Paxahau released the first round of its Movement 2012 lineup this week with the surprisingly controversial announcement that Public Enemy will be headlining the event. The decision seems to have created a rift in Detroit’s electronic music community, with those opposed to it wondering why “gangster rap” was chosen as the headliner for an electronic music event, while many others believe that Public Enemy is true to the spirit and sound of Detroit.

Detroit Techno veteran, DJ Psycho, chimes in:

“If there were no Public Enemy, the DIY/underground, die or take over the planet, right or wrong aesthetic that helped cement the second and third wave of Detroit Techno artists’ attitude and commitment to quality and substance over commercial success would not exist–or at the very least, it would have been really slow to catch on. In Public Enemy, we had a model for organization and values as a collective that, much like The Bomb Squad did, created an entirely new, fresh and INDIVIDUAL sound and identification. The Germans had their models in Kraftwerk and Tangerine Dream. Chuck D, Flavor Flav, Professor Griff, Terminator X and the S1W’s had faces like ours, so their message resonated with us. The attitude that we took with making our music was no different than what they were doing, and even though our tempos were different, our commitment to making the most intense dance music were the same. Them Strong Island boys were the molds that birthed the aesthetic that Underground Resistance, Scan 7, Detroit Techno Militia, and countless other Detroit groups follow.”

Public Enemy’s performance will come a month before the scheduled release of their new album, “Most of my Heroes Still Don’t Appear on no Stamp.” Also headlining the event is Chicago house DJ and Producer, Lil’ Louis.

The Wizard aka Jeff Mills will be the final headliner, closing down the event on the eve of Memorial Day. “Playing in Detroit has been and continues to be the highlight of my whole career in music. Our connections run dimensions deep, ” said The Wizard, “As always I look forward to coming home.”

Two French House acts from Ed Banger Records will also be gracing our city that weekend. Busy P, who performed here in 2009, will be returning along with Mr. Oizo. Detroit has a historic history of kinship with France, and will undoubtedly welcome these two acts with open hearts and open minds.

“Our lineup for 2012 is comprised of artists who are innovators in their own right and who have deep roots within the underground worlds of their respective musical genres,” said Chuck Flask, artist coordinator for the Movement Electronic Music Festival. “With Movement, our goal is always to book artists who represent the purest form of the music we all fell in love with, whether they have been doing it for decades, or are an emerging talent new on the scene. With this announcement, we are well on our way to achieving our goal.”

3-day weekend passes and 3-Day VIP weekend passes are now available at www.Movement.us. The cost for a three-day weekend pass is $75 and gives you general admission access with in-and-out privileges. The cost for a 3-day VIP pass is $200 and gives you access to the VIP areas, as well as many other extras that are listed on the Movement website.

Here is a full list of the first round lineup:

Brenmar, Busy P, Carl Craig, Carlo Lio, Cassy, Claude VonStoke, Damina Lazarus, Danny Daze, Davide Squillace, Derrick Carter, DJ Sneak, dOP, Droog, Earl Mixxin’ McKinney, Eddie Fowlkes, Greg Wilson, Ian Pooley, Jay Haze, Josh Wink, Juan Atkins, Kevin Saunderson, Keys N Krates, Kyle Hall back-to-back with Jay Daniels, Lil’ Louis, Lindstrøm, Loco Dice, Maceo Plex, Major Lazer, Mathew Jonson, Marco Carola, Mark Farina (Mushroom Jazz set), Maya Jane Coles, Michael Mayer, Mike Huckaby, Monty Luke, Mr. Oizo, Nadastrom, Nina Kraviz, No Regular Play, Public Enemy, Radio Slave, Rick Wilhite, Roni Size, Slow Hands, Stacey Pullen, Steve Bug, Subb-an, Tale of Us, The Martinez Brothers, The Wizard aka Jeff Mills, Todd Terje, and Wolf + Lamb.

Be sure to check out the 2012 Movement Promo Video:

Tags: Brenmar, Busy P, Carl Craig, Carlo Lio, Cassy, Claude VonStroke, Damian Lazarus, Danny Daze, Davide Squillace, Derrick Carter, DJ Sneak, dOP, Droog, Earl Mixxin' McKinney, Eddie Fowlkes, Greg Wilson, Ian Pooley, Jay Haze, Josh Wink, Juan Atkins, Kevin Saunderson, Keys N Krates, Kyle Hall back-to-back with Jay Daniels, Lil' Louis, Lindstrøm, Loco Dice, Maceo Plex, Major Lazer, Marco Carola, Mark Farina (Mushroom Jazz set), Mathew Jonson, Maya Jane Coles, Michael Mayer, Mike Huckaby, Monty Luke, Mr. Oizo, Nadastrom, Nina Kraviz, No Regular Play, Public Enemy, Radio Slave, Rick Wilhite, Roni Size, Salva, Slow Hands, Stacey Pullen, Steve Bug, Subb-an, Tale of Us, The Martinez Brothers, The Wizard aka Jeff Mills, Todd Terje, Wolf + Lamb