Hush
KRS‐One Lyrics

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Uh-huh, whatchu thought? Uh-huh, we was done?
Uh-huh, whatchu thought?! Yeah, yeah
Yeah, whatchu thought? Uhh, uhh, uhh
Yo, yo, back again! What's that? Back again!
What's that? Word! see'mon
A North Face and skully hat don't MAKE YOU A THUG
A army suit, a pair of Timbs don't MAKE YOU A THUG
An ill mug and a gat don't MAKE YOU A THUG

A real thug is a thug that's HUSH!
A North Face and skully hat don't MAKE YOU A THUG
A army suit, a pair of Timbs don't MAKE YOU A THUG
An ill mug and a gat don't MAKE YOU A THUG
A real thug is a thug that's HUSH!
Yo, yo, yo, check it, check it
Let us begin, KRS, winnin again, KRS-One did it again
KRS bigger than them, look at them they bit it again
I think my gun just gonna start clickin again
Click-clack, I always spit back
Anybody call my name I go get that
In fact we draggin 'em out, to a deserted route
The teacher returns, you must learn, the word is out
No doubt highly respected, Front Page Records
Off the hook, yet still connected
Are you teachin yourself, teachin yourself?
I'm like history repeatin itself
"Criminal Minded", you've been blinded again
Lookin for my style you can't find it again
You can find these others that may sound like Kris
but when it comes to the hands they don't get down like Kris!
They never ran up in the clubs with a hundred thugs
Never had the respect of Crips and Bloods
Never knew B.O., they never knew Big Pun
They never battled MC's, they never bust they gun
They don't know that, all they know is that show DAT
That's Digital Audio Tape if you don't know that
Now go back and get my name correct
'fore I snatch that platinum from 'round your neck
A doo rag a platinum chain don't MAKE YOU A THUG
A fat ride with chrome don't MAKE YOU A THUG
That tough guy talk don't MAKE YOU A THUG
A real thug is a thug that's HUSH!
A doo rag a platinum chain don't MAKE YOU A THUG
A fat ride with chrome don't MAKE YOU A THUG
That tough guy talk don't MAKE YOU A THUG
A real thug is a thug that's HUSH!
Word, yeah yeah, uh-huh, yo
Yo, yo, yo (hit 'em Kris!)
What mean the world to me? H-I-P, H-O-P
And S-I-M, O-N-E
And G-O-D, I stay low key
I go down to hell, and slap up Satan
Then return to heaven, where Scott LaRock is waitin
Resurrection, just like my brown complexion
when I speak, I don't need protection from the heat
I walk these streets and I'm quick to hit first
Throw on any beat I'll be quick to spit first
and rip town, I take one look around
And all you hear is, "Get down, get down, get down!"
Knowledge Reigns Supreme, I stay on blast
That's why these rappers want me to go on last
That's the truth, that's the fact, that's the deal
Forget sex appeal, my tech is real
And my rep is real, K-are-S
Woo-woop-woop! That's the sound of E-M-S
The rag on your head, it best stay white
Cause I can turn that red in a mintue a-ight?
Now go back and get my name correct
'fore I snatch them diamonds from 'round your neck
Once again, get my name correct
'fore I snatch that platinum from 'round your neck
A North Face and skully hat don't MAKE YOU A THUG
A army suit, a pair of Timbs don't MAKE YOU A THUG
An ill mug and a gat don't MAKE YOU A THUG
A real thug is a thug that's HUSH!
A doo rag a platinum chain don't MAKE YOU A THUG
A fat ride with chrome don't MAKE YOU A THUG
That tough guy talk don't MAKE YOU A THUG
A real thug is a thug that's HUSH!
Yeah.. yeah.. yo, yo, yo
To all my heads who want to see an improvement
in hip-hop culture, join this movement
We need more glocks than my man Freddie Foxxx
The knowledge I spit to the click it don't stop
That hardcore God-core, ready to start war
Rock more shock more top your pop tour
I'm sure I'll drop the grade to zero
When the teacher return, I don't chase DeNiro
Like where yo? Where yo? They livin in fear yo
It's a jungle sometime, but I got my spear yo
The album's called "Sneak Attack", that's what it is
KRS-One spittin facts to kids
A army suit, a pair of Timbs don't MAKE YOU A THUG
That tough guy talk don't MAKE YOU A THUG
An ill mug and a gat don't MAKE YOU A THUG
A real thug is a thug that's HUSH!
A doo rag a platinum chain don't MAKE YOU A THUG
A North Face and skully hat don't MAKE YOU A THUG

A fat ride with chrome don't MAKE YOU A THUG
A real thug is a thug that's HUSH!

