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..."
Fucked Up
KRS-One Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
YEAH! YEAH!
C'mon...
Let me tell you cats {get what I'm sayin}
[Chorus]
Snitchin and squealin and the underhand dealin
That's how you get fucked up!!
That's how you get fucked up!!
Gettin head in the bed with another man's wife
That's how you get fucked up!!
You better always think twice how you're livin your life
That's how you get fucked up!!
[KRS-One]
People walk around just, in a daze and oblivious
To them demons that live in us
Who can you really trust
Is it them demons that got us schemin or is it really us?
People really fuss, and them guns really bust
Brothers dyin over silly stuff
Them streets can get really tough
They ain't playin man, you better {get what I'm sayin}
[Chorus]
When you can't forgive and all you spit is negative
That's how you get fucked up!!
When you're dissin your elders and cheatin your relatives
That's how you get fucked up!!
Messin with a man's crib, kids or wife
That's how you get fucked up!!
You better think twice how you're livin your life, cause
That's how you get fucked up!!
[KRS-One]
Yo, I'm a true school cat, just a cool cool cat
Got security tellin these people to move back
I got two new tracks, somethin new from DAT's
Tunnel Rats with Proper and Triune in the back
I don't move with a pack, I move membership
Hip-Hop we livin it and what I'm doin is rap
But cats wanna talk that crap
'Til they see that I'm not playin, you better {get what I'm sayin}
Everyday more betrayin, more lyin, and from friends
More crime and more revenge - HUSH
Things are really rough; cause there's really no one out there
that I doubt that you can really trust
Them guns bust - how many hustlers gotta die
go to jail for a fiend to get a rush?
From ashes to dust, that man of lust
is decayin, you better {get what I'm sayin}
[Chorus]
Talkin that crap behind another man's back
That's how you get fucked up!!
Spittin gossip and scandal and don't have facts
That's how you get fucked up!!
Bein caught in the hype, flashin off your ice
That's how you get fucked up!!
You better always think twice how you're livin your life cause
That's how you get fucked up!!
[KRS-One]
I'ma close it out, cause all my foes they doubt
I'm rollin out, they know what I'm all about
I don't roam about, I appear and shout
I wear 'em out, then we clear 'em out
I steer the route to where the end be at
Where the peace, where the love, where my friends be at
Where the jealous ones envy that
And they start betrayin, that's right you better {get what I'm sayin}
[Chorus]
If you schemin a lot on what another man's got
That's how you get fucked up!!
Dreamin up a plot for another man's spot
That's how you get fucked up!!
If you live by the knife then you die by the knife
That's how you get fucked up!!
You better always think twice how you're livin your life cause
That's how you get fucked up!!
Flashin what you got cause you think it's cool
That's how you get fucked up!!
You better watch yourself cause when you ACT A FOOL
That's how you get fucked up!!
When you act like you better, treatin men like mice
That's how you get fucked up!!
You better always think twice how you're livin your life cause
That's how you get fucked up!! {get what I'm sayin}
.. {get what I'm sayin}
In “Fucked Up,” KRS-One talks about the consequences of certain actions that can ruin one’s life. He explains that snitching, scheming, robbing, stealing, and cheating can lead to dire consequences. KRS-One poses a very powerful question, “Who can you really trust, is it them demons that got us schemin or is it really us?” He brings to light the fact that people walk around in a daze, oblivious to the demons that live in them.
KRS-One also speaks about betrayals, lies from friends, revenge, and crime. He cautions against dissing elders and cheating on relatives, being caught up in the hype, and living by the knife. He explains that flashing off one's jewelry or wealth is also a quick way to get messed up. KRS-One raps about the current state of affairs in the world and the desperate need for people to be more careful with their actions.
In summary, KRS-One’s “Fucked Up” is a warning against certain actions that people take without thinking that can be detrimental to their lives. He advises people to be careful in their actions, stay away from negative people, and to think twice before making decisions.
Line by Line Meaning
YEAH! YEAH!
Introduction to the song
C'mon...
Encouraging the listeners to pay attention
Let me tell you cats {get what I'm sayin}
Asking the listeners to understand the message he is about to deliver
Snitchin and squealin and the underhand dealin
That's how you get fucked up!!
Exposing the consequences of being involved in deceitful acts like snitching and squealing
Robbin and stealin like you ain't got feelings
That's how you get fucked up!!
Describing how criminal actions can lead to punishing consequences
Gettin head in the bed with another man's wife
That's how you get fucked up!!
Highlighting how adultery can ruin a man's life
You better always think twice how you're livin your life
That's how you get fucked up!!
