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 Philosophy
KRS-One Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What where why or when
Will all be explained
Why destruction is a game
See I'm not insane
In fact I'm kind of rational
When I be asking
Yo who is more dramatical
The white one or the black one
Pick the punk
And I'll jump up to attack one
KRS One is just the guy to lead a crew
Right up to your face and dis you
Everyone saw me on the last album cover
Holding a pistol
Something far from a lover
Beside my brother
S-see-O-T
I just laughed
'Cause no one can defeat me
This selection number two
Is "My Philosophy"
Number one
Was "Poetry"
You know it's me
It's my philosophy
Many artists got to learn
I'm not flammable
I don't burn
So please stop burnin'
And learn to earn respect
'Cause that's just what
KR collects
See, what do you expect
When you rhyme like a soft punk
You walk down the street and get jumped
You got to have style
And learn to be original
And everybody's gonna want to dis you
Like me
We stood up for the South Bronx
And every sucka MC
Had a response
You think we care?
I know that they are on the tip
My posse from the Bronx is thick
And we're real live
We walk correctly
A lot of suckas would like to forget me
But they can't
'Cause like a champ
I have got a record
Of knocking out the frauds in a second
On the mic
I believe that you should get loose
I haven't come to tell you I have juice
I just produce, create, innovate on a higher level
I'll be back
But for now just seckle
I'll play the nine
And you play the target
You all know my name so I guess I'll just start it
Or should I say, "Start this"
I am an artist
Of new concepts at their hardest
Yo, cause I'm a teacher
And Scot is a scholar
It ain't about money
Cause we all make dollars
That's why
I walk with my head up
When I hear wack rhymes
I get fed up
Rap is like a set-up
A lot of games
A lot of suckas with colorful names
I'm so-and-so
I'm this
I'm that
Huh, but they all just wick-wick-wack
I'm not white or red or black
I'm brown
From the Boogie Down
Productions
Of course
Our music be thumpin'
Others say their bad
But they're buggin
Let me tell you somethin' now
About hip hop
About D-Nice, Melodie,
And Scot La Rock
I'll get a pen, a pencil, a marker
Mainly what I write is for the average New Yorker
Some mc's be talkin' and talkin'
Tryin' to show how black people are walkin
But I don't walk this way to portray
Or reinforce
Stereotypes of today
Like all my brothas
Eatin' chicken and watermelon
Talk broken english and drug sellin'
See I'm tellin'
And teaching real facts
Now when some act in rap
Is kind of wack
And it lacks
Creativity and intelligence
But they don't care
'Cause the company is sellin' it
It's my philosophy
On the industry
Don't bother dissin' me
Or even wish that we'd
Soften, dilute,
Or commercialize all our lyrics
'Cause it's about time
One of y'all hear it
First-hand
From the intelligent
Brown man
A vegetarian
No goat or ham
Or chicken or turkey or hamburger
'Cause to me that's suicide
Self-murder
Let us get back to what we call hip hop
And what it meant to DJ Scot La Rock
How many Mc's must get dissed
Before somebody says, "Don't fuck with Kris!"
This is just one style
Out of many
Like a piggy bank
This is one penny
My brother's name is Kenny
Kenny Parker
My other brother I.C.U.
Is much darker
Boogie Down Productions
Is made up of teachers
The lecture is conducted
From the mic into the speaker
Who gets weaker?
The king or the teacher
It's not about a salary
It's all about reality
Teachers teach and do the world good
Kings just rule
And most are never understood
If you were to rule
Over a certain industry
Fuck right now
Would be in misery
No one would get along
Nor sing a song
'Cause everyone'd be singing for the king
Am I wrong?!
So yo, what's up
It's me again
Scot La Rock,
KRS, BDP again
Many people had the nerve to think we would end the trend
We're criminal minded
And only tend
Funky, funky, funky, funky, funky hit records
No more than four minutes
And some seconds
The competition checks and checks
And keeps checkin'
They get the album
Take it home
And start sweatin'
Why? well it's simple
To them it's kind of vital
To take KRS-One's title
To them I'm like an idol
Some type of entity
In everybody's rhyme
They want to mention me?
