Professor Griff | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | Richard Duane Griffin |
Born | Roosevelt, New York, U.S. | August 1, 1960
Genres | Hip hop |
Occupations | |
Instrument | Vocals |
Years active | 1982–present |
Labels | |
Formerly of | Public 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]