Chuck D spoke on the Fresno City College campus Wednesday as part of the FCC Speakers Forum. Photo by Frank Lopez

An American rap legend visited Fresno City College on Wednesday evening.

Carlton Douglas Ridenhour, famously known as  Chuck D, leader and frontman of the rap group Public Enemy, appeared as part of the FCC Speakers Forum along with a series of events commemorating Black History Month on campus.

Along with being a founding members of the pioneering rap group Public Enemy, he was also a member of the supergroup Prophets of Rage, has authored several books and is also an illustrator and painter.

Chuck D spoke fondly about Fresno, saying he first visited Fresno in 1987 and noticed how the crack epidemic of the time was starting to look like what he saw in New York several years prior.

Formed in 1985 in Long Island, Public Enemy rose to prominence for its lyrical subject matter exploring themes of racism in the U.S., American media and police brutality. The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013.

During his talk in the Old Administration Building auditorium, Chuck D shared about growing up on Long Island, his journey as musician and artist, the effects of social media on politics and society, the upcoming presidential election, race relations in the U.S. and more.

A Q&A session and book signing was held after his talk.