Or rather mention us
Me or Scot La Rock
But they can get bust
Get robbed, get dropped
I don't play around
Nor do I fuck around
And you can tell by the bodies that are left around
When some clown jumps up to get beat down
Broken down to his very last compound
See how it sound?
A little unrational
A lot of MC's like to use the word
Dramatical!
Fresh for '88
You suckas
In KRS-One's song My Philosophy, he uses his lyrics to explain his beliefs on the state of the music industry and the art of hip hop. He begins by asking rhetorical questions such as "what where why or when, will all be explained?" and "why destruction is a game?" He then goes on to argue that he is not insane, but rather rational when he critiques the dramatics of other artists in the industry. He emphasizes that he is the one to lead a crew, and is not afraid to dis anyone who attacks him or his beliefs.
KRS-One slams the music industry and artists using rap as a "set-up" to perpetuate stereotypes of black people, drug dealing, and broken English. He even mentions the importance of being a vegetarian "cause to me that's suicide" - this serves as a nod to his ongoing advocacy for a healthier lifestyle. In his lyrics, KRS-One stresses the importance of being original, creative, having style, and being brave when rhyming. He is proud of his Bronx roots and his crew’s ability to stand up against anyone who challenges them. In essence, KRS-One's philosophy is centered on using music as a vehicle for positive change and as an instrument to criticize and challenge the establishment.
Line by Line Meaning
Let's begin
Let's start the song and dive into the message
What where why or when
We will explore the concepts of what, where, why, and when
Will all be explained
I will provide explanations for all these questions
Why destruction is a game
I will discuss why destruction is treated like a game
See I'm not insane
Contrary to popular belief, I am not crazy
In fact I'm kind of rational
I am quite rational in my thinking
When I be asking, Yo who is more dramatical
I question who is more theatrical or exaggerated in their actions
This one, that one, The white one or the black one
I compare different individuals, regardless of their race or ethnicity
Pick the punk
Choose the individual who is weak or lacking in character
And I'll jump up to attack one
I will confront and criticize that person
KRS One is just the guy to lead a crew
I am the perfect person to lead a group
Right up to your face and dis you
I will confront you directly and disrespect you
Everyone saw me on the last album cover
People noticed my image on the previous album cover
Holding a pistol, Something far from a lover
I was depicted with a gun, which is contrary to being a lover or promoting love
Beside my brother S-see-O-T
Next to my brother, who is known as S-see-O-T
I just laughed, 'Cause no one can defeat me
I chuckled because I believe no one can surpass or overcome me
This selection number two, Is 'My Philosophy'
The second song we're discussing is 'My Philosophy'
Number one, Was 'Poetry'
The first song was titled 'Poetry'
You know it's me, It's my philosophy
You recognize that I am the one presenting this philosophy
Many artists got to learn, I'm not flammable I don't burn
Other artists need to understand that they cannot harm or destroy me
So please stop burnin' and learn to earn respect
Stop trying to harm me and instead focus on earning respect
'Cause that's just what KR collects
Respect is what I value and collect in my life
See, what do you expect, When you rhyme like a soft punk
If you rap in a weak and timid manner, what do you expect?
