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..."
False Pride
KRS-One Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Okay now, listen to this..
[Seagull sounds]
A mystical teacher sat by the seaside
It was about five o'clock cause we heard the free ride
Anyway; the teacher was talking in stride
Sitting upon a rock that was wide
And warning against false pride
And the teacher replied, "Do you serve your fish fried?"
"Yes," she replied, "with potato salad on the side."
And the teacher replied, "Well where do you reside?"
She said, "Up on the hillside, it's not a far ride.
If you came to have dinner, I would be so gratified."
The teacher replied, "It's six o'clock, seven o'clock, you decide."
She replied, "Seven o'clock, do you like stir-fried?"
She was mystified and felt so dignified
The teacher was coming to the house where she resides
So she purified with pesticides
[Chemicals sprayed; noise]
Called her friends up nationwide
[Phone being dialed]
Some of her friends were tongue-tied they felt so glorified
She made steamed fish, baked fish, fish that was fried
Soup, steamed vegetables, potato salad on the side
[Cooking food]
You could smell the bread in the oven far and wide
Natural juices and water purified
Organic fruits brought from the countryside
With silver forks and knives placed side by side
[Silverware clinks; noise]
You could not be dissatisfied;
Looking out the window staring at the mountainside,
You would have died
6:59 she's swollen with pride
As the moment intensified, there's a knock from outside
[Knocking at door]
She opens the door, for the teacher has arrived
[Door opening]
But to her surprise, it was a bum who cried
"Please, I smelt the bread from outside!
One piece," and then she replied
"The teacher is coming, he's soon to have arrived.
You're making me look bad, come on now, step aside!"
The bum then replied,
"When I say I'm hungry I haven't lied.
Give me some of that chicken that you just fried."
[Food cooking]
She replied, "Chicken - fried?
No that's for the teacher, you're not purified"
Then she slammed the door and went back inside
[Door closing]
Sat on the couch with the TV Guide
She looked at the clock, it was 7:09, then 7:30;
He still hasn't arrived
Eight o'clock, she's on the downside
Nine o'clock, by now she's teary-eyed
She's pissed off and her anger multiplied
She cried, then fell asleep dissatisfied
Next day she woke up, and was preoccupied
With meeting the mystical teacher who lied
Where could he hide?
She ran down by the seaside
[Seagull sounds]
He was there teaching about - false pride
"You lied!" she replied, "You lied!
You said you'd be there at seven o'clock, you lied!"
He replied, "No I have not lied.
I came at 6:59, and you told me to move aside.
I asked for bread and the chicken that was fried.
[Food Cooking]
And you said, that I wasn't purified."
She replied, "I wasn't notified!
I had no idea that you was the bum that cried!"
And the teacher sighed, then replied,
"This concludes our lesson on false pride."
The lyrics of KRS-One’s song “False Pride” tell the story of a woman who invites a mystical teacher to dinner. As she prepares a feast for him, she becomes preoccupied with impressing the teacher and showing off her wealth and status. However, when the teacher arrives, he is mistaken for a homeless person by the woman and her pride causes her to slam the door on him. The next day, the teacher confronts her about her false pride and teaches her a lesson through his actions. The story is a warning against the dangers of pride and the importance of treating all people with respect and kindness.
Through the use of vivid imagery and dialogue, KRS-One creates a detailed and engaging narrative that highlights the pitfalls of excessive pride. The teacher’s warnings against false pride are especially poignant in today’s society, where social media and the constant pressure to present a perfect image can lead to superficiality and self-absorption. As such, the song serves as a reminder to humble ourselves and treat others with compassion and empathy.
Line by Line Meaning
A mystical teacher sat by the seaside
There was a teacher with mystical qualities sitting by the ocean.
It was about five o'clock cause we heard the free ride
The time was around 5 o'clock and they heard the free transportation service arriving.
Anyway; the teacher was talking in stride
The teacher was talking confidently.
Sitting upon a rock that was wide
Sitting on a wide rock.
And warning against false pride
The teacher was cautioning against vain self-esteem.
"Come to where I reside!" a woman cried
A woman calls out to the teacher saying she is interested in visiting him.
And the teacher replied, "Do you serve your fish fried?"
The teacher asks if she makes her fish fried when she cooks.
"Yes," she replied, "with potato salad on the side."
She answered that she serves it with potato salad on the side.
And the teacher replied, "Well where do you reside?"
The teacher asks where she lives.
She said, "Up on the hillside, it's not a far ride.
She replied saying that she lives up on the hillside and it is not a long trip to get there.
If you came to have dinner, I would be so gratified."
She says she would be very pleased if the teacher came for dinner.
