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..."
The MC
KRS-One Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause I'm KRS and I'm on the mic, and Premier's on the breaks
Goin' out to the hardcore hip hop
Goin' out to the hardcore hip hop
Of course we don't flip flop
If you don't know me by now, I doubt you'll ever know me
I never won a GRAMMY, I won't win a Tony
When I grab the mic to smash a rapper, girls go, "Eww"
Check the time as I rhyme, it's 1995
Whenever I arrive the party gets liver
Flow with the master rhymer, as I leave behind
The video rapper, you know, the chart climber
Clapper, down goes another rapper
Onto another matter, punch up the data, Blastmaster
Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everybody
Call up KRS, I'm guaranteed to rip a party
Flat top, braids, bald heads or knotty dread
There once was a story about a man named Jed
But now Jed is dead, all his kids instead
Wanna kick rhymes off the top of they head
Word, what go around come around I figure
Now we got white kids callin' themselves niggas
The tables turned as the crosses burned
Remember You Must Learn
About the styles I flip and how wild I get
I go on like a space age rocket ship
You could be a mack, a pimp, hustler or player
But make sure live you is a dope rhyme-sayer
MC's act like they don't know
MC's act like they don't know
MC's act like they don't know
MC's act like they don't know
This is what you waited all year for
The hardcore, that's what KRS is here for
Big up Grand Wizard Theodore, gettin' ill
If you see, then ya saw I'm in your grill with mad skill
MC's can only battle with rhymes that got punchlines
Let's battle to see who headlines
Instead of flow for flow, let's go show for show
Toe for toe, yo, you better act like you know
Too many MC's take that word 'emcee' lightly
They can't Move a Crowd, not even slightly
It might be the fact that they express wackness
Let me show ya whose ass is the blackest
I flip a script a little bit, you ride the tip and shit
Too sick to get with it, admit you bit, your style is counterfeit
Now tone it down a bit
My title you will never get, I'm too intelligent
I'll send your family my sentiments, my style is toxic
When I rock and shock and hip hop it unlock your head, I knock it
It split quick from the lyric
Direct hit, perfect fit, you can't get with it
MC's act like they don't know
MC's act like they don't know
MC's act like they don't know
MC's act like they don't know
Some MC's don't like the KRS, but they must respect him
'Cause they know this kid gets all up in they rectum
Slappin' and selectin' 'em, checkin' 'em, disrespectin' 'em
Just deckin' 'em, deckin' 'em, deckin' 'em
Who in their right mind can mimic a style like mine?
I design rhyme and get mine all the time
MC's standin' on the sidelines, always dissin'
When I roll up and rush they crew they start bitchin'
I don't burn, I don't freeze, yet some MC's
Believe they could tangle with the likes of these
Cross your T's and dot your I's whenever I arrive
Wide, magnified, live like the ocean tide
You dope, you lied, I reside like Artifacts
On the Wrong Side of Da Tracks, electrified
Comin' around the mountain, you run and hide
Hopin' your defense mechanism can divert my heat-seeking lyricism
As I spark mad izm
The 1996 lyrical style's what I give 'em
MC's act like they don't know
MC's act like they don't know
MC's act like they don't know
MC's act like they don't know
MC's act like they don't know
Yo, yo, it's Special K from the Awesome 2
Representin' the cause for the Blastmaster
And this the Ooh Child Teddy Tedd
And you know we down with the KRS
One, One, One
Since day one, aight
Awooga
Peace
KRS-One's song "MC's Act Like They Don't Know" is a homage to the type of hip-hop that KRS-One champions. The opening of the song is primed for audience participation -- "clap your hands, everybody" sets up the song as a sort of call-and-response, with KRS-One and DJ Premier taking turns as the MC and the beat behind him. KRS-One's rhymes are focused on asserting his status as a true "hardcore" hip-hop artist. He claims that he's "keeping it real" despite never having won a Grammy or Tony award. The lines "But make sure live you is a dope rhyme-sayer" highlight the importance of being able to perform well live, which at the time was crucial for a rapper's success. The rest of the song is a showcase for KRS-One's ability to deliver dynamic and impactful rhymes.
KRS-One is also direct in his criticism of other rappers who he feels are unfairly using the label "emcee." He believes that too many MCs don't understand what it means to truly be an emcee. For KRS-One, the title emcee is something that must be earned through a combination of talent, experience, and respect. He accuses "MC's act[ing] like they don't know" of slacking on the job and not taking their craft seriously.
Line by Line Meaning
Clap your hands everybody, if you got what it takes
If you feel the rhythm and have the desire, then let it out
'Cause I'm KRS and I'm on the mic, and Premier's on the breaks
I'm KRS-One, the master of ceremony rhyming, while DJ Premier controls the beats
Goin' out to the hardcore hip hop
Addressing the true and dedicated fans of hip-hop music
Of course we don't flip flop
We are not changing our principles or beliefs to suit anyone else
If you don't know me by now, I doubt you'll ever know me
If you haven't gotten to know me yet, it's unlikely that you ever will
I never won a GRAMMY, I won't win a Tony
I never received any mainstream awards and unlikely to get any
But I'm not the only MC keepin' it real
I'm not the only one who stays true to the essence of hip-hop
When I grab the mic to smash a rapper, girls go, "Eww"
When I go all-in to crush and defeat an opponent in a rap battle, girls react in disgust
Check the time as I rhyme, it's 1995
Celebrating the great hip-hop scene of 1995
Whenever I arrive the party gets liver
My entrance brings energy and excitement to the party
Flow with the master rhymer, as I leave behind
Follow the expert in rhyming as I surpass everything else behind me
The video rapper, you know, the chart climber
The rapper focused solely on high-chart performance and visuals, neglecting the message and originality of hip-hop
Clapper, down goes another rapper
Rappers who fail to respect hip-hop's essence are taken down by the community
Onto another matter, punch up the data, Blastmaster
Let's switch to a new topic and elevate the quality of discussion, as led by the Blastmaster (KRS-One)
Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everybody
The accumulation of knowledge and wisdom is superior to almost everything else
Call up KRS, I'm guaranteed to rip a party
Call on KRS-One and see him elevate the party with his rap artistry
Flat top, braids, bald heads or knotty dread
Different hairstyles are not what define a rapper or the quality of their music
There once was a story about a man named Jed
Referencing a classic American folk song and how it has no relevance to current hip-hop culture
But now Jed is dead, all his kids instead
It's time to focus on the current generation of rappers and the new and authentic skills they have to offer
Wanna kick rhymes off the top of they head
They want to showcase their natural talent and come up with creative rhymes on the spot
Word, what go around come around I figure
I believe that the consequences for one's actions will come back around full circle
Now we got white kids callin' themselves niggas
Evoking the cultural appropriation and controversial use of the n-word
The tables turned as the crosses burned
The dynamics regarding race relations has drastically changed throughout American history, with violent retaliation in response to incendiary events
Remember You Must Learn
It's essential that we learn from past mistakes and embrace the values and principles that lead to progress and unity
About the styles I flip and how wild I get
Observing the different styles of rapping and how KRS-One stands out from them with his unique approach
I go on like a space age rocket ship
I flow and rhyme at a level that's out of this world and never before seen
You could be a mack, a pimp, hustler or player
It doesn't matter what background or personality you come from, as long as you have rhythm and confidence
But make sure live you is a dope rhyme-sayer
You have to be an excellent rapper to make it in the hip-hop industry, it's not enough to just look the part
MC's act like they don't know
Many rappers pretend that they are unaware of the skills and talent of the musician they're up against
This is what you waited all year for
This is what fans of hip-hop have been looking forward to and waiting anxiously for
The hardcore, that's what KRS is here for
KRS-One serves the real, genuine and original fanbase of hip-hop
Big up Grand Wizard Theodore, gettin' ill
Paying tribute to Grand Wizard Theodore, the inventor of the scratching technique on a turntable
If you see, then ya saw I'm in your grill with mad skill
If you're aware and have seen me perform, then you know that I'm bringing the heat and energy to my performance
MC's can only battle with rhymes that got punchlines
Rap battles rely heavily on the effective use of punchlines to strike a chord with the audience
Let's battle to see who headlines
Let's test our skills in a rap battle, and see who comes out on top as a true champion
Instead of flow for flow, let's go show for show
Let's give the audience the full experience of our rap artistry, rather than simply having a competition of rhymes
Toe for toe, yo, you better act like you know
It's time to prove our worth and go all in, otherwise there's no point in challenging each other
Too many MC's take that word 'emcee' lightly
Many rappers don't fully understand or embrace the essence of what it means to be an MC
They can't Move a Crowd, not even slightly
Many rappers lack the charisma and skill to excite and pump up the crowd during their performance
It might be the fact that they express wackness
