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..."
You Must Learn
KRS-One Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's calm yet wild the style that I speak
Just filled with facts and you will never get weak in the heart
In fact you'll start to illuminate, knowledge to others in a song
Knowledge reigned supreme
The ignorant is ripped to smithereens
What do you mean when you say I'm rebellious
'Cause I don't accept everything that you're telling us
What are you selling us the creator dwellin' us
I sit in your unknown class while you're failing' us
I failed your class 'cause I ain't with your reasoning
You're tryin' make me you by seasoning
Up my mind with see Jane run, see John walk in a hardcore New York
It doesn't exist no way, no how
It seems to me that in a school that's ebony
African history should be pumped up steadily, but it's not
And this has got to stop, See Spot run, run get Spot
Insulting to a Black mentality, a Black way of life
Or a jet Black family, so I include with one concern, that
You must learn
Just like I told you, you must learn
Just like I told you, you must learn
I believe that if you're teaching history
Filled with straight up facts no mystery
Teach the student what needs to be taught
'Cause Black and White kids both take shorts
When one doesn't know about the other ones' culture
Ignorance swoops down like a vulture
'Cause you don't know that you ain't just a janitor
No one told you about Benjamin Banneker
A brilliant Black man that invented the almanac
Can't you see where KRS is coming at
With Eli Whitney, Haile Selassie
Granville Woods made the walkie-talkie
Lewis Latimer improved on Edison
Charles Drew did a lot for medicine
Garrett Morgan made the traffic lights
Harriet Tubman freed the slaves at night
Madame CJ Walker made a straightenin comb
But you won't know this is you weren't shown
The point I'm gettin' at it it might be harsh
'Cause we're just walkin' around brainwashed
So what I'm sayin' is not to diss a man
We need the 89 school system
One that caters to a Black return because
You must learn
Just like I told you, you must learn
In the opening lyrics of KRS-One’s “You Must Learn,” the rapper speaks about the importance of gaining knowledge and the power it holds. He describes his style as calm yet wild, full of facts that will never make one weak in the heart. He asserts that the force of knowledge must be demonstrated, and that when one gains knowledge, they can spread it to others in a song. KRS-One tells us that knowledge reigns supreme, and that the ignorant are ripped to smithereens. He goes on to define himself as rebellious, unaccepting of everything people tell him. He takes issue with school systems that fail to include African history, despite the fact that in a school that’s mostly Black, it should be taught more frequently. By the end of the song, it’s clear that KRS-One’s main message is that ignorance must be fought, and knowledge should be prioritized to the point of creating a school system that caters to African American students.
Throughout “You Must Learn,” KRS-One demonstrates his understanding of the importance of knowledge, and how it has the force to uplift us all. The song is a social commentary on the education system and its failures, particularly in regard to the teaching of African American history. It’s a call to action, encouraging us to seek out knowledge and spread it to others. The lyrics themselves are inspired by the teachings of the Five Percent Nation, a group that believes knowledge is power and that understanding who you are and where you come from is essential.
Line by Line Meaning
Just like I told you, you must learn
I am stressing the importance of learning about one's own culture and history, and I am urging you to pay attention and gain knowledge.
It's calm yet wild the style that I speak
I speak in a manner that may seem calm, but my style is powerful, and the message I deliver is impactful.
Just filled with facts and you will never get weak in the heart
I provide straightforward facts and knowledge, and once you gain that knowledge, your heart won't falter or weaken.
In fact you'll start to illuminate, knowledge to others in a song
Once you learn about your culture and history, you will begin to share that knowledge with others through song, spreading light and awareness to those around you.
Let me demonstrate the force of knowledge
I am going to show you the power and strength of knowledge through my lyrics and message.
Knowledge reigned supreme
Knowledge is crucial and should be highly valued, as it holds immense power.
The ignorant is ripped to smithereens
Those who lack knowledge are vulnerable and more likely to be taken advantage of, which is why we must educate ourselves and others to avoid being helpless.
What do you mean when you say I'm rebellious
People may perceive me as rebellious because I refuse to blindly accept the information being given to me and instead challenge the status quo.
'Cause I don't accept everything that you're telling us
I don't blindly accept information and instead seek to learn the truth and discover my own identity and culture.
What are you selling us the creator dwellin' us
Instead of being taught about our true culture and history, we are sold false information that erases our identity and values.
I sit in your unknown class while you're failing' us
I am forced to sit in a class that does not teach me about my own culture and is therefore failing to provide me with the knowledge I need.
I failed your class 'cause I ain't with your reasoning
I don't agree with the teaching methods being used, and therefore, I am unsuccessful in those courses.
