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..."
My People
KRS-One Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don’t mean you under the five
A severe brainstorm I came
Through the thunder alive
They wonder how I’ve been
Torn asunder survive
My flow wild hunters proof it would
Be a blunder to drive
As if I am kitt
Mr parker murdering other artists on these
Tracks as if he spit
My swagger force me to style as if I’m lit
I mean you seen Yusef glow
Ever since that UFO let Yusef go
Well as it were I glide when I stride
As if I had been adopted
And raised by Pagasus i’m such a fly breed
The hood cop my music before they buy weed
They love when I get open with
A mic cuz I bleed
In these lyrics, KRS-One is addressing his critics who believe they are superior or more skilled than him. He asserts that just because they may have been overlooked or left behind in the music industry, it doesn't mean they are above his level of talent and knowledge. He confidently compares himself to a severe brainstorm, symbolizing his powerful and unique ideas that have propelled him forward despite challenges. The phrase "through the thunder alive" suggests that he has faced and overcome obstacles, which has only increased his resilience and determination.
People may wonder how he has managed to stay intact and succeed despite being torn apart by adversity. The line "My flow wild hunters proof it would be a blunder to drive" illustrates how his clever and undeniable skills as an MC are like a protective armor or shield, guiding him through life. He then likens his journey to being on automatic pilot, suggesting that his actions and success come naturally and effortlessly, similar to a car driving itself.
KRS-One continues to claim his greatness by comparing himself to Kitt, the famous talking car from the TV show Knight Rider. He asserts that like Kitt, he is unstoppable and able to navigate any situation with ease. Furthermore, he mentions "Mr. Parker" (a reference to himself), stating that he is annihilating other artists on tracks, as if he's spitting fire with his lyrics. This showcases his confidence and ability to outshine his competition.
His swagger, or confident demeanor, compels him to perform with a level of style and energy that makes him appear as if he's on fire. He then mentions Yusef, possibly referring to the renowned jazz musician Yusef Lateef. KRS-One suggests that he possesses a similar glowing aura since being influenced or inspired by an unidentified UFO encounter. This implies that he has been granted otherworldly talents and abilities.
Throughout the lyrics, KRS-One highlights his ability to stand out and captivate his audience, particularly the hood or urban community. He mentions how his music is embraced by the streets even before people buy weed, emphasizing the deep connection and appreciation his fans have for his artistry. The concluding line suggests that his performances on the microphone are so raw and passionate that he metaphorically bleeds, implying that he pours his heart and soul into his music, earning the admiration and loyalty of his listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
Just because you cats be getting left
Even though you may feel ignored or left behind
Don’t mean you under the five
Doesn't mean you lack talent or skill
A severe brainstorm I came
I had a powerful burst of creativity
Through the thunder alive
I emerged strong and thriving despite challenges
They wonder how I’ve been
People are curious about my well-being
Torn asunder survive
Surviving despite being torn apart or facing difficulties
My flow wild hunters proof it would
My rap style is undeniable and powerful
Be a blunder to drive
It would be a mistake to underestimate me
While all night automatic pilot I ride
I effortlessly navigate through life like on autopilot
As if I am kitt
I move smoothly and cool like a cat
Mr parker murdering other artists on these
I dominate and outshine other artists on these tracks
Tracks as if he spit
Performing with such skill as if I spit fire
My swagger force me to style as if I’m lit
My confidence drives me to perform at my best
I mean you seen Yusef glow
You witnessed Yusef's brilliance
Ever since that UFO let Yusef go
Since Yusef's encounter with a UFO, he has transformed
Well as it were I glide when I stride
I move gracefully and effortlessly
As if I had been adopted
As if I had been taken in and raised
And raised by Pagasus i’m such a fly breed
Raised by Pegasus, I possess a unique and outstanding nature
The hood cop my music before they buy weed
People in the neighborhood appreciate and support my music
They love when I get open with
They admire and enjoy my passionate performances
A mic cuz I bleed
Because my artistic expression comes from within
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Daniel J.
man why hasnt this got more views? krs ones killing it i remember my dad giving me his tapes when i was a kid, all the stuff he had dubbed. peace from australia
Felipe
Daniel J. Still listening in 2017. Haven't heard this in years and happy I found it.. Dope
Darren Perkins
I feel blessed to hear KRSONE the Goat!! I don't want to hear what the world listen too, I want to hear what my spirit feels good to listen too!
Kile Dash
I am listening to the greatest Hip-Hop artist that ever was this is too amazing for words wow
fr00bers
wow this shit is so much better than anything on the radio ...
AbbottSupreme
DOPENESS!!!.... Much Respect dalandizzle!!....
mrkingssizesnicker
The GreatestMC Of All Time!
Felipe
mrkingssizesnicker still bumping this in 2017
whatudoin1
Windows XP lines are hilarious
Krs is the illest!
Rizzo
Krs one one of the greatest