While Criminal Minded was basically about sex and crime, BDP radically changed after Scott's death, becoming the most popular conscious rap group besides Public Enemy. Boogie Down Productions pioneered the fusion of Raggamuffin and hip hop music.
The membership of BDP changed continuously throughout its existence, the only constant being KRS-One. BDP members and collaborators included Kenny Parker (KRS' brother), Run, Keith Murray, McBoo, Ms. Melodie, Scottie Morris, Willie D., Robocop, Harmony, DJ Red Alert, DJ Jazzy Jay Kramer, D-Square, Rebekah, and Sidney Mills. BDP as group essentially ended because KRS-One began recording and performing under his own name, rather than the group name.
Albums
Criminal Minded (1987)
By All Means Necessary (1988; RIAA Certification: Gold)
Ghetto Music: The Blueprint of Hip Hop (1989; RIAA Certification: Gold)
Edutainment (1990; RIAA Certification: Gold)
Live Hardcore Worldwide (1991)
Sex and Violence (1992)
Remix albums
Man & His Music (Remixes from Around the World) (1987)
Live albums
Live Hardcore Worldwide (1991)
Compilations
Word (with Ms. Melodie) (1992)
A Retrospective (2000)
Best of B-Boy Records (2001)
Blast Master Tapes: Best of the B-Boy Sessions (2006)
South Bronx Teachings: A Collection of Boogie Down Productions (2011)
The Essential KRS-One and Boogie Down Productions (2014)
Singles
From Ghetto Music: The Blueprint of Hip Hop:
1989: "Why Is That"
From Edutainment:
1990: "Love's Gonna Getcha"
From Sex and Violence:
1992: "Duck Down"
1992: "13 & Good"
1992: "We in There"
South Bronx
Boogie Down Productions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Word, yo what up D-Nice?
(Yo what's up Scott La Rock?)
Yo man we chilling just funky fresh jam
I want to tell you a little something about us
We're the Boogie Down Productions crew
And due to the fact that no-one else out there knew what time it was
We have to tell you a little story about where we we come from
South Bronx, the South South Bronx
Many people tell me this style is terrific
It is kinda different but let's get specific
KRS-One specialize in music
I'll only use this type of style when I choose it
Party people in the place to be, KRS-One attack
Ya got dropped off MCA cause the rhymes you wrote was wack
So you think that hip-hop had its start out in Queensbridge
If you pop that junk up in the Bronx you might not live
Cause you're in
South Bronx, the South South Bronx
I came with Scott La Rock to express one thing
I am a teacher and others are kings
If that's the title they earn, well it's well deserved, but
Without a crown, see, I still burn
You settle for a pebble not a stone like a rebel
KRS-One is the holder of a boulder, money folder
You want a fresh style let me show ya
Now way back in the days when hip-hop began
With Coke LaRock, Kool Herc, and then Bam
Beat boys ran to the latest jam
But when it got shot up they went home and said "Damn
There's got to be a better way to hear our music every day
B-boys getting blown away but coming outside anyway"
They tried again outside in Cedar Park
Power from a street light made the place dark
But yo, they didn't care, they turned it out
I know a few understand what I'm talking about
Remember Bronx River, rolling thick
With Kool DJ Red Alert and Chuck Chillout on the mix
When Afrika Islam was rocking the jams
And on the other side of town was a kid named Flash
Patterson and Millbrook projects
Casanova all over, ya couldn't stop it
The Nine Lives Crew, the Cypress Boys
The real Rock Steady taking out these toys
As odd as it looked, as wild as it seems
I didn't hear a peep from a place called Queens
It was seventy-six to 1980
The dreads in Brooklyn was crazy
You couldn't bring out your set with no hip-hop
Because the pistols would go
So why don't you wise up, show all the people in the place that you are wack
Instead of tryna take out LL, you need to take your homeboys off the crack
Cause if you don't, well, then their nerves will become shot
And that would leave the job up to my own Scott La Rock
And he's from
South Bronx, the South South Bronx
The human TR-808, D-Nice
The poet, the Blastmaster KRS-ONE
The Grand Incredible DJ Scott La Rock
Boogie Down Productions
Fresh for '86, you suckers
Boogie Down Productions' song South Bronx is a protest song that sheds light on the origins of hip-hop and how the genre started in the South Bronx. The lyrics respond to MC Shan's song "The Bridge" which implies that hip-hop started in Queensbridge, Queens. The song documents key moments in hip-hop's early history, including early DJs like Kool Herc and Bam, and highlights the various neighborhoods and housing projects in the South Bronx where the movement began.
