1987 was the world's introduction to Chuck D's powerful lyrics and the comic persona of Flava Flav, sharp scratches from DJ Terminator X, as well as Bomb Squad's bombastic production. An album of furious resistance and consciousness, Yo! Bum Rush The Show includes tracks like "Miuzi Weighs A Ton‚" "Sophisticated Bitch," and "Public Enemy No. 1," which avalanched listeners with lectures and uncanny beat construction. The overall sound of the album, devoid of any real melody or soft patches, is a hard-driving recording that ushered in a new sound‚ conscious but not corny, hard but not gangsta.

Rolling Stone included it in its list of the Top 500 All Time Albums and The Source named it in its 100 Best Rap Albums list. Even hearing the album now, one can tell that Public Enemy knew themselves and their sound early on and had no intention of watering down their messages for the masses. Yo! Bum Rush The Show remains a throbbing, dark, heady listen that continues to reach and teach, aging wonderfully well in the process. The 30th anniversary edition picture disc of Yo! Bum Rush The Show is available now.