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..."
Take It To God
KRS-One Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
KRS-One, Professor Ecks, whattup Dan? Woo
Temple of Hip-Hop, let's do it
By the sound of the track, you know who is back
It's the teacher, philosopher of conscious rap
Rappers tired of me sayin where hip-hop is at
Cause they know they unoriginal, copycats
In fact, I tell you where the tracks is at
TV is wack, they wanna show us beatin Iraq
When the question is, is where is Chandra Levy at?
Murdered God and left for dead like hip-hop
And admit to Condit like conduct, to kill Ecks the dread
And Kris crucified the false prophet
John F. Kennedy to these MC's, I draw and cock it
Cock on cocky cops for the love of the art
Punish the part, partition
Pardon the pause, poison pens penetrate the mental
I walk with Kris so my body's a temple
Body instrumentals and body your squad in the body of a God
Just think, just think, what if Malcolm X returned
or Dr. King returned, tell me what have we learned?
As we takin our turn, tell me what have we earned
or is the ice and the cars our only concern
Mo' money, mo' money, you be yellin it out
And on TV can't you see you be sellin us out
So in 2010, look to 2002
Who you think they gonna respect, me or you?
Behold, the God, in the form of the man
Walkin off water and (?) flesh absorbs in the sand
Moor gets the land, divorcin the clan, I'm off into sand
Off and I'm slayin delicate arms from porcelain hands
Slaughtered the lambs, charge it to the game
Cats take hip-hop's name in vain
Disrespectin the forefathers who came (uh-huh)
Goddess hurt 'em right now, like when Marvin was slain
They don't want it, nope, they don't need it, nope
Just stay weeded and hope, I don't read what you wrote
Best believe they ain't dope, they deceivin these folks
with they meaningless quotes, I got my feet on they throat
What they speak is a joke, they really weak and they broke
Have a seat and take notes, on the streets I'm the Pope
MTV is they hope, they repeat what they wrote
I'm an MC that won't, let them tempt me with coke
Nope, flesh of my flesh, blessed by KRS
Used to love her, they (?) haven't made a date with death
Follow no man, enslave the Ecks, Professin the student
I vibe with the teacher obliged to drop (?) liver than heaters
Lyrics liable to eat us like the survivors of Jesus
Now the, blind is the leaders, your styles is egregious
Gets now the brow beateth to underground emceeth
The game is overheated, overweeded, and misunderstood
Word, just a ride in they boat, with a platinum rope
No doubt, they sellin us out, what's happenin loc?
Quit this rappin I won't, cause MC'n is dope
If I can't do it for the love then do it I won't
How many times we note when these rappers is dope
Satisfied, that's why I'm renewin your hope
Broaden your scope, when cleaned out your mind
my rhyme is like a new bar of deoderant soap
In this land of men mice and mimes, I holds right for the laws
Live life like Christ, makin bread from mics and applause
The snakes fight with Tyson like jaws for what's rightfully yours
I might (?) 'em all, tell me - is it life or it's war?
Goooyyyyiiyyyiyyyyod, Goooyyyiyyiyyyiiiod, Gooyyyyiyyiyyyod
My God, your God, our God.. is God, is God
Change is gonna come, where you goin to run, but to God?
To God, run to God, run to God
Run to God, and let him in your heart
Change is gonna come, the change is gonna come
Make it your change, run to God, in your heart
Let God in your heart, he will fillt he part
Goooyyyyiiyyyiyyyyod, in youuuuuuur heart
Take it to God, take it to God God
Take it to my God, your God, take it to God
Take it to Goooyyyyiiyyyiyyyyod, take it to Goooyyyyiiyyyiyyyyod
Take it to Goooyyyyiiyyyiyyyyod, take it to God
Just take it to God, run and, take it God
Take it to Go-awd
KRS-One's song "Take it to God" is a powerful message to those who have lost sight of the true path of hip-hop. KRS-One begins by stating that he is the philosopher of conscious rap and questions those who have become copycats and unoriginal. He goes on to say that the media is focused on showing the war in Iraq, rather than addressing important issues such as the disappearance of Chandra Levy. KRS-One then metaphorically connects the death of hip-hop to that of God, and alleges that he has been murdered and left for dead.
KRS-One argues that the forefathers of hip-hop have been disrespected, and that the present-day rappers are weak, broke and deceiving their listeners. He demands that they broaden their scope and clean out their minds. The song offers a powerful message and suggests that if one wants to grow and change, they should run to God, and let Him into their hearts.
This song has a raw and powerful sound that drives home its message. The lyrics are well-crafted and hold a deeper meaning than what's on the surface. KRS-One takes hip-hop on a journey in this song, and challenges rappers to return to the roots of hip-hop. The powerful message is that one should never forget where they come from, and should always remain true to themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
By the sound of the track, you know who is back
From the moment you hear the music, you can recognize that it is KRS-One returning to the rap scene.
It's the teacher, philosopher of conscious rap
KRS-One is known as the educator and deep thinker in the world of conscious rap.
Rappers tired of me sayin where hip-hop is at
Other rappers are tired of KRS-One questioning the current state of hip-hop.
Cause they know they unoriginal, copycats
These rappers know that they lack originality and simply imitate others.
Watch me bump this gospel rap, never wack
Witness me perform this spiritual rap, always delivering excellence.
In fact, I tell you where the tracks is at
In fact, I can inform you about the authentic and genuine rap tracks.
TV is wack, they wanna show us beatin Iraq
Television is boring and they want to display violence by showing us war in Iraq.
When the question is, is where is Chandra Levy at?
But the real question is, what happened to Chandra Levy and where is she?
Murdered God and left for dead like hip-hop
They have killed the spirit of God and left it forgotten, just like they did with the true essence of hip-hop.
And admit to Condit like conduct, to kill Ecks the dread
They confess to engaging in immoral behavior, similar to what Condit did, in order to eliminate Ecks, who is feared and respected.
And Kris crucified the false prophet
KRS-One metaphorically crucifies the fake leaders in the rap game who proclaim to be prophets.
John F. Kennedy to these MC's, I draw and cock it
Just like JFK, KRS-One confronts these MC's, ready to draw and activate his knowledge and power.
Cock on cocky cops for the love of the art
He challenges arrogant police officers because of his passion for the art of rap.
Punish the part, partition
He punishes and separates the corrupt elements from the righteous ones.
Pardon the pause, poison pens penetrate the mental
Apologize for the brief break, as his impactful lyrics infiltrate the minds of listeners.
I walk with Kris so my body's a temple
KRS-One follows the teachings of Kris, who guides him to treat his body as a sacred place.
Body instrumentals and body your squad in the body of a God
He dominates instrumentals and outperforms entire rap crews with the skill and persona of a divine being.
Just think, just think, what if Malcolm X returned
Imagine the impact if Malcolm X were to come back to life.
or Dr. King returned, tell me what have we learned?
Similarly, what lessons have we truly internalized if Dr. King were to return?
As we takin our turn, tell me what have we earned
Now that it's our generation's time to lead, what have we truly accomplished?
or is the ice and the cars our only concern
Are material possessions and wealth all that we care about?
Mo' money, mo' money, you be yellin it out
We constantly strive for more money and become consumed by this desire.
And on TV can't you see you be sellin us out
Meanwhile, on television they continue to exploit and betray us.
So in 2010, look to 2002
To understand our current situation, let's reflect back to the year 2002.
Who you think they gonna respect, me or you?
In this context, who do you believe will gain more respect and admiration?
Behold, the God, in the form of the man
Witness the divine presence of God taking the form of a human being.
Walkin off water and (?) flesh absorbs in the sand
By walking on water and disappearing into the sand, the divine being showcases extraordinary abilities.
Moor gets the land, divorcin the clan, I'm off into sand
The Moorish people reclaim their rightful land, breaking free from oppressive forces, while KRS-One retreats into the desert.
Off and I'm slayin delicate arms from porcelain hands
He confidently destroys fragile individuals with his powerful and impactful lyrics.
Slaughtered the lambs, charge it to the game
He metaphorically sacrifices the innocent individuals, blaming the corrupted structure of the rap game.
Cats take hip-hop's name in vain
Artists use the name of hip-hop inappropriately and disrespectfully.
Disrespectin the forefathers who came (uh-huh)
They disrespect the pioneering figures who established the foundation for hip-hop.
Goddess hurt 'em right now, like when Marvin was slain
The divine female force punishes them in the present moment, similar to the pain felt when Marvin Gaye was killed.
They don't want it, nope, they don't need it, nope
These individuals do not desire or require true knowledge and wisdom.
Just stay weeded and hope, I don't read what you wrote
They prefer to remain intoxicated with drugs and rely on wishful thinking, while KRS-One disregards their writings.
Best believe they ain't dope, they deceivin these folks
Be assured that they are not talented, rather they are fooling and manipulating their audience.
with they meaningless quotes, I got my feet on they throat
They spew out meaningless and shallow lyrics, while KRS-One dominates them and controls their fate.
What they speak is a joke, they really weak and they broke
Their words hold no value, as they are truly feeble and financially struggling.
