Flavor Flav's verses helped in radicalizing many young rappers of that time -- including Talib, Ice Cube, and Tupac. Talib asks Chuck about his experiences with Tupac, and Chuck says Pac was like a little brother. He talks about his efforts to bring up rookies Tupac and Treach, in part because he finds coaching and mentoring to be an important part of the rap game.
Later, Chuck touches on bringing Tupac to tears at a Public Enemy show after dedicating a song to him. He also tells the story of a time Pac was ready to beat someone up for stealing stuff from Public Enemy's backstage.
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PEOPLE'S PARTY WITH TALIB KWELI
People's Party is a weekly interview show hosted by Talib Kweli and Jasmin Leigh. Guests range from the biggest names in hip-hop to global entertainers to the most progressive minds moving our culture forward. The audio podcast is available on Apple and Spotify.

[@BreuckelensFinest]

Chuck D, the forgotten MC & one of the most important MC's of all time. He is definitely in my top 5 favorites. His voice is as powerful & robust as ever.

[@intelligentthinker8085]

Chuck is one of the few rappers out here who does not sell out for the bag but still one of the GOATS. He is definitely in my top 5 all time.

[@brynellsidney3983]

My whole thing back in the day was if Public Enemy shouted you out in the liner notes, you had it!! Salute to Chuck D, Treach, Digital Underground, Latifah and RIP Tupac.

[@Dogen70]

I remember reading those liner notes

[@damianharris8241]

Yooo if PE put u in da linet notes u was da shit haaa remember how long it was pause lol use 2 read dem liner notes beginning 2 end lol

[@casmo87]

When I was a young kid getting into hip hop, I'd check the liner notes of some of my CDs whether PE, NWA, 2 Live Crew or whatever, and that's how I'd learn other names I didn't know but knew I should check out

[@bjornbaker5998]

It’s crazy because I was just talking to my girl about this tour. I went when I was 9 years old in ATL. Public enemy, heavy d, en vogue, digital underground with 2pac, and kid n play. Legendary

[@kevinscott59]

Bjorn Baker Public Enemy is hands down the only music group that could tour with everyone from Ultramagnetic MCs to En Vogue to Anthrax to Primus to U2.

[@rasarmusic1]

Wow

[@bobbylorenzo9463]

In just 25 years Pac touched and came into so many peoples lives. I never get tired of hearing 2Pac stories, thanks for that jewel Chuck D.....

[@stevog508]

It's amazing that someone got beat down during his show, by PAC & the outlaws. Calls PAC the bagboy. He might have done some stuff but the true legend is 2pac no1 can match the lyrical genius or style & flava, so much truth mssgs in his music

[@curtisharolson6643]

If Chuck D can’t get thru to u, u simply are a loose cannon

[@kennyreid5376]

What a beautiful interview, Chuck D spinning grown up stories about PAC instead of made up shit, I love the fact Talib respects when a grown man is speaking ❤️💛💚

[@kollusion1]

Chuck always delivers, never disappoints, no ego, no bs - a true leg

[@tr377723]

So much legendary game in this interview. Chuck mentoring Pac & Treach. That's real stuff. The game will never be as good as it was back then.

[@uproxx]

It was a special era. A new frontier in music that would go on to become a global phenomenon.

[@MostVulturePersona]

Why are they both wearing hats with 7 on them.

[@tr377723]

@@uproxx Sometimes I wish we could keep the best of our culture to ourselves and to our own. The culture of hip hop is that special to me, it means that much to me that I'd say that.

[@santoniobrown8562]

@@MostVulturePersona IT represents God...knowledge and Holy/divinity!! G is the 7th letter of the alphabet..

[@frisk151]

You are the typical ignorant fool. Chuck D mentored maybe flav's swatch watch clock that never told the correct time. Flavour was an amazing idiot on the tracks.... I used to love Chuck, back when I didn't grasp how fakes use people while lie-pimping causes... "Can't TRUSS It".. Believe it!