You're tryin' make me you by seasoning
The educational system is attempting to assimilate me into the dominant culture by erasing my own identity and values.
Up my mind with see Jane run, see John walk in a hardcore New York
Instead of teaching me about my own history and culture, the educational system is providing me with irrelevant information, such as the actions of fictional characters.
It doesn't exist no way, no how
The idea of the educational system teaching me about my own culture and history is not even a possibility, which is disturbing and unacceptable.
It seems to me that in a school that's ebony
In a school that is predominantly African American, it is crucial to teach African American history and culture.
African history should be pumped up steadily, but it's not
Teaching African American history and culture should be a priority, but the educational system is failing to do so.
And this has got to stop, See Spot run, run get Spot
It is unacceptable to continue ignoring African American history and culture and instead teach irrelevant information.
Insulting to a Black mentality, a Black way of life
The current educational system is offensive to African Americans and their way of life by erasing their history and culture.
Or a jet Black family, so I include with one concern, that
I am including all African American families in the concern that their culture and history is not being taught in the educational system.
I believe that if you're teaching history
Teaching history and culture is important, but it must be done accurately and include all cultures, not just dominant ones.
Filled with straight up facts no mystery
History must be taught accurately and straightforwardly, without hiding any information or creating misinformation.
Teach the student what needs to be taught
It is important to teach students about their own cultures and history, as well as other cultures and histories, to create a well-rounded education.
'Cause Black and White kids both take shorts
Both African American and white children suffer when their histories and cultures are ignored in the educational system.
When one doesn't know about the other ones' culture
When someone is ignorant about another person's culture, it can lead to misunderstandings and ignorance, which is why it is crucial to teach about all cultures and histories.
Ignorance swoops down like a vulture
Lack of knowledge can be dangerous and detrimental, leading to misunderstandings and spreading harmful stereotypes.
'Cause you don't know that you ain't just a janitor
Without proper education and knowledge, you may not realize your own value and contributions to society, leading to feelings of inferiority or lack of self-worth, such as working as a janitor instead of pursuing more fulfilling careers.
No one told you about Benjamin Banneker
The lack of knowledge about important African American figures such as Benjamin Banneker can be corrected through better education and teaching about cultural history.
A brilliant Black man that invented the almanac
Benjamin Banneker accomplished incredible things, including inventing the almanac, but his contributions are not as widely known as they should be.
Can't you see where KRS is coming at
You should understand the importance of education about cultural history and significance based on my previous lyrics in this song.
With Eli Whitney, Haile Selassie
There are many other important historical figures that are not commonly recognized and should be taught in school, including Eli Whitney and Haile Selassie.
Granville Woods made the walkie-talkie
Granville Woods accomplished important technological advancements throughout history, particularly in the creation of the walkie-talkie.
Lewis Latimer improved on Edison
Lewis Latimer deserves recognition for his contributions to technology, including his improvements to Thomas Edison's light bulb invention.
Charles Drew did a lot for medicine
Charles Drew is a crucial figure in the advancement of medical science, particularly in blood transfusions.
Garrett Morgan made the traffic lights
Garrett Morgan accomplished an important creation in the invention of the modern traffic light, yet his historical significance is often overlooked.
Harriet Tubman freed the slaves at night
Harriet Tubman is an iconic figure in African American history, known for her heroic acts in freeing slaves during a dark period of history.
Madame CJ Walker made a straightenin comb
Madame CJ Walker made important contributions to the beauty industry, particularly in the creation of hair care products such as the straightening comb.
But you won't know this is you weren't shown
Without proper education and recognition in history, the contributions of these figures and many others will go unnoticed and uncelebrated.
The point I'm gettin' at it it might be harsh
My message may come off as harsh or jarring, but it is crucial and necessity to prioritize education about cultural and historical significance.
'Cause we're just walkin' around brainwashed
The lack of education and knowledge has left many of us feeling lost or without direction, which is why it is crucial to correct this and promote healthy and informed learning.
So what I'm sayin' is not to diss a man
I am not trying to disparage anyone, but rather just promote the need for better education and preservation of cultural history.
We need the 89 school system
The school system in 1989, which aimed to celebrate and promote African American history and culture, is an ideal model that should be brought back and expanded upon.
One that caters to a Black return because
It is crucial to prioritize education that focuses on the cultural history and contributions of African Americans, particularly because it was previously ignored and undervalued.
You must learn
Once again, I am urging you to learn and educate yourself and others about cultural heritage and history for the betterment of yourself and those around you.
