Professor Griff
Professor Griff | |
|---|---|
Professor Griff performing with Public Enemy in 2014 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Richard Duane Griffin |
| Born | August 1, 1960 Roosevelt, New York, U.S. |
| 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 spoken word artist, and lecturer 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.