[@felipeamiranda]

Imagine being so legendary that Ice Cube is your "little brother", only Melle Mel, Rakim and Caz had that status besides Chuck D 👊🏾

[@Israel-nb7ip]

If you only mean stylistically, then maybe, but if we're talking actual dudes who put work in that Cube would've immediately respected, you have to include Whodini, Kool Moe Dee, and LL Cool J without a doubt.

[@moneymatters8457]

cant forget big daddy kane

[@cashflodigitalsportsnetwork]

@@Israel-nb7ip KRS ONE

[@Israel-nb7ip]

@@cashflodigitalsportsnetwork I don't know about that. KRS and Cube were pretty much contemporaries. Their first music dropped around the same time so Cube wasn't gonna look at KRS as a pioneer who inspired him to rap, unlike the other artists I mentioned. They respected him cuz Eazy said they modeled some of their artwork on the Criminal Minded album cover but they all came out at the same time.

[@Israel-nb7ip]

@@moneymatters8457 Cube and NWA dropped music before Kane did so, nah, Kane isn't in that category as far as a big brother to Cube.

[@elzayx9222]

They need to re'do the whole Tupac movie again...smh

[@chitownmytownofficialonean6067]

Why when no one will ever please everyone .

[@dwaynejpeterkin]

2pac resurrection is the true movie let him rest in paradise

[@berkanttahirov1645]

WORD!!!

[@phglam]

I 100% agree

[@TimCant]

Chuck D is a living legend ✊

[@mainygnac]

once "FightThePower" became number1 on mainstream radio...that's when "thePowersThatBe" infiltrated the HipHop industry & made sure a record with that type of revolutionary message would never be #1 on the airwaves again

[@thomasbooker9534]

ThankGod I’mStillHere Real talk!!! People never pay attention to what they should as a whole.

[@commercialrealestatecoach]

good point. you might be right

[@broseppicarnalizmo315]

Facts!

[@gladiator1342]

Met Chuck in 2007. Humble. Thanks for being a great role model for us.

[@jermaineinoue4919]

Chuck saved my life. I wish I was back in the states in Cali to bump into him..

[@ROIDEDCAPS7868]

CHUCK D IS A GODFATHER DROPPIN SCIENCE AND HISTORY. GOD BLESS MR D ONE OF THE FOUNDING FATHER'S OF HIP HOP HELPING TO GIVE THE WORLD A TRUE HERO LIKE TUPAC AMARU SHAKUR GOD BLESS THE SPREADING OF KNOWLEDGE AND TRUTH TO ALL FACES OF ALL RACES!!

[@naaiiiz]

2pac is such a legend he met so many different people and had a relationship with them its like he lived 100 lifes in 5 years and everybod got a story man even the guy who played in that 1 sitcom with allysa milano

[@appollosharris4350]

Imagine 2pac on a P.E. Joint

[@mainygnac]

Appollos Harris real shit...imagine if ChuckD wouldve been featured on "Trapped"

[@TreDogOfficial]

Awe that’d be ill

[@michaeloverton2437]

@@mainygnac that's wouldve been insane

[@Aj_470]

Pro Era and Pac would evolutionize the culture

[@mexoplexjenkins4713]

@@mainygnac Goosebumps my dude.....goosebumps

[@DoggieNYC]

PE, Still my favorite rap group all time. "Nation of millions" is still an incredible album. Listen to NWA, Dre used the shit of PE hooks and samples, he loved PE. When Cube went solo he went to the bomb squad to produce his shit. Big shout out to Chuck D, we dont hear from u enough ! Peace and love.

[@scottpaulson206]

Real shit! But real recognise real. Real Eyes Recognise Real Guys 🤪

[@jaijohnson3765]

2Pac was never going in the wrong direction!!! His music was sending a true and realistic message to Black's.. Most Black's have tunnel vision and no clue to all the black invention's we use and see everyday.. 2Pac loved being a black man and helping black individual's.. True King; continue to rest in peace..