Just like I told you, you must learn
My message is clear and consistent throughout the song, and I am reiterating the importance of learning and educating ourselves on cultural history and contributions.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Hebrew Kale
Just like I told you you must learn
It's calm yet wild the style that I speak
Just filled with facts and you will never get weak in the heart
In fact you'll start to illuminate knowledge to others in a song
Let me demonstrate the force of knowledge
knowledge reigned supreme
The ignorant is ripped to smithereens
What do you mean when you say I'm rebellious
'Cause I don't accept everything that you're telling us
What are you selling us the creator dwellin' us
I sit in your unknown class while you're failing' us
I failed your class 'cause I ain't with your reasoning
You're tryin' make me you by seasoning
Up my mind with see Jane run, see John walk in a hardcore New York
It doesn't exist no way, no how
It seems to me that in a school that's ebony
African history should be pumped up steadily, but it's not
and this has got to stop, See Spot run, run get Spot
Insulting to a Black mentality, a Black way of life
Or a jet Black family, so I include with one concern, that
You must learn
I believe that if you're teaching history
Filled with straight up facts no mystery
Teach the student what needs to be taught
'Cause Black and White kids both take shorts
When one doesn't know about the other ones' culture
Ignorance swoops down like a vulture
'Cause you don't know that you ain't just a janitor
No one told you about Benjamin Banneker
A brilliant Black man that invented the almanac
Can't you see where KRS is coming at
With Elie Whitney, Holly Selosy, Grand Bill Woods
made the walky-talky
Lewis Latterman improved on Edison
Charles Drew did a lot for medicine
Garrett Morgan made the traffic lights
Harriet Tubman freed the slaves at night
Madame CJ Walker made a straightin' comb
But you won't know this is you weren't shown
The point I'm gettin' at it it might be harsh
'Cause we're just walkin' around brainwashed
So what I'm sayin' is not to diss a man
we need the 89 school system
One that caters to a Black return because
You must learn
I believe that if you're teaching history
"Alkebulan" is the original name
Of Africa, now stripped of it's fame
It's good to know that in ancient times
Egyptians developed all sciences of the mind
To the point where they ruled the planet
But Rome, Greece, and Persia wasn't havin' it
They attacked, and won the war
But it wasn't enough, they had to get to the core
Cause in that time it was Alkebulan
That ruled religion, politics, and man
In order to destroy the Egyptian race
They had to wipe the sciences from off the face of the planet
So they proceeded to ban it
Then replace it with Christianity
And it's, been that way, all the way to today
Learn what we teach; hear what we say
But here comes the K-the-R-the-S-the-O-the-N-the-E
The BDP and we rhyme intelligently
Let me continue with Theodosyius
A Greek ruler not known to most of us
He, in the fourth century A.D.,
Calls the Egyptians fools you see
Two years later, Justinian rules
Six A.D., was it for schools
As a result, ignorance had swirled
Over Christian Europe and Greco-Roman worlds
This went on for a thousand years
Of ignorance, stupidity, and tears
Now comes the seventeenth century hardness
Europe, began to come out of it's darkness
So Johann F. Blumenbach, a German
Came out of nowhere and started confirming
White supremacy and men of colors
Before this time, all men were brothers
It was Johann, who went on to say
There are five different colors in the world today
That's caucasian, malayan, and mongolian
American-Indian, and ethiopian
Yet, the ignorance gets scarier
He believed whites were superior
According to his idiotic fountain
The purest whites were from the Caucas mountains
J. A. Blofener, and H. S. Chamberlain
Both supported this outrageous racism
This went on to what the master race should be
And why they killed the Jews in Germany
Here is the reason why I'm so concerned
Because you, must, learn!!!!
Samuel Momodu
One of the greatest songs in Hip Hop history.
Airfixx _
Amazing record, but I prefer the album version.....
Richard Adlam
Yeah the album version was the boom bap
Terrence Stith
for all the youngsters who wonder why many of us old schoolers are critical of (most of) "todays rap"..this video gives you the answer 100%. Shout out to the youngsters though. We believe in you and believe you can elevate Hip Hop back where it needs to be..Just understand..THIS is the blueprint (see what I did there)
Natalia
Truth
Stipem
True af
Mr. T Pain 60 58
Use your platform to help us to learn. We need to know shit. YOU MUST LEARN. 🤔
Tg midaz👑💫
I'm 30 and this is facts 💯
Randolph Nicholson
That third verse is one of the best verses in Hip Hop history!!
ANYTHING GOES VIDEOS (Part - 2)
remind me of NAS's Last verse in his song - "I KNOW I CAN"