Imitation #6 (2000's): Public Enemy, Harder Than You Think

Rolling Stones of the rap game, not braggin'

Lips bigger than Jagger, not saggin'

Spell it backwards, I'mma leave it at that..

That ain't got nuttin to do with rap

Check the facts, expose those cats

Who pose as heroes and take advantage of blacks

Your government's gangster, so cut the crap
A war goin on so where y'all at?

"Fight the Power" comes great responsibility

'F the Police' but who's stopping YOU from killlin me?

The context of this rap is that in the 2000's there's a great division between underground and mainstream rap. Many rappers are selling out to the public for fame and money and many people are listening to rap that has no meaning. Public Enemy has been around since the 80's and they haven't sold out. They are speaking to the general public. The first line uses figurative meaning, comparing the Rolling Stones importance in Rock N' Roll to Public Enemy in rap. Chuck D. uses many devices to create a rhythm. He uses end rhymes (ex. braggin/ saggin), internal rhyme(facts/ cats), assonance (who pose as heroes), alliteration (government's gangster), and consonance (bigger than Jagger, not saggin). He also alludes to a song by N.W.A., 'Fuck Da Police," in the last line. That is a common saying that has spread although the police prevent many things from happening. Public Enemy is sticking true to what they believe in and aren't conforming to mainstream or selling out. This rap is speaking to the public who are so quick to agree with mainstream although if they truly thought about it, they wouldn't agree or relate to those ideals. This piece is a critique and modern mainstream rap and a boast about the greatness that Public Enemy did not sell out.