Public Enemy will release two albums this year. Due in early summer, How Do You Sell Souls to a Soulless People Who Sold Their Souls? is a classic-soul-minded album, while the fall-targeted New Whirl Odor is an "eclectic, typical Public Enemy record," according to frontman Chuck D.
"They're two totally different albums," he continues. "But they come together like a nice double set. I can't write a record without at least mentioning what's going on. I delve real deep on the second album, and dig deep into the music on the first one."

The albums and his current lecture tour titled "Rap, Race, Reality and Technology" will all touch on the current events and issues endemic to an election year. "I think this is a year that art can actually speak," D says. "But I don't see enough of it being done. I don't see enough attention given to rap groups that might do it, like the Coup and Dead Prez. The industry is presenting rappers as one-dimensional, and that doesn't hold as much water in 2004."

Chuck D. lecture dates:

2/10: Cleveland, John Carroll University
2/11: Philadelphia, St. Joseph's University
2/12: Chapel Hill, NC, University of North Carolina
2/17: Tuscaloosa, AL, University of Alabama
2/18: Morrow, GA, Clayton College & State University
2/23: Bowling Green, KY, Western Kentucky University
2/24: Chicago, Illinois Institute of Technology
2/26: Pullman, WA, Washington State Universi

Hopefully the Bomb Squad will be producing and reprise their sound for these records. Their chaotic sound still seems relevent today. Nas' "Made You Look" is heavily influenced by the early Public Enemy sound.

Haven't been thrilled with their last couple of releases, but always willing to give 'em another chance. By far my fav rap group (w/ Beastie Boys). And that "soul" album does sound interesting...

article is from rollingstone.com, by the way.