Hip-hop legends Public Enemy [ tickets ] kicked off their latest tour Wednesday (3/7) in Cincinnati with a show that featured Bootsy Collins [ tickets ] joining the group onstage in an improvised rap tribute to the late James Brown.

According to the band's publicist, PE frontman Chuck D met with Cincy mayor Mark Mallory before the show, which was the group's first of a new leg of North American dates with fellow New York rappers X-Clan [ tickets ].

Veteran rappers PE, who are celebrating their 20th year together, paid tribute to another Cincinnati icon during the set, weaving The Isley Brothers' version of "Fight the Power" into their own version, the group's publicist said. The 16-city tour continues tonight (3/8) in Chicago.

Public Enemy's current touring members include vocalists Chuck D, Flavor Flav and Professor Griff, DJ Lord, S1W James Bomb and S1W Pop Diesel, and a backing band that features Brian Hardgroove on bass, Khari Wynn on guitar and NYCity Mike Faulkner on drums. The group is supporting its latest album, last year's "Rebirth of a Nation."

X-Clan recently appeared on BET's "106 & Park, Def Poetry Jam, the Legends of Hip Hop Concert," and sold out tours with Grammy-winning reggae star Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley and Jurassic 5.

On Jan. 30, X-Clan will release "Return from Mecca," its first studio album in more than 10 years, on Suburban Noize Records. Collaborators on the album include Damian Marley, Jurassic 5's Chali 2NA, KRS-One, Jacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach, RBX, Abstract Rude, YZ, DJ Quik, DJ Khalil, Jake One and Bean One.