KRS ONE

First off KRS ONE is an acronym for Knowledge Reins Supreme Over Nearly Everyone. Knowledge is his thesis on hip hop. KRS comes from The South Bronx, hip hop’s birthplace. He not only brings some of the best music to the table, but also makes a point of educating his audience. Educating them on history, violence, hip hop, and the police. KRS ONE made an active effort to make a difference in his community by talking about what he saw happening around him. KRS ONE and DJ Scott La Rock founded Boogie Down Productions and released the classic album Criminal Minded in 1987.

Criminal Minded featured South Bronx and The Bridge is Over which stared on of the first hip hop wars between BDP and The Juice Crew. In The Juice Crew’s song The Bridge they state that hip hop began at The Queensboro Bridge. These wars come to a sudden stop after DJ Scott La Rock was shot and killed during the making of their second album By All Means Necessary. After the death of his best friend KRS ONE stopped making violent music and started focusing on socially conscious music. Also around this time he started using the moniker The Teacher. By All Means Necessary is widely seen as the first politically conscious hip hop album. KRS ONE has been hugely influential in provoking political and social consciousness although sometimes overshadowed by Public Enemy. KRS ONE also went on to start the Stop The Violence campaign which featured many prominent hip hop artists.

In 1993 KRS ONE released his first solo album with out Boogie Down Productions and has continued to do so since. His most recent release L.A.B. Lyrical Ass Beating came out last year in 2010. In 1991 KRS ONE was featured on R.E.M.’s Radio Song and in 1992 Bradley Nowell released a song titled KRS ONE which featured sample of KRS ONE. KRS ONE’s influence goes well beyond the hip hop world.

R.I.P. Scott La Rock