The first verse of the song introduces Boogie Down Productions and explains that they are from the South Bronx, which is where hip-hop started. The second verse features KRS-One addressing MC Shan's claim that hip-hop originated in Queensbridge. He explains that the real hip-hop pioneers were in the South Bronx, and that the genre was born out of necessity. The third verse highlights key people, places, and moments in hip-hop history in the South Bronx, including DJs like Kool DJ Red Alert and Afrika Islam, and projects like the Patterson and Millbrook projects.
Overall, the song is an important contribution to hip-hop history, as it sets the record straight on where the genre began and highlights the struggles and creativity of early hip-hop pioneers in the South Bronx.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo what's up Blastmaster KRS One, this jam is kicking
Greetings! This is a great song
Word, yo what up D-Nice?
I agree, what's going on D-Nice?
(Yo what's up Scott La Rock?)
Hey Scott La Rock, how's it going?
Yo man we chilling just funky fresh jam
Hey, we're just hanging out with some fresh music
I want to tell you a little something about us
Let me tell you a bit about our group
We're the Boogie Down Productions crew
We are the Boogie Down Productions team
And due to the fact that no-one else out there knew what time it was
Since no one else understood what was going on
We have to tell you a little story about where we we come from
Let me enlighten you about our origins
Many people tell me this style is terrific
I have received numerous compliments about my style
It is kinda different but let's get specific
It might be unique, but let me explain it further
KRS-One specialize in music
Music is my specialty
I'll only use this type of style when I choose it
I will only use this particular style of music when I feel like doing so
Party people in the place to be, KRS-One attack
Hey party people! Here comes KRS-One!
Ya got dropped off MCA cause the rhymes you wrote was wack
You were dropped by MCA because your rhymes were terrible
So you think that hip-hop had its start out in Queensbridge
You believe that hip-hop originated in Queensbridge
If you pop that junk up in the Bronx you might not live
If you try that nonsense in the Bronx, you might not make it out alive
Cause you're in South Bronx, the South South Bronx
Welcome to the South Bronx
I came with Scott La Rock to express one thing
I am with Scott La Rock to convey one message
I am a teacher and others are kings
I am an instructor and others hold royalty titles
If that's the title they earn, well it's well deserved, but
If they worked hard to earn their title, then it's well-deserved, however
Without a crown, see, I still burn
Even without a crown, I still reign supreme
You settle for a pebble not a stone like a rebel
You accept less, like a follower, not more like a leader
KRS-One is the holder of a boulder, money folder
I hold power and wealth
You want a fresh style let me show ya
You want a new style? Watch me show you
Now way back in the days when hip-hop began
Back in the early days of hip-hop
With Coke LaRock, Kool Herc, and then Bam
With Coke LaRock followed by Kool Herc then Bam
Beat boys ran to the latest jam
Dancers hurried to the newest song
But when it got shot up they went home and said "Damn
But when things got violent, they went home and complained
There's got to be a better way to hear our music every day
There must be a better method of hearing music daily
B-boys getting blown away but coming outside anyway
Dancers were getting hurt, but continued to come outside
They tried again outside in Cedar Park
They tried again outside, in Cedar Park
Power from a street light made the place dark
A street light's power cut out, making the space dark
But yo, they didn't care, they turned it out
But they weren't bothered; they continued to dance anyway
I know a few understand what I'm talking about
I know some people can relate to this
Remember Bronx River, rolling thick
Remember Bronx River, it was booming
With Kool DJ Red Alert and Chuck Chillout on the mix
Featuring Kool DJ Red Alert and Chuck Chillout on the turntables
When Afrika Islam was rocking the jams
When Afrika Islam was performing
And on the other side of town was a kid named Flash
On the other side of town was a youth known as Flash
Patterson and Millbrook projects
Projects in Patterson and Millbrook
Casanova all over, ya couldn't stop it
Casanova was all over; nothing could halt it
The Nine Lives Crew, the Cypress Boys
The Nine Lives Crew and the Cypress Boys
The real Rock Steady taking out these toys
Rock Steady was eliminating less skilled dancers
As odd as it looked, as wild as it seems
Even though it seemed outlandish and chaotic
I didn't hear a peep from a place called Queens
I didn't hear anything from a place named Queens
It was seventy-six to 1980
It was between 1976 and 1980
The dreads in Brooklyn was crazy
The dreadlocks of Brooklyn were wild
You couldn't bring out your set with no hip-hop
You couldn't play your equipment without hip-hop
Because the pistols would go
Because things would turn violent
So why don't you wise up, show all the people in the place that you are wack
Why don't you smarten up, and let everyone know that you are terrible?
