Chuck D, the front man and leader of the veteran hip-hop group Public Enemy, now 56, is showing no signs of slowing down.
Chuck's deep, baritone, booming voice commanded attention as it rang out over the microphone on such hits as "Shut 'Em Down" and "Black Steel In The Hour of Chaos." It was that voice that truly brought the words of the 90's hit song, "Fight The Power," to life.
And it's powerful statements about current life made to song that are even more relevant now.
"I didn’t start this out as an 18-year-old," says Chuck. "I already was grown when I wrote the songs and I understood great songwriters of the past. So I knew if I was gonna write something I was gonna have to live with it when I wrote it at 27, 28, 29 and 30. I wrote Fear Of A Black Planet based on a theory from a psychologist, so I was writing every word to resonate. I learned that when traveling to another country early in my career that “Fight the Power” could actually be used by the Serbs and the Croats looking for the freedom between them two as former Yugoslavians. So the Public Enemy songs are always in effect. The key is it’s not a long period of time anyway."
"Maybe in music terms, maybe in culture terms, but in real terms, 40, 50 years is not a long time. There’s been some significant changes; people are now at a 45-degree angle staring into their gadgets and phones and maybe that’s different. But it’s not a long period of time at all. So if they were pulling some bullshit in 1963, its effect could still be felt in 2016 in many ways. Many of the countries still have the same names and although it’s a different Bush, you have Bushes who are governors and ex-president Bushes that are still sitting around spewing their philosophies. As new Clintons come in and other ones watch over them."
Chuck continues, "You can be an individual and create chaos like that one shooter did in Orlando or you can be an individual and change the future by doing some dumb, crazy bullshit. But making positive change is like going up a mountain that’s made out of grease wheel with a pair of roller skates; it requires like-minded collectives."
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By the way, Chuck is not just a rapper, he's also an advocate for health.
Chuck, along with others from the hip hop community, launched the Hip Hop Health Summit in 2009. The goal was to inform the hip hop community about better ways to live a healthier, longer life.
Chuck D takes these health lessons to heart, particularly to protect one of his most valuable assets: his signature, baritone voice.
Here are some of Chuck's tips:
1. Drink water to keep your body well hydrated, and avoid...
... alcohol and caffeine. Your vocal cords vibrate very fast, and having a proper water balance helps keep them lubricated. Important note: foods containing large amounts of water are excellent hydration-conscious snacks, including apples, pears, watermelon, peaches, melons, grapes, plums and bell peppers.
2. Allow yourself several "vocal naps" every day, especially during periods of extended use. For instance, teachers should avoid speaking during the breaks between classes and find quiet ways to spend the lunch hour rather than talking in a noisy staff room with colleagues.
3. Don't smoke, or if you already do, quit. Smoking raises the risk of throat cancer tremendously, and inhaling smoke (even secondhand or thirdhand smoke) can irritate the vocal cords.
4. Don't abuse or misuse your voice. Avoid yelling or screaming, and try not to talk loudly in noisy areas. If your throat feels dry or tired, or your voice is getting hoarse, reduce your voice use. Hoarseness is a warning sign that your vocal cords are irritated.
5. Keep your throat and neck muscles relaxed, even when singing high notes and low notes. Some singers tilt their heads up when singing high notes and down when singing low notes. "The high notes are on the ceiling and the low notes are on the floor. Over time, you'll pay for that with strained vocal muscles.
6. Don't clear your throat too often. When you clear your throat, it's like slamming your vocal cords together. Doing it too much can injure them and make you hoarse. Try a sip of water or swallow to quench the urge to clear. If you feel like you have to clear your throat a lot, get checked by a doctor for such things as acid reflux disease, or allergy and sinus conditions.
7. When you're sick, spare your voice. Don't talk when you're hoarse due to a cold or infection. Listen to what your voice is telling you.
8. When you have to speak publicly to large groups or outdoors, think about using amplification to avoid straining your voice.
9. Humidify your home and work areas. Remember, moisture is good for the voice.
