Today in Hip Hop history prolific South Bronx philosopher KRS-One released his second solo LP KRS-One (an acronym for Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everyone). With this album, the former Boogie Down Productions MC makes an attempt to reconnect with the younger scene in New York. The tone and style of this album fit more into the fold of popular rap music coming out of the Big Apple in ’95 allowing KRS-ONE to regain popularity among youthful Hip Hop fans.
With revamped production and features from the likes of Fat Joe, Busta Rhymes, Das EFX, and Mad Lion, this project only added to KRS-One’s repertoire. With this album KRS-One showed the could not only keep alive his brand of educational hardcore boom bap; but, that he could transition and taper his bars to a more high energy, party driven crowd.
Commercially, this album was a success. Peaking at #19 on the Billboard 200 and #2 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Charts, it was obvious that KRS-One had yet to fade into the pages of Hip Hop history. Both critics and fans alike responded well to this slight style change, marking it as a moment of experimentation instead of accusing KRS-One of selling out. Fellow rap heavyweight also chimed in with their opinions of KRS-One work on the actual album. The LP is aced with interludes of radio shout-outs from rappers Method Man, Lord Finesse, Rakim, Jeru the Damaja, Mr. Magic, and even MC Shan who at one point had beef with Boogie Down Productions.
Blastmaster KRS 1 dropped his first solo album 30 years ago today.
Sometimes the best way to do things is to do it yourself. This is the realization that KRS, the general of the Boogie Down Productions crew, came to when he dropped Return Of The Boom Bap. It was his first solo LP and was recorded almost totally in the legendary D&D Studios. With production from DJ Premier, Kid Capri, and Showbiz of Showbiz & A.G. while being promoted and marketed by Jive Records, this album is one of Hip Hop’s buried treasures. Rated 4 mics by The Source Magazine, songs like “Outta Here” spoke directly to new jack emcees seeking fame, while tracks like “Black Cop” and “Sound Of The Police” spoke consciousness to the masses and still rocked the clubs. The album peaked at #37 on the Billboard 200.
We thank the Blastmaster for such a classic project that has stood the test of time. Salute!
KRS-One is a leading emcee in New York and the global Hip Hop space. Many refer to him as an activist, educator, and icon, and rightly so. For decades, KRS-One has remained a significant foundation piece in Hip Hop’s landscape since his breakthrough in the late ’80s. A founding member of Boogie Down Productions, alongside DJ Scott La Rock and D-Nice, KRS is one of rap’s most influential entities. Boogie Down Production’s debut album, Criminal Minded, is also widely regarded as one of the best Hip Hop albums ever.
In anticipation of his birthday on August 20, KRS-One restored 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in his hometown, The Bronx. It was a move he believes will positively impact the birthplace of Hip Hop. For someone who may appear out of the game, the rapper still advocates and educates on the genre’s glory. He’s also the man behind the iconic single “Sound of Da Police,” a song that still enjoys airplay and soundtrack placements to the present day.
Since its inception, the perception of rap has often been mixed. While the misogynist lyrics are bashed, rap’s political landscape has been acclaimed from the jump. There is always a positive and negative attitude, whether between educationists, music lovers, political offices, or the media. KRS-One, however, has always been on the positive side of lyrical history. He embodies several teaching roles in his music, which is why he’s been dubbed “Teacha One.”
KRS-One: “The Voice Of The People”
KRS-One was born Lawrence “Kris” Parker in Brooklyn. A troubled childhood and multiple relocation stints with his abusive family led him to homelessness at 16. During his time at a community shelter, he happened upon Scott La Rock, and the rest was history. The moniker “KRS-One” stands for Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everyone.
He uses his rap to drive home messages of social and cultural change. One of his successful albums, Edutainment, speaks on the hard-knock life of poor, marginalized communities like The Bronx. When listening to KRS-One, themes centered around racism, poverty, and the Black race keep coming up. He is also somewhat of a smooth narrator, making the harsh realities of his lyrics digestible.
The first track of Edutainment, “Exhibit A,” lectures listeners on what rap is all about, its origins and background. He describes rap as “the last voice of Black people.” He further explains rap as the “revolutionary tool in changing racist America.” His early days with Boogie Down Productions took on a storytelling rap style. This was evident with songs like “Love’s Gonna Get’cha,” which greatly addresses poverty and its impact on communities. Speaking directly and in metaphors on the Black American viewpoint of the police and their method of maintaining law and order, songs like “Black Cop” and “Sound of da Police” address the complex police-citizen relationship prevalent in Black neighborhoods.
