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..."
I Got Next/Neva Hadda Gun
KRS-One Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I rock so eloquently
Put the beat on and let me
Kill another whack emcee
Can't trust them, never test me
I practice and study
But I'm not in it for the money
But to me they look so funny
The teacher won't reach intact
Through the speaker you're weaker, now sit your ass in the back
My lyrical you hear it, you fear it, you can't get near it
Cause the spirit eat Eric
And Eric your rhymes is whack
Like that, that, right back
Check it out!
Check it like this
Just skills You know you gots to build just skills
You know you gots to build just skills, uh come on get down
Just skills You know we got to build just skills, come on get down
Yeah, uh come on
I got that rip track, flip that, underground rap
When I kick back
Most of what I'm hearin' be weak
So I speak through beats and the streets as I teach
I impeach, through speech, each lyric leech I reach
Have a seat in the lecture
Nothin' can protect you
Hard is the texture
Of the mic wreckin' rock in your sector
Better than ever remember I am no beginner
I like to shout out Eric Skinner
Just skills, you know we gots to build just skills, come on a get down
Just skills, you know we gots to build just skills, come on a get down
Yo, we livin in a world of private jets and limousine
The fruit we eatin' as we prepare tangerine to nectarine
See everybody livin' in the same routine
We need the telephone, and yes, we need the fax machine
You listen to the sound, well I think you know it's me
Now, let me educate you with my conscious poetry
Me want, me want, me want, me want, me want no whack rap
Me want, me want, me want, me want, me want no whack rap
Me love, me love, me love, me love, me love it when it's bad
See if you whack rap you ought be steppin' out the back
See emcees on the microphone forgettin' that they black
See hear them kick the lyrics that are holdin' people back
But when you hear the teacher, KRS will find the track
You bound to see the light, and you don't want return back
So listen very closely to the secret scientist
I'm sending this one out to all my inner city kids
Now you supposed to be apostle what you have inside your head
Can make you more reliable, it can make you feel dead
Now listen very closely to the way I say this rhyme
It's the thing called the brain, and the thing called the mind
But I'm outta time
[Chorus]
Can I tell them that I really never had a gun?
No, you can't cause now you bouts to get done!
Can I tell them that I really never had a gun
Never had a gun, never had a gun?
Can I tell them that I really never had a gun?
No, you can't cause now you bouts to get done!
Can I tell them that I really never had a gun
Never had a gun, never had a gun?
On the block you just yap a whole lot
About the clothes that you got
Yo, or the gold that you got
Everybody sees all the friends in your Benz, yo, it's fat
But they ain't gettin money like that
Word to my brother Kenny, jealous one envy
The rich are few, while the poor, many
But you got gold cuffs and cars and stuff
You eatin well, but still in the ghetto you dwell
You know it's hot, so you make it known about your glock
To any perpetrator tryin to blow up your spot
You grab the microphone and talk a good ramble
You the hardcore outlaw, criminal, vandal
Burnin emcees like a candle, but you frontin
You ain't got nothin, with your life you gamble
One day you gamble up snake eyes
Talkin all that junk about you don't take dives, you take lives
Nobody on the block tries, cause you claim you got powerful ties
So at the red light you arrive
And to your surprise you get heffed up with just two steak knives
You're terrified, they take your Benz, and what makes things worse
You ain't got gun the first
[Chorus]
In KRS-One's song "I Got Next," he boasts about his skills as a rapper and his ability to teach and inspire through his music. He proudly proclaims that he is not in it for the money, but rather to educate and enlighten his listeners. He also confidently declares that he is an authority in his field and that no one can test him or his skills. He uses clever wordplay and metaphors to show his mastery over his craft, making it clear that he is a force to be reckoned with.
KRS-One's lyrics in this song are filled with social commentary and criticism of the materialistic nature of society. He highlights the obsession with wealth and status, especially among those living in poverty, and emphasizes the importance of education and self-improvement. He uses storytelling to illustrate the consequences of glorifying violence and criminal activity, ultimately urging his audience to strive for a better life.
Overall, "I Got Next" is a powerful and thought-provoking song that showcases KRS-One's skills as a rapper, as well as his commitment to using his platform to speak truth to power and inspire change.
