KRS-One, originally a member of the hip hop crew Boogie Down Productions, is known for setting the path for both hardcore rap and socially conscious political rap.
Youth and early career
Born Lawrence Parker in the Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn in 1965, the future KRS-One grew up with his brother Kenny and their single mother in assorted inner city neighborhoods of Brooklyn and the Bronx. According to interviews with The Source Magazine, one fateful day when he was 12 years old, he and his brother Kenny prepared a pan of flavored rice, which was to be the family's dinner for the evening. The hungry pair ate the whole thing, and when their mother came home from work, she kicked them out of the apartment in a fit of anger. They stayed away for two days before younger Kenny decided to go back home, while Lawrence opted not to return. He spent the better part of the next seven years homeless, much of it at local libraries.
In his late teen years, Lawrence Parker fell in with some illegal drug dealers and became a courier. Using a bread delivery truck as a cover, Parker and his partner drove around town to make drops. During one of their trips, a police car pulled up behind them with flashing lights. Parker's partner panicked, and led the cops on a chase for several miles which ended with the truck crashing and the two being apprehended. At the trial, the judge made the commentary that the only reason the police had initially tried to pull them over was because they had private plates on a commercial vehicle, there was no original intent to search for drugs.
Parker, still a minor, claimed he was a ward of the state, and got sent to a juvenile home for his sentencing, after which he was moved to a Covenant House youth homeless shelter. It was there that he met Scott Sterling, a recent college graduate who just started working at the shelter as a social worker. Parker discovered that Sterling moonlighted as a hip hop DJ under the name Scott La Rock. By this time, Parker had earned the nickname "Kris" from the relationship he had developed with local Hare Krishnas that evangelized near the shelter. Heavily influenced by Eastern philosophies, he was also an aspiring rapper, and practiced routines in verbal spars with the other shelter residents.
Parker and Sterling, along with two other fellows, decided to form a rap group together, initially calling themselves "Scott La Rock and the Celebrity Three". That was short-lived, however, as the two peripheral members quit, leaving Parker (now calling himself KRS-One) and Sterling. They then decided to call themselves "Boogie Down Productions". Success is the Word, a 12-inch single release on indie Fresh/Sleeping Bag Records (under the group name "12:41") did not enjoy commercial success. Soon after, the pair approached another NY indie, Rock Candy Productions, for a deal. As it turns out, the entertainment company was allegedly a front for a pornography operation, but Parker and Sterling convinced the boss to front them the money to record an album, under the newly created subsidiary label, B-Boy Records. After a few 12-inch single releases, the Criminal Minded album finally surfaced in 1987.
Criminal Minded featured many dis tracks that attacked other hip hop emcees and tracks about street crime ("wa da da deng wa da da da deng, listen to my nine millimeter go bang"). KRS One and La Rock appeared on the cover of the album holding firearms, a controversial precedent that would be followed by many rap artists in the years to follow. Musically, the album was based around James Brown samples and reggae influences. They also sampled hard-rock band AC/DC on "Dope Beat". During these years, KRS-One was also famously involved in a hip hop battle with MC Shan, of Queensbridge. KRS objected to MC Shan calling Queensbridge the home of hip hop, and attacked him viciously on a seminal battle rap, The Bridge Is Over.
Later career and emphasis on political issues
Following the fatal shooting of Scott La Rock in 1987, Boogie Down Productions (BDP) became increasingly political. KRS One was the primary motivation behind the HEAL compilation and the Stop the Violence Movement. KRS One attracted many prominent emcees to appear on the 12-inch single "Self Destruction." As Parker adopted this more conscientious, less violent approach, he stopped calling himself "The Blastmaster" (his battle rap nickname), and instead began calling himself "The Teacha", turning the nickname KRS-ONE into the backronym "Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everyone".
