Upcoming Book to Feature Art of Public Enemy Frontman Chuck D

Photo Credit: Twitter 

The frontman of one of hip-hop's seminal rap groups is ready to show the world that his talents go beyond the spoken word.

Chuck D, frontman and co-founder along with Flavor Flav, of Public Enemy announced on Tuesday (Oct. 19) that he is partnering with Genesis Publications to release the first official book of his artwork.

"I was raised with an artist's mentality; my first 25 years were spent as somebody who wanted to live among graphics and artwork and illustration, and then for the next 30 years it was all music," said the musician, who studied graphic design at Long Island's Adelphi University before embarking on his career as one of rap's most political and socially conscious MCs, in a statement.

Adding, "In the last six years, I've reverted back into the arts, combining all of these elements in my work, still trying to change the world. This is truly what I want to do."

One of the sketches to be included in Chuck D’s book. The project currently does not have a name or release date. 

Fortunately for music lovers, his artistic ambitions were thwarted temporarily when Chuck, born Carlton Douglas Ridenhour, met the madness to his mastermind in fellow student William Jonathan Drayton Jr., who would go on to be better known as the group's clock-wearing hypeman Flavor Flav.

They unleashed their creation Public Enemy on the world in 1985 and in 1987 the release of their debut ablum "Yo! Bum Rush the Show" was released to critical acclaim and their decades-long journey to the top of rap's Mt. Rushmore had begun. 

Now the multi-platinum recording artist, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner, educator, activist and visual artist is excited to share another side of him. 

The book will be accompanied by a commentary from Chuck D that guides the reader through his thought process and inspirations, sharing anecdotes and discussing the connotations behind his art, which ranges from portraits of his musical inspirations — including Nina Simone, Bob Dylan and the Beastie Boys —to his original creation of the Public Enemy logo and political cartoons and sketches.