US 12" single
Some were initially perturbed by the idea of a white musician using the words of an African-American activist in a popular music song.LeBlanc, who hadn't considered the response his music would generate, said, "I got press calling me from all over the world, all pissed off, I thought 'OK, maybe this was a little bit cutting edge! However, some realized the musical and political importance of LeBlanc's composition and the song received acclaim in underground circles. Betty Shabazz, an American civil rights advocate and Malcolm X's widow, was aware of her husband's rising influence on members of the hip hop community and sanctioned the use of Malcolm's speech. Her preface to the piece, which appears the vinyl's jacket:
Dr Betty Shabazz
This recording documents Malcolm's voice at a time and space in history some nineteen or more years ago. Its meaning is just as relevant today as it was then. His belief is that people must constantly monitor behavior, refine goals, and direct their objectives to insure that the right to life and work is a reality. Ultimately, our goals should be peace and brotherhood. After all, the universe belongs to all its inhabitants.

After the single's release, Sugar Hill Records took Tommy Boy Records to court for infringement, claiming the record company profited from voice samples that belonged to them.[10] It was re-issued a year later as a tribute to the UK miners' strike of 1984 and 1985.[5][12]

The single was a hit in the club scene and received airplay in the UK. People magazine described the piece as "nothing if not provocative" that "succeed[s] in reminding the listener of the challenging directness of Malcolm's rhetoric."[7] British music magazines Sounds, Melody Maker and the New Musical Express made "No Sell Out" their "Single of the Week" and ran terse summaries of Malcolm X's political career alongside their review. Jon Savage of New Society commented that "rarely has a record so united the pop press", further commenting that "this extraordinary record has redefined dance forms in the way that Grandmaster Flash's Wheels of Steel did two years ago, taking the cut-ups of current New York styles to one logical conclusion"

Accolades
Publication Country Accolade Year Rank
The Face United Kingdom Singles of the Year 1984 4
NME United Kingdom Singles of the Year[15] 1984
Dave Marsh United States 1001 Greatest Singles Ever Made 1989 994
ego trip United States Singles of the Year (1983) - 1999
Robert Dimery United States 1,001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die, and 10,001 You Must Download