Chuck D Defends "Jeopardy" Contestant Who Got Public Enemy Answer Wrong

BY Erika Marie 1.9K Views
Link Copied to Clipboard!
Randy Shropshire / Stringer / Getty Images
Chuck D
A fan chastised the contestant for her "The Funky Bunch" answer, but the Rap icon gave her some slack.

Hip Hop has once again made its way to the Jeopardy stage, and a contestant has found herself on the receiving end of jibes for not knowing the correct answer. Jeopardy has always allotted space for Hip Hop facts and more often than not, contestants get the answers correct. The long-standing trivia-centered series has been a staple in homes of all backgrounds, but seeing Hip Hop highlighted is a treat for the culture.

On a recent episode, a category of "Chuck D" was featured, and it hosted questions about notable figures including Charles Dickens, Charles Darwin, and of course, Public Enemy icon Chuck D.

Emma McIntyre / Staff / Getty Images

The hint was: “In the 1980s Chuck D began fighting the power in this Hip-Hop group with Flavor Flav, a man who always knew what time it was.” While this answer may seem simple to most, the contestant responded, "The Funky Bunch." This, of course, was the name of the crew with Mark "Marky Mark" Wahlberg back in the actor's rapping days.

A Public Enemy fan took to Twitter to disparage the woman for giving the incorrect answer, but the Rap icon was quick to react in her defense.

"Everybody don’t know everything… it’s why I introduce myself wherever I go and whoever I talk to," he wrote. "It’s just courtesy. But the sad thing is not knowing those other Chuck Ds." Another fan added that if this was a Jeopardy hint about a more recent Pop artist, they wouldn't know that answer, either.

Check out the Jeopardy moment, and Chuck D's response, below. 



About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.