Overall Meaning

KRS-One's "Hush" is a hard-hitting hip-hop song that exposes the misconceptions about what it takes to be a "thug." The lyrics argue that wearing certain clothes or accessories such as an army suit, a pair of Timbs, skully hats, or North Face jackets doesn't automatically make someone a thug. The song goes on to explain that true thugs are those who don't need to advertise their toughness or flaunt their material possessions, but instead, are those who keep their actions under wraps and stay hush. The lyrics also reference KRS-One's previous works, his influences on the culture of hip-hop, and his critics. The song is a call to arms for those who want to see a positive change in hip-hop culture.

The lyrics of "Hush" highlight some of KRS-One's signature characteristics as a rap artist, such as his aggressive flow, rapid-fire delivery, and social commentary. The song has a powerful beat that complements the strong lyrics, and the use of DJ scratches adds to the overall intensity. The song was originally released in 2001 as part of KRS-One's album "Sneak Attack." "Hush" received critical acclaim and is still praised for its insightful lyrics and powerful message.

Line by Line Meaning

Uh-huh, whatchu thought? Uh-huh, we was done?
Did you really think we were finished? Did you really think we were finished?

Uh-huh, whatchu thought?! Yeah, yeah
Did you really think so?! Yes, yes

Yeah, whatchu thought? Uhh, uhh, uhh
Yes, what did you think? Uhh, uhh, uhh

Yo, yo, back again! What's that? Back again!
Here I am, back once more! What's happening? Back once more!

What's that? Word! see'mon
What's happening? Word! Let's go

A North Face and skully hat don't MAKE YOU A THUG
Simply wearing a North Face and a beanie does not make you a thug

A army suit, a pair of Timbs don't MAKE YOU A THUG
Even if you wear an army suit and Timberland boots, it doesn't make you a thug

An ill mug and a gat don't MAKE YOU A THUG
Having a mean face and a gun doesn't make you a thug

A real thug is a thug that's HUSH!
A true thug is someone who doesn't boast or show off

Yo, yo, yo, check it, check it
Listen closely, pay attention

Let us begin, KRS, winnin again, KRS-One did it again
Let's start, KRS is winning once more, KRS-One has done it again

KRS bigger than them, look at them they bit it again
KRS is greater than them, look at them, they copied once more

I think my gun just gonna start clickin again
I believe I'll have to take out my gun and threaten once more

Click-clack, I always spit back
Click-clack, I always respond aggressively

Anybody call my name I go get that
If anyone mentions my name, I will confront them

In fact, we draggin 'em out, to a deserted route
In fact, we are pulling them out and taking them to a remote location

The teacher returns, you must learn, the word is out
The teacher is back, you need to learn, everyone knows about it

No doubt highly respected, Front Page Records
Undoubtedly highly respected, Front Page Records

Off the hook, yet still connected
Out of trouble, yet still influential

Are you teachin yourself, teachin yourself?
Are you educating yourself, educating yourself?

I'm like history repeatin itself
I am like history repeating itself

"Criminal Minded", you've been blinded again
"Criminal Minded", you have been deceived once more

Lookin for my style you can't find it again
Searching for my style, but you can't find it again

You can find these others that may sound like Kris
You can find others who may sound like Kris

But when it comes to the hands they don't get down like Kris!
But when it comes to fighting, they can't do it like Kris!

They never ran up in the clubs with a hundred thugs
They never entered clubs with a hundred gangsters

Never had the respect of Crips and Bloods
They never earned the respect of Crips and Bloods

Never knew B.O., they never knew Big Pun
They never knew B.O., they never knew Big Pun

They never battled MC's, they never bust they gun
They never competed against MCs, they never fired their guns

They don't know that, all they know is that show DAT
They don't know that, all they know is how to put on a show

That's Digital Audio Tape if you don't know that
That's Digital Audio Tape if you are not aware

Now go back and get my name correct
Now go back and pronounce my name correctly

'fore I snatch that platinum from 'round your neck
Before I take that platinum necklace from around your neck

