Chuck D has spoken out against the misuse of Public Enemy's song "Burn Hollywood Burn" in the wake of devastating wildfires sweeping through Los Angeles. After social media users began using the protest anthem in posts about the natural disaster, the rapper, 64, took to Instagram to condemn the practice and remind listeners of the song's original intent.
"Burn Hollywood Burn is a protest song," Chuck D wrote in a statement shared Tuesday. "We made mind revolution songs aimed at a one-sided exploitation by an industry. It has nothing to do with families losing everything they have in a natural disaster. Learn the history." He also urged people to refrain from using the track in posts related to the fires, adding, "Godspeed to those in loss."
Featured on Public Enemy's 1990 album Fear of a Black Planet, "Burn Hollywood Burn" critiques racial inequality and the lack of authentic Black representation in media. Meanwhile, the wildfires have left a trail of destruction in Los Angeles, forcing tens of thousands of residents to evacuate. Many celebrities, including Tina Knowles and Leighton Meester, have shared personal accounts of homes lost and gratitude for first responders working tirelessly to contain the flames.