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..."
Drugs Won
KRS-One Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We are not the dumb ones
We see how the drugs run
We see were they come from
Governments are selling it
Every day one ton
They declared a war on drugs
But drugs won
Flashlights, canine dogs and crooked copper's
Automatics, tear gas, rams and helicopters
All for marijuana, on the east coast every year
While California selling that high grade everywhere
It's crazy how the east coast considers herb the enemy
While every corner in LA is a dispensary
The country been split on this issue now for a century
Why would a harmless natural herb lead to a felony?
New York needs to catch up
The pace need to pick it up
You know them prosecutors got big spliff litted up
Switch the philosophy think of the economy
Plants, herbs and roots are natures technology
Rum-pum-pum-pum-pum
We are not the dumb ones
We see how the drugs run
We see were they come from
Governments are selling it
Every day one ton
They declared a war on drugs
But drugs won
Rum-pum-pum-pum-pum
We are not the dumb ones
We see how the drugs run
We see were they come from
Governments are selling it
Every day one ton
They declared a war on drugs
But drugs won
People taking risks
'Cause they know that money gon' come
The drug game is global
Paying off twenty to one
Who you telling?
You don't you think these politicians they selling?
Doctors ain't sellin', cops ain't selling
While rocking your melon?
Cop cars smelling like Cali blue dream
In New York brothers like "what do you mean?"
I mean switch the velocity
Think of the economy
Plants, herbs and roots are natures technology
Rum-pum-pum-pum-pum
We are not the dumb ones
We see how the drugs run
We see were they come from
Governments are selling it
Every day one ton
They declared a war on drugs
But drugs won
Brothers on that lock down
Sisters in that lock up
Things were good in the hood
Till them D's popped up
Brothers getting shot up, 'cause the systems unjust
Segregated justice
It's just them and just us
Cops roam around like a gang tryna jump us
Into the plantation prisons they wanna dump us
'Cause they're really prisons for the poor
It's about the money, not the drugs
That's what I'm getting handcuffed for
It ain't about the law, it ain't about the crime
'Cause banks are paying fines for their crimes all the time
Huh it's a setup, switch the philosophy
Plants, herbs and roots are natures technology
Rum-pum-pum-pum-pum
We are not the dumb ones
We see how the drugs run
We see were they come from
Governments are selling it
Every day one ton
They declared a war on drugs
But drugs won
Rum-pum-pum-pum-pum
We are not the dumb ones
We see how the drugs run
We see were they come from
Governments are selling it
Every day one ton
They declared a war on drugs
But drugs won
KRS-One's song "Drugs Won" addresses the issue of drug use, the government’s role in it, and the legal system's approach to tackling the problem. The title suggests a defeat has already occurred, and that the war on drugs has essentially failed. KRS-One points out how the government sells drugs in order to fund their own operations, including putting people in prison for possessing or selling drugs that the government itself sells. He emphasizes that drugs have become a global issue, with people willing to take risks to earn tons of money. KRS-One criticizes how the legal system unfairly targets the poor and people of color, with cops roaming around like a gang trying to arrest them. Instead, KRS-One believes that the solution is to switch the philosophy, think of the economy, and recognize the potential benefits of plants, herbs, and roots that are nature's technology.
Line by Line Meaning
Rum-pum-pum-pum-pum
The beat of the song emphasizing the message
We are not the dumb ones
We are not ignorant to the drug problem
We see how the drugs run
We see how drugs are sold and distributed
We see were they come from
We see the origins of the drug trade
Governments are selling it
Governments allow drug trafficking and profiting from it
Every day one ton
Enormous amounts of drugs are sold and consumed on a daily basis
They declared a war on drugs
The government launched a campaign against drug use
But drugs won
Drug use continues despite the government's efforts to stop it
Flashlights, canine dogs and crooked copper's
Police use excessive force to combat drug use and distribution
Automatics, tear gas, rams and helicopters
More police brutality towards drug users and dealers
All for marijuana, on the east coast every year
Police go to great lengths to arrest marijuana users on the east coast
While California selling that high grade everywhere
California openly sells high-quality marijuana without much penalty
It's crazy how the east coast considers herb the enemy
Police demonize marijuana even though it is less harmful than other drugs
While every corner in LA is a dispensary
Marijuana dispensaries are common in Los Angeles, a stark contrast to other areas
The country been split on this issue now for a century
Drug usage and the government's response to it have been a divisive issue for generations
Why would a harmless natural herb lead to a felony?