A doo rag, a platinum chain don't MAKE YOU A THUG
Simply wearing a doo rag and a platinum chain doesn't make you a thug

A fat ride with chrome don't MAKE YOU A THUG
Having a fancy car with chrome doesn't make you a thug

That tough guy talk don't MAKE YOU A THUG
Talking tough doesn't make you a thug

A real thug is a thug that's HUSH!
A true thug is someone who remains silent

Word, yeah yeah, uh-huh, yo
True, yes yes, uh-huh, listen

To all my heads who want to see an improvement
To all the people who want to see a positive change

in hip-hop culture, join this movement
in hip-hop culture, join this movement

We need more glocks than my man Freddie Foxxx
We need more guns like my friend Freddie Foxxx

The knowledge I spit to the click it don't stop
The knowledge I share with the crowd never stops

That hardcore God-core, ready to start war
That intense God-centered music, ready to engage in conflict

Rock more shock more top your pop tour
Create more excitement, surprise more, surpass your popular tour

I'm sure I'll drop the grade to zero
I'm certain I will lower your reputation to zero

When the teacher return, I don't chase DeNiro
When the teacher returns, I don't pursue money (like DeNiro)

Like where yo? Where yo? They livin in fear yo
Like where are they? Where are they? They are living in fear

It's a jungle sometime, but I got my spear yo
Life can be dangerous, but I am prepared

The album's called "Sneak Attack", that's what it is
The album is named "Sneak Attack", that's its title

KRS-One spittin facts to kids
KRS-One is sharing truthful information with young people

That tough guy talk don't MAKE YOU A THUG
Talking tough doesn't make you a thug

An ill mug and a gat don't MAKE YOU A THUG
Having an angry face and a gun doesn't make you a thug

A real thug is a thug that's HUSH!
A true thug is someone who remains silent

A doo rag a platinum chain don't MAKE YOU A THUG
Simply wearing a doo rag and a platinum chain doesn't make you a thug

A North Face and skully hat don't MAKE YOU A THUG
Simply wearing a North Face and a beanie does not make you a thug

A fat ride with chrome don't MAKE YOU A THUG
Having a fancy car with chrome doesn't make you a thug

A real thug is a thug that's HUSH!
A true thug is someone who remains silent

Word, yeah yeah, uh-huh, yo
True, yes yes, uh-huh, listen

Yo, yo, yo (hit 'em Kris!)
Listen up, listen up, listen up (Kris, attack them!)

What mean the world to me? H-I-P, H-O-P
What is everything to me? H-I-P, H-O-P

And S-I-M, O-N-E
And S-I-M, O-N-E

And G-O-D, I stay low key
And G-O-D, I remain humble

I go down to hell, and slap up Satan
I go down to hell, and confront Satan

Then return to heaven, where Scott LaRock is waitin
Then return to heaven, where Scott LaRock is waiting

Resurrection, just like my brown complexion
Rebirth, just like my brown skin

when I speak, I don't need protection from the heat
when I speak, I don't need protection from the heat

I walk these streets and I'm quick to hit first
I walk these streets and I'm quick to attack first

Throw on any beat I'll be quick to spit first
When any beat starts playing, I'm quick to start rapping

and rip town, I take one look around
and conquer the town, I take a look around

And all you hear is, "Get down, get down, get down!"
And all you hear is, "Get down, get down, get down!"

Knowledge Reigns Supreme, I stay on blast
Knowledge is the ultimate power, I remain in the spotlight

That's why these rappers want me to go on last
That's why these rappers want me to perform last

That's the truth, that's the fact, that's the deal
That's the truth, that's the fact, that's the reality

Forget sex appeal, my tech is real
Forget attractiveness, my technology (skills) are real

And my rep is real, K-are-S
And my reputation is real, K-are-S

Woo-woop-woop! That's the sound of E-M-S
Woo-woop-woop! That's the sound of E-M-S (Emergency Medical Services)

The rag on your head, it best stay white
The cloth on your head, it's better stay clean and white

Cause I can turn that red in a mintue a-ight?
Because I can make it turn red in a minute, right?

Now go back and get my name correct
Now go back and pronounce my name correctly

'fore I snatch them diamonds from 'round your neck
Before I take those diamonds from around your neck

Once again, get my name correct
Once again, pronounce my name correctly

'fore I snatch that platinum from 'round your neck
Before I take that platinum from around your neck