CAPSULE REVIEW : Rappers Get ‘A’in Music, F in Politics

Public Enemy, the controversial but acclaimed New York rap group, demands to be judged on two score cards--one for its music and one for its politics.

In the group’s first local appearance since a national furor over anti-Semitic remarks by one of its members in a Washington Times interview last May, Public Enemy was sensational on a purely musical level Sunday night at the Palace.

The most commanding moments of the group’s nearly two-hour performance--most notably, a closing barrage of such anthems as “Don’t Believe the Hype” and the Grammy-nominated “Fight the Power”--generated in the jammed club the emotionally charged atmosphere associated with the Clash, the rock group that was also known for its political fury. On a scale of 100, rate Public Enemy’s music at the Palace 95.

But the rappers’ continuing insistence on having two spokesmen--a sort of good cop and bad cop of human relations--has already caused one major incident (the May interview) and represents a time bomb that could well explode again.

Chuck D., the group’s leader and main rapper, deals in provocative and sometimes inflammatory images, but there is usually a sense of poetic vision and control behind his impassioned remarks.

On the other hand, group member Professor Griff--who gave the Washington Times interview and has since disavowed the anti-Semitic remarks--can ramble on like a loose cannon on stage.

At the Palace, he made sweeping statements that ranged from petulant to bizarre--outbursts against everything from the evil media that misrepresents him (shades of Spiro T. Agnew?) to a theory about an AIDS conspiracy against minorities.

As long as this odd couple demands to be judged as a single entry, give Public Enemy’s politics a cautionary 50.

Headlining a benefit for sickle-cell anemia research on Sunday, Public Enemy opened with a nearly 10-minute commentary by Griff before Chuck D. and sidekick Flavor Flav came on stage.

But the real strength is in the torrent of beats delivered by turntable whiz Terminator X and the equally compelling verbal assault by Chuck D., who shows increased charisma and power as a performer each time he steps on a local stage.

Public Enemy’s mix of music and politics has established the band as the most creative force in rap, but it’s a risky mix.

A complete review runs in Tuesday’s Calendar section.