| Don't Believe the Hype | |
| Cover: | PE-dontbelieve.jpg |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Public Enemy |
| Album: | It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back |
| B-Side: | "Prophets of Rage" & "The Rhythm The Rebel" |
| Released: | June 1988[1] |
| Genre: | Political hip hop |
| Length: | 5:23 |
| Producer: | The Bomb Squad |
| Prev Title: | Bring the Noise |
| Prev Year: | 1987 |
| Next Title: | Night of the Living Baseheads |
| Next Year: | 1988 |
"Don't Believe the Hype" is a song by hip hop group Public Enemy and the second single to be released from their second album, It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back. The song's lyrics are mostly about the political issues that were current in the United States at the time of its release. "Don't Believe the Hype" charted at number 18 on the U.S. R&B chart and also reached a high of 18 in the UK Singles Chart in July 1988. Chuck D has stated the song was inspired by the works of Noam Chomsky.[2]
The B-side includes "Prophets of Rage" and "The Rhythm The Rebel", an a cappella of the opening verse from "Rebel Without a Pause" which was a popular scratching phrase.[3]
| Chart (1988) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| 21 | |
| U.S. Billboard Hot R&B Singles | 18 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales | 17 |