You walk down the street and get jumped
People will take advantage of you and harm you
You got to have style, And learn to be original
Develop your own unique style and be authentic
And everybody's gonna want to dis you
People will criticize and disrespect you
Like me, We stood up for the South Bronx
Just like me, I defended and represented the South Bronx
And every sucka MC, Had a response
Every weak rapper had something to say in response
You think we care? I know that they are on the tip
We don't care about their opinions, I know they are envious
My posse from the Bronx is thick, And we're real live
My crew from the Bronx is strong and authentic
We walk correctly, A lot of suckas would like to forget me
We carry ourselves with pride, even though many wish to ignore or erase me
But they can't, 'Cause like a champ
But they are unable to do so, because I am a champion
I have got a record, Of knocking out the frauds in a second
I have a history of swiftly defeating and exposing fake individuals
On the mic, I believe that you should get loose
When it comes to rapping, I think you should feel free and express yourself
I haven't come to tell you I have juice
I'm not here to brag about my success or influence
I just produce, create, innovate on a higher level
I focus on creating, producing, and bringing new ideas to a higher standard
I'll be back, But for now just seckle
I will return later, but for now, let's relax and take it easy
I'll play the nine, And you play the target
I will take control and dominate, while you become the target of my criticism
You all know my name so I guess I'll just start it
Since everyone knows who I am, I will begin the critique
Or should I say, 'Start this'
Or maybe I should just say, 'Let's begin with this'
I am an artist, Of new concepts at their hardest
I am an artist who introduces challenging and innovative ideas
Yo, cause I'm a teacher, And Scot is a scholar
I, KRS-One, am a teacher, while Scot is a knowledgeable scholar
It ain't about money, Cause we all make dollars
It's not about wealth, as we all earn money
That's why I walk with my head up
That's why I have confidence and pride
When I hear wack rhymes, I get fed up
I become frustrated when I listen to weak and unimpressive lyrics
Rap is like a set-up, A lot of games
The rap industry is like a trap, filled with manipulation and deceptive tactics
A lot of suckas with colorful names
Many untalented individuals with flashy names
I'm so-and-so, I'm this, I'm that, Huh, but they all just wick-wick-wack
They boast about their identities, but they are truly unskilled and pathetic
I'm not white or red or black, I'm brown
I do not identify with any specific race, as I am biracial (black and white)
From the Boogie Down, Productions, Of course
I come from the Boogie Down Productions, representing the Bronx
Our music be thumpin', Others say their bad
Our music is powerful and impactful, while others claim to be superior
But they're buggin', Let me tell you somethin' now
But they are mistaken, let me share something with you
About hip hop, About D-Nice, Melodie, And Scot La Rock
I will educate you about hip hop and mention the artists D-Nice, Melodie, and Scot La Rock
I'll get a pen, a pencil, a marker
I will use any writing tool to express myself
Mainly what I write is for the average New Yorker
My lyrics are primarily written for the everyday people living in New York
Some mc's be talkin' and talkin', Tryin' to show how black people are walkin
Some rappers keep talking, attempting to portray how black people live their lives
But I don't walk this way to portray, Or reinforce stereotypes of today
But I don't conform to those stereotypes or promote their reinforcement
Like all my brothas, Eatin' chicken and watermelon
I don't believe that all black people eat stereotypical foods like chicken and watermelon
Talk broken english and drug sellin
I refuse to endorse the portrayal of black people speaking in broken English and engaging in drug dealing
See I'm tellin', And teaching real facts
I am here to inform and educate about the truth
Now when some act in rap, Is kind of wack
When some individuals act in the rap industry, it is often unimpressive
And it lacks creativity and intelligence
Their work lacks originality and intellectual depth
But they don't care, 'Cause the company is sellin' it
But they don't care, since the record labels are promoting it
It's my philosophy, On the industry
This is my belief and perspective on the music industry
Don't bother dissin' me, Or even wish that we'd Soften, dilute, Or commercialize all our lyrics
Don't waste your time criticizing me or hoping that I will compromise or commercialize my lyrics
'Cause it's about time, One of y'all hear it, First-hand
It's about time for one of you to hear my perspective directly
From the intelligent, Brown man
From an intelligent individual who is of mixed race (black and white)
A vegetarian, No goat or ham
I am a vegetarian and do not consume meats like goat or ham
Or chicken or turkey or hamburger, 'Cause to me that's suicide, Self-murder
Eating animals like chicken, turkey, or hamburger is self-destructive in my opinion
Let us get back to what we call hip hop, And what it meant to DJ Scot La Rock
Let's refocus on the essence of hip hop and its significance to DJ Scot La Rock
How many Mc's must get dissed, Before somebody says, 'Don't fuck with Kris!'