Their incapability to move the audience might be a result of their lack of originality and poor rhyming skills
Let me show ya whose ass is the blackest
I will demonstrate who among us rappers has the most authenticity and is most true to the original essence of hip-hop
I flip a script a little bit, you ride the tip and shit
I experiment with new rhyming techniques and styles, while you copy and try to piggyback off my ideas
Too sick to get with it, admit you bit, your style is counterfeit
You're too ill-equipped to keep up with me, and you have to admit that you copied my style and inadequately produced a counterfeit version
Now tone it down a bit
It's time to cool down the heated competition and focus on the true art form
My title you will never get, I'm too intelligent
You will never match my level of skill and expertise, I'm truly remarkable and talented in my craft
I'll send your family my sentiments, my style is toxic
My words and ways are infectious and powerful that even your family will be impacted by it
When I rock and shock and hip hop it unlock your head, I knock it
I liberate and inspire the fans of hip-hop with my creative and innovative ways, it's like I'm knocking open their heads with my message
It split quick from the lyric
The power of my words and message spreads fast like wildfire through the audience
Direct hit, perfect fit, you can't get with it
My rap skills are hard-hitting and accurate, and no one can really replicate or compete with it
Some MC's don't like the KRS, but they must respect him
There are some rappers who might not like me, but they have no choice but to acknowledge and respect my contribution to the industry
'Cause they know this kid gets all up in they rectum
Because of my brutal rhyming techniques and aggressive rap battles, I sometimes defeat my opponents to the point of completely overwhelming them
Slappin' and selectin' 'em, checkin' 'em, disrespectin' 'em
I sometimes attack and dismantle my opponents during rap battles, completely disrespecting and disregarding them
Just deckin' 'em, deckin' 'em, deckin' 'em
I keep attacking and winning against my opponents, one after the other
Who in their right mind can mimic a style like mine?
It's nearly impossible for anyone to imitate or replicate my unique style of hip-hop music and rap technique
I design rhyme and get mine all the time
Hip-hop music and specifically, my raps are carefully crafted and designed to communicate my message with full clarity and impact all the time
MC's standin' on the sidelines, always dissin'
Other rappers always criticize and make fun of me from the sidelines, but they don't have the courage or ability to actually engage with me
When I roll up and rush they crew they start bitchin'
When I enter a scene and crush their group with my rhyming skills, they try to escape and make excuses for their failures
I don't burn, I don't freeze, yet some MC's
Some rappers attack or respect me, even though I don't make them feel particularly good or bad
Believe they could tangle with the likes of these
They think they can compete and defeat me in a rap battle, even though I'm vastly superior to them
Cross your T's and dot your I's whenever I arrive
Make sure you're thoroughly prepared and detail-oriented in every respect when you know I'm there
Wide, magnified, live like the ocean tide
My presence and rhymes are impacting and affecting like the powerful ocean tide
You dope, you lied, I reside like Artifacts
You can't put up a legitimate fight against me, your rapping skills are fraudulent and inauthentic, while I thrive being honest and true like the hip-hop group Artifacts
On the Wrong Side of Da Tracks, electrified
I destroy and dominate my opponents on every level, and my enthusiasm and energy in doing so is just electric
Comin' around the mountain, you run and hide
I'm coming around the corner to attack and defeat you in a rap battle, and you start running away and hiding
Hopin' your defense mechanism can divert my heat-seeking lyricism
You try to use defensive tactics to protect yourself from my powerful and intimidating rap skills
As I spark mad izm
I ignite the passion and excitement of hip-hop fanatics and inspire them to join me in revolutionizing the music industry
The 1996 lyrical style's what I give 'em
I'm giving all the fans the opportunity to experience the groundbreaking and revolutionary style of hip-hop produced in the year 1996
Yo, yo, it's Special K from the Awesome 2
Another rapper introduces themselves, this time it's Special K from the duo Awesome 2
Representin' the cause for the Blastmaster
Special K represents KRS-One and his message of hip-hop purity
And this the Ooh Child Teddy Tedd
Teddy Tedd is another rapper who is also involved in presenting the cause of hip-hop
And you know we down with the KRS
Both Teddy Tedd and Special K are fully committed and supportive of KRS-One's message of real hip-hop
One, One, One
All three of us rappers are united and committed to the same conduct and behavior
Since day one, aight
We're all in this together from the beginning and we will continue to support each other
Awooga
A fun sound effect that simply adds a little more enjoyment to the song
Peace
A friendly and positive farewell to the fans listening to the song
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Christopher Martin, Lawrence Parker
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@GeeVoo
Who am I? The MC, la-di da-di
I don't wear Versace, I wear DJ's out quickly at the party
Who am I? If you're like me hip hop is in your body
Who am I? THE MC!