Line by Line Meaning
It's meant to be evidently
It's obvious that I'm a skilled rapper
When I rock so eloquently
My rapping style is impressive and poetic
Put the beat on and let me
Give me a beat and I'll show you my skills
Kill another whack emcee
I'll easily defeat any terrible rappers
Can't trust them, never test me
Don't challenge me, I'm trustworthy and skilled
I practice and study
I work hard to improve my craft
But I'm not in it for the money
My passion for rapping goes beyond financial gain
But to me they look so funny
Other rappers seem foolish compared to me
You can't test the teacher
Don't challenge me, I'm an expert in rapping
The teacher won't reach intact
Through the artist, my teachings will be powerful
Through the speaker you're weaker, now sit your ass in the back
My powerful rhymes make you feel weak, so listen up
My lyrical you hear it, you fear it, you can't get near it
My lyrics are so good that you can't come close to matching them
Cause the spirit eat Eric
My talent is so great that other rappers can't compare, even Eric's rhymes are weak
And Eric your rhymes is whack
Even Eric, a non-existent person, is a bad rapper compared to me
Just skills You know you gots to build just skills
To be a good rapper, you must work hard and build your skills
Yeah, uh come on
I'm getting pumped up for my next lines
I got that rip track, flip that, underground rap
I'm an underground rapper with a unique style
When I kick back
When I relax and rap, it's still better than most rappers' best efforts
Most of what I'm hearin' be weak
Most rappers today are not very good
So I speak through beats and the streets as I teach
My rapping is a form of teaching that comes from the streets
I impeach, through speech, each lyric leech I reach
I destroy bad rappers with my powerful lyrics
Have a seat in the lecture
Listen closely, because I'm about to drop some knowledge
Nothin' can protect you
Even the best rappers can't defend against my rhymes
Hard is the texture
My rhymes are strong and intense
Of the mic wreckin' rock in your sector
My rapping will shake up the entire area
Better than ever remember I am no beginner
I'm an experienced rapper who's better than ever
Just skills, you know we gots to build just skills, come on a get down
To be a successful rapper, you must focus on improving your skills
Yo, we livin in a world of private jets and limousine
We live in a world where the rich are extravagant and flashy
The fruit we eatin' as we prepare tangerine to nectarine
Even our food is overly fancy
See everybody livin' in the same routine
Despite the differences in wealth, most people lead similar lives
We need the telephone, and yes, we need the fax machine
Even our basic needs involve complex technology
You listen to the sound, well I think you know it's me
When you hear great rapping, you know it's me
Now, let me educate you with my conscious poetry
I'm going to teach you something with my thoughtful, meaningful lyrics
Me want, me want, me want, me want, me want no whack rap
I don't want to listen to bad rapping
Me love, me love, me love, me love, me love it when it's bad
But I do enjoy making fun of terrible rappers
See if you whack rap you ought be steppin' out the back
If you're a bad rapper, don't even try to compete with me
See emcees on the microphone forgettin' that they black
Some rappers forget their racial identity and culture
See hear them kick the lyrics that are holdin' people back
Some rappers reinforce negative stereotypes and prevent progress
But when you hear the teacher, KRS will find the track
My raps will always be better than the competition
You bound to see the light, and you don't want return back
Once you hear my music, you'll realize its brilliance and disregard lesser rappers
So listen very closely to the secret scientist
Pay attention to my wise and profound lyrics
I'm sending this one out to all my inner city kids
I want to inspire and reach out to marginalized youth
Now you supposed to be apostle what you have inside your head
You should share your unique perspective and strengths with the world
Can make you more reliable, it can make you feel dead
Your talents can either empower you or hold you back
Now listen very closely to the way I say this rhyme
Pay attention to my rhymes and what they mean
It's the thing called the brain, and the thing called the mind
The brain and the mind are powerful tools for success
On the block you just yap a whole lot
Other rappers talk a lot but don't follow through
About the clothes that you got
They brag about their material possessions
Yo, or the gold that you got
Or their jewelry and riches
Everybody sees all the friends in your Benz, yo, it's fat
People notice that they have a lot of friends and wealth
But they ain't gettin money like that
But they're not actually as wealthy as they seem
Word to my brother Kenny, jealous one envy
People are often envious of others' belongings
The rich are few, while the poor, many
There are more poor people than wealthy people
But you got gold cuffs and cars and stuff
Even though you have wealth, it doesn't mean you're happy
You eatin well, but still in the ghetto you dwell
Money can't solve all your problems, and you're still living in poverty
You know it's hot, so you make it known about your glock
You feel unsafe and use a gun to protect yourself
To any perpetrator tryin to blow up your spot
You'll use your gun against anyone who tries to harm you
You grab the microphone and talk a good ramble
You try to prove yourself as a tough rapper
You the hardcore outlaw, criminal, vandal
You try to portray yourself as a dangerous criminal
Burnin emcees like a candle, but you frontin
You claim to be a great rapper, but it's all an act
You ain't got nothin, with your life you gamble
You don't actually have anything to back up your tough talk
One day you gamble up snake eyes
Eventually you'll lose your bet and face consequences
Talkin all that junk about you don't take dives, you take lives
You claim to be fearless and violent
Nobody on the block tries, cause you claim you got powerful ties
People are scared to challenge you because of who you claim to know
So at the red light you arrive
At a stoplight you're confronted by your adversaries
And to your surprise you get heffed up with just two steak knives
You're surprised when you're attacked with just knives instead of a gun
You're terrified, they take your Benz, and what makes things worse
You feel afraid and helpless as your car is stolen
You ain't got gun the first
You never had a gun in the first place, despite your tough talk
Can I tell them that I really never had a gun?
Can I admit that I was never actually a tough criminal?
No, you can't cause now you bouts to get done!
No, because now you're in trouble for your fake persona
Can I tell them that I really never had a gun
Can I be honest about my lack of criminal activity?
Never had a gun, never had a gun?
I've never actually owned or used a gun, despite my fake persona
Can I tell them that I really never had a gun?
Can I come clean about my lies?
No, you can't cause now you bouts to get done!
No, because now you'll face consequences for your lies
Can I tell them that I really never had a gun
Can I finally admit to the truth and face the consequences?
Never had a gun, never had a gun?
Despite my persona, I've never owned or used a gun
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CARLTON DOUGLAS RIDENHOUR, ERIC T. SADLER, GEORGE JR. CLINTON, JAMES HENRY BOXLEY III, LAWRENCE KRSONE PARKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind