Foreword:

First of all, i would like to include a foreword to those who are confused as to exactly what hip-hop heads are. Hip-Hop Heads are the fans of the purest form of hip-hop music, and indeed, we all have different tastes, styles, and preferences. We choose exactly which artists to like or not like depending on one thing and only one thing only: If they are whack, or not. I cannot speak for all hip-hop heads, but i can speak for myself when i say that I never prejudge an artist and am open to all forms of music as well, but if something sucks, then IT SUCKS! The whole PURPOSE of being a hip-hop head is because we are adept at making our own decisions and NOT falling prey to peer pressure. Instead of falling into the crevises of the masses and buying every copy of the new Jay-Z or Ja Rule album like others, we actually THINK and prefer music outside of what is on the radio. So if we dont like an artist... its obviously because he or she is WHACK, and if anybody has a problem with that, i think that THEY are "whacked out"...


Review:


Kris Parker, aka KRS-One, has always been one of the most knowledgable, intelligent, and wisest emcees in hip-hop history. As one of hip-hop's founding fathers, he has led the way for virtually every act in hip-hop music to prop up in the early 90s, and almost everybody has been inspired by this man. Ever since his days with Boogie Down Productions and their classic albums (Criminal Minded, etc), people have looked up to KRS-One as a leader. He teaches us that hip-hop is not some sort of flashy way to make money, or some kind of marketing gimic, but a way of life. He has always been an emcee loaded with creativity, shown in his music as well as his cutting-edge lyricism, his amazing ability to battle, and his introspective, social-conscious music. To sum up the presence of KRS-One on the microphone in a word, i would have to say... "untouchable". Unfortunately, it appears that KRS-One does NOT belong anywhere near MTV or BET in this age of ice chains and fast cars, but honestly... we really dont give a sh*t. KRS-One has never expressed whackness and has yet to release a bad album. However, in my personal opinion, i think that his sophomore solo-effort, 1995's KRS-One is his magnum opus. Not since his work with BDP has KRS-One been this lyrically potent and intelligent, spitting furious words at the microphone. To call this a classic would be an understatement unless you put the word "pure" in front of that.



Track List & Rating

1. Rappaz R. N. Dainja (******)
2. De Automatic (****)
3. MC's Act Like They Don't Know (******)
4. Ah-Yeah (*****)
5. R.E.A.L.I.T.Y. (*****)
6. Free Mumia (*****)
7. Hold (*****)
8. Wannabemceez (*****)
9. Represent The Real Hip Hop f/ Das EFX (****)
10. The Truth (*****)
11. Build Ya Skillz (*****)
12. Out For Fame (*****)
13. Squash All Beef (*****)
14. Health, Wealth, Self (******)




After a short interlude with some of the industry's finest performers, The legendary DJ Premier joins the legendary KRS-One on the opening classic "Rappaz R. N. Dainja". It is very interesting to find two legends, one of the microphone, and one of the turntables, joining up for the first time (to my knowledge), on this superb song. DJ Premier could arguably be the greatest producer of all-time (he is in my opinion), and to have the best producer supply one of the greatest emcees of all-time with a beat is a hip-hop head's dream come true. Primo laces the track with some thumping drum loops, background bass, a minimalistic keyboard arrangement, some spaced-out effects, and of course, the signature DJ Premier scratch sample chorus (this time using O.C. from "Time's Up"). The production is more than fitting for the teacher to rip it, and that is exactly what he does. KRS-One comes on the microphone and proves all the critics wrong that after 8 years in the game, he has YET to fall off. His multi-syllable flow, and well-written rhymes are a plus, as well as his sheer lyrical display of metaphors, similes, and intelligent braggadiocio points. KRS-One rips down all the feeble emcees, proving that he is still a force to be feared in the industry. To call this dope is an understatement...

DJ Premier returns with yet another banging, perfected beat on "MC's Act Like They Dont Know". This time featuring some loud "clanking" bells along with mesmerizing drum loops, thumping bass, some jazzy keyboard effects, perfectly placed background sound effects, and the incredible, DJ Premier signature scratch/sample chorus. KRS-One drops some unbelievable braggadiocio, securing his spot as the true teacher of hip-hop. He basically rips it on the microphone about his true skill in comparison to all the other whack emcees who come along and claim to be the best. KRS-One ensures us that his name will never be forgotten amongst the hip-hop heads, and i can definetely agree with that gesture. If anybody has any doubt of the unbelievable skill of KRS-One when it comes to writing lyrics, check this out: "This is what you waited all year for, The hardcore, that's what KRS is here for, Big up Grand Wizard Theodore, gettin' ill, If you see then ya saw I'm in your grill with mad skill, MC's can only battle with rhymes that got punchlines, Let's battle to see who headlines, Instead of flow for flow let's go show for show, Toe for toe, yo, you better act like you know".

After three tracks of braggadiocio, KRS-One feels that it is time to change up the pace and subject matter of the album to more social-conscious, introspective style, on "Ah Yeah". Over minimalistic production featuring some piano clanks, thumping bass, some soft drums, and some symbols to add to the effect, KRS-One uses his creative bones detailing the individuals throughout history which have faced prejudism, racism, or oppression in any way. His points are always intelligent, full of knowledge, and lyrically potent. For a prime example of what im trying to say, read this: "I came as Isis, my words they tried to ban it, I came as Moses, they couldn't follow my commandments, I came as Solomon, to a people that was lost, I came as Jesus, but they nailed me to a cross, I came as Harriet Tubman, I put the "Truth" to "Sojourner", Other times, I had to come as Nat Turner, They tried to burn me, lynch me and starve me, So I had to come back as Marcus Garvey, Bob Marley, They tried to harm me, I used to be Malcolm X, Now I'm on the planet as the one called KRS". His aggression is seemingly unmatched, and the political awareness of the subject matter is enough to keep even the faintest of heads listening to what the man has to say.

The Teacher decides to switch over to street poetry on "R.E.A.L.I.T.Y.". He chronicles the story of his childhood, his growing up in poverty, being on welfare, to his eventual evolution to an emcee and a teacher to all rappers. KRS-One sort of touches on the hypocrisy of many rappers who like to fabricate their past and that only the truest of emcees keep the truth in their right hand when they spit. I simply could not agree more with the statement and message that KRS-One is making on this track. The song can pretty much be summed up by the first four bars of the second verse: Every single day I hear lie after lie, Like "Black people don't die, we multiply", So when I kick a rhyme I represent how I feel, The sacred street art of keepin it real". Once again, another example of the knowledge that this human being possesses.

KRS-One takes some shots at Delores Tucker and those trying to shut down hip-hop on the politically aware "Free Mumia". Over some excellent production, KRS-One trades rhymes with Channel Live dropping some punchlines loaded with knowledge against those government officials who make mistakes and assumptions about hip-hop. His rhyme skill is off the charts as he resorts to biblical metaphors and passages to drop his knowledge: "Wisdom shall come out of the mouths of babes and sucklings, But you blinded by cultural ignorance and steady judging, But judge not, lest ye may be judged, For the judgment ye judge ye shall surely be judged, you gets no love". Definetely another classic.

Creativity has always been something that has been seemingly magnetised to KRS-One. Throughout his hip-hop tenure he has given us some of the most thought-provokingly creative songs ever. He continues this trend on "Hold". He manages to put together a nice street narrative where he utilyzes the bar system to rhyme words that rhyme with "hold" at the end of every line. The story is a first-person narrative about an individual who is hungry and living on the streets who resorts to murder in order to get himself some food, winding up arrested, and killing his cellmate in the prison. KRS-One does not represent this character whatsoever, but it is very interesting to listen to a story crafted this nicely. The outstanding creativity is jaw-dropping, and with an unbelievable mix of socially conscious commentary AND minimalistic piano production, this is an absolute pure classic in every sense of the word.