Have a seat and take notes, on the streets I'm the Pope
They should humble themselves and learn from KRS-One, who holds the highest authority in the rap game.
MTV is they hope, they repeat what they wrote
MTV serves as their aspiration and they keep rehashing their own previous work.
I'm an MC that won't, let them tempt me with coke
KRS-One takes pride in being a rapper who cannot be swayed or tempted by drugs like cocaine.
Nope, flesh of my flesh, blessed by KRS
Negating the previous line, KRS-One acknowledges he is human and divinely blessed.
Used to love her, they (?) haven't made a date with death
Referencing Common's song 'I Used to Love H.E.R.', these rappers have not experienced a true confrontation with mortality.
Follow no man, enslave the Ecks, Professin the student
KRS-One refuses to follow anyone and instead empowers himself, while still embracing the role of a knowledgeable teacher.
I vibe with the teacher obliged to drop (?) liver than heaters
He resonates with those who teach and feels compelled to deliver more impactful and potent lyrics.
Lyrics liable to eat us like the survivors of Jesus
His lyrics have the power to consume and nourish us, similar to how the followers of Jesus were sustained through their faith.
Now the, blind is the leaders, your styles is egregious
The leaders of the music industry are blind and lack wisdom, while their styles are offensive and repulsive.
Gets now the brow beateth to underground emceeth
Now the pressure is mounting and criticizing those underground rappers who still adhere to the principles of true hip-hop.
The game is overheated, overweeded, and misunderstood
The rap game is saturated, full of drug use, and no longer comprehended in its true essence.
No doubt, they sellin us out, what's happenin loc?
Undoubtedly, they are betraying us, what is going on in our community?
Quit this rappin I won't, cause MC'n is dope
He refuses to quit rapping because he believes it to be an amazing craft.
If I can't do it for the love then do it I won't
If he cannot do it out of genuine love and passion, then he will not do it at all.
How many times we note when these rappers is dope
He questions how often we acknowledge and appreciate truly talented rappers.
Satisfied, that's why I'm renewin your hope
He understands the satisfaction we feel, thus he wants to revitalize and restore our hope in real hip-hop.
Broaden your scope, when cleaned out your mind
Expand your perspective and clear your thoughts.
my rhyme is like a new bar of deoderant soap
His lyrics are refreshing and cleanse the mind, like a newly unwrapped bar of deodorant soap.
In this land of men mice and mimes, I hold right for the laws
In this world dominated by weak and submissive individuals, KRS-One stands as the righteous figure upholding the principles of true hip-hop.
Live life like Christ, makin bread from mics and applause
He advocates living a life similar to Christ, using his talent and the applause from his performances to provide sustenance and inspiration.
The snakes fight with Tyson like jaws for what's rightfully yours
The deceitful individuals engage in a battle similar to the aggression of Mike Tyson's boxing, attempting to claim what truly belongs to you.
I might (?) 'em all, tell me - is it life or it's war?
He might deceive and overcome all these deceitful individuals, provoking us to question if life is merely a constant struggle or a battle.
My God, your God, our God.. is God, is God
The singer emphasizes that regardless of personal beliefs, there is only one God.
Change is gonna come, where you goin to run, but to God?
Change is inevitable, and when it arrives, the only refuge will be turning to God.
To God, run to God, run to God
Seek shelter and guidance from God, run towards the divine presence.
Run to God, and let him in your heart
Tab into God's presence and allow Him to enter and guide your heart.
Change is gonna come, the change is gonna come
Change is on its way, it is inevitable and will occur.
Make it your change, run to God, in your heart
Embrace the change and align yourself with God, allowing His guidance to penetrate your heart.
Let God in your heart, he will fill the part
Open your heart to God, and He will fulfill and complete you.
Goooyyyyiiyyyiyyyyod, in youuuuuuur heart
Invoke God's presence within your heart.
Take it to God, take it to God God
Direct your concerns and issues towards God, seek His assistance.
Take it to my God, your God, take it to God
Bring your troubles and worries to God, recognizing that He belongs to all of us.
Take it to Goooyyyyiiyyyiyyyyod, take it to Goooyyyyiiyyyiyyyyod
Present your problems and concerns to God, direct it towards the divine presence.
Take it to Goooyyyyiiyyyiyyyyod, take it to God
Transfer your burdens and issues to God, rely on Him for help.
Just take it to God, run and, take it God
Simply surrender your problems to God and seek His intervention.
Take it to Go-awd
Take your concerns and issues to God, entrusting Him to resolve them.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RON, LAWRENCE KRSONE PARKER, PROFESSOR ECKS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind