KRS-One

KRS-One

KRS-One is an American hip-hop MC from The Bronx, New York. Born Lawrence Parker in 1965, he uses several names, including Kris Parker, KRS One, KRS-ONE, The Blastmaster and The Teacha. His stage name is an acronym for “Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everybody”.

Career

KRS-One begins in hip hop as a member of Boogie Down Productions, which he forms with Scott Sterling, known as Scott La Rock, after meeting him at a Covenant House youth homeless shelter. The group first calls itself Scott La Rock and the Celebrity Three, then becomes Boogie Down Productions when the two other members leave. An early single, “Success is the Word”, appears under the name 12:41 on Fresh/Sleeping Bag Records, but does not become a commercial success.

After a deal with Rock Candy Productions and its subsidiary B-Boy Records, Boogie Down Productions release Criminal Minded in 1987. The album uses James Brown samples and reggae influences, and includes “Dope Beat”, which samples AC/DC. Its cover shows KRS-One and La Rock holding firearms, a striking image that later influences rap album artwork. Around this period, KRS-One also enters a battle with MC Shan, leading to “The Bridge Is Over”.

Political work and solo albums

After Scott La Rock is killed in 1987, Boogie Down Productions becomes more overtly political. KRS-One plays a central role in the HEAL compilation and the Stop the Violence Movement, and gathers many prominent MCs for the single “Self Destruction”. He also shifts away from “The Blastmaster” and adopts “The Teacha” as his preferred title.

His solo albums include Return of the Boombap in 1993, with production from DJ Premier, Showbiz and Kid Capri, and the track “Sound of da Police”. KRS One follows and includes “Free Mumia” with Channel Live, as well as guest appearances from Mad Lion, Busta Rhymes, Das EFX and Fat Joe. In 1997 he releases I Got Next, which includes a remix of “Step into a World” with a Blondie sample and “Heartbeat” featuring Angie Martinez and Redman, based on “Feel the Heartbeat” by the Treacherous Three.

Later career

KRS-One later appears on Tim Westwood’s BBC Radio 1 show and criticises the station and its support for commercial rap. He holds a position as Vice-President of A&R at Reprise Records, then leaves the label connection associated with Jive Records after A Retrospective in 2000. He releases The Sneak Attack on Koch Records in 2001, then the gospel-rap album Spiritual Minded in 2002. He also founds the Temple of Hiphop and continues with Kristyles, KRS-One: The Mixtape, Keep Right, Life and Adventures in Emceein. He is also associated with Marley Marl on planned later material.

Style and themes

KRS-One is widely regarded as a major figure in hip hop and as an artist associated with the foundations of hardcore rap and socially conscious political rap. His work centres on battle rap, street reportage and political commentary, while his collaborations and guest appearances place him across both underground and more mainstream hip hop contexts.