Professor Griff

Professor Griff
Professor Griff performing with Public Enemy in 2014
Background information
Birth nameRichard Duane Griffin
Born (1960-08-01) August 1, 1960 (age 64)
Roosevelt, New York, U.S.
GenresHip hop
Occupations
InstrumentVocals
Years active1982–present
Labels
Formerly ofPublic Enemy

Richard Duane Griffin (born August 1, 1960), better known by his stage name Professor Griff, is an American rapper, spoken word artist, and lecturer[citation needed] currently residing in Atlanta. He was a member of the hip hop group Public Enemy, serving as the group's Minister of Information.

During his time with Public Enemy, he was an adherent of the ideas espoused by Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, which informed both Griffin's and Public Enemy's ideological views. Having served in the U.S. Army and cultivating an interest in martial arts, he trained the S1W security team that toured with Public Enemy dressed in military uniforms, doing choreographed military step drills on stage.[1]

  1. ^ Santoro, Gene (1995). Dancing in Your Head: Jazz, Blues, Rock, and Beyond. Oxford University Press. p. 119. ISBN 9780195101232.