[@rasaanshakur9491]

Jai Johnson they don’t get we intentionally went into the dark to bring us to light.

[@sqcp7379]

Jai Johnson I mean it’s true

[@pistolpete8231]

He went in the wrong direction the day he died by choosing to jump a gang member, which resulted in his death. Pac is my favorite but don't sound like a brainwashed sheep. He's the GOAT but he made bad decisions at the end. Everyone knows this.

[@naaiiiz]

Yup he helped Karl Kani and mani other people

[@pistolpete8231]

@ChiefRumble9644 Gaming explain how I'm brainwashed instead of calling me names like an idiot

[@davidjamisonnmmeto603]

This is what the rap game lacks now,rappers who could talk slang ,rap crazy but can also sit down & have an intelligent convo that the non hip hop fan can understand

[@vision1616]

Saw this man live at the gods of rap UK tour last year along with the rest of Public Enemy, De La Soul, Wu-tang and DJ Premier. What a night it was 🔥

[@theonemrham]

Jewels... Priceless jewels! Chuck D... National Treasure!!

[@leetate1963]

For my 27th birthday in August of 1990 I went to the Public Enemy concert in Los Angeles at the Greek Theatre. I'll never forget everybody that was there. The Afros, PE, Kid n Play, Queen Latifa, Digital Underground with Pac onstage, PE brought out Ice Cube to perform Burn Hollywood Burn

[@juicev25]

We basically saw the same show! Must have been days apart, if that. I saw them in August of 1990 at the Shoreline up in Mountain View California. (Nor-Cal)

[@leetate1963]

@@juicev25 Wow..... That was it. Probably the same week

[@TheNerdGod76]

Salute . The Legend Chuck D. Can’t wait, to watch the Interview. Kwe u doin a great Job. Peace 🤲🏾

[@CrazyLuch1]

Chuck D Been On The Front Linez Fightin 4 Good💯✔🐇👊💥💪🙏👆

[@CrayzMark]

Chuck D of PE. Legend that's still in the game spittin' those rhymes. This clip was more than dope. Thanks for sharing 💯💯

[@johnst3296]

In the pre internet days, I had the cassette to Fear of a Black Planet. It came with a paper insert that listed every hip hop artist and group that was around at that time, which I treated like a shopping list. Radio back then was mostly pop and r&b; Many of those greats I would never have stumbled on without that ...Thanks Chuck. For all you've given us.

[@free80four]

People’s Party has one of the best backdrops in all of podcast and radio.

[@twocents6951]

He also gave Busta Rhymes his name.

Damn, now that's legendary

[@kevinb1125]

He gave them the name leaders of the new school too

[@stanleymcvay6239]

wow, I never knew that!

[@tris87don16]

Yep he sure did

[@anakin.2956]

Dope story! Besides Pac, Chuck D truly is one of the most important figures in HIP-HOP. That story should made into a short movie or a mini-series

[@nephikalamafoni4512]

Chuck still around and still looking healthy... Hands down a living legend

[@kevinscott59]

PE was the only New York crew to shout out Ice T(West Coast),Get Boys(South West),Sir Mix-a-lot(North West)and 2 Live Crew(South East) on wax.(And did so at the height of their popularity.) Attempting to build solidarity in an industry(like all)that thrives on labor division.

[@Brwnskn88]

Kevin Scott , when was sir mix a lot north East?

[@kevinscott59]

Brwnskn88 Touche

[@mattislinx]

What a dope interview. I love hip hop history so this was amazing for me to hear personally.

[@sleepleZZZV3]

I can't wait for the full conversation!

[@kingtyson713]

Love Chuck D...Much respect to the legend..

[@antonioridah172]

Pac died at 25 and still has more stories about then some cats that live to be 70 this young man is truly legendary R.I.Power the Don is eternal Pacnation.

