UPDATE, 8/13/08

Just a forewarning that legendary photographer and 3 time OBEY collaborator, Glen E Friedman will be having a Solo Exhibition at our Subliminal Projects Gallery in December. Some details are below but more information will be available at www.subliminalprojects.com.

Glen E Friedman
Solo Exhibition
December 13th – January 9th
Legendary photographer Glen E. Friedman, who is responsible for taking some of the most recognizable early skate photography as well as photos of musical pioneers such as Minor Threat, Black Flag, the Beastie Boys, Run DMC, LL Cool J, Ice-T and Public Enemy.
www.burningflags.com

UPDATE, 8/7/08:

PRINT IS SOLD OUT

UPDATE, 8/5/08:

Public Enemy is my favorite, and in my opinion, the most important hip hop group of all time. I became interested in the group after reading a Thrasher magazine review of their first album which described Public Enemy’s music as “the new punk”. I was into punk and hardcore all through middle school and high school, but by 87-88 I was feeling they had run their course. I liked the Beastie Boys (who had coincidentally originally been a hardcore band) and RUN DMC, but not until Public Enemy did I feel Hip Hop was the new punk. I love Public Enemy’s first record: Yo, Bum Rush The Show, but it was only the warm up for the sonic and lyrical firestorm of It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back and Fear of a Black Planet. Those records are must have classics and showed P.E. to be one of the most important forces in music, politics, and culture of the late 20th century. Public Enemy have continued to tour and put out great records for the last twenty years. Chuck D, the group’s founder is an author, activist, and lecturer as well. Public Enemy has been a huge inspiration for me. My design studio (Studio Number One) was named after the song Public Enemy Number One from which the group’s name was derived. The photo the print is illustrated from is by Glen E. Friedman. Glen shot the first two Public Enemy album covers as well as covers for LL Cool J, The Beastie Boys, Minor Threat, among others. Glen’s book FUCK YOU HEROES is a must have(link here). I am incredibly honored to to be able to bring Public Enemy,Glen E Friedman, and Obey together for this collaboration. The print is signed by me, Chuck D., and Glen E. Friedman. Enjoy!

-Shepard Fairey

The Print will be released the first week of August. The clothing is out now, so get yours. Stay Tuned!

www.publicenemy.com
www.burningflags.com

OBEY Clothing, based upon the work of artist and designer Shepard Fairey, has teamed up with seminal Hip-Hop group Public Enemy to release a collection of clothing and a fine art print that reflects the look and culture of early Hip-Hop. Fairey, the originator behind the worldwide street art campaign OBEY has now built an internationally recognized art career with fine art showings around the world as well as graphic design work within his design firm Studio Number One.

The OBEY Clothing collection is designed to reflect the image and style of early Public Enemy and Hip-Hop. The line references past styles that are still culturally relevant and viable today. Examples of this can be seen in the sweatshirts with chenille patches on them taken from old stadium jackets or leather-backed medallions originally worn in the African American communities. The heavy military feel is evident with jackets inspired by the S1W’s and the classic gold and black Pirates hats Chuck D donned so often became the inspiration for color on the OBEY fitted hats.

Also involved in the project is legendary photographer Glen E. Friedman, who is responsible for taking some of the most recognizable early skate photography as well as photos of musical pioneers such as Minor Threat, Black Flag, the Beastie Boys, Run DMC, LL Cool J, Ice-T and Public Enemy. Together Shepard, Glen, and Chuck D collaborated and chose a photo that they felt would best match Shepard’s style and Public Enemy’s iconic image. The outcome is a timeless portrayal of the early days of Public Enemy, with a stylized look and menacing presence as captured by Friedman’s photo and Shepard’s illustration.

Widely considered one of the most important and influential groups in contemporary music, Public Enemy’s albums have all met with international critical acclaim and have worldwide sales in the millions. At the close of 1999, The New York Times named the group’s music to their list of the “25 Most Significant Albums of the Last Century” and in 2005 The Library of Congress included their album Fear of a Black Planet in a list of 50 recordings worthy of preserving that year in their National Recording Registry. Rolling Stone magazine called the group one of the fifty greatest artists of all time.

A collaboration between Public Enemy and OBEY Clothing was a natural fit. Shepard has been a life long fan of Public Enemy and has been heavily influenced by their music and style. The ideology of Public Enemy is evident in the mindset of OBEY and we are proud to offer this collection of the legendary force. Fight the Power!