Instead of tryna take out LL, you need to take your homeboys off the crack
Instead of aiming to defeat LL, you should help your friends quit drugs
Cause if you don't, well, then their nerves will become shot
Otherwise, their nerves will be fried
And that would leave the job up to my own Scott La Rock
That would leave Scott La Rock to clean up the mess
And he's from South Bronx, the South South Bronx
He's from the South Bronx
The human TR-808, D-Nice
D-Nice, aka the human TR-808
The poet, the Blastmaster KRS-ONE
KRS-ONE, the poet and Blastmaster
The Grand Incredible DJ Scott La Rock
Scott La Rock, the Grand Incredible DJ
Boogie Down Productions
Our group, Boogie Down Productions
Fresh for '86, you suckers
We're fresh for 1986, so all you haters can just move along
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Cloud9
Written by: Lawrence Krsone Parker, Scott Monroe Sterling
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Solo Marco
[Intro: Scott La Rock]
Yo what's up Blastmaster KRS-One, this jam is kicking
Word, yo what up D-Nice?
(Yo what's up Scott La Rock?)
Yo man we chilling just funky fresh jam
I want to tell you a little something about us
We're the Boogie Down Productions crew
And due to the fact that no-one else out there knew what time it was
We have to tell you a little story about where we we come from
[Hook]
South Bronx, the South South Bronx
South Bronx, the South South Bronx
South Bronx, the South South Bronx
South Bronx, the South South Bronx
[Verse 1: KRS-One]
Many people tell me this style is terrific
It is kinda different but let's get specific
KRS-One specialize in music
I'll only use this type of style when I choose it
Party people in the place to be, KRS-One attacks
You got dropped off MCA 'cause the rhymes you wrote was wack
So you think that hip-hop had its start out in Queensbridge
If you pop that junk up in the Bronx you might not live
'Cause you're in
[Hook]
South Bronx, the South South Bronx
South Bronx, the South South Bronx
South Bronx, the South South Bronx
South Bronx, the South South Bronx
[Verse 2]
I came with Scott La Rock to express one thing
I am a teacher and others are kings
If that's the title they earn, well it's well deserved, but
Without a crown, see, I still burn
You settle for a pebble not a stone like a rebel
KRS-One is the holder of a boulder, money folder
You want a fresh style let me show ya
Now way back in the days when hip-hop began
With Coke LaRock, Kool Herc, and then Bam
B-boys ran to the latest jam
But when it got shot up they went home and said "Damn
There's got to be a better way to hear our music every day
B-boys getting blown away but coming outside anyway"
They tried again outside in Cedar Park
Power from a street light made the place dark
But yo, they didn't care, they turned it out
I know a few understand what I'm talking about
Remember Bronx River, rolling thick
With Kool DJ Red Alert and Chuck Chillout on the mix
When Afrika Islam was rocking the jams
And on the other side of town was a kid named Flash
Patterson and Millbrook projects
Casanova all over, ya couldn't stop it
The Nine Lives Crew, the Cypress Boys
The real Rock Steady taking out these toys
As odd as it looked, as wild as it seems
I didn't hear a peep from a place called Queens
It was seventy-six to 1980
The dreads in Brooklyn was crazy
You couldn't bring out your set with no hip-hop
Because the pistols would go
So why don't you wise up, show all the people in the place that you are wack
Instead of tryna take out LL, you need to take your homeboys off the crack
'Cause if you don't, well, then their nerves will become shot
And that would leave the job up to my own Scott La Rock
And he's from
[Hook]
South Bronx, the South South Bronx
South Bronx, the South South Bronx
South Bronx, the South South Bronx
South Bronx, the South South Bronx
South Bronx, the South South Bronx
South Bronx, the South South Bronx
South Bronx, the South South Bronx
South Bronx, the South South Bronx
[Outro]
The human TR-808, D-Nice
The poet, the Blastmaster KRS-ONE
The Grand Incredible DJ Scott La Rock
Boogie... Down... Productions
Fresh for '86, you suckers!