On his first solo album, 1993's Return of the Boombap, KRS worked together with producers DJ Premier (Gang Starr), Showbiz and Kid Capri. The catchy yet very hardcore track "Sound of da Police" is featured on this album. His second album, KRS One featured Channel Live on the track "Free Mumia", a political protest song about Mumia Abu-Jamal, an imprisoned African-American and Black Panther member who a vocal group of activists on the political Left claim is innocent of the crime of which he was convicted. Other prominent guest artists on KRS One included Mad Lion, Busta Rhymes, Das EFX and Fat Joe.
In 1997, Parker surprised many with his release of the album I Got Next. The record included a remix of the single "Step into a World" which featured a sample from the 1970s rock group Blondie by commercial rap icon Puff Daddy. "Heartbeat", featuring Angie Martinez and Redman, was based on the old school classic "Feel the Heartbeat" by the Treacherous Three. These collaborations with notably mainstream artists took many fans and observers of the vehemently anti-mainstream KRS One by surprise. However, in August 1997 KRS One appeared on Tim Westwood's BBC Radio 1 show and vociferously denounced the DJ and the radio station more generally, accusing them of ignoring his style of hip-hop in favour of commercial artists such as Puff Daddy.
In 1999, there were tentative plans to release an album called "Maximum Strength"; a lead single, "5 Boroughs", was released on The Corruptor movie soundtrack. However, KRS apparently decided to abort the album's planned release, just as he had secured a position as a Vice-President of A&R at Reprise Records. KRS moved to southern California, and stayed there for two years, finally ending his relationship with Jive Records with A Retrospective in 2000. The next year, he resigned his position at Reprise and in 2001 The Sneak Attack was released on Koch Records. In 2002, he released a gospel-rap album, Spiritual Minded, surprising many longtime fans. Parker had once denounced Christianity as a "slavemaster religion" which African-Americans should not follow. He founded the Temple of Hiphop, and released a new album, Kristyles, in mid- 2003, which was preceded by KRS-One: The Mixtape. In the summer of 2004 he released Keep Right.
KRS One's latest CD Life, was released in June 2006, and another CD, Adventures in Emceein on Koch Records is slated for later in the year. KRS has also confirmed for his next album of new material, expected to be out in 2007, he will be working with Marley Marl.
September 11 comments and ensuing controversy
In 2004, KRS engendered a controversy when he was quoted in a panel discussion hosted by New Yorker Magazine as saying that Blacks "cheered when 911 happened". The comment drew criticism from many sources, including a pointed barb by the New York Daily News that called Parker an "anarchist" and said that "If Osama bin Laden ever buys a rap album, he'll probably start with a CD by KRS-One."
Parker responded to the furor surrounding his comments with an editorial written for AllHipHop.com. In it, Parker said "I was asked about why hiphop has not engaged the current situation more (meaning 911), my response was 'because it does not affect us, or at least we don’t perceive that it affects us, 911 happened to them'. I went on to say that 'I am speaking for the culture now; I am not speaking my personal opinion.' I continued to say; '911 affected them down the block; the rich, the powerful those that are oppressing us as a culture. Sony, RCA or BMG, Universal, the radio stations, Clear Channel, Viacom with BET and MTV, those are our oppressors those are the people that we're trying to overcome in hiphop everyday, this is a daily thing. We cheered when 911 happened in New York and say that proudly here. Because when we were down at the trade center we were getting hit over the head by cops, told that we can’t come in this building, hustled down to the train station because of the way we dressed and talked, and so on, we were racially profiled. So, when the planes hit the building we were like, 'mmmm, justice'. And just as I began to say 'now of course a lot of our friends and family were lost there as well' but I was interrupted..."
A Friend
KRS-One Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The beat was supposed to drop right there
The beat was supposed to drop right there
Yeah yeah yeah, uhh
I send this one out, to my right hand man
Or mens, or women's, the whole crew
The real fam
We can count the dough or kick a flow
Or chill out watchin videos
Or actin really silly yo but really doe
All that can end
Whether at the bar with superstars
Or cruisin' in the trooper car
I really don't care who you are
All I really need is a friend
If we can't have trust then you can't hang with us
We respond to those who show respect with respect
We respond we connect on the same deck
Same intellect, my man, never shifty, thinks quickly
If you can't understand, we boys we boys
We could stand on the corner with a hat sellin toys
It ain't about your Benz I hope it ain't about mine
My man, I be dissin in my freestyle rhyme
Gettin G's around the world, I can trust you with my girl
My man, we chillin at the jam, what's the plan?