[@SheaBaby81]

This is powerful. Thanks for preserving our history! What's good Uncle Chuck!!!

[@V59971]

Chuck the Great. Mad respect from Zimbabwe 🇿🇼

[@a-love-supremist]

The hard rhymer He hasn't aged much. Glad we still have him.

[@rasaanshakur9491]

Everybody has a GOAT story. RIP PAC

[@Legendwill876]

Pac stories neva gets old, always amazing.

[@levil4012]

Public enemy one of THE greatest groups of ALL TIME!! Chuck definitely had the voice for rhyming

[@PinkstonFilms]

I love these stories, and when you hear similar stories from all artists mentioned, you know it's truth. I'm so glad this popped up on my main page, I subscribed so I can keep hearing these fascinating stories from the artists I grew up with.

[@SyKoolFy]

This is incredible 👑 stuff

[@juicev25]

I saw PE in August of 1990 at the Shoreline in MountainView California. Digital Underground played a set and Tupac was a dancer for them. He and another dude were synchronized humping these blowup sex-dolls. It was awesome! It was a great show all around: EPMD, Big Daddy Kane, Queen Latifah, Paris, Kid n Play, and a few other heads were there!

[@LGKids]

Most of my heroes don’t appear on no stamps! Real rhymes, real lines! Peace!

[@RussellMills1877]

Chuck D will forever be a legend in hip hop and as a group Public Enemy influenced everyone in the industry as far as having a voice and speaking up for whats right in the world. And on a side note I have a you tube channel type in Russell Mills May 22, 2017 to find me.

[@keithmiddleton6907]

HIP HOP has many mentors, we lack respect from the younger generation to just be still and listen. The Rolling Stones, Zepplin, AC/DC, Aerosmith etc are all in their 70's and are able to sell out stadiums to this day. Seats filled will all ages and genders and races all for the LOVE of music and the longevity of the band kept alive through respect! WE NEED THIS!!!!

[@chriswhiteiii]

Thanks for taking people with you. It felt like we were there with you. Griot salute,

[@williechill786]

Uncle Chuck... #Respect

[@grantp33]

Talib's interview skills are really good, and him being a musician himself gives him an edge. I think the radio people should take notes about how he doesn't throw his ego and make it about himself but he keeps it about the artist.

[@grantp33]

also Chuck D mentions about the liner notes and i learned of tons of groups thanks to that which really groups never did that in past and after that everyone did. that did unify and they always had cool art and designs like fear of black planet with the paper fold in insert separate from the album art itself, filled with info, and his design skills amazing.

[@MrPreachx]

grantp33 he is well educated.

[@JS-up8tk]

This was a dope clip, especially the parts about Pac.

[@Shammago]

Much respect to Chuck D!

[@wflive21]

A beautiful era of unity I just love hearing this story so much!

[@T-Bag13]

Oh, a 2Pac story Vlad doesn't know.

[@jlcaenestavidamia5725]

T-Bag 😂 he is contemplating suicide because he didn’t have it first.

[@JUSTSOMEGUY-mh2vq]

@Mississippi The Dirty South 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@JUSTSOMEGUY-mh2vq]

@@jlcaenestavidamia5725 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@77793wow]

There was an interview where Vlad asked the guest what year 2Pac died... dude is a vulture, plain and simple. Lord Jamar stays living on his couch 😂

[@keydaniels]

🤣🤣🤣

[@dwaynebeamon5105]

It's a lot of mcs that might be better than chuck but this dude changed my life through his music

[@kirbyaugustine761]

My first real concert was THAT Public Enemy concert... in Louisiana. That PE “Nation of Millions” album changed my life. I met Latifah and Tupac at a Taco Bell I worked at near the hotel they were staying for the Louisiana concert. Latifah is cool people and Pac was as advertised. Pac got kicked out of the McDonalds next door, located in the adjoining parking lot, because the manager (asshole) wouldn’t allow patrons to bring in food to eat from other restaurants. PAC came back to the Taco Bell turned all the way up and ready for war. It didn’t help the situation that, former KKK leader, David Duke was running for governor of Louisiana and actually had a legit chance of winning. Latifah calmed him down but he was lit. Me and my boy, who knew the McD’s manager, went and spoke on Pac’s behalf, although we didn’t know or understand that he was TUPAC. At that time he was just a back up dancer and roadie so it was years later before I realized that the hyped up guy was actually THE Tupac.