The teacher replied, "It's six o'clock, seven o'clock, you decide."
The teacher gives her the option of deciding whether he should come by at 6 or 7 o'clock.
She replied, "Seven o'clock, do you like stir-fried?"
She chose 7 o'clock and asks if he likes stir-fry.
She was mystified and felt so dignified
She was amazed and felt proud.
The teacher was coming to the house where she resides
The teacher was going to visit her at her house.
So she purified with pesticides
She used pesticides to disinfect her house.
Called her friends up nationwide
She called her friends from all over the country.
Some of her friends were tongue-tied they felt so glorified
Some of her friends were at a loss for words because they were so honored.
She made steamed fish, baked fish, fish that was fried
She cooked a variety of fish dishes, including steamed, baked, and fried fish.
Soup, steamed vegetables, potato salad on the side
She also served soup, steamed veggies, and potato salad.
You could smell the bread in the oven far and wide
The aroma of bread baking could be smelled far away.
Natural juices and water purified
There were pure and natural fruit juices and water available.
Organic fruits brought from the countryside
The fruits served were organically grown and from the countryside.
With silver forks and knives placed side by side
The forks and knives were laid out in a fancy manner, side by side.
You could not be dissatisfied;
It was impossible to be unhappy with such a fine feast.
Looking out the window staring at the mountainside,
She looked out the window at the view of the mountains.
You would have died
The view was so amazing, you would have been blown away.
6:59 she's swollen with pride
At 6:59 she was extremely proud.
As the moment intensified, there's a knock from outside
As the tension rose, there was a knock at the door.
She opens the door, for the teacher has arrived
She goes to the door to welcome the teacher who has now arrived.
But to her surprise, it was a bum who cried
To her surprise, a beggar was at the door asking for food.
"Please, I smelt the bread from outside!
The beggar asks for some bread as he had caught the smell of it from outside.
One piece," and then she replied
The woman responds, offering him only one piece.
"The teacher is coming, he's soon to have arrived.
She reminds him that the teacher will be coming soon as if it would impact her decision.
You're making me look bad, come on now, step aside!"
She tells the beggar to move aside as he was making her look bad.
The bum then replied,
The beggar then responded.
"When I say I'm hungry I haven't lied.
The beggar defends himself, saying he's genuinely hungry.
Give me some of that chicken that you just fried."
He then asks her for a piece of the chicken she cooked.
She replied, "Chicken - fried?
She questions if he wants the fried chicken, surprised that the beggar wants to eat something so fancy.
No that's for the teacher, you're not purified"
She tells him he cannot have it and that it is reserved for the teacher who is more worthy than him
Then she slammed the door and went back inside
She closed the door with force and returns to sit on the couch.
Sat on the couch with the TV Guide
She sits on the couch and starts to read the TV Guide magazine.
She looked at the clock, it was 7:09, then 7:30;
She checked the clock which read 7:09, then she checked again at 7:30.
He still hasn't arrived
The teacher had not yet arrived and it made her worried.
Eight o'clock, she's on the downside
At 8 o'clock she is feeling more pessimistic.
Nine o'clock, by now she's teary-eyed
By 9 o'clock she has started to cry.
She's pissed off and her anger multiplied
Her frustration and anger were growing by the minute.
She cried, then fell asleep dissatisfied
Eventually, she cried herself to sleep feeling disappointed.
Next day she woke up, and was preoccupied
On the next day, she woke up with her mind still occupied by the teacher's arrival.
With meeting the mystical teacher who lied
She had the intention to meet with the teacher who she feels lied to her.
Where could he hide?
She was wondering where he could have been hiding.
She ran down by the seaside
She runs down to the ocean.
He was there teaching about - false pride
When she reaches there, he is teaching about the dangers of having false pride.
"You lied!" she replied, "You lied!
She accuses him of lying.
You said you'd be there at seven o'clock, you lied!"
She reminds him of his promised arrival time that he did not keep.
He replied, "No I have not lied.
He responds saying that he did not lie.
I came at 6:59, and you told me to move aside.
He tells her the exact time he arrived and that she asked him to move aside for the beggar.
I asked for bread and the chicken that was fried.
He explains that he just asked her for some bread and chicken.
And you said, that I wasn't purified."
He says she dismissed him saying he wasn't good enough to eat her food.
She replied, "I wasn't notified!
She responds that she did not know that the beggar was actually the teacher.
I had no idea that you was the bum that cried!"
She tells him she had no clue he was the beggar asking for food.
And the teacher sighed, then replied,
The teacher sighs before giving his response.
"This concludes our lesson on false pride."
He ends his lesson on pride and its dangers.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LAWRENCE KRSONE PARKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind