Professor Griff

Richard Duane Griffin, known professionally as Professor Griff, was born on August 1, 1960. He gained prominence as a foundational member of the iconic hip-hop group Public Enemy, serving as their “Minister of Information.” During his tenure with Public Enemy, he was instrumental in shaping the group’s ideological direction, drawing from the teachings of the Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan. His background included service in the U.S. Army and an interest in martial arts, which influenced the S1W security team that accompanied Public Enemy, performing choreographed military step drills during their live shows. This period established him as a significant figure in the evolving hip-hop landscape of the 1980s.

In the late 1980s, Public Enemy achieved mainstream attention, particularly with the single “Fight the Power” from Spike Lee’s film “Do the Right Thing.” However, Griff’s public statements during this time, specifically in interviews with UK magazines and The Washington Times in 1989, generated controversy due to their anti-Semitic and homophobic content. These remarks led to significant scrutiny for the band, resulting in his temporary departure and subsequent rejoining, before ultimately leaving the group due to escalating media pressure and changes within Def Jam Records. After his departure from Public Enemy, Professor Griff established his own group, the Last Asiatic Disciples, and released several solo albums that further explored Islamic (Nation of Islam) and Afrocentric themes, often incorporating spoken word lyrics. His discography as a solo artist includes “Pawns in the Game” (1990), “Kao’s II Wiz*7*Dome” (1991), “Disturb N Tha Peace” (1992), “Blood of the Profit” (1998), and “And The Word Became Flesh” (2001).