[@naaiiiz]

Crazy story yo sounds like pac d

[@rasarmusic1]

This is why I love the internet. Thank you for this rare story!

[@Roamalonemusic]

Chuck d gave the flowers early thats why he's the🐐🐐🐐🐐

[@hypesuntheilluminator]

This is journalism done tastefully. Of course it's Talib Kweli, I expected Great content.

[@khalilo2570]

Dope interview. Hip hop finest...ONE OF THE BEST PODCAST OUT. 😐

[@DJaySplitSecond]

They should do a Tupac movie or series based on other rappers stories that had experiences with him!

[@TheAlkebulanTrust]

Great idea

[@GRDos-ue4re]

Legend interviewing Icon. Thanks for the consistent content fam

[@tobiashillsjr8224]

Him and 2pac should of did a song together

[@mrhiphophead9077]

Tobias Hills jr Would’ve happened in ‘96 or ‘97. There was a pic of Pac’s list of song written on paper. Names of the tracks and who’s featured on it. Chuck was one of artists on that list that he wanted to work with.

[@tobiashillsjr8224]

MRHIPHOPHEAD I see but 2pac was dead in 97. So it had to be 96 8 months before his death . cause he live a little bit of 96

[@lifestraight]

@@tobiashillsjr8224 He died Sep 96.

[@tobiashillsjr8224]

lifestraight I know

[@clarencewomack1862]

Chuck D. In my top 5. From the beginning 2 now. I was n the Army when I first got it take a nation of millions to hold us back. I salute Chuck D as one of the great. Without hesitation.

[@novacain943]

I'm glad chuck putting this out there, there's has always been a misconception that the east hates other regions when it came to hip hop

[@nawfsidehtown2927]

Houston TX 1990 at the Summit. The Public Enemy Tour. Poison Clan The Afros Kid N Play Kwame Digital underground Ice Cube Public Enemy.

[@anthonycollier3183]

No Geto Boys? In Houston?

[@nawfsidehtown2927]

@@anthonycollier3183 Nope

[@juicev25]

Dude! I basically saw the same show in August 1990. At the Shoreline in Mountain View California!

[@Scarlito_On_The_Track]

Thank you Chuck D Hip Hop Pioneer #RapCornerstone

[@jayd3337]

Chuck D, quintessential MC, sling with Krs One, all the of hip hop heads.

[@rccurry7431]

Chuck D ☮️ Dropping knowledge as allways Hip hop 🎶🎵🎙️ legend mentor to Tupac and treach salute to uncle Chuck D giving guidance on how to control the stage and mesmerize the crowd ✊

[@richnice2816]

PACizGOAT

[@mugi-wharingan8150]

PERIOD!!!!

[@richnice2816]

Idiot Whisperer keep whispering idiot😂

[@AdamMundok]

Man, Really great job with the interview, the flow, the Q&A, production... this is BOMB. I'm a new fan & following. Cheers!!

[@xxtrip2endzonexx936]

Thank you for this story Chuck D

[@GaugeReality]

Fucking Knowledge to the Game! Respect to the REAL Chuck D

[@mustafahajj]

There will never be another P.E. "Radio .... suckas neva play me, on the mix they just don't play me". That was radio then and its radio now. Radio will never play emcees with substance.

