Chuck D criticises use of Public Enemy song during LA fires

American rapper Chuck D has criticised the use of the Public Enemy track Burn Hollywood Burn, which he said has nothing to do with families losing “everything” during the Los Angeles blazes.

Oscar-winning actors Mel Gibson and Jeff Bridges, reality TV star Paris Hilton, US actor Billy Crystal, The Princess Bride star Cary Elwes, talk show host Ricki Lake, The Hills stars Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag and songwriter Diane Warren are among those who lost their homes in the raging fires.

The series of major wind-driven wildfires in California have killed 10 people, ravaged communities and sent thousands of people fleeing their properties, including areas dotted with celebrity homes.

On Instagram, 62-year-old Public Enemy frontman Chuck D wrote: “Burn Hollywood Burn is a protest song extracted from the Watts rebellion monikered by the Magnificent Montague in 1965 against inequality when he said ‘burn baby burn’ across the air.

“We made mind-revolution songs aimed at a one-sided exploitation by an industry.”

He added that it “has nothing to do with families losing everything they have in a natural disaster. Learn the history. Godspeed to those in loss”.

The 1965 Watts riots were a civil rights uprising in Los Angeles, which was prompted by allegations of police violence and racism, and sparked by a crowd watching a young black man who was beaten after being arrested for drink driving.

Magnificent Montague was an American DJ who is claimed to have come up with the phrase “Burn, baby, burn” during the unrest.

Chuck D, who was hitting out at social media users sharing his track, also captioned the post, saying “pray for LA”, along with a heart emoji, and shared Instagram stories of support, and where to get help during the tragedy.

Public Enemy was founded in Long Island, New York, in the 1980s with Flavor Flav and Chuck D, and released hits such as Fight The Power, Rebel Without A Pause and Don’t Believe The Hype.

The hip hop group, known for their political and anti-racist tracks, were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 2013 and have had six Grammy nominations.

Chuck D is also known for Prophets of Rage, which features members of Rage Against The Machine and Cypress Hill.

Some evacuation orders and warnings have been lifted on Friday following the fires in California after firefighters continued to try and put out blazes in Pacoima, Hollywood, Studio City and other places, including tackling the fires by using helicopters.

A cause has not been revealed for the fires.