Trying to understand why a seemingly harmless plant is illegal and criminalized
New York needs to catch up
New York should decriminalize drugs like other states
The pace need to pick it up
The government should work more efficiently to combat drug use and rehabilitation
You know them prosecutors got big spliff litted up
Even those who prosecute drug users smoke marijuana
Switch the philosophy think of the economy
Change the way we think about drug use and consider the economic benefits of legalization
Plants, herbs and roots are natures technology
Natural remedies and medicines have been used for centuries and should be valued more
People taking risks
People take chances to make money off of drugs
'Cause they know that money gon' come
The profit from drug trafficking is too great to pass up
The drug game is global
Drug use is not just a problem in one country
Paying off twenty to one
The profit from selling drugs is far greater than the cost of being caught
Who you telling?
Who are you trying to convince?
You don't you think these politicians they selling?
Politicians profit from the drug trade and should be held accountable
Doctors ain't sellin', cops ain't selling
While doctors and police are not selling drugs, they are not doing enough to stop drug use and abuse
While rocking your melon?
While you're not paying attention?
Cop cars smelling like Cali blue dream
Police also use drugs, highlighting the hypocrisy of drug laws
In New York brothers like 'what do you mean?'
The inconsistency of drug laws between states is confusing
I mean switch the velocity
I mean change the direction of the conversation
Think of the economy
Consider the economic benefits of legalizing drugs
Brothers on that lock down
People in prison for drug-related offenses
Sisters in that lock up
Women in prison for drug-related offenses
Things were good in the hood
Drug use has negatively impacted communities
Till them D's popped up
Police began to enforce drug laws and make arrests
Brothers getting shot up, 'cause the systems unjust
Police violence towards drug users is a frequent issue
Segregated justice
Justice is not equal for everyone, especially black and brown communities
It's just them and just us
It's always the authorities against the people
Cops roam around like a gang tryna jump us
Police use excessive force like a gang trying to intimidate people
Into the plantation prisons they wanna dump us
The government wants to lock up drug users in private prisons for profit
'Cause they're really prisons for the poor
The majority of people in private prisons are poor people of color
It's about the money, not the drugs
The government and private prisons make money off of incarcerating drug users, rather than rehabilitating them
That's what I'm getting handcuffed for
The punishment for drug use should fit the crime
It ain't about the law, it ain't about the crime
The government's response to drug use is not based on criminality
'Cause banks are paying fines for their crimes all the time
Banks commit crimes and only have to pay fines, while drug users go to prison
Huh it's a setup
The government has rigged the system against the people
Switch the philosophy
Change the way we think about drug use and legalization
Plants, herbs and roots are natures technology
Natural remedies should be valued and used to help people
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LAWRENCE PARKER, KRIS PARKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Captain Bruh
this is a hidden classic
Paul Max
Thanks again for the "don't get scared get prepared" Once I heard that. I knew that people could hear. I never had any thing to prove. Now I just wanna tear down this corrosion of authority. I am a Man my hood is the Earth and the Space around it. The only true authority I recognize and wish to represent is LOVE itself. I don't define it or confine it or design it. By my Authority. Let LOVE itself speak with you and I and instruct us. Not the Latin of the Vatican't or the English of Oxford or whatever other fraudulent witless witness out there. Silence is a deafening light. A particle and a Wave can free us and we were not slaves.
MAGN
Genius.
Felipe
Dope!!
Nemo U
Crazy that this is so censored that one cannot get the lyrics anywhere online. And soundcloud banned it.
Demetrius Williams
I need to talk to KRS-1;He's the TeachA! I need his Guideings! Some times I'am Lost.
Randolph Nicholson
WOOO SHIT! KRS1 SHITTIN ON MOTHAFUCKAS!!
Mista 50-50
Redman would be insane on this beat
ScottSherry93
i think he can relate to this song pretty well too!!!! LOL
rory rory
.......................BUT DRUGS WONNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!