Before you listen to this BBC podcast I'd like to quickly tell you about some others.

My name's Andy Martin and I'm the editor of a team of podcast producers at the BBC in Northern Ireland.

It's a job I really love because we get to tell the stories that really matter

to people here, but which also resonate and apply to listeners around the world.

And because the team is such a diverse range of skills and strengths. We have trained journalists, people who love digging through archives, we've got drama and even comedy experts. We really can do those stories justice.

So if you like this podcast, head to BBC Sounds where you'll find

plenty more fascinating stories from all around the UK. Hello you're listening to the Witness History podcast from the BBC World Service with me

Matt Pintus. Today I'm marking 35 years since the release of one of the most provocative songs in music history,

a song that would become the anthem of rebellion and protest all over the world. This is the story of Chuck D and fight the power.

We start in the summer of 1988 in the Soho District of Manhattan, New York. of Spike Lee. Spike was putting together a film.

He was the film making representative of the Renaissance in New York City in the 80s and he was a black

filmmaker.

This was his third film, which was depicting

the New York City area of unrest and unjust.

And Spike said, simply, I need an anthem for it.

Good people, please.

If please don't stop this.

No, you can't stop it now.

We're gonna do something we're gonna regret.

For the rest of our down.

Doctor, come on what?

What?

...