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..."
Freestyle Ministry
KRS-One Lyrics
Jump to: Line by Line Meaning ↴
New had to be introduced
In order for the music to flourish
As it had in the past"
Ha, hah, huh you know the time here
"You will never be as nice
"Nuttin to play wit" - Nas
"Troublesome, to anyone who stands in
The way" - Guru, "Be my guest" - Nas
Aiyyo, Minister Server, test your mic yo
Yo this ain't complex, I keep it mad simple
(whaaat)
Minister Server transmittin from the temple
(that's right)
The Lord is my light and my salvation
(that's right)
I'm here to heal the, hip-hop nation (C'MON')
And make sure that our next, destination
(C'MON') is exactly where no procrastination
(that's right)
We got things to do, I mean me and you
(uhh uhh)
We got to do what we came here to be true
(C'MON') through the Most High guide you
Got to find purpose (UHH)
I'm on the mic now
(WOOOO) I didn't rehearse this (what)
It's from the spirit
(that's right) to those ears
That hear it (c'mon) ahhh
C'mon, yeah, yo
You ain't never heard no flow like this one
We teach on the streets
Ruminations go get one
If you never heard of "My Philosophy"
Check my catalogue, check the glossary
Ministry archives, school society
Temple of Hip-Hop exhibit you got to see
Obviously I flow different from most of them
They radioactive
I don't get too close to them
Hip-Hop in the cypher
Commence to roastin them
Or commence to "Edutainment
" minds I open them
Up on the rooftop, scopin them
KRS this album is dope AGAIN!
It's up to you and me
To walk in our authority (WOOOO)
To understand we got the inner divinity
(that's right)
To change the things of this closed society
(that's right)
Ain't that the way we said we wanted to be?
(WORD') oh what'chu gonna do
You got to get off yo' ass (C'MON')
You can't move slow
You got to move real fast
(c'mon, yeah, yeah) if you
Wanna keep up with the Temple your
Mental got to be ready
And you got to keep these flows steady (yeah)
And keep it goin, I don't really be knowin
(yeah)
How the Most High's gonna be flowin (ohhh)
But I got faith and it's 2004 (yeah)
So the H-Law, yeah more
We gon' bring you up
You know it's all the way real
And I'mma keep it like this
Don't pack no steel (word)
But I got a gat, that's got a lot of truth
(yeah, yeah) and I do it like this
My children be the proof
So teacher, come let these cats know
(that's real) the way you do it like this
You got to let 'em know (whoa)
That's always true, the way you come through
(yeah) so come and do what'chu gwan do
Biddy- bye bye, biddy- bye bye
Biddy- bye bye biddy-bo
Biddy- bye bye ayyy, EASE OFF'!
It was quite evident that something
It was very clear that a change needed to happen
New had to be introduced
Something fresh and innovative had to be brought forth
In order for the music to flourish
For the music to thrive and grow
As it had in the past
Just like it had done before
You will never be as nice
You will never be as skilled
As I am
As I am, referring to KRS-One himself
Nuttin to play wit
Nothing to mess around with
Troublesome, to anyone who stands in the way
Challenging and difficult for anyone who opposes
Be my guest
Feel free to step up and try
Aiyyo, Minister Server, test your mic yo
Hey, Minister Server, check your microphone
Yo this ain't complex, I keep it mad simple
This is not complicated, I keep it extremely simple
Minister Server transmittin from the temple
Minister Server broadcasting from the sacred place
The Lord is my light and my salvation
God guides and saves me
I'm here to heal the, hip-hop nation
I am here to bring healing to the hip-hop community
And make sure that our next, destination
And ensure that our future direction
Is exactly where no procrastination
Does not involve any delay or hesitation
We got things to do, I mean me and you
We have responsibilities, both you and me
We got to do what we came here to be true
We must fulfill our purpose for being here
Through the Most High guide you
With the guidance of the Most High
Got to find purpose
We must discover our true calling
I'm on the mic now
I am currently speaking on the microphone
I didn't rehearse this
I didn't practice or prepare beforehand for this
It's from the spirit
It comes from within, from the soul
To those ears that hear it
To those who are receptive and listening
C'mon, yeah, yo
Come on, yes, hey
You ain't never heard no flow like this one
You have never encountered a rap style like this
We teach on the streets
We educate and impart knowledge in the urban environment
Ruminations go get one
Deep thoughts, go get one (get enlightened)
If you never heard of 'My Philosophy'
If you are unfamiliar with my famous song 'My Philosophy'
Check my catalogue, check the glossary
Examine my body of work, refer to the glossary
Ministry archives, school society
The records and teachings of the Ministry, educating society
Temple of Hip-Hop exhibit you got to see
The exhibit at the Temple of Hip-Hop that you must visit
Obviously I flow different from most of them
It is clear that my flow is unique compared to others
They radioactive
They are harmful or dangerous
I don't get too close to them
I avoid getting involved with them
Hip-Hop in the cypher
Hip-Hop in the circle of freestyle rapping
Commence to roastin them
Start to verbally attack and criticize them
Or commence to 'Edutainment' minds I open them
Or start educating and entertaining, awakening their minds
Up on the rooftop, scopin them
Observing them from above, watching closely
KRS this album is dope AGAIN!
KRS-One's latest album is excellent once more
It's up to you and me
It is our responsibility
To walk in our authority
To confidently exercise our power and influence
To understand we got the inner divinity
To recognize that we possess an inherent godly nature
To change the things of this closed society
To transform the aspects of this exclusive society
Ain't that the way we said we wanted to be?
Wasn't that the way we expressed our desire to be?
Oh what'chu gonna do
Oh, what are you going to do?
You got to get off yo' ass
You need to stop being lazy
You can't move slow
You cannot be sluggish
You got to move real fast
You must act quickly
If you wanna keep up with the Temple
If you want to stay in line with the Temple's mission
Your mental got to be ready
Your mindset needs to be prepared
And you got to keep these flows steady
And you have to maintain a consistent flow in your actions
And keep it goin, I don't really be knowin
And keep it going, I often don't have a definite understanding
How the Most High's gonna be flowin
How God's will is going to unfold
But I got faith and it's 2004
But I have faith, and it's the year 2004
So the H-Law, yeah more
So the Hip-Hop Law, yes, there's more
We gon' bring you up
We will uplift you
You know it's all the way real
You know it's completely authentic
And I'mma keep it like this
And I will maintain it like this
Don't pack no steel
Don't carry any weapons
But I got a gat, that's got a lot of truth
But I have a metaphorical gun that holds a lot of truth
And I do it like this
And I do it in this manner
My children be the proof
My students are the evidence
So teacher, come let these cats know
So teacher, come and inform these individuals
The way you do it like this
The way you accomplish it in this fashion
You got to let 'em know
You have to make them aware
That's always true, the way you come through
That it is consistently genuine, the way you express yourself
So come and do what'chu gwan do
So come and do whatever you're going to do
Biddy-bye bye, biddy-bye bye
Goodbye, farewell
Biddy-bye bye, biddy-bo
Goodbye, farewell, with an expression of surprise or excitement
Biddy-bye bye ayyy, EASE OFF'!
Goodbye, ease off, stop bothering
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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