Chuck D

Carlton Douglas Ridenhour (born August 1 1960), better known by his stage name Chuck D, is an American rapper, composer, actor, author, radio personality and producer. He is known as the frontman of hip-hop group Public Ememy, as well as his solo work and political commentary.

Upon hearing Ridenhour's demo track "Public Enemy Number One", fledgling producer/mogul Rick Rubin insisted on signing him to his Def Jam label. However, Ridenhour viewed the music business as a step down from the design job he had at the time. Rubin would continue calling, however, to the point where Ridenhour would have his girlfriend answer the phone as not to have to deal with him. Eventually, Ridenhour relented, insisting to Rubin that he also sign his friend William "Flavor Flav" Drayton, explaining to Rubin, "I don't know what he does, but he adds something".

Ridenhour is extremely politically active; he co-hosted Unfiltered on Air America Radio, testified before Congress in support of peer-to-peer MP3 sharing, and was involved in a 2004 rap political convention. He continues to be an activist, publisher, lecturer, and producer. Addressing the negative views associated with rap music, he co-wrote the essay book Fight the Power: Rap, Race, and Reality, along with Yusuf Jah