Released on 1990's 'Fear of a Black Planet,' 'Welcome to the Terrordome' found Public Enemy in flux. After bungling his firing/hiring/firing again of Professor Griff after Griff blamed the majority of the "wickedness" on Earth on Jewish people, Chuck D found himself in a swirl of controversy and under the pressure of following 'It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back,' the most celebrated hip-hop album in history.

Legend has it that 'Terrordome' was written after Chuck took a drive to clear his mind. If so, his mind was cluttered, for "chaotic" best describes the track. Where Chuck's attention on record has usually been directed on one topic at a time, he decided to use this opportunity to usher listeners into the 'Terrordome' (a term he used for the 1990s), and he left very few stones unturned. In five minutes, he manages to implore education, blast COINTELPRO and sellout Negroes, shout out his ride, and give the bird to those who claimed he was anti-Semitic ("apology made to whoever please, still they got me like Jesus"…you make the call).

The vehicle that fuels this is Chuck's commanding timbre (adequately assisted by Flavor Flav on the breaks). If Aretha Franklin has the voice of God, then Chuck D has the voice of man. It's too authoritative to be common, but too emotional and intense to be anything but human. 'Welcome to the Terrordome' is Chuck at his most human — confused, stressed, exhausted — but it's clear he was still in charge with a mic in his hand.

About the Author

Bomani Jones is certified BV blogger that you can find everyday all day at For Myself & Others, The Blog.