Chuck D: The world is different compared to 25 years ago

This year marks 25 years since Public Enemy released Fight The Power.

Despite a quarter of a century passing since the seminal track came out, the New York hip-hop collective is still regarded as one of the most influential acts of its time.

But founding member Chuck D says the world is different for musicians compared to when they started out.

The 53-year-old says performing, touring and hip-hop as a whole have moved on since the 80s.

Public Enemy played at Glastonbury festival in 2013

Public Enemy, whose current and former members include Flavor Flav, Professor Griff, DJ Lord and Khari Wynn, have appeared at festivals all over the world during their career.

This year will see them playing at Manchester's Parklife Weekender and Hertfordshire's Standon Calling, which they are headlining.

"Going around the world always seems to expand your horizons," said Chuck D.

"We were never a group that just stayed in the United States and that has made the longevity of Public Enemy possible.

"We became the first hip-hop group to ever do festivals. Now that festivals seem to be the thing, why stop our pattern?"

Public Enemy's live show is now more than DJs, turntables and a microphone

Chuck D, whose real name is Carlton Ridenhour, says the growth of social media has added a new dimension to how he interacts with fans.

But the rapper hasn't lost touch of more traditional aspects of music.

Having been named as the ambassador for Record Store Day 2014, Chuck D says there's room for both vinyl and digital music in the market.

That said, he admits Public Enemy's live act has developed a bit since they formed in 1982.

"We were just strictly DJs, turntables and a microphone along with movement," explained Chuck D.

"But we've added a rhythm section since 1999 so that's expanded our repertoire."

Run DMC are among the acts influenced by Public Enemy

The likes of Rage Against the Machine, The Beastie Boys and Run DMC all list Public Enemy as an act they look up to, but Chuck D says he's seen a shift in their influence.

"Rap music is a little bit more individualised now than it used to be. I have to look across the whole hip-hop terrain to see the similarities in individuals."

Rock bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers also look up to Public Enemy

Other mainstream acts like Red Hot Chili Peppers and Korn say their sound was shaped by Public Enemy and in 2013 they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame.

"It was fantastic for the genre as opposed to just ourselves," said Chuck D.

But Public Enemy's anti-establishment views and controversial lyrics haven't always been seen positively.

They have been labelled as homophobic and anti-semitic by the media in the past.

"Once upon a time the genre was considered bad and not official and legitimate music," said Chuck D.

"All genres are based on performance and recording. We were able to be great performers and good recording artists."

Follow @BBCNewsbeat on Twitter