Hip-hop icon Chuck D is speaking out in defense of UK punk-rap duo Bob Vylan, whose recent Glastonbury performance has sparked political outrage, festival bans, and even a police investigation.
In an exclusive interview, the Public Enemy frontman drew parallels between Bob Vylan’s current firestorm and his group’s own experience with censorship and controversy in the late 1980s.
🎤 Bob Vylan’s Glastonbury Set Sparks Political Firestorm
During their live set at Glastonbury 2025, Bob Vylan led powerful chants of:
- “Death to the IDF”
- “Free, free Palestine”
The remarks, broadcast live on BBC, ignited swift backlash from British politicians, festival organizers, and the broadcaster itself.
The BBC later apologized, calling the chants “offensive and deplorable” and pledged stricter editorial controls for live broadcasts.
🚫 Immediate Fallout for Bob Vylan
The consequences came fast:
- 💔 UTA dropped the band as a client.
- 🚫 Multiple festivals removed them from upcoming lineups.
- ❌ U.S. visas revoked, forcing them to cancel their North American tour.
- 👮 British police launched a criminal investigation to determine if the performance violated any laws.
✊ Chuck D: “Words Aren’t Weapons—Drones and Tanks Are”
Speaking to The Independent, Chuck D defended Bob Vylan’s right to protest through music:
“When people say death to a country, they’re not saying death to a people. They’re saying death to imperialism, death to colonialism.”
He added:
“Bob Vylan ain’t got no tanks. They’re using words to say something must end. You can’t really kill nobody with a guitar or a microphone, but you could kill somebody with a drone and a f**ing tank.”*
📜 Echoes of Public Enemy’s 1989 Scandal
The controversy echoes Public Enemy’s own turbulent past. In 1989, group member Professor Griff made incendiary remarks to The Washington Post, claiming:
“Jews are responsible for the majority of wickedness that goes on across the globe.”
The backlash was swift and severe. While Chuck D initially defended Griff and argued the comments were taken out of context, mounting public and industry pressure ultimately led him to dismiss Griff from the group.
🗣️ Bob Vylan Responds
For their part, Bob Vylan defended their Glastonbury set in a statement:
“We oppose all violence and are being punished for speaking out on Gaza. The backlash is just a distraction from the humanitarian crisis happening right now.”
🕊️ Chuck D: “Fight for Peace and Love”
Chuck D concluded his comments with a powerful reminder about the role of artists in social movements:
“We have to be able to fight for peace and love by any means necessary.”