Das EFX joins KRS-One for one of those underground east coast crew joints on "Represent The Real Hip-Hop". This is exactly what i was speaking of on the foreword. I highly suggest throwing away all your crappy Ja Rule albums and buying something with some substance. Trust Big D , i wouldn't lie to you, and neither would Kris. Still a non-believer? Listen to this braggadiocio lyricism: "What... I say, follow me follow me with my syllable syllable lyrical criminal, MC threats are minimal to my physical they just, whittle and whittle away, with little and little to say, As they piddle and paddle away, they say OK, But I chop that a** up anyway, What's your handle I got mad MC heads upon a mantle, I got genuine MC skin sandals, I light the mic up like a candle, watch it melt, Cause when I felt lyrics you both are screamin for help, when you hear it, you can't bear it, you can't even wear it, You oughts to just cheer it, go get it spirit!!". Over some minimalistic keyboard arrangements, this is yet another highlight on KRS-One.

On "The Truth", KRS-One turns biblical and spiritual on this track, at the same time keeping his intelligent views. Kris questions the secrecy of the Bible and the very cross that Jesus Christ was placed upon many years ago. The intelligent theories questioning the truth would most likely make religious activists scream in pain due to the controversial, yet intelligent and well thought-out points, that Kris makes. Its interesting that everything that KRS-One says has rellevance and a lot of times forces you to push the rewind button quite a few times. His views are controversial indeed, but i HIGHLY suggest listening to this eye-opening song and freeing your minds.

One of the nine elements of hip-hop as a lifestyle (as KRS has always preached), has been graffiti art. It is true that in this age, graffiti art is considered vandalism and illegal, but it is indeed a form of the hip-hop lifestyle and is beautiful if placed on certain areas where it is welcome. On "Out for Fame", KRS-One acknowledges the graffiti art that he grew up with, as well as the artists who paved the way, as he pays tribute to them. Be sure to take note of the intelligence that this man posseses as he considers the first graffiti artists to be the Egyptians. KRS-One has yet to make a bad-point since the start of his career. Backed by some jaw-dropping production, KRS-One pens yet another classic on this sophomore solo album.

"Health, Wealth, Self" closes out a spectacular album. KRS-One is a very spiritual emcee, and shows it off on this track. The three words on the title are seemingly the three most important essenses in life, and KRS basically drops education once again. He is definetely a one of a kind individual and a teacher, and this track is once again more proof of his greatness. The masterful production provides a perfect backdrop for KRS-One's mystical subject matter about living life to the fullest and making every day worthwhile and livable (if thats even a word). This song is a more-than-perfect way to close out an unbelievable album.

KRS-One is, in a word... unbelievable. His jaw-dropping, intelligent lyricism is something which should appeal to anybody with more than half a brain. I say these words with confidence in knowing that anything that KRS-One puts out will be much better than every commercial rap radio station out there right now. In my opinion, this is the best of the best out of all of KRS-One's body of work, and that contains a LOT of memorable joints. Its easy to see that KRS-One influenced nearly every emcee out there in just listening to this album, as there are a few interludes throughout the album by some of hip-hop's most respected and recognizable emcees, paying tributes to the man that paved the way. This is a prime reason why nobody has the testicles to even ATTEMPT to say something bad about KRS-One: because they will get slaughtered mercifully. You can forget about any skits, filler, or any sort of watered-down lyrics on here, as Kris pushes the envelope once again. So do yourself a favor and pick this album up, sit down, and pay attention to somebody who will teach you things that you most likely have no clue about...


5 Stars











OTHER KRS-ONE ALBUMS:


Boogie Down Productions - Criminal Minded

Boogie Down Productions - By All Means Neccessary

Boogie Down Productions - Ghetto Music: The Blueprint of Hip-Hop

KRS-One - I Got Next

KRS-One - The Sneak Attack










Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Listening