Chuck D Condemns Misuse of Public Enemy’s Protest Song During LA Wildfires

The rapper criticized the pairing of 'Hollywood Burn' with videos of devastating fires, urging people to understand the song's true message.

Chuck D has called out social media users for using Public Enemy's 1990 protest song 'Burn Hollywood Burn' in videos of the ongoing Los Angeles wildfires.
The song, which critiques Hollywood’s exploitation of Black culture and negative portrayals of Black people, was never intended to glorify destruction or natural disasters.
Over 10,000 structures have been destroyed, at least five people have died, and more than 130,000 residents have been displaced due to the fires in areas like Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and Altadena.
Chuck D emphasized the historical roots of the song, inspired by the Watts rebellion in 1965, and urged people to learn its context and refrain from insensitive use.
Celebrities including Paris Hilton, Travis Barker’s children, and Jhené Aiko are among those who have lost homes or evacuated as the fires continue to devastate the region.