Films, Television & Music Videos Made On Long Island: Public Enemy

Public Enemy, one of the most influential and politically charged groups in hip-hop history, has deep and enduring roots in Long Island. The group formed in the mid-1980s while key members, including Chuck D and Flavor Flav, were attending Adelphi University in Garden City. It was there that Chuck D first began experimenting with radio and music production, eventually leading to the formation of Public Enemy alongside a collective of local talent and visionaries.

Long Beach, Long Island also holds a unique place in the group’s visual history. The music video for “Brothers Gonna Work It Out,” a single from their 1990 album Fear of a Black Planet, was largely filmed in Long Beach, marking another example of how the South Shore became a creative canvas for Def Jam artists; the Def Jam label was co-founded by Lido Beach native Rick Rubin. While The Beastie Boys also used the area for their “She’s On It” video, Public Enemy’s use of the location took on a different tone, blending beachside visuals with hard-hitting political themes.

Stills from Public Enemy's "Brothers Gonna Work It Out" music video:

More insight into Public Enemy’s Long Island origins -- including time spent around Adelphi University -- can be found in The Sixth Borough, a documentary featured in the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival. The film explores the often-overlooked cultural and musical history of Long Island, positioning it as a crucial but underappreciated part of New York’s creative ecosystem. Among those specially thanked in the film is Regina Feeney of the Freeport Memorial Library, who contributed local historical context and resources that helped illuminate Public Enemy’s formative years on Long Island.

Researched by Darren Paltrowitz on June 27, 2025.