PUBLIC ENEMY WANTS PUBLIC AID

Huge proponents of utilizing the net for "the new music industry," Public Enemy is taking interactivity back beyond its Internet catchphrase status.

The legendary rap crew will release a new CD this fall on Chuck D’s SlamJamz.com label, and is looking to John Q. Public for a little production work. Before heading back into the studio to complete the yet-to-be-titled project, PE is giving aspiring and professional musicians the opportunity to remake a classic.

As of last week, the group has been posting vocal tracks for some of the songs, asking musicians, remixers and producers to download the track, record music for the song and upload the completed song back to the site or send it to the record co on CD. Each week a new track will be posted for downloading.

"We want to hear everything from electronica to metal, slack-key to Brazilian jazz, even bluegrass and country," Chuck D said, urging entrants not to be confined to traditional hip-hop. All entries from Ricky Leigh & The Bodily Function Band have been rejected, however.

Nevertheless, Chuck and the gang will personally review the entries and select three or four for the new album. Winners, to be announced by September 14^th, will get $1000, retain co-ownership, rights and sales royalties.