Advising the listeners to always consider their actions and decisions in life
People walk around just, in a daze and oblivious
To them demons that live in us
Acknowledging people's unawareness of their internal demons
Who can you really trust
Is it them demons that got us schemin or is it really us?
Questioning the source of people's scheme and traitorous behaviors
People really fuss, and them guns really bust
Brothers dyin over silly stuff
Them streets can get really tough
Describing the harsh reality of street life, where brothers fight and die over trivial matters
They ain't playin man, you better {get what I'm sayin}
Emphasizing the seriousness of the situation and the need for the listeners to comprehend
When you can't forgive and all you spit is negative
That's how you get fucked up!!
Explaining how negativity and unforgiving attitudes can result in a negative life experience
When you're dissin your elders and cheatin your relatives
That's how you get fucked up!!
Pointing out how disrespecting the elders and being dishonest to the family can bring disastrous outcomes
Messin with a man's crib, kids or wife
That's how you get fucked up!!
Illustrating how interfering with a man's family and possessions can lead to bad consequences
Yo, I'm a true school cat, just a cool cool cat
Got security tellin these people to move back
I got two new tracks, somethin new from DAT's
Tunnel Rats with Proper and Triune in the back
I don't move with a pack, I move membership
Hip-Hop we livin it and what I'm doin is rap
Boasting about his hip hop music and his latest works
But cats wanna talk that crap
'Til they see that I'm not playin, you better {get what I'm sayin}
Addressing the haters and their disrespect towards him, warning them to watch their words
Everyday more betrayin, more lyin, and from friends
More crime and more revenge - HUSH
Things are really rough; cause there's really no one out there
that I doubt that you can really trust
Them guns bust - how many hustlers gotta die
go to jail for a fiend to get a rush?
From ashes to dust, that man of lust
is decayin, you better {get what I'm sayin}
Expressing how the world is falling apart with more betrayal, lies, and crime. Highlighting how even trusted friends can turn their back on you. Describing how some people end up dead or in jail due to drugs and lust
Talkin that crap behind another man's back
That's how you get fucked up!!
Revealing how talking negatively behind someone's back can lead to trouble
Spittin gossip and scandal and don't have facts
That's how you get fucked up!!
Clarifying how spreading rumors without evidence can bring harmful outcomes
Bein caught in the hype, flashin off your ice
That's how you get fucked up!!
Warning the listeners not to get caught in the hype of flaunting material possessions like jewelry
You better always think twice how you're livin your life cause
That's how you get fucked up!!
Reinforcing the importance of being mindful of how one lives their life
I'ma close it out, cause all my foes they doubt
I'm rollin out, they know what I'm all about
I don't roam about, I appear and shout
I wear 'em out, then we clear 'em out
I steer the route to where the end be at
Where the peace, where the love, where my friends be at
Where the jealous ones envy that
And they start betrayin, that's right you better {get what I'm sayin}
Concluding the song, stating that he is not afraid of his enemies and he will always be victorious. Describing his journey towards peace and love, but acknowledging that even the jealous ones will envy that and may start betraying him
If you schemin a lot on what another man's got
That's how you get fucked up!!
Pointing out the negative outcome of scheming on what another man has instead of focusing on oneself
Dreamin up a plot for another man's spot
That's how you get fucked up!!
Expressing the idea that plotting to take someone's position can lead to problems
If you live by the knife then you die by the knife
That's how you get fucked up!!
Suggesting that participating in violent activities can lead to violent consequences
Flashin what you got cause you think it's cool
That's how you get fucked up!!
Warning against displaying material possessions just to impress others
You better watch yourself cause when you ACT A FOOL
That's how you get fucked up!!
Reminding the listeners that acting foolishly can have detrimental outcomes
When you act like you better, treatin men like mice
That's how you get fucked up!!
Condemning the notion of belittling others and acting superior to them
You better always think twice how you're livin your life cause
That's how you get fucked up!! {get what I'm sayin}
.. {get what I'm sayin}
Emphasizing the importance of being prudent in one's life and reiterating the message of the song
Contributed by Maria H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Cheyemos
Such a great album, Life, one of my favorites!
Edd Mtz
Powerful lyrics
Rutger Esseboom
Still relevant!! Think before you act.
Watson Moreira
Pesado
Vinicius Clementino
2017 this is Rap 🙌🏿
Chaka Oliver
This should be played at praise and worship
The Ignorance Of The Masses
Hey KRS, when you going to tell everyone about bhakti yoga?
ridiculous tentoes
Wo📃rds;📚
I like📝🖋👊💯😎
JustBecause[RO]
Romania,Codrin Bradea pe voi!!!!
Roberto Junior
huehue br