I'm not a yes man and none of my friends are yes men
Or women, I'm drivin, I see my peeps yo get in
Where you fit in? True friends are quick to sit
In the beginning of all trouble, and when your bankroll doubles
Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble
Still I got my own space like Hubble
We can count the dough or kick a flow
Or chill out watchin videos
Or actin really silly yo but really doe
All that can end
Whether at the bar with superstars
Or cruisin' in the trooper car
I really don't care who you are
All I really need is a friend
Cause don't nobody care about us, all they do is doubt us
Until we blow the spot then they all want to crowd us
And want to shout us, but you my man from way back
I just gots to say that, actin' large I don't play that
But I can't say that, where I play at isn't fast-paced
A friend can acquire the taste to become two-faced
And that's a disgrace there ain't nothing you can say to us
When the kid you grew up with betrays your trust
When we used to ride the bus we had trust
Now we cash checks and drive Lex, and can't show respect to one of us
Yo the heads I hang with ain't tryin to just get
What they can get, sit quickly backstabbin the click
I roll thick, but only some are friends really
Down to the end, my right hand men and women
Mutual support, from the beginning
Been in, exactly what I've been in
We can count the dough or kick a flow
Or chill out watchin videos
Or actin really silly yo but really doe
All that can end
Whether at the bar with superstars
Or cruisin' in the trooper car
I really don't care who you are
All I really need is a friend
Back to back we attack corporate America
Gettin' fees that amount to G's in every area
You my man I ain't gotta drag you along
You pull your own weight, yeah you definitely got it goin on
I don't see nothin wrong wit a little bumpin' car system
Thumpin', between the crew we always got sump'un
But if we had nuttin' no frontin' whatever
We'd still be crew you and me, me for you together
Word, fake people ain't worth a turd
They only want to be your friend because of what they overheard
I send this record to the well respected
Friends that I've collected, I hope I am what you expected
Yeah, so check it, so check it
We can count the dough or kick a flow
Or chill out watchin videos
Or actin really silly yo but really doe
All that can end
Whether at the bar with superstars
Or cruisin' in the trooper car
I really don't care who you are
All I really need is a friend
The lyrics to KRS-One's song A Friend are about the importance of true friendship and loyalty. KRS-One sends the song out to his friends and crew, stressing that trust is essential in any friendship. He says that they can hang out and have fun, but ultimately, what matters most is that he is surrounded by friends he can trust. The rapper highlights the fleeting nature of fame and fortune, emphasizing that true friends are more important than anything money can buy.
KRS-One's lyrics also touch on the theme of betrayal. He laments that some people he grew up with have become two-faced and backstabbing, willing to betray those closest to them for personal gain. The rapper warns against being fooled by fake people, who only pretend to be friends when they think they can benefit from the relationship.
Overall, the lyrics to A Friend are a powerful tribute to the importance of friendship, loyalty, and trust. KRS-One emphasizes that real friendships are built on mutual respect, support, and a willingness to stick together through thick and thin.
