Shut 'em Down (Public Enemy)

Shut 'em Down (Public Enemy)

"Shut 'em Down" is the fourth single from Public Enemy's fourth studio album Apocalypse 91...The Enemy Strikes Black. The song gained notoriety when remixed by Pete Rock in the summer of 1991. The remix incorporated elements of a horn sample which interwove prominently in and out of the mix while a filtered ascending bassline served as the backdrop of the song. An audio sample of a 1984 Fresh Fest concert also figures prominently in the mix. Pete Rock explains further: "I did it all in one day. They didn't think I would get it done in one day. The shit was incredible."

Part of group member Chuck D's voice was sampled on the track "Ten Crack Commandments" by The Notorious B.I.G., off of the album Life After Death.

The opening of the song was used by Russell Simmons Television Productions (RSTV) during the closing credits of Def Comedy Jam.

This song was used in the 2008 thriller film Lakeview Terrace, and in the 2009 video game Madden NFL 10.