How many rappers must face criticism and disrespect before people realize not to mess with KRS-One
This is just one style, Out of many
This song represents only one style or approach, among various possibilities
Like a piggy bank, This is one penny
This song is like a small contribution, like a penny in a piggy bank
My brother's name is Kenny, Kenny Parker
I have a brother named Kenny, his full name is Kenny Parker
My other brother I.C.U., Is much darker
I have another brother called I.C.U., who has a darker complexion
Boogie Down Productions, Is made up of teachers
The group Boogie Down Productions consists of individuals who are educators
The lecture is conducted, From the mic into the speaker
We deliver our message and teachings through the microphone and speakers
Who gets weaker? The king or the teacher
Who becomes weaker over time? The powerful ruler or the knowledgeable teacher?
It's not about a salary, It's all about reality
It's not about money, but rather about the actual world and its truths
Teachers teach and do the world good, Kings just rule
Teachers educate and contribute positively to the world, while kings simply govern
And most are never understood
Unfortunately, many teachers are not fully appreciated or comprehended
If you were to rule, Over a certain industry
If you were to possess control over a specific industry or domain
Fuck right now, Would be in misery
Right now, that industry would be in a state of suffering and turmoil
No one would get along, Nor sing a song
Everyone would be in conflict and unable to collaborate or create music
'Cause everyone'd be singing for the king, Am I wrong?!
Everyone would be focused on pleasing the king and conforming to his desires, am I mistaken?
So yo, what's up, It's me again
So hey, what's going on? It's me, KRS-One, once again
Scot La Rock, KRS, BDP again
Scot La Rock, KRS-One, and Boogie Down Productions are here again
Many people had the nerve to think we would end the trend
Many individuals had the audacity to believe that we would not continue the movement or style
We're criminal minded, And only tend, Funky, funky, funky, funky, funky hit records
We have a rebellious mindset, and we consistently produce funky and successful hit records
No more than four minutes, And some seconds
Our songs are usually no longer than four minutes and a few seconds
The competition checks and checks, And keeps checkin'
Our competition constantly assesses and scrutinizes our work
They get the album, Take it home, And start sweatin'
They acquire our album, bring it home, and become immensely impressed and excited
Why? Well it's simple, To them it's kind of vital
Why is that? Well, to them, it holds immense importance
To take KRS-One's title, To them I'm like an idol
They aspire to surpass KRS-One and view me as an idol or role model
Some type of entity
I am seen as a distinct and remarkable being
In everybody's rhyme, They want to mention me?
In everyone's lyrics, they wish to include references to me?
Or rather mention us, Me or Scot La Rock
Or perhaps mention both me and Scot La Rock
But they can get bust, Get robbed, get dropped
But they will face defeat, theft, and abandonment
I don't play around, Nor do I fuck around
I am serious and do not engage in foolishness or nonsense
And you can tell by the bodies that are left around
The evidence of the bodies left behind showcases my seriousness and determination
When some clown jumps up to get beat down
When a foolish individual tries to challenge me and ends up being defeated
Broken down to his very last compound, See how it sound?
Reduced to nothing, see how it now appears?
A little unrational, A lot of MC's like to use the word, Dramatical!
A little irrational, many MCs like to use the word 'dramatical' for dramatic effect!
Fresh for '88, You suckas
Ready for the year 1988, you foolish individuals
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LAWRENCE KRSONE PARKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stixnpoles2564
Thank you KRS for standing 10 Toes down and declining to be a part of that 50th Hip Hop Anniversary, slap in the face, even when they sent LL Cool J at you. 💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾🔥💯
@mojopin2000
Please explain.
@stixnpoles2564
@@mojopin2000 search KRS1 GRAMMYS, he says exactly why.
@pbee73
"Rap is like a set-up, a lot of games, a lot of suckers with colorful names. I'm so and so, i'm this, i'm that...... Huh, but they all just WICK WICK WACK!" Ah f*ck it every lyric in this track is hard core!
@youvegot2bkiddingme133
Arguably one of THE best hip hop songs ever made. Hands down.
@marystackhouse3232
Don't Fuck Wit Kris!!!
@beaulavergne5557
100% awesome! Saw them in charlotte in ‘88
@jtyankfan
No question about it. This is REAL hip-hop.
@sereion
THE best!!!
@user-sc8oy2yf4j
Hamds down hands up all luv an the best rap song ever an forever