When the jam is slow and you need a proceeder
Who am I? THE MC!
When you need a lyrical leader wit oratorical triple features
Who am I? THE MC!
When you need to rock your 3000-seat arena, best believe, uh
Who am I? THE MC!
When you need to get the word on the street wit demeanor
Who am I? THE MC!
I beg thee, let me splurt rhymes, I have plenty
Who am I? THE MC! Lord have mercy
I hit sudden like Hersey
always New like Jersey, stay thirsty
Who am I? THE MC!
Showin my authority, superiority
an artistic minority, now you startin me
Cuz party philosophy can only be carried out by
Who am I? THE MC!
No doubt, predicting far ahead what will set the party offimmensely
with plenty of who? THE MC!
Trained at Rooftop, Red Zone, Roxy and Bentley's
Who am I? THE MC!
Gently move crowds with harmonious rhythm
Cuz the lyrics we give em they miss em
Who am I? THE MC! again, THE MC!
Her infinite power helps, oppressed people sent me to tell you
if you truly study lyrical flows and stay on your toes you willbe
Who am I? THE MC!
and as an MC you will study verbal magic
but watch what you say cuz you'll attract it
control your subconscious magnet from pullin in havoc
Who am I? The MC!
Non-stoppin MC, hip hoppin MC
Verbal rockin, head knockin, quick droppin MC
I laugh cuz I mastered the craft MC
In sound clash I'm the first and last MC
It's sort of like Jim Carrey throwin that Mask to me
I black out and wake up to catastrophe
3 MC's dead from the sound blowin out massively, wow!
Who am I? The MC!
Untouchable, can't be caught off guard with fast tracks or slowtracks
Ass cracks get waxed to the max, MC's pack raps for all tracks
Indigenous cultures, Asians, Whites and Blacks
never missed it the linguistic of
Who am I? THE MC!
Meta-lyrical poetic mystic MC
Hearin the voice of an ancient spirit MC
Premeditated worder
Killin negative concepts out the mind of the observer MC
You deserve a break from counterfeits, frauds and fakes
claimin to be an MC for heaven sakes
Well, this MC done raised the stakes
under the stress from KRS
contracts and mental gats are bound to break
Who am I? THE MC! again the MC!
Conduct yourselves properly MC...
@Yaqub1975
This song will one day be in a museum describing what a MC was hundreds of years ago.....real talk
@ydlbm
Haha imagine that
@KrissInSpain
mmmhh, yes, there will be museums then!
@FranklynGrant
We did it,... Join us at UHHM Universal Hip Hop Museum
Thank You
@jahleft7403
Y. Amir you so right .
@fnyce2106
If I could ever hang out with one famous person for a day it would be KRS
@trentyates418
"La-di da-di, i don't wear Versace, I wear DJ's out quickly at the party" that pretty much does it for the whole song. Plus the beat is banging like hell.
@Aryagaretie
Wack your comments from me I'm comeing fr your life anra is comeing soon one dark night 🌙 your dead soon hahaha ha lolo
@buraqrak
I think this beat is better , personally , still classic KRS-One - MC's Act Like They Don't Know
@shaunjohnson9650
My shit 💪