Artist Statement
“Edition of 400, $80, Signed by Chuck D, Glen E Friedman, and Shepard 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.
About This Print
Public Enemy is a 2008 screen print by Shepard Fairey, published by Obey Giant in a first edition of 400 and signed by Chuck D, photographer Glen E. Friedman, and Fairey. Measuring 24 x 18 inches, it is illustrated from a Friedman photograph of the pioneering hip-hop group. The print honors Public Enemy, whom Fairey calls his favorite and most important hip-hop group, citing landmark albums It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back and Fear of a Black Planet. Released August 7, 2008 at an original price of $80, it is a three-way collaboration uniting the band, the photographer, and Obey.
Market Context
Estimated market value: 197.5. Observed range 100.0–500.0. Latest recorded sale: 2025-12-30. Value is the median of recorded public sales (>= $100); low-high shows the observed sale range.