KRS-One 'Keep Right' album

Born Lawrence Krisna Parker, KRS-One (an acronym for Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everyone) began his career in the mid-'80s with DJ Scott LaRock as the voice of the pioneering hip-hop outfit Boogie Down Productions.

Throughout a career that spans nearly two-decades, KRS has managed to mesh the fine line between intellectual foil and the hardcore essays, which characterized his South Bronx upbringing to become one of the most-influential lyricists of our generation.

After linking up with DJ/Producer Scott LaRock, the once-homeless KRS-One created what would soon be dubbed "gangsta rap," with the indelible classic Criminal Minded. The album featured the forever classics "South Bronx," "The Bridge Is Over" and "The P is Free." Following the death of his erstwhile partner, Scott LaRock, in 1987 (whose violent exit played a significant role in KRS-One's conscious raising movement) B.D.P. released another certifiable classic with, By All Means Necessary, which included "My Philosophy," "I'm Still #1" and laid the foundation of his evolution into "The Teacher" with "Stop The Violence" and "Illegal Business." On subsequent B.D.P. offerings, KRS continued to lead by example with the politically tinged Edutainment in 1990 and 1992's Sex & Violence.

In 1993, KRS released his solo debut, Return of the Boom Bap, where he collaborated with Gang Starr's luminary producer DJ Premier. While he disbanded B.D.P. on the eve of this solo-debut, his movement was further enhanced with the stinging "Black Cop," "Sound Of Da Police" and the tender "Brown Skin Woman." He marched on with 1995's self-titled effort and 1997's I Got Next, all of which were released on Jive Records.

Following the release of I Got Next, KRS severed his long-standing ties with Jive Records and embarked on the third and perhaps most-important phase of his career. After a brief hiatus where he not only served as the head of A&R with Warner Brothers Records, but also started the landmark, Temple Of Hiphop, KRS returned and resumed his recording career under the guise of his own imprint, Front Page, which he established in a partnership with Koch Records. With his sights set directly on the political aspects of the recording industry, 2001's The Sneak Attack ushered in "the teacher's" rebirth, 2002's urban inspirational effort Spiritual Minded and reconnected with his battle-orientated roots on The Mixtape; which included the scathing Nelly diss "Ova Here."

In 2003, KRS once again shook up the industry. First, with his editorial debut, Ruminations, which was released to widespread critical praise. Second, by going to the U.S. Supreme Court and seeking an injunction against Koch Records that forced them to cease distribution of his seventh-solo LP Kristyles. KRS sought this injunction due to Koch using unauthorized and unmixed material. He was immediately granted the injunction and would go on to independently release Kristyles in its intended form. After the recording of Kristyle, KRS was enlisted to appear on the debut release, Saturday Night Agenda, from the fledgling Boston based Grit Recordings imprint. That cameo blossomed into headlining the inaugural Peace & Unity Festival in Boston (a truly monumental day in the history of Boston Hiphop) and an LP, Keep Right, which will be accompanied by a DVD that is slated to be released in July of 2004.

KRS-One has been speaking on behalf of Hiphop's preservation for over a decade. Although Hiphop has had other voices to speak up for change and cultural unity, KRS has remained the loudest advocate for its philosophical and spiritual awareness. Simply, KRS-One is and has always been Hiphop.

Do you also would like to share your opinion? If so, please register or login here.

Tags

Details

Popular Songs

New Songs

Tracklisting

KRS-One - Keep Right