Explore Black History

1990; republished 2014

A long-playing (LP) record album, Fear of A Black Planet, recorded by Public Enemy. The album consists of a vinyl record (a) with jacket cover (b) and paper sleeve (c).
The vinyl record has a black center label. [Def / Jam / recordings] is printed in the top half of the label, with the D and J almost interlocking. There is also an outline of a gramophone printed on the label. The tracks on either side are printed below the notched center hole. On side A they are "Contract On The World Love Jam," "Brothers Gonna Work It Out," "911 Is A Joke," "Incident At 66.6 FM," "Welcome To The Terrordome," "Meet The G That Killed Me," "Pollywanacraka," "Anti-Nigger Machine," "Burn Hollywood Burn" and "Power to the People." On side B they are "Who Stole the Soul?" "Fear of A Black Planet," "Revolutionary Generation," "Can't Do Nuttin’ for Ya Man," "War At 33 1/3," "Final Count of The Collision Between Us and The Damned," and "Fight the Power."
A gatefold album jacket (2015.195.36b) accompanies the vinyl record. The front cover has a blue space background, with [PUBLIC / ENEMY] printed on the top of the page. Below, an image of a black planet hovers next to the faded outline of another planet resembling Earth. The black planet has the Public Enemy logo (a target on a silhouette) etched on it in flaming orange. [FEAR OF A BLACK PLANET] is printed below the planets, in yellow, uppercase letters. White text printed along the bottom edge repeats: [THE COUNTERATTACK ON WORLD SUPREMACY]. The imagery from the front cover is repeated on the inside of the album jacket, albeit darkened; everything is faded except the black planet. On the next page, the entire painting has been darkened, except the black planet. The back cover has the same outer space background. At center is a color photograph of the members of Public Enemy with S1W members dressed in white and red Fruit of Islam uniforms. A map of the world and a globe are on the table in front of them.
A printed, white album sleeve (2015.195.36c) also accompanies the vinyl record. One side of the sleeve is divided into four (4) columns. In the first, [PUBLIC / ENEMY] is printed, followed by the Public Enemy logo, the album title, and finally a grayscale photograph. Underneath the photograph, the following is printed: ["BLACK POWER 1990 IS A COLLECTIVE MEANS OF SELF DEFENSE AGAINST THE WORLDWIDE CONSPIRACY TO DESTROY THE BLACK RACE. IT'S A MOVEMENT THAT ONLY PUTS FEAR IN THOSE THAT HAVE A VESTED INTEREST IN THE CONSPIRACY, OR THAT THINK THAT IT'S SOMETHING OTHER THAT WHAT IT ACTUALLY IS...."]. There are also numerous sections that list artists, activists, athletes etc. who have influenced them. On the other side of the sleeve, the lyrics to each track is printed.

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Record Albums

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

National Museum of African American History and Culture

2015.195.36abc

record covers
long-playing records

© 2014 Def Jam Recordings
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

vinyl with ink on paper and cardboard

Diameter (a. disc): 11 7/8 in. (30.2 cm)
H x W x D (b. album jacket): 12 1/4 × 12 3/8 × 1/8 in. (31.1 × 31.4 × 0.3 cm)
H x W (c. sleeve): 12 × 12 1/4 in. (30.5 × 31.1 cm)

Title • Fear of a Black Planet

nmaahc_2015.195.36abc

NMAAHC

FEAR OF A BLACK PLANET

National Museum of African American History and Culture

CC0

1990s

Def Jam Recordings • Public Enemy • The Bomb Squad • Universal Music Group • Allen, Jules

United States • North and Central America

Hip-hop (Music) • Rappers (Musicians)

Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America

Phonograph records • Record covers

Images

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