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..."
Woop! Woop!
KRS-One Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Woop-woop!
That's the sound of da police!
Woop-woop!
That's the sound of the beast!
Verse One:
Stand clear! Don man a-talk
You can't stand where I stand, you can't walk where I walk
Watch out! We run New York
Police man 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 a officer? You WICKED overseer!
Ya hotshot, wanna get props and be a saviour
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 getting HYPED to the sound of da police!
Chorus
Verse Two:
Now here's a likkle truth
Open up your eye
While you're checking 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 patroling all the nation
The overseer could stop you what you're doing
The officer will pull you over just when he's pursuing
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 little 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
Chorus
Verse Three:
Check out the message in a rough stylee
The real criminals are the C-O-P
You check for undercover and the one PD
But just a mere Black man, them want 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 nah 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?!
Chorus
KRS-One's "Woop! Woop!" is a powerful anthem against police brutality and systemic racism faced by the Black community. The song's catchy and repetitive chorus of "woop-woop! That's the sound of da police!" highlights the irony of the police using sirens as a warning sound, when their presence is often a warning to Black people that they're in danger. The use of the word "beast" in the chorus represents the animalistic and brutal behavior of corrupt police officers.
In the first verse, KRS-One challenges the police's authority and exposes their hypocrisy. He notes that the police accuse him of selling drugs, while they themselves are corrupt and involved in illegal activities. He criticizes their lack of respect and their violent behavior towards Black people. KRS-One then questions whether the police are really committed to justice and equality, or if they're just interested in enforcing the law to maintain their own power.
In the second verse, KRS-One uses wordplay to draw comparisons between overseers during slavery and police officers. He notes that both groups had similar roles in controlling and punishing Black people. He also notes that the police are allowed to be violent towards Black people, just like overseers were allowed to be violent towards slaves. KRS-One asserts that even after 400 years, Black people still have no choice but to face this violent treatment from the police.
Overall, "Woop! Woop!" is a powerful and thought-provoking song that calls attention to the injustices faced by the Black community at the hands of the police.
Line by Line Meaning
Woop-woop!
That's the sound of the police! It's a warning to others who might be doing something wrong because the police are coming for them.
Woop-woop!
That's the sound of the beast! The 'beast' is a metaphor for the police because they're perceived as being violent and uncontrollable.
Stand clear! Don man a-talk
Get out of the way! I'm about to speak and I'm not holding back.
You can't stand where I stand, you can't walk where I walk
You can't understand my perspective because you haven't lived my life or experienced my struggles.
Watch out! We run New York
We have power and control in our community.
Police man come, we bust him out the park
We'll fight back against police brutality and oppression.
I know this for a fact, you don't like how I act
You don't approve of my behavior and that makes you feel uncomfortable.
You claim I'm sellin' crack
You assume that I'm involved in illegal and criminal activity.
But you be doin' that
But in reality, you're doing the same thing or something just as bad.
I'd rather say 'see ya'
I'd rather distance myself from you because I don't agree with or respect your actions.
Cause I would never be ya
I would never become a police officer or someone who upholds oppressive systems.
Be a officer? You WICKED overseer!
Being a police officer makes you an evil overseer who perpetuates systems of racism and oppression.
Ya hotshot, wanna get props and be a saviour
You want to be seen as a hero or savior, but you're not actually doing anything to help or protect the community.
First show a little respect, change your behavior
Before you can earn respect, you need to change your behavior and stop oppressing others.
Change your attitude, change your plan
You need to change your mindset and approach to policing if you want to make a positive difference.
There could never really be justice on stolen land
The foundations of our society were built on stolen land and oppression, so true justice is impossible until that's addressed.
Are you really for peace and equality?
Do you actually support peace and equality or are you just pretending to for show?
Or when my car is hooked up, you know you wanna follow me
When I'm driving a nice car or looking successful, you assume I must have obtained it in a criminal way and therefore, want to follow me or harass me.
Your laws are minimal
Your laws are ineffective and only serve to perpetuate oppression and injustice.
Cause you won't even think about lookin' at the real criminal
You're so focused on criminalizing black people and other marginalized communities that you won't actually address or go after real criminals.
This has got to cease
This oppression and injustice needs to stop and we won't rest until it does.
Cause we be getting HYPED to the sound of da police!
We're energized and motivated by the police siren because it symbolizes our fight against police brutality and oppression.
Now here's a likkle truth
Here's a little piece of truth you might not want to hear.
Open up your eye
Pay attention and see what's really going on.
While you're checking out the boom-bap, check the exercise
While you're listening to music and enjoying yourself, don't forget to engage in activism and resistance.
Take the word 'overseer,' like a sample
Take the word 'overseer' and use it as a metaphor or symbol for the police and their role as oppressors.
Repeat it very quickly in a crew for example
Say it together as a group to emphasize our unity and power in resisting oppression.
The overseer could stop you what you're doing
The overseer had the power to control and oppress enslaved individuals on plantations.
The officer will pull you over just when he's pursuing
The police are more interested in pursuing and oppressing marginalized individuals than actually upholding the law or protecting communities.
The overseer had the right to get ill
The overseer had the power to become violent and abusive towards enslaved individuals without consequence.
And if you fought back, the overseer had the right to kill
If you tried to resist or fight against the overseer's violence, it could lead to your death.
The officer has the right to arrest
The police have the power to arrest individuals, but often use that power to target black people and other marginalized communities.
And if you fight back they put a hole in your chest!
If you try to resist or fight against the police, they could harm or even kill you without consequence.
(Woop!) They both ride horses
The overseer and the police are both symbols of authority and oppression, and their means of transportation reflect that.
After 400 years, I've _got_ no choices!
After centuries of oppression and violence, black people still feel like they have no choices or freedom in America.
The police them have a little gun
The police have weapons and power, but that doesn't mean they're doing good or helping the community.
So when I'm on the streets, I walk around with a bigger one
When I'm out in public, I feel like I need to carry a bigger, more powerful weapon to protect myself from the police.
(Woop-woop!) I hear it all day
The sound of the police siren is a constant reminder of the oppression, violence, and injustice that exists in our society.
Just so they can run the light and be upon their way
The police often use their power to violate traffic laws and abuse their power, rather than actually protecting the community.
Check out the message in a rough stylee
Pay attention to the message and meaning behind this song, even if it's delivered in a rough or unconventional way.
The real criminals are the C-O-P
The true criminals and oppressors are the police themselves, who use their power to harm and oppress marginalized communities.
You check for undercover and the one PD
You're always on the lookout for undercover cops and the police in general, because they often target and oppress black people and other marginalized communities.
But just a mere Black man, them want check me
Simply because I'm a black man, the police want to target and harass me without cause.
Them check out me car for it shine like the sun
The police target and harass me simply because my car is nice and shiny, assuming that I obtained it through illegal means.
But them jealous or them vexed cause them can't afford one
The police are jealous or upset that they can't afford a car as nice as mine, so they use their power to oppress and harass me instead.
Black people still slaves up til today
Black people are still oppressed and treated like slaves in America, even today.
But the Black police officer nah see it that way
Black police officers often fail to recognize or address the oppression and injustice that exists in our society.
Him want a salary, Him want it
Black police officers are just as interested in their salaries and financial gain as white police officers, despite the fact that the police are often used as tools of oppression against marginalized communities.
So he put on a badge and kill people for it
Black police officers, just like white ones, use their power to harm and kill people, often for personal gain or to fulfill their own agendas.
My grandfather had to deal with the cops
My grandfather, like many other black people, had to face oppression and violence from the police throughout his life.
My great-grandfather dealt with the cops
Oppression and violence from the police is a long-standing issue in the black community and has affected generations of people.
My GREAT grandfather had to deal with the cops
Police violence and oppression has been a part of my family's history for generations, and it's time for that to change.
And then my great, great, great, great... when it's gonna stop?!
Police violence and oppression has affected multiple generations of black people, and it's time for it to end once and for all.
Contributed by Ava L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@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😂