[@matttreece9036]

One love from the LBC! California love. Great show OG. Keep grindin. Peace

[@kevinnichols3829]

Dope Exchange🔥🔥🔥

[@MaryLou913]

So grateful for this brother. He’s the Forrest Gump of hip hop. He’s seen it all & is such an important part of our history himself. He’s a treasure, a living breathing treasure, our griot. 🔑🤴🏾

[@jpeg7750]

Chuck D has the best rap interviews knowledge for days

[@asadb2299]

Chuck Is A Cool Brotha...We Had Conversation W/ Him & Took Pics Back In 1991 @ Rick Mahorne's Club In Pennsauken, NJ & At The Limelight At The Crib (Philly)...Good Brotha

[@hygory8576]

3 Yrs Later I Luv ☀️ Interviews Like Dis It Just Always Breathing Life 🖤🖤🖤🖤

[@TreDogOfficial]

That’s a really spiritually uplifting story. Just knowing that Tupac rocked with Chuck D and PE. I saw a public enemy show; and a talib kewli show. So it’s dope that Pac got to see the same act I did. Makes me feel likes he’s still here.

[@meadydoheny]

I've been blasting "don't believe the hype" lately. Seems appropriate with covid 19-84

[@ochaze1]

This is dope!

[@TkKirkland-lm5wv]

Seen PE in 06 back in Daygo.. place was off the chain. Drank so much Heineken I crashed my car SMH lol good show "shut em down"

[@Swimininmonet]

2pacalapse now was a total tribute to Chuck!!! Frfr ❤❤❤

[@savalifetv]

Love those 7 fitteds, I want one. Where can I get one?

[@zo62]

These dudes are lovely human beings

[@St3phenking13]

I have nothing but respect for Chuck D. I had the pleasure of watching Public Enemy in 1987 in Houston, Texas. He was never a Super lyricist or anything like that but I will always respect him as a Man first and foremost. As far as Tupac he clearly didn't learn much. He went from a Revolutionary artist to be a Gangsta Rapper pushing the same message but what's worse he mixed the reckless ignorance of Gangsta rap with Consciousness and that's not possible. You can't mix light with darkness. Ultimately with Gangsta Rap the Industry undid the groundwork laid by the Civil Rights Movement. I definitely have to watch this interview in its entirety.

[@henrybiggs8001]

This whole comment went south after Chuck D wasn't a super lyricist... He originated out of long island, he never would've been recognized back then... Nobody wanted to hear pro black consciousness in new york... The same reason why Pac was pushed to the west coast... So your belittling of Pac doesn't shock one bit... But, being posessed by narcissism is a motherf'er...👍👍👍

[@dougyoung3213]

Everything he's saying is the truth

[@agthaog1986]

Shawty lookin maaddd good in this episode

[@ROCKNROLLFAN]

I saw Public Enemy at the Budweiser fest 91 as a little boy and it was the most radical thing that I'd EVER seen cuz they had soldiers pointing machine guns towards the audience and Flavor wrote the book on cussing that night....lol....

[@sirt7286]

Chuck D should be mentioned when they say the all time greats

[@jairusmatthews6495]

Big ups to Talib. The culture needs him doing interviews. Let's shut down the fakes (Vlad).

[@vinnysaccount]

Damn! So much high powered shit happened at the Henry J Kaiser in Oakland! First Too Short besting UTFO on stage (and solidly putting him on the map) and now this! I wish I was there for that!

[@commentbeast3985]

He had to emphasize that he wrote the punchline huh, I still enjoyed the interview

[@JayKofa]

Receive These Virtual Flowers, Uncle Chuck! Thank You For All Your Contributions In OUR Beautiful Culture... Shoutout To P.E.! The Q👑een! Naughty! Digital! And Long Live, 'Pac! ✊🏾

[@shopwrecker1785]

Dope❤

[@melhayes204]

Chuck still look healthy.

[@mitch2620]

Chuck D is number one. Will always be number one. Greatest MC in history to date. In a way that’s sad.

[@DCsWiseMan]

When Chuck D speaks you just listen,