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..."
Sound of da Police
KRS-One Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Woop-woop, that's the sound of da beast
Woop-woop, that's the sound of da police
Woop-woop, that's the sound of da beast (yes indeed)
Woop-woop, that's the sound of da police
Woop-woop, that's the sound of da beast
Woop-woop, that's the sound of da police
Woop-woop, that's the sound of da beast (yes indeed)
Stand clear, Don man'll talk
You can't stand where I stand, you can't walk where I walk
Watch out, we run New York
Policeman come, we bust him out the park
I know this for a fact, you don't like how I act
You claim I'm sellin' crack, but you be doin' that
I'd rather say see ya, 'cause I would never be ya
Be an officer? You wicked overseer
You hotshot, wanna get props and be a savior
First show a little respect, change your behavior
Change your attitude, change your plan
There could never really be justice on stolen land
Are you really for peace and equality?
Or when my car is hooked up, you know you wanna follow me
Your laws are minimal
'Cause you won't even think about lookin' at the real criminal
This has got to cease
'Cause we be gettin' hyped to the sound of da police
Woop-woop, that's the sound of da police
Woop-woop, that's the sound of da beast
Woop-woop, that's the sound of da police
Woop-woop, that's the sound of da beast
Now here's a likkle truth, open up your eye
While you're checkin' out the boom-bap, check the exercise
Take the word overseer, like a sample
Repeat it very quickly in a crew, for example
Overseer, overseer, overseer, overseer
Officer, officer, officer, officer
Yeah, officer from overseer
You need a little clarity? Check the similarity
The overseer rode around the plantation
The officer is off, patrollin' all the nation
The overseer could stop you, "what you're doin'?"
The officer will pull you over just when he's pursuin'
The overseer had the right to get ill
And if you fought back, the overseer had the right to kill
The officer has the right to arrest
And if you fight back they put a hole in your chest (woop)
They both ride horses
After 400 years, I've got no choices
The police them have a likkle gun
So when I'm on the streets, I walk around with a bigger one (woop-woop)
I hear it all day
Just so they can run the light and be upon their way
Yes indeed
Yes indeed
Yes indeed
Yes indeed
Woop-woop, that's the sound of da police
Woop-woop, that's the sound of da beast
Woop-woop, that's the sound of da police
Woop-woop, that's the sound of da beast
Check out the message in a rough stylee
The real criminal are the C-O-P
You check for undercover and the one P.D
But just a mere Black man, them wan' check me
Them check out me car, for it shine like the sun
But them jealous or them vexed, 'cause them can't afford one
Black people still slaves up 'til today
But the Black police officer nyah see it that way
Him want a salary, him want it
So he put on a badge and kill people for it
My grandfather had to deal with the cops
My great-grandfather dealt with the cops
My great-grandfather had to deal with the cops
And then my great, great, great, great, when it's gonna stop?
Woop-woop, that's the sound of da police
Woop-woop, that's the sound of da beast
Woop-woop, that's the sound of da police
Woop-woop, that's the sound of da beast
Woop-woop, that's the sound of da police
Woop-woop, that's the sound of da beast
Woop-woop, that's the sound of da police
Woop-woop, that's the sound of da beast
Yes indeed
Yes indeed
Yes indeed
Yes indeed
Woop-woop, that's the sound of da police
Woop-woop, that's the sound of da beast
Woop-woop, that's the sound of da police
Woop-woop, that's the sound of da beast
KRS-One's "Sound of da Police" is a song that addresses police brutality, profiling, and racism issues in the United States. The opening lyrics, "Woop-woop! That's the sound of da police! That's the sound of the beast!" create a sense of dread and unease for both the listener and anyone else who happens to hear the siren. The song discusses the experiences of young Black men being targeted by police officers for no reason other than the color of their skin.
The lyrics also address the hypocrisy of police officers who engage in illegal activities such as drug dealing, yet still manage to act self-righteous and superior towards the people they are there to protect. KRS-One points out the idea that police officers consider themselves as "saviors," yet they oppress instead of empowering individuals. The lyrics constantly repeat "overseer," linking modern-day police officers with the historical figure from slavery who controlled and mistreated Black people.
The overall message of the song is a call to action to take a hard look at the way that law enforcement is carried out in the United States. KRS-One urges his listeners to push for change and better treatment for Black people at the hands of the police. The song encourages people to stand up against a corrupt system and fight discrimination and inequality whenever they see it.
Line by Line Meaning
Woop-woop! That's the sound of da police! That's the sound of the beast!
The sound of the police's siren is like the sound of a beast, which is symbolic of their power and authority.
Stand clear! Don man a-talk
I'm warning you to back off because I'm about to speak my mind.
You can't stand where I stand, you can't walk where I walk
You can't understand my experiences and the challenges I face because you haven't walked in my shoes.
Watch out! We run New York
We, the people living in New York, control and influence the city more than the police do.
Police man come, we bust him out the park
If the police come and try to confront us, we won't back down and will fight them off with force.
I know this for a fact, you don't like how I act
I'm aware that you don't approve of my behavior, but I don't care because our values don't align.
You claim I'm sellin' crack
You accuse me of selling drugs, but you're doing the same thing while also trying to arrest me for it.
But you be doin' that
You're being hypocritical by doing the same things you're trying to arrest me for.
I'd rather say 'see ya'
I don't want to associate with people who are corrupt and don't value justice.
Cause I would never be ya
I'm not willing to compromise my values and become like you, a corrupt police officer.
Be a officer? You wicked overseer
You want to be a police officer, but I see you as an oppressive overseer who follows unjust laws.
