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..."
Watch This! Feat. S-Five
KRS-One Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'd like to thank everyone for
Comin out to the tour
Enjoyin us all throughout Europe
This is exclusive, we don't stop
This is real hip-hop, watch this now!
Straight from the under
All these newcomers are basically
Runners - watch this
Bitches and niggas and hoes for
Them others - watch this
I rhyme for mothers fathers
Sisters and brothers, my name Kris
The difference is realness
Versus the fakeness, let's rock
I am an elder that helped to create this
Hip-hop
Now that you know this regain your focus
Be reminded straight from the +Criminal+ to
+Spiritual Minded+ realignment
Movin in faster as you hearin the master
Keep up don't worry 'bout battles, I'm
18 years past ya, speak up
The K to the R to the S to the One, ease up
I'm glowin like lava, hot as the sun
I don't freeze up
I take you backward rap and after
That I'm takin the future
I hang with acrobats and breakin
Cats and whatever suit's ya
Graffiti writers, beatboxin
Just like we used ya
Deejays cuttin it up with a boomin speaker
Them days had fewer heaters
Today we've got fewer teachers like America
Hip-hop needs some newer leaders
KRS is the candidate
I understand I state, and overstand we great
Rock!
Yeah, it's BDP, 2006, Temple of HipHop
Yeah! We the culture, I swear
Listen, turn me up Alex
Constantly fightin Satan
Watchin the moves I'm makin
Tryin to stay positive
Look at the world we live
It's hard to get a job
That's why my brothers rob
In every hood same story
But with different 40's
You either Blood or Crip
You sellin dubs or nicks
You gotta stand wit'cha man or
You plug a chick now look what you get
Quit tryin to play the part
You got caught up in the game
Now you in the dark
I'm seein people dyin, so many mothers cryin
That brother say he got your back
But that brother lyin
You need to grab a mirror
And look into it quicker
It ain't all about you man
This thing is bigger
Cause everything that you do
Come back double fold
You ain't on the right track
Take another road brother you gettin old
You've got to make a change
Cause this thing we call life
Brother it's not a game nah'!
In "Watch This!" KRS-One delivers a powerhouse of a rap in which he asserts himself as an elder statesman of hip-hop who is dedicated to preserving the realness of the genre. The song begins with KRS-One thanking his fans for attending his tour in Europe and declaring that he and his crew won't stop recording and performing. The tone is triumphant and celebratory, and KRS-One makes it clear that he is highlighting the genuine, unadulterated quality of true hip-hop music.
KRS-One juxtaposes himself against the new generation of rappers, whom he sees as mere runners, competing for fame and fortune rather than possessing any real connection to the roots of hip-hop. His lyrics are full of bravado and self-assurance as he touts his experience as a founder of the genre while accusing others of being fake. Towards the end of the song, KRS-One takes on a more cautionary tone, speaking to the dangers of getting caught up in the game of violence and poverty that so many young people, especially young people of color, face. He encourages his listeners to make a change and to see that their actions have consequences that reverberate throughout their communities.
Overall, "Watch This!" is a powerful and thought-provoking reflection on the state of hip-hop music and the culture that surrounds it. KRS-One's wisdom and experience lend weight to the earnestness of his message, and his skill as a rapper is on full display throughout the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Straight from the under
The One is my number - watch this
I am an underdog and I have just one chance at this - watch and see what I can do!
All these newcomers are basically
Runners - watch this
All these new people in the rap scene are just copying what's already been done - watch and see something new and original!
Bitches and niggas and hoes for
Them others - watch this
Other rappers might rap about misogyny and vulgarities, but watch and see me rap about real issues and respect for all!
I rhyme for mothers fathers
Sisters and brothers, my name Kris
I rap to speak to and unite all families, and don't forget my name: Kris!
The difference is realness
Versus the fakeness, let's rock
There are too many fake rappers out there - let's rock and show what real rap means!
I am an elder that helped to create this
Hip-hop
I am an elder statesman of hip-hop who helped create it - I know what I'm doing!
Now that you know this regain your focus
Be reminded straight from the +Criminal+ to
+Spiritual Minded+ realignment
Now that you know my credentials, refocus on what hip-hop is really about: a realignment from criminality to spiritual consciousness.
Movin in faster as you hearin the master
Keep up don't worry 'bout battles, I'm
18 years past ya, speak up
I am a master of the art and moving faster than ever before - don't worry about competing with me, I'm already 18 years ahead of you - speak up and be proud!
The K to the R to the S to the One, ease up
I'm glowin like lava, hot as the sun
I don't freeze up
Remember my name and my flow - I radiate like lava and the sun, and I never falter or slow down.
I take you backward rap and after
That I'm takin the future
I connect to the past and the future of rap, and I will take you on that journey with me!
Graffiti writers, beatboxin
Just like we used ya
Deejays cuttin it up with a boomin speaker
Them days had fewer heaters
I respect and connect with the old-school aspects of hip-hop like graffiti and beatboxing, and deejaying with a big speaker. Back then we had less drama and controversy.
Today we've got fewer teachers like America
Hip-hop needs some newer leaders
KRS is the candidate
There are not many good mentors for hip-hop today, but we need some fresh new leaders to take the scene into the future, and I nominate myself for that role.
I understand I state, and overstand we great
Rock!
I not only understand but overstand what hip-hop can do and how great it can be - let's rock and make it happen!
Constantly fightin Satan
Watchin the moves I'm makin
Tryin to stay positive
Look at the world we live
I am always battling negativity and temptation as I try to stay positive in a difficult world.
It's hard to get a job
That's why my brothers rob
In every hood same story
But with different 40's
It's hard to make a living legally these days, and that's why people resort to crime - this is a story that repeats across every neighborhood, but with different specifics.
You either Blood or Crip
You sellin dubs or nicks
You gotta stand wit'cha man or
You plug a chick now look what you get
People are forced to pick a side and sell drugs to make ends meet, but inevitably they get caught up in drama and end up in trouble.
Quit tryin to play the part
You got caught up in the game
Now you in the dark
Stop pretending to be something you're not - you got caught up in the game and now you're suffering the consequences.
I'm seein people dyin, so many mothers cryin
That brother say he got your back
But that brother lyin
I see the tragic effects of violence and crime on people and their families - people who say they have your back are often lying.
You need to grab a mirror
And look into it quicker
It ain't all about you man
This thing is bigger
Look at yourself and your actions more closely and recognize that your life is part of something larger - it's not all about you.
Cause everything that you do
Come back double fold
You ain't on the right track
Take another road brother you gettin old
Your actions have consequences that will come back to you twice over - if you're not on the right path, it's time to choose a new one before it's too late.
You've got to make a change
Cause this thing we call life
Brother it's not a game nah'!
It's time to make a real change in your life because this is not a game - it's real life!
Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RON HARBIN, ANTHONY SMITH, AARON BARKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind