Chuck D Upset About the Misuse of Public Enemy's 'Burn Hollywood Burn' amid L.A. Wildfires: 'Please Don't Use Our Song'

Mar. 15, 2025

Chuck D in Washington DC in March 2024.Photo:Taylor Hill/Getty I

Taylor Hill/Getty I

Chuck Dwon’t tolerate the insensitive use of Public Enemy’s song"Burn Hollywood Burn"amid thewildfires ravaging through Los Angeles.

After the wildfires broke out earlier this week, social media users have used the protest song to celebrate the city’s destruction. In response, thePublic Enemyfrontman asked those using the song to stop associating it with natural disaster — and to learn the history behind it.

On Tuesday, Jan. 9, Chuck D, 64,first shared a photoof the wildfires on Instagram and captioned the post, “🙏🏾 PRAYERS UP. BE SAFE. EVACUATE.”

Shortly after, he shared a statement clarifying the song’s true meaning and historical context.

On hisInstagram Stories, the rapper shared a series of resources and informational posts about the wildfires.

“Burn Hollywood Burn” was featured on Public Enemy’s 1990 albumFear of a Black Planet. The track — which featuresIce Cubeand Big Daddy Kane — became an anthem for Black empowerment, calling for a more authentic representation of Black creatives in media.

The fast-growing wildfires first broke out on Tuesday, Jan. 7, and soon sent tens of thousands of residents — including celebrities — scrambling for safety from the growing flames and plumes of smoke.

Public Enemy.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

Celebrities who’ve reported they’ve lost their homes includeLeighton MeesterandAdam Brody,Milo Ventimiglia,Miles TellerandKeleighTeller,Anna Faris,Paris Hilton,Cameron Mathison,Spencer PrattandHeidi Montag. Meanwhile, many others, includingMario Lopez,Molly Sims,Kid CudiandBebe Rexha, have shared that they have evacuated as the fire continues to spread.

Tina Knowles— who is mom toBeyoncéandSolange Knowles— revealed on Instagram that her oceanfront Malibu bungalow wasburned downin the blaze and reflected on the loss of her “sacred happy place.”

“This is what I was looking at on my birthday this past weekend from my tiny little bungalow on the water in Malibu! It was my favorite place, my sanctuary, my sacred Happy Place. Now it is gone !!” she captioned the post.

The business woman also thanked the “brave men and women in our fire department” who have worked tirelessly to put on the flames.

“We Thankyou for your dedication and bravery and for saving so many lives,” she wrote. “This could have been so much worse with out [sic] the dedication of the disaster workers and first responders.”

She added, “To the people who lost their homes and belongings, I can only imagine how it feels to lose properties and everything you own ! My heart and deep prayers go out to all of you ❤️,” she wrote. “I cannot imagine the pain and suffering and fear that you are enduring.. I am praying diligently for our beautiful City of Los Angeles !! We are resilient though and we will recover! ‘This too shall pass’❤️”

Click hereto learn more about how to help the victims of the L.A. fires.

source: people.com