Give It Up (Public Enemy song)

"Give It Up" is a song by American hip hop group Public Enemy, released in August 1994 by Def Jam Recordings as the first single from their fifth album, Muse Sick-n-Hour Mess Age (1994).^[1] It was their highest-peaking song on the US Billboard Hot 100, reaching number 33.

"Give It Up"
Single by Public Enemy
from the album Muse Sick-n-Hour Mess Age
Released	August 1994
Recorded	1993
Genre	Hip hop, rap rock
Length	4:44
Label	Def Jam
Songwriter(s)	Carlton Ridenhour Gary G-Wiz Studdah Man M. Thomas Alvertis Isbell
Producer(s)	Gary G-Wiz
Public Enemy singles chronology
"I Stand Accused" (1993) "Give It Up" (1994) "What Kind of Power We Got?" (1994)
Music video
"Give It Up" on YouTube

Critical reception

Tony Cross from Smash Hits gave 'Give It Up' a full score of five out of five and named it Best New Single, writing, "'Give It Up' is about destruction on the street: fighting for self-respect and unity against the evils of crack and gratuitous gun violence. This could only be carried off in such a homie party style by a band as masterly as this. As Steve Wright says, this deserves "much respect"!"^[2]

Track listing

• CD maxi

1. "Give It Up" (Main) – 4:44
2. "Give It Up" (Instrumental) – 4:44
3. "Give It Up" (Dirty Drums In Memphis Mixx) – 5:17
4. "Live And Undrugged Pt. 2" – 2:36
5. "Bedlam 13:13" (Main) – 4:13
6. "Bedlam 13:13" (Instrumental) – 4:13
7. "Harry Allen's Interactive Super Highway Phone Call To Chuck D" – 2:53

Charts

Chart (1994)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)[3]	16
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[4]	16
France (SNEP)[5]	36
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[6]	36
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[7]	36
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[8]	14
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[9]	37
UK Singles (OCC)[10]	18
UK Dance (OCC)	11
UK Dance (Music Week)[11]	11
UK Club Chart (Music Week)[12]	73
US Billboard Hot 100[13]	33
US Hot Rap Singles (Billboard)	5
US Hot R&B Singles (Billboard)[14]	30