Line by Line Meaning
The beat was sposed to drop right there
The music was expected to have a drop at that point
I send this one out, to my right hand man
This song is dedicated to my best friend
Or mens, or women's, the whole crew
This song is for everyone in my circle, regardless of gender
The real fam
My true family are the people I consider my closest friends
We can count the dough or kick a flow
We can either count our money or freestyle rap
Or chill out watchin videos
We can relax and watch some videos together
Or actin really silly yo but really doe
We can act goofy and silly together without any judgment
All that can end
Our good times together can come to an end
Whether at the bar with superstars
We can have a good time partying with celebrities
Or cruisin in the trooper car
We can enjoy cruising around in a SUV
I really don't care who you are
I don't care about your status or fame
All I really need is a friend
At the end of the day, all I need is a true friend
If we can't have trust then you can't hang with us
If you can't be trusted, you can't be a part of our group
We respond to those who show respect with respect
We treat people with respect when they treat us with respect
We respond we connect on the same deck
We have a mutual understanding and connection with each other
Same intellect, my man, never shifty, thinks quickly
We have similar intelligence levels and my man is quick-witted and reliable
If you can't understand, we boys we boys
If you don't get it, that's okay, it's just how we do things
We could stand on the corner with a hat sellin toys
We can make a living selling whatever we can, even if it's something small
It ain't about your Benz I hope it ain't about mine
Our friendship isn't about material possessions
My man, I be dissin in my freestyle rhyme
I might clown on some people when I'm freestyle rapping, but it's not meant personally
Gettin G's around the world, I can trust you with my girl
I'm making money and traveling around the world, but I still trust my best friend with my significant other
My man, we chillin at the jam, what's the plan?
We're hanging out at the party, what do you want to do next?
I'm not a yes man and none of my friends are yes men
I don't just agree with everything and neither do my friends
Or women, I'm drivin, I see my peeps yo get in
Everyone is welcome in my car regardless of gender
Where you fit in? True friends are quick to sit
If you're a true friend, you know your place and can easily join in
In the beginning of all trouble, and when your bankroll doubles
When things are getting tough or when you have a lot of money, true friends stick around
Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble
We're like the cartoon characters Fred and Barney, always sticking together
Still I got my own space like Hubble
Even though we're close, I still have my own personal space and identity
Cause don't nobody care about us, all they do is doubt us
People doubt us and don't give us credit for our accomplishments
Until we blow the spot then they all want to crowd us
Once we achieve success, everyone wants to be around us
And want to shout us, but you my man from way back
You've been my friend for a long time, through thick and thin
I just gots to say that, actin large I don't play that
I have to express how much I value our friendship, I don't like to act overly flashy
But I can't say that, where I play at isn't fast-paced
I can't say that out loud, where I live is fast-paced and competitive
A friend can acquire the taste to become two-faced
Sometimes people who were once friends can turn on you and become deceitful
And that's a disgrace there ain't nothing you can say to us
It's shameful when that happens and there's nothing to justify it
When we used to ride the bus we had trust
Back when we didn't have much, we still had each other's trust
Now we cash checks and drive Lex, and can't show respect to one of us
Now that we're more successful, it's sad that some of us can't respect each other
Yo the heads I hang with ain't tryin to just get
My friends aren't just trying to take advantage of me
What they can get, sit quickly backstabbin the click
They're not quick to betray me or the group
I roll thick, but only some are friends really
I have a lot of acquaintances, but only a select few are true friends
Down to the end, my right hand men and women
My closest friends are by my side until the very end
Mutual support, from the beginning
We've supported each other since the beginning of our friendship
Been in, exactly what I've been in
We've shared the same experiences and hardships
Back to back we attack corporate America
We work together to take on big corporations and make a change
Gettin fees that amount to G's in every area
We're making money and have influence everywhere we go
You my man I ain't gotta drag you along
You're my friend and I don't have to convince you to join me
You pull your own weight, yeah you definitely got it goin on
You contribute and work hard, I respect that about you
I don't see nothin wrong wit a little bumpin car system
I don't mind listening to loud music in the car
Thumpin, between the crew we always got sump'un
We always have something to enjoy together, like good music
But if we had nuttin no frontin whatever
Even if we have nothing, we're still homies
We'd still be crew you and me, me for you together
We'll always be friends and look out for each other
Word, fake people ain't worth a turd
Fake people are not worth anything to us
They only want to be your friend because of what they overheard
They only want to be friends because they want something from us, not genuine friendship
I send this record to the well respected
I'm sending this song to my most respected friends
Friends that I've collected, I hope I am what you expected
I hope I've lived up to your expectations as a friend
Yeah, so check it, so check it
Yeah, that's pretty much it
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Cootie Williams, Bernard D. Hanighen, Theolonious S. Monk, Lawrence Parker, Rodney Lemay
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Poe_ssessed
lyrics
The beat was sposed to drop right there
The beat was sposed to drop right there
The beat was sposed to drop right there
Yeah yeah yeah, uhh
I send this one out, to my right hand man
Or mens, or women's, the whole crew
The real fam
We can count the dough or kick a flow
Or chill out watchin videos
Or actin really silly yo but really doe
All that can end
Whether at the bar with superstars
Or cruisin in the trooper car
I really don't care who you are
All I really need is a friend
If we can't have trust then you can't hang with us
We respond to those who show respect with respect
We respond we connect on the same deck
Same intellect, my man, never shifty, thinks quickly
If you can't understand, we boys we boys
We could stand on the corner with a hat sellin toys
It ain't about your Benz I hope it ain't about mine
My man, I be dissin in my freestyle rhyme
Gettin G's around the world, I can trust you with my girl
My man, we chillin at the jam, what's the plan?