Roccimo
Yo what's up Blastmaster KRS One, this jam is kicking
Word, yo what up D-Nice?
(Yo what's up Scott La Rock?)
Yo man we chilling just funky fresh jam
I want to tell you a little something about us
We're the Boogie Down Productions crew
And due to the fact that no-one else out there knew what time it was
We have to tell you a little story about where we we come from
South Bronx, the South South Bronx
Many people tell me this style is terrific
It is kinda different but let's get specific
KRS-One specialize in music
I'll only use this type of style when I choose it
Party people in the place to be, KRS-One attack
Ya got dropped off MCA cause the rhymes you wrote was wack
So you think that hip-hop had its start out in Queensbridge
If you pop that junk up in the Bronx you might not live
Cause you're in
South Bronx, the South South Bronx
I came with Scott La Rock to express one thing
I am a teacher and others are kings
If that's the title they earn, well it's well deserved, but
Without a crown, see, I still burn
You settle for a pebble not a stone like a rebel
KRS-One is the holder of a boulder, money folder
You want a fresh style let me show ya
Now way back in the days when hip-hop began
With Coke LaRock, Kool Herc, and then Bam
Beat boys ran to the latest jam
But when it got shot up they went home and said "Damn
There's got to be a better way to hear our music every day
B-boys getting blown away but coming outside anyway"
They tried again outside in Cedar Park
Power from a street light made the place dark
But yo, they didn't care, they turned it out
I know a few understand what I'm talking about
Remember Bronx River, rolling thick
With Kool DJ Red Alert and Chuck Chillout on the mix
When Afrika Islam was rocking the jams
And on the other side of town was a kid named Flash
Patterson and Millbrook projects
Casanova all over, ya couldn't stop it
The Nine Lives Crew, the Cypress Boys
The real Rock Steady taking out these toys
As odd as it looked, as wild as it seems
I didn't hear a peep from a place called Queens
It was seventy-six to 1980
The dreads in Brooklyn was crazy
You couldn't bring out your set with no hip-hop
Because the pistols would go
So why don't you wise up, show all the people in the place that you are wack
Instead of tryna take out LL, you need to take your homeboys off the crack
Cause if you don't, well, then their nerves will become shot
And that would leave the job up to my own Scott La Rock
And he's from
South Bronx, the South South Bronx
The human TR-808, D-Nice
The poet, the Blastmaster KRS-ONE
The Grand Incredible DJ Scott La Rock
Boogie Down Productions
Fresh for '86, you suckers!
Maal7
The second verse was perfection. Simply amazing. Dude broke it down about the events in the South Bronx. Well done. That’s why I love hip-hop.
Magnus Medina
Just Ice ran it down heavy too on Going Way Back... ironically featuring KRS
Dynamic Samurai
Man them boys killed it with that James Brown sample. Always pumps the heck outta me.
Christian Follower
In the Jennifer Lopez's song "Jenny" you can hear someone who keeps stating/saying "South Bronx". Was it Boogie Down Productions or Jennifer Lopez has someone else stating/saying "South Bronx"? In the the song whoever states/says "South Bronx" sounds different from the way Boogie Down Productions keep stating/saying it. If it was someone else please let me know how you know because nowhere in the liner notes does it state/says who exactly states/says "South Bronx" in Jennifer Lopez's song "Jenny". Thanks.
ezlrockwell82
Its for sure sampled from this song. Its pitched up so it sounds a little higher pitched. The real controversy in hip-hop circles is how she poached the flute sample from the Beatnuts, “Off the Books” which came out just 5 yrs. earlier
Tomasz Lewy
@Christian Follower Your statement is true. Thanks for this.
Bubbub2020 Topps
Not many songs (not just rap) can sound as cold 35 years later as it did the first time you heard it. Shout out to all the club Rhinestone patrons in Houston Texas 1986!
Korey Sylver
Still one of the illest diss songs of all time. "So you say that hip hop got its start out in Queensbridge? If you pop that junk up in the Bronx, you might not live" Classic hip hop!!
Inko Infinity2
Also one of the most sampled beats
Niall Simpson
Korey Sylver Queensbridge the juice crew all day