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..."
Getaway
KRS-One Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and made my getaway
but I remember it all
like it was yesterday
see your text and feel sick
that shit cut like a knife
I canu0027t believe that you tryna
get back into my life
can you not leave me alone
I swear I blocked your number
seven times I need a new phone
you just wanna use me
but you're just outta luck
gunna have to find somebody else
I dont give a fuck
cuz I rock shit
bitch you toxic
I'm boutta pop shit
watch it
Ima cock shit
you fuckin lost it
I ainu0027t got time
for this shit
not tryna play
you already had your chance
I made my getaway
cuz I rock shit
bitch you toxic
I'm boutta pop shit
watch it
Ima cock shit
you fuckin lost it
I ainu0027t got time
for this shit
not tryna play
you already had your chance
I made my getaway
too late
I got nothin to say
hopped right inside the whip
made my getaway
I'm out
you dunno where to find me
Iu0027m just happy that I
finally left you behind me
speedin off
like a jet ski
hoping this time
you forget me
I have my doubts
cuz I know I be
livin rent free
in your head
when heu0027s in your bed
how many times I
gotta leave your shit on read ?
been months since I dipped
and made my getaway
but I remember it all
like it was yesterday
see your text and feel sick
that shit cut like a knife
I canu0027t believe that you tryna
get back into my life
popped it
dropped it
know I got it
locked in
shorty beggin me to stay
know I always get my way
kill shot
bitch you dead
mad I left her
on read
mad I caught you lackin
focus, keep my shit stackin
cuz she toxic
love it when I talk shit
doesn't like a leash
so I keep her in my pocket
loves it when I tell her no
so I keep her on the low
beggin me to stay
while I make my getaway
cuz I rock shit
bitch you toxic
I'm boutta pop shit
watch it
Ima cock shit
you fuckin lost it
I ainu0027t got time
for this shit
not tryna play
you already had your chance
I made my getaway
cuz I rock shit
bitch you toxic
I'm boutta pop shit
watch it
Ima cock shit
you fuckin lost it
I ainu0027t got time
for this shit
not tryna play
you already had your chance
I made my getaway
The song "Getaway" by KRS-One tells the story of someone who made the decision to leave a toxic relationship, but is being constantly pursued by their ex-partner. The song conveys a sense of frustration and exasperation towards the persistence of the ex-partner in trying to get back together. The lyrics suggest that the singer has had enough of the games and manipulation, and feels empowered by their decision to leave. The repetition of the phrase "I made my getaway" emphasizes the finality of the decision and the singer's determination to move on.
The lyrics are also peppered with references to technology, highlighting the way that modern-day communication tools can both enable and hinder the process of breaking free from a relationship. The singer mentions blocking the ex-partner's number, getting a new phone, and leaving messages "on read" - all strategies for disengaging from someone who won't take no for an answer.
Overall, the song is a powerful statement about the importance of recognizing and leaving toxic relationships, and the challenges that can come with trying to move on.
Line by Line Meaning
been months since I dipped
It has been several months since I left and went away
and made my getaway
and left everything behind to start over
but I remember it all
however, I still remember everything vividly
like it was yesterday
as if it happened just recently
see your text and feel sick
When I see your message, it makes me feel nauseous
that shit cut like a knife
Your words hurt me so bad that it feels like a sharp knife wound
I canu0027t believe that you tryna
I cannot fathom how you would want to
get back into my life
come back and be a part of my life again
baby why the fuck
Why do you think it's a good idea
can you not leave me alone
to keep pursuing me and not give me space
I swear I blocked your number
I am telling you the truth that I blocked your calls and messages
seven times I need a new phone
I've blocked your number seven times, and I may have to replace my phone to keep doing so
you just wanna use me
You only want to take advantage of me
but you're just outta luck
However, you're out of luck
gunna have to find somebody else
You need to look for someone else to use
I dont give a fuck
I do not care
cuz I rock shit
I am confident and accomplished in my endeavors
bitch you toxic
You are harmful and detrimental to my well-being
I'm boutta pop shit
I am about to talk smack or brag
watch it
Pay attention
Ima cock shit
I am going to act in a bold and confident manner
you fuckin lost it
You have completely lost your mind
I ainu0027t got time
I do not have the time or energy
for this shit
To deal with this nonsense
not tryna play
I am not interested in playing games
you already had your chance
You've already had an opportunity
I made my getaway
I already made my escape
too late
It is now too late
I got nothin to say
I have nothing to say to you
hopped right inside the whip
I got inside the car
made my getaway
And left the area
I'm out
I am leaving
you dunno where to find me
You do not know my whereabouts
Iu0027m just happy that I
I am only glad that I
finally left you behind me
Can finally move on from you
speedin off
Driving away quickly
like a jet ski
As fast as riding a personal watercraft
hoping this time
Wishing that this time
you forget me
You forget all about me
I have my doubts
However, I am skeptical
cuz I know I be
Because I already know that
livin rent free
You cannot get me out of your mind
in your head
I am still occupying your thoughts
when heu0027s in your bed
Even when you're with another person
how many times I
How many times do I need to
gotta leave your shit on read ?
Ignore your messages?
popped it
I said it with confidence
dropped it
I brought it up in conversation
know I got it
I am aware that I have it
locked in
I have a secure hold on the situation
shorty beggin me to stay
You are pleading with me to come back
know I always get my way
Understanding that I always come out on top
kill shot
I am about to end this
bitch you dead
You are done, finished, out of the picture
mad I left her
Unhappy that I ignored your messages
on read
I read your messages but do not respond
mad I caught you lackin
Angry that you were caught off guard or in a vulnerable position
focus, keep my shit stackin
I am focused on my own goals and interests
cuz she toxic
Because you are harmful to me
love it when I talk shit
You enjoy when I use vulgar language or speak rudely
doesn't like a leash
You do not like being tied down or controlled
so I keep her in my pocket
Therefore, I will keep you close by to exert my power over you
loves it when I tell her no
You get a thrill out of being told no or denied
so I keep her on the low
Thus, I keep our relationship hidden from others
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind