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..."
Heartbeat
KRS-One Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you don't move back we're gonna turn this music off
and that's my word, move back!
Word is bond let's get this shit goin
Word up, it's the Funk Doc in the house
say hell yeah! HELL YEAH!
Say fuck yeah! FUCK YEAH!
Word up, it's the Funk Doc Spock you don't stop
It's the girl Angie you don't stop
With the hah haha ha haha hah!!
It's the Butter Pecan Rican speakin deletin
other radio jocks that think they competin
they pre-sweetened, like candy, I'm hot like pepper
Big up to Sandy but my name is Angie
Martinez, what a true microphone fiend is
Steppin up lovely with MY, AD-IDAS
through your speakers, representin
boriquas, and all hip-hop rhyme seekers
You may think I'm crazy right, but I'm crazy hype
Slay this nice y'all, everytime Angie grab the mic
I jams it right tonight, not the hardest
But peep the style of this Puerto Rican Goddess
Aiyyo yo yo yo, stop the music!
Aiyyo back up off the ropes, man, word up!
Yo get from the off the ropes
Now aiyyo yo yo, KRS-One, come again the selector!
It's been a long time but we made it, you waited
You gettin frustrated cause these MC's in trainin
Skills on the mic for a royalty save it
Pullin down rap so that others can't make it
They can't fake it in front of KRS they naked
That same old MC trend I'm here to break it
The highly conceptional multidirectional
Hot in ninety-seven so I guess I'm flexible
Rap relieve stress so yes I guess it's medical
All your wrecking and raping is still theoretical
Redman, you know you must understand (Whatup?)
Redman, you know you gots to understand (Hah! Whatup love?)
Angie, rockin with the one BDP (Ha, haha)
Representin right now at Hit Factory
One two hah, and you don't quit
It's Kris and Angie with the ultimate
One two hah, and you don't quack
It's Funk Doc smoke weed and don't smoke crack
Hahaha, hah, and you don't quit
Hoohahhahah, and you don't quit
I rock jams like, Samsonites with mics
Stage two boomin system and flood the lights
The lyrical, fo'-fo's lettin off like suppose
Reggie Reg is rockin on the ra-dioooo!
Hahh, huh, the oooh-child too chill
Caps peeled, Someone In My Bed like Dru Hill
Raise em up, cause I feel my spot can't be touched
No time for the Pauline jack, hit the clutch
Shotgun what?? It's the high exalted
Ruler of the buddha, the cash make my pockets
stick out like a tumor, for the consumers
I get busy with La Pluma, detonate the bomb
to make you hibernate sooner, certified luna-tic
My click run deeper than Charlie Tuna
Kahunas, raw for the able key movers
all over the hood like them Crooked I coolers
Bang maneuvers, from Jerz to Vancouver
Back to the Bronx with heartbeats ample looped up
I Blastmast like Kris, funk abyss
like a phone chauvenist with a Roley on the wrist
Sike! I can afford it, less I slaughtered
three platinum niggaz and none of em prerecorded
KRS-One need to be runnin for office
So Butter Pecan Rican, tell them to get off his
The lyrics of KRS-One's song "Heartbeat" are filled with references to various aspects of hip-hop culture. The opening lines of the song urge the crowd to move back from the ropes, indicating that a live performance is about to take place. There is a sense of urgency as the MC demands that the audience "move back" or risk having the music turned off. The rest of the song is a celebration of hip-hop, with references to MCs, radio DJs, and sneakers. The lyrics also contain references to Puerto Rican identity and culture - the use of the term "Boriquas" is a nod to the Puerto Rican community. The song is a testament to the power of hip-hop as a cultural force and a means of self-expression.
One interesting fact about "Heartbeat" is that it features Redman, a popular rapper from New Jersey. Redman's distinctive voice can be heard in the background of the song, providing ad-libs and adding to the overall energy of the track. Another interesting fact is that the song was produced by Tony D, who is known for his work with other East Coast rap artists such as Poor Righteous Teachers and YZ. "Heartbeat" was included on KRS-One's 1997 album "I Got Next," which received critical acclaim for its socially conscious lyrics and innovative production. The song was also released as a single in 1997 and received airplay on both college and mainstream radio stations.
Line by Line Meaning
Alright everybody move back from the ropes
The crowd needs to move back from the ropes or else the music will stop.
If you don't move back we're gonna turn this music off
The music will stop if the crowd doesn't move back.
and that's my word, move back!
Move back, or else the music will stop.
Word is bond let's get this shit goin
Let's start this show!
Word up, it's the Funk Doc in the house
The Funk Doctor is here.
say hell yeah! HELL YEAH!
Express excitement with a 'hell yeah'!
Say fuck yeah! FUCK YEAH!
Express excitement with a 'fuck yeah'!
It's my man KRS you don't stop
KRS-One is here, and the show won't stop.
It's the girl Angie you don't stop
Angie Martinez is here, and the show won't stop.
With the hah haha ha haha hah!!
Let's all laugh and have a good time!
It's the Butter Pecan Rican speakin deletin
The Puerto Rican speaker is here to delete other radio jocks.
other radio jocks that think they competin
Radio jocks that think they're competing.
they pre-sweetened, like candy, I'm hot like pepper
Other radio jocks are too sweet, while the Puerto Rican speaker is spicy.
Big up to Sandy but my name is Angie
Shoutout to Sandy, but the singer's name is Angie Martinez.
Martinez, what a true microphone fiend is
Angie Martinez is a true expert on the microphone.
Steppin up lovely with MY, AD-IDAS
Stepping up in style with her ADIDAS.
through your speakers, representin
Representing through the artists.
boriquas, and all hip-hop rhyme seekers
Representing Puerto Ricans and all hip-hop fans.
You may think I'm crazy right, but I'm crazy hype
The singer is very excited, but not crazy.
Slay this nice y'all, everytime Angie grab the mic
Angie always slays on the microphone.
I jams it right tonight, not the hardest
The artist is performing well but not at their hardest.
But peep the style of this Puerto Rican Goddess
The audience should admire the style of this Puerto Rican goddess.
Aiyyo yo yo yo, stop the music!
Stop the music!
Aiyyo back up off the ropes, man, word up!
Step back from the ropes, man!
Yo get from the off the ropes
The crowd needs to move away from the ropes.
Now aiyyo yo yo, KRS-One, come again the selector!
KRS-One is back to play more music.
It's been a long time but we made it, you waited
It's been a while, but they made it and the audience waited.
You gettin frustrated cause these MC's in trainin
The audience may be frustrated because the MCs are still in training.
Skills on the mic for a royalty save it
The MCs need to save their mic skills for royalty.
Pullin down rap so that others can't make it
Don't pull down rap so that others can't make it.
They can't fake it in front of KRS they naked
The MCs can't fake it in front of KRS-One.
That same old MC trend I'm here to break it
KRS-One wants to break the trend among MCs.
The highly conceptional multidirectional
The artist is multidirectional and highly conceptual.
Hot in ninety-seven so I guess I'm flexible
The artist is keeping up with the times.
Rap relieve stress so yes I guess it's medical
Rap may have medical benefits as it relieves stress.
All your wrecking and raping is still theoretical
Wrecking and rapping may remain theoretical for some.
Redman, you know you must understand (Whatup?)
Redman should understand what's happening.
Redman, you know you gots to understand (Hah! Whatup love?)
Redman needs to understand the situation.
Angie, rockin with the one BDP (Ha, haha)
Angie Martinez is rocking with BDP.
Representin right now at Hit Factory
Representing at the Hit Factory.
One two hah, and you don't quit
Keep going and don't stop.
It's Kris and Angie with the ultimate
It's Kris-One and Angie Martinez at their peak.
One two hah, and you don't quack
Keep going and don't slow down.
It's Funk Doc smoke weed and don't smoke crack
The Funk Doctor would rather smoke weed than smoke crack.
I rock jams like, Samsonites with mics
The artist rocks jams with a microphone like Samsonites.
Stage two boomin system and flood the lights
The artist uses a boomin system to rock the stage.
The lyrical, fo'-fo's lettin off like suppose
The lyrical skills are firing off like they're supposed to.
Reggie Reg is rockin on the ra-dioooo!
Reggie Reg is rocking the radio!
Hahh, huh, the oooh-child too chill
The audience is feeling too chill.
Caps peeled, Someone In My Bed like Dru Hill
Someone is trying to get in my bed like Dru Hill.
Raise em up, cause I feel my spot can't be touched
Raise them up because the singer's spot can't be touched.
No time for the Pauline jack, hit the clutch
No time to waste, it's time to perform.
Shotgun what?? It's the high exalted
What is the shotgun referring to? The artist is the high exalted.
Ruler of the buddha, the cash make my pockets
The singer is the ruler of the Buddha, and cash fills their pockets.
stick out like a tumor, for the consumers
Cash sticks out like a tumor for consumers.
I get busy with La Pluma, detonate the bomb
The artist gets busy with their pen and detonates the bomb.
to make you hibernate sooner, certified luna-tic
The artist may make you hibernate soon and is a certified lunatic.
My click run deeper than Charlie Tuna
The artist's click runs deeper than Charlie Tuna.
Kahunas, raw for the able key movers
The singer is raw and able to move keys.
all over the hood like them Crooked I coolers
All over the hood like the coolers for Crooked I.
Bang maneuvers, from Jerz to Vancouver
Making big bang maneuvers from New Jersey to Vancouver.
Back to the Bronx with heartbeats ample looped up
Back to the Bronx with the heartbeats ample and looped.
I Blastmast like Kris, funk abyss
The singer is like Kris-One and blasts music like a funk abyss.
like a phone chauvenist with a Roley on the wrist
Like a chauvinist with a Rolex on the wrist.
Sike! I can afford it, less I slaughtered
Just kidding, the artist can afford a Rolex without slaughtering anyone.
three platinum niggaz and none of em prerecorded
Three platinum artists and none of them are prerecorded.
KRS-One need to be runnin for office
KRS-One should run for office.
So Butter Pecan Rican, tell them to get off his
Butter Pecan Rican, tell them to get off his.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: B. ROBINSON, K. KEATON, L. HILL, LAWRENCE PARKER, M. DEWESE, REGGIE NOBLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind