Chuck D has made it clear that he will not tolerate the inappropriate use of Public Enemy’s song “Burn Hollywood Burn” in relation to the wildfires currently ravaging Los Angeles.
Following the outbreak of the wildfires earlier this week, social media users began using the protest song to mark the city’s destruction. In response, Chuck D, the frontman of Public Enemy, took to social media to address the matter, asking people to refrain from linking the song to the natural disaster and to understand its true historical context.
On Tuesday, January 9, Chuck D, 64, posted a photo of the wildfires on Instagram with the caption, “PRAYERS UP. BE SAFE. EVACUATE.” Soon after, he shared a statement clarifying the song’s origin and meaning.
“Burn Hollywood Burn is a protest song. Extracted from the Watts Rebellion monikered by the Magnificent Montague in 1965 against inequality when he said ‘burn baby burn’ across the air.
We made mind revolution songs aimed at a one-sided exploitation by an industry. Has nothing to do with families, losing everything they have in a natural disaster. Learn the history. Godspeed to those in loss,” the statement explained.
In the comments, he urged people not to use the song in conjunction with the natural disaster, adding, “Please don’t use our song on your reels and pictures of this horrifying natural disaster.”
On his Instagram Stories, the rapper posted several resources and informative content regarding the wildfires.
“Burn Hollywood Burn” was featured on Public Enemy’s 1990 album Fear of a Black Planet. The song, which includes contributions from Ice Cube and Big Daddy Kane, became an anthem for Black empowerment, calling for a more genuine representation of Black creatives in media.
The wildfires began on January 7 and rapidly spread, forcing tens of thousands of residents — including several celebrities — to evacuate in response to the rising flames and smoke.
Celebrities who have reported losing their homes include Leighton Meester and Adam Brody, Milo Ventimiglia, Miles Teller and Keleigh Teller, Anna Faris, Paris Hilton, Cameron Mathison, Spencer Pratt, and Heidi Montag. Others, such as Mario Lopez, Molly Sims, Kid Cudi, and Bebe Rexha, have shared updates about their evacuations as the fire continues to grow.
Tina Knowles, mother to Beyoncé and Solange Knowles, also took to Instagram to share that her Malibu bungalow was destroyed in the fire. She reflected on the loss of her “sacred happy place,” posting, “This is what I was looking at on my birthday this past weekend from my tiny little bungalow on the water in Malibu! It was my favorite place, my sanctuary, my sacred Happy Place. Now it is gone !!”
She went on to thank the brave firefighters who have worked tirelessly to control the flames, adding, “We Thankyou for your dedication and bravery and for saving so many lives. This could have been so much worse without [sic] the dedication of the disaster workers and first responders.”
Expressing sympathy for those who have lost their homes and possessions, she continued, “To the people who lost their homes and belongings, I can only imagine how it feels to lose properties and everything you own! My heart and deep prayers go out to all of you.
I cannot imagine the pain and suffering and fear that you are enduring… I am praying diligently for our beautiful City of Los Angeles!! We are resilient though and we will recover! ‘This too shall pass’”