I'm not a yes man and none of my friends are yes men
Or women, I'm drivin, I see my peeps yo get in
Where you fit in? True friends are quick to sit
In the beginning of all trouble, and when your bankroll doubles
Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble
Still I got my own space like Hubble
We can count the dough or kick a flow
Or chill out watchin videos
Or actin really silly yo but really doe
All that can end
Whether at the bar with superstars
Or cruisin in the trooper car
I really don't care who you are
All I really need is a friend
Cause don't nobody care about us, all they do is doubt us
Until we blow the spot then they all want to crowd us
And want to shout us, but you my man from way back
I just gots to say that, actin large I don't play that
But I can't say that, where I play at isn't fast-paced
A friend can acquire the taste to become two-faced
And that's a disgrace there ain't nothing you can say to us
When the kid you grew up with betrays your trust
When we used to ride the bus we had trust
Now we cash checks and drive Lex, and can't show respect to one of us
Yo the heads I hang with ain't tryin to just get
What they can get, sit quickly backstabbin the click
I roll thick, but only some are friends really
Down to the end, my right hand men and women
Mutual support, from the beginning
Been in, exactly what I've been in
We can count the dough or kick a flow
Or chill out watchin videos
Or actin really silly yo but really doe
All that can end
Whether at the bar with superstars
Or cruisin in the trooper car
I really don't care who you are
All I really need is a friend
Back to back we attack corporate America
Gettin fees that amount to G's in every area
You my man I ain't gotta drag you along
You pull your own weight, yeah you definitely got it goin on
I don't see nothin wrong wit a little bumpin car system
Thumpin, between the crew we always got sump'un
But if we had nuttin no frontin whatever
We'd still be crew you and me, me for you together
Word, fake people ain't worth a turd
They only want to be your friend because of what they overheard
I send this record to the well respected
Friends that I've collected, I hope I am what you expected
Yeah, so check it, so check it
We can count the dough or kick a flow
Or chill out watchin videos
Or actin really silly yo but really doe
All that can end
Whether at the bar with superstars
Or cruisin in the trooper car
I really don't care who you are
All I really need is a friend
@TimetravelerKi
KRS rapping about the one thing you really need in life. Not cars, not bitches, not drugs, not fame, just a friend.
@caplinGrey
+Timetraveler Ki word.. HIP HOP
@Zaagvis
+Timetraveler Ki Some ppl still searchin
@TimetravelerKi
Word.
@brainFriedSindrome
GRAFFITI
@CYBERMIK4056
+Timetraveler Ki true
@lamarjohnson6859
let's vote for KRS ONE to be in next year's Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame he really deserves to be in it he doesn't get enough credit for hip hop as is let's honor him for hip hop for the next 50 years.....STAND UP FOR HIP HOP!
@ngyoungisillegal
Another one KRS! Been in prison for 15 years. So much catching up I have to do. Just hearing this for the first time!
@SSenjo
Welcome back to the free world brother
@stalkerlohh
can i aks for what You were serving time ?