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..."
Intro: You Know What's Up!
KRS-One Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yo, yo, you know what's up!
Turn this up right now
Ha ha, HA! Like that y'all, YOU DON'T STOP!
It's the D.I.G.I.T.A.L.
It's the KRS-One with the D.I.G.I.T.A.L.
Yo you know what's up with that
[Verse: KRS-One]
Follow me de massive, follow me de massive
Follow me de crew, follow me crew
KRS-One, BDP, comin through
Money B, Shock G, Humpty, Truck Turner
KRS-One the teacher, you the learner!
Big Pun havin fun, with Biz Markie
Down with DJ, J.C. you see
In New York City all the way to Compton
We rockin like dis cause you know we stompin
Mystic, you know you got the lyric
When everybody come out, you got to hear it
Digital Underground, with the metaphysical thundersound
KRS from the Boogie Down like that y'all
You don't quit, KEEP ON!
[KRS-One]
Wadda-by-by-bye, wada-by-by, ba-by-by, ba-by-by, ba-bye
KRS come down, WATCH DIS!!
In KRS-One's song Intro: You Know What's Up!, he starts off with a chant - "You know what's up!" and then introduces himself as "the D.I.G.I.T.A.L." The intro invokes a sense of excitement and energy, which is supplemented by the subsequent lines of the verse that introduces the other members of the crew that is coming through - BDP, Money B, Shock G, Humpty, Truck Turner, Big Pun, Biz Markie, DJ J.C., and Mystic. He asserts himself as the teacher and the learners are those who are listening to him. The song calls out to everyone to keep up with the rhythm and keep going strong.
Throughout the song, KRS-One provides listeners with glimpses of the various rappers and musical artists from different cities and their styles. The lyrics also reflect on the influence of African-American music on culture and society. The song highlights the importance of music as a binding force that connects people in different regions, and its power to bring people together.
Overall, the song's main message is about unity and celebrating the diverse and versatile nature of music. KRS-One reinforces that the music transcends boundaries and can connect people in all aspects of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, yo, you know what's up!
Hello everyone, you all know what's happening and what the current state of affairs is!
Turn this up right now
Increase the volume of this music immediately.
Ha ha, HA! Like that y'all, YOU DON'T STOP!
That was funny and exciting, just like this music! Keep the energy and momentum going.
It's the D.I.G.I.T.A.L.
This is the digital age, where the power of technology and information is at our fingertips.
It's the KRS-One with the D.I.G.I.T.A.L.
This is KRS-One, the teacher and leader of the hip-hop industry, using the power of digital technology to create his music.
Yo you know what's up with that
You already know what's happening and what to expect from KRS-One's music.
We bout to set it on you, ha ha, HA HA, HA HA!
Get ready for an unforgettable musical experience!
Follow me de massive, follow me de massive
Listen to my music and follow me, my fans and supporters.
Follow me de crew, follow me crew
Follow the artists and musicians that I represent and work with.
KRS-One, BDP, comin through
I am KRS-One, the face and leader of the hip-hop group BDP, and we are about to make our presence known.
Money B, Shock G, Humpty, Truck Turner
These are the names of some of the talented musicians and artists that I work with and collaborate with.
KRS-One the teacher, you the learner!
I am a teacher of the hip-hop culture and industry, and you are a student of it. Learn from me and the music I create.
Big Pun havin fun, with Biz Markie
These musicians, Big Pun and Biz Markie, are having fun and enjoying their musical talents.
Down with DJ, J.C. you see
I support and work with these DJs, specifically DJ J.C.
In New York City all they way to Compton
My music and influence can be heard and felt from New York City to Compton, California.
We rockin like dis cause you know we stompin
The rhythm and beats of our music are powerful and intense, and we're making an impact in the industry.
Mystic, you know you got the lyric
The musician Mystic is talented and skilled in crafting lyrics for his music.
When everybody come out, you got to hear it
When everyone is listening and paying attention, you need to hear the music that's being created.
Digital Underground, with the metaphysical thundersound
Digital Underground is a group of musicians who use technology to create their music, and it has a spiritually powerful impact.
KRS from the Boogie Down like that y'all
I'm from the Boogie Down Bronx in New York City, and my music reflects that origin and style.
You don't quit, KEEP ON!
Don't give up, continue working and creating in the hip-hop industry.
Wadda-by-by-bye, wada-by-by, ba-by-by, ba-by-by, ba-bye
Nonsensical sounds and words used to create a musical effect.
KRS come down, WATCH DIS!!
KRS-One is performing and putting on a show, so watch closely and be entertained.
Contributed by Victoria Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Semir D
Preemo could drop these for the rest of his life, his whole catalogue is classic. If you have this man behind you, you're official. Even Group Home, which weren't the best MC's honestly had bangers thanks to Preemo.
Unesu Mhoya
Gangstarr , Group home & Jeru got the best beats
Dan Dada
You ain't lying
808MixMaster
Group home was sick dude don't even put disrespect on they name
Duane M
WORD!
Mo Money
Faxx
Seven Sixty One
Premier giving us these looks into his floppy disk collection is only whetting our appetites for a beat making series. Come on Premo pass that knowledge down OG!
si lewis
@Seven Sixty One I don't make beats bro I'm just a good music fiend. Especially with new people who know their shit. One love 👊🏾
Seven Sixty One
@si lewis Currently there’s nowhere to hear them because I work so much I hardly have time to even make them! But my schedule should be way better starting in January so I’m gonna make a YouTube channel and put some beats up. What about you?
v12alpine
@Carbine64 Pete Rock and J Dilla does that ALOT.