Public Enemy "It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back"

"It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back" is a classic album because it is a highly influential and groundbreaking work in the genre of hip hop music. The album, released in 1988 by the group Public Enemy, is considered a pioneering work of politically conscious rap.

The album features a dense, sample-heavy sound that was a departure from the more stripped-down production of many early hip hop records. Public Enemy's production team, the Bomb Squad, used a wide range of samples from a variety of sources, including sound bites from movies and television shows. This approach to production became a major influence on the development of hip hop in the late 1980s and beyond, and is still highly regarded as a pioneering and innovative approach to beatmaking.

"It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back" is known for its forthright and confrontational lyrics, which address issues such as racism, police brutality, and social inequality. The record's lyrics are often critical of the government and the media, and address the struggles and challenges faced by black Americans in the United States.

The album was a commercial success, reaching the top 10 of the Billboard 200 chart and being certified platinum by the RIAA. It was also highly acclaimed by critics, and has appeared on numerous "best albums" lists over the years. The record has been widely credited with helping to bring politically conscious rap to a wider audience and establishing it as a legitimate and important subgenre of hip hop.