Ya hotshot, want to get props and be a savior
You're eager to receive recognition and be seen as a hero, but that's not what it means to be a police officer.
First show a little respect, change your behavior
If you want to be respected, you need to treat us with dignity and respect our rights.
Change your attitude, change your plan
You need to change your mindset and approach to become more just and fair in executing your duties.
There could never really be justice on stolen land
The country was built on stolen land, so true justice will always be elusive until we address this historical injustice.
Are you really for peace and equality?
Do you truly support peace and equality, or are those just empty buzzwords for you?
Or when my car is hooked up, you know you want to follow me
You are more likely to target me and question my activities when I'm driving a nice car or appearing successful.
Your laws are minimal
The laws you enforce only scratch the surface of real criminal activity and don't address the root causes of crime.
Cause you won't even think about lookin' at the real criminal
You focus on small-time criminals while ignoring the larger systemic issues and powerful individuals who commit worse crimes.
This has got to cease
These systemic injustices and hypocrisies within the police force and justice system need to come to an end.
Cause we be getting hyped to the sound of da police
We get excited and energized by the sound of the police because it represents power and something to rebel against.
Now here's a likkle truth
Let me share some cold, hard facts with you.
Open up your eye
Wake up and see the truth.
While you're checking out the boom-bap, check the exercise
As you enjoy the music, also pay attention to the message and think critically.
Take the word 'overseer,' like a sample
Use the word overseer as a metaphor to understand the similarities between past and present oppressors.
Repeat it very quickly in a crew for example
Chant the word 'overseer' in unison with others to emphasize the oppressive nature of the word.
Officer, Officer, Officer, Officer!
Connect the word 'overseer' to its modern-day counterpart, 'officer.'
Yeah, officer from overseer
Police officers today have roots in the overseer role from the slavery era.
You need a little clarity?
Do you need me to spell it out for you?
Check the similarity!
Compare past and present power structures to see how they're similar and continue to perpetuate oppression.
The overseer rode around the plantation
The overseer was in charge on the plantation, patrolling and maintaining control.
The officer is off patrolling all the nation
The police officer's role today is similar to the overseer's in the past, except on a larger scale.
The overseer could stop you what you're doing
The overseer had the power to interrupt and control the lives of enslaved people.
The officer will pull you over just when he's pursuing
Today, police officers have the power to stop and question you when they want or when they think you're suspicious.
The overseer had the right to get ill
The overseer had the authority and power to use violence and intimidation to control and maintain order.
And if you fought back, the overseer had the right to kill
The overseer had the power of life and death over enslaved individuals and could use lethal force if necessary.
The officer has the right to arrest
Police officers today have the power to detain and arrest individuals who they believe are breaking the law.
And if you fight back they put a hole in your chest!
If you resist arrest or fight back against the police, they have the power to use lethal force.
(Woop!) They both ride horses
Both overseers in the past and police today often ride horses or in vehicles to maintain control and patrol areas.
After 400 years, I've got no choices!
After all these years of oppression and systemic racism, I still feel like I have no power or choices.
The police them have a little gun
The police have access to guns and other weapons to enforce their authority.
So when I'm on the streets, I walk around with a bigger one
I feel the need to carry a bigger and more powerful weapon for self-protection against police brutality.
(Woop-woop!) I hear it all day
The sound of the police siren is so ubiquitous that I hear it all the time and associate it with fear and oppression.
Just so they can run the light and be upon their way
Police sometimes use their sirens and lights for minor reasons, like speeding up their commute, which is a misuse of their power.
Check out the message in a rough stylee
Pay attention to the lyrics and message presented in a raw, unrefined manner.
The real criminals are the see-O-P
The true criminals are the corrupt police officers enforcing unjust laws and perpetuating oppression.
You check for undercover and the one PD
You should be wary of undercover police officers and the entire police department due to their oppressive nature.
But just a mere Black man, them want check me
The police are more likely to profile, harass, and investigate Black men without cause or suspicion.
Them check out me car for it shine like the sun
Police are envious and suspicious of Black individuals who have nice cars, assuming they are involved in illegal activity.
But them jealous or them vexed cause them can't afford one
The police may be jealous or threatened by affluent Black people who are breaking away from traditional stereotypes about poverty and lack of success.
Black people still slaves up 'til today
Black people still face systemic oppression and are enslaved by unjust laws and power structures.
But the Black police officer nah see it that way
Even Black police officers may be blinded by their position of power and not see the oppression that still exists for their own people.
Him want a salary
The Black police officer is motivated by money and status instead of justice and equity.
Him want it
The police officer is only looking out for his own interests and not the community's.
So he put on a badge and kill people for it
The police officer may use his badge and position of power to justify killings and other excessive force.
My grandfather had to deal with the cops
My grandfather faced discrimination and harassment from the police like I do today.
And then my great, great, great, great, when it's gonna stop?!
Generations of my family have suffered from police brutality and racism, and I wonder when this cycle of oppression will finally end?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Lawrence Krsone Parker, Rodney Lemay, Eric Victor Burdon, Bryan James Chandler, Alan Lomax
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kareemalmond
Did anyone else randomly get this song stuck in their head so they had to listen to it.
@bootybandit8768
facts
@Dembilaja
Yes. And it is like last time I've heard it was like five years ago.
@dinomitegames8619
Yes
@sebastianb.3978
Hi that's me
@Off3er
My daughter who is 6 started singing it, gotta point out that we are swedish 😅
@iRaphahell
WOOP WOOP !
@buzzy8111
T'as plein d'abonnés mais t'es qui ?
@oanaflorentinafirtat3767
iRaphahell XD
@reinhardt_7959
iRaphahell das is das Geräusch der polizei😂