Meet Lawrence “Kris” Parker
Lawrence Parker has New York in his blood, through and through. His love for his hometown started in his early years when he left home to pursue a career as an MC. Spending time at a homeless shelter in the Bronx, his mates, noticing his fascination with the Hare Krishna god, started to refer to him as Kris. At that age, he did more than hone his MC craft- he began to graffiti on walls with his signature name, KRS-One. Recently, his love for the Bronx was reciprocated by Italian street artist Jorit, who made a city mural for him. He describes the MC as one who unites the aggression of rap with positive messages. Some of his interests revolve around museums and libraries, but at the center of it all, KRS-One is all about receiving and passing down knowledge.
Boogie Down Productions
At BDP, KRS-One was a voice for conscious music. He was the lead artist of the group and was at the forefront of their albums. The collective was also one of the first pioneers of DJ and Emcee rap collaborations, which became widespread in the ’80s and ’90s. The group’s music was ahead of its time, having worked with many successful producers like Rakim and Marley Marl.
In August 1987, DJ Scott La Rock was murdered, becoming the first high-profile rap-murder case. As expected, there was turmoil regarding handling the label. This was more worrisome as they had just broken out of B Boy Records. BDP decided not to fold, and in 1988, their sophomore album gained notoriety with songs like “My Philosophy.” Other tracks like “I’m Still #1” and “Jimmy” cemented the album’s classical status. By All Means Necessary received widespread praise from critics and fans for its powerful themes on social consciousness and activism.
Produced primarily by the Blastmaster KRS himself along with the Human 808 D-Nice, Edutainment is arguably one of BDP’s best albums before KRS began to venture into solo projects. The title was definitive of its contents; education through the entertainment of Hip-Hop music. This album was also the most populated in terms of members of Boogie Down Productions, with appearances from Ms. Melodie, her sister Harmony, Jamal Ski, D-Nice, Willie Dee, Mc Boo, and Kris’ brother Kenny Parker. Prior to this, BDP only consisted of D-Nice, KRS, and the late DJ Scott La Rock.
The 21 song track listing included songs and skits, which were called “Exhibits”, where The Teacha and Black Power icon Kwame Ture spoke to cheering crowds about various subjects pertaining to Black people. Joints like the premier single “Love Is Gonna Getcha”, “Breath Control II”, and “Blackman In Effect” not only showed Kris’ cultural and political knowledge, but magnified his lyrical ability to adapt to any subject. “100 Guns”, which was remade by Ja Rule and Fat Joe during their beef with 50 Cent, further solidified the album’s street cred. From “Beef”(healthy eating) to “30 Cops Or More”(police brutality), Edutainment carried the appropriate title for what was in store for its listeners.
Supreme salute to KRS, the whole BDP crew from that era, and the entire BX. Peace!
The 2023 ESSENCE Festival took center stage as it celebrated the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, treating music enthusiasts to a spectacular showcase of legendary artists. The festival paid homage to the genre’s rich history with a curated set featuring Lauryn Hill and a lineup of hip-hop pioneers. The electrifying performances, including surprise appearances and memorable […]
On this day in 1988, Boogie Down Productions dropped one of the best and most influential albums of all time. It was widely seen as one of, if not the first, politically conscious efforts in Hip Hop.
KRS-One was initially popular for fueling the Juice Crew vs. BDP beef on wax and expanding intellectual Hip Hop music through 1987, with the release of Criminal Minded. However, when BDP’s DJ Scott La Rock was shot and killed in the South Bronx, it profoundly affected the Brooklyn native, which resulted in a drastic rethinking of his on-record persona. The “Blastmaster” began to talk about many of the issues plaguing the black community, like police brutality, government corruption, and institutionalized racism. Later on, he gave birth to his “Stop the Violence” Campaign. By All Means Necessary was one of the first albums the group made after Scott La Rock’s death that would have a lasting effect on generations to come.
As “The Teacher,” on perhaps one of the most influential tracks from the LP, “Stop the Violence,” he spits,
“I look, but it doesn’t coincide with my books/Social Studies will not speak upon hard hitting crooks/It’s just the Presidents, and all the money they spent/All the things they invent, and how their house is so immaculate/They create missiles, my family’s eating gristle/Then they get upset when the press blows the whistle”
As a plea to end violence in Hip Hop, which still hasn’t been heeded, KRS-One took on the role of the spearhead of Hip Hop’s Stop The Violence Movement, choosing the single “Self Destruction” as the lead single.
With classic tracks like “Nervous,” nearly every track on the album had a distinct narrative, and even the album cover art and the theme were Malcolm X (By Any Means Necessary) inspired. On the track “Jimmy,” the rapper became the first rapper to speak on the AIDS/HIV epidemic that plagued Black and Brown communities in America. In the song “Illegal Business,” Kris gives the masses a startling perception of the drug trade and how it corrupts the police and the government.
Salute to KRS and the Boogie Down Productions crew for giving us this epic piece of Hip Hop history!
“It’s not about a salary, it’s all about reality..”
KRS-One will share his knowledge on hip-hop in a series of new classes for hip-hop’s 50th anniversary in the Bronx, N.Y. The “I’m Still #1” artist is now another rapper who will play a part in honoring the genre’s 50th birthday. Rap legend KRS-One is one of the latest rappers that will celebrate the 50th anniversary […]
KRS-One, is paying it forward to Hip Hop by launching an in-person event series and website for its 50th anniversary. The website Birthplaceofhiphop.nyc will host a Hip Hop masterclass and pop-up exhibits at the Community Center, the birthplace of Hip Hop, August 11th. The location 1520 Sedgewick Ave was home to DJ Kool Herc’s Back To School Jam in August 1973. The party played a critical role as the origin story for the birth of Hip Hop. In a statement, KRS said the 50th anniversary is a global movement that celebrates the grit, voice, and power that brought culture to life.
Secondly, the rap legend will launch a logo competition on April 28th. Inviting creatives, designers, and graffiti artists to create the official logo of Hip Hop’s 50th Anniversary. KRS-One’s Birthplaceofhiphopnyc.com will serve as a community-based initiative. It’ll showcase Hip Hop’s origins and inspire future generations to continue to grow the genre and push the culture forward. Furthermore, the Hip Hop masterclass and pop-up exhibits will help educate everyone on the culture’s roots and how it became a global movement. Not only that, but the visual arts competition will also inspire creatives to showcase their best representation of Hip Hop in the official logo of the 50th anniversary.
KRS-One Gives Back To Hip Hop
KRS 1, Fat Joe and Big Daddy Kane attend TrillerVerz Featuring KRS 1 vs Big Daddy Kane at Barclays Center on October 17, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images)
While KRS has been giving back to Hip Hop, Hip Hop has also given back to KRS-One. Early this year the Hip Hop forefather received his own mural in the neighborhood where he was once homeless. Moreover, the mural was painted by Italian artist Jorit at 2nd St. near 1st Ave. In honor of Hip Hop’s 50th anniversary, the mural depicts the rapper’s image and is a testament to his success and roots. KRS told Fox NY that despite all the success, nothing compares to being immortalized in a mural.
Overall, KRS-One’s contributions to Hip Hop are nothing shy of major and significant. This initiative to celebrate Hip Hop turning 50 is a great opportunity for novices and enthusiasts to learn about the culture. Not only that creatives and artists alike will showcase their talent and celebrate Hip Hop’s origins. Are you excited about this new initiative? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
KRS-One, a renowned pioneer of hip hop and an activist, author, and philosopher, will return to the Community Center at 1520 Sedgwick, the birthplace of the genre. KRS-One will direct a number of community-based events, including a masterclass in hip hop, as part of the launch of Birthplaceofhiphop.nyc.
Hip-hop’s soul and present expressions will also be highlighted and celebrated in the classes and pop-up displays, in addition to its origins. The tale started in the summer of 1973 at a back-to-school fundraiser held in the community center of a low-income housing complex at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue. After 50 years and despite its modest beginnings, this energy is alive and well worldwide and has been portrayed in poetry, music, dance, and other kinds of art. Hip Hop is a movement that is unique in terms of the breadth of its impact.
KRS-One will officially inaugurate the celebration that will take place on August 11 and beyond on April 25 by joining local officials, renters, and the building’s owners. The celebration will feature the art form that serves as the hub of the global cultural phenomenon known as Hip Hop. He will host a series of educational programs including Hip-Hop’s major “cultural contributors.”
“The 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop is a global movement that speaks to the grit, voice, and power of how it came to be in the first place – we used our voices when they tried to silence us. We used our creativity when they tried to stifle us. We created the culture because we wanted to stand out and stand up for our artistry. Hip Hop is the people’s movement. I am excited to showcase this to the world in the space where it all began at 1520 Sedgwick in the Community Center. It feels right to be here, where it all began,” said KRS-One.
In addition, KRS-One and Birthpalceofhiphop.nyc are calling for the global Hip-Hop community to participate in a logo celebration celebrating the culture’s 50th anniversary. The winning design will honor the aspects of hip-hop required to commemorate its 50th anniversary and to motivate upcoming generations to develop and spread its message. Information on the contest can be found here.
KRS- One added, “I’m especially excited about this global logo contest, we’re calling all creatives, designers, graffiti artists to show us their best representation of what Hip Hop is. As Hip Hop marks this historic milestone, we look to this generation of Hip Hop creatives, designers and enthusiasts, to create the official logo of Hip Hop’s 50th Anniversary.”
You can learn more about the birth of Hip-Hop here.
