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KRS-One Celebrates his 48th Birthday
RnB/Hip Hop | Wednesday 21st August 2013 | Mark
South Bronx emcee and hip hop teacher, KRS-One (Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everyone), celebrates his 48th birthday (20th August 2013), commemorating the longevity of one of hip hop's most influentual figures. KRS would start his career as part of the hip hop group Boogie Down Productions with the late great DJ Scott La Rock, and together they would release their debut classic Criminal Minded which would serve as the blueprint for the gangster rap sub-genre.
Boogie Down Productions - "The Bridge is Over"
Following the death of BPD co-founder Scott La Rock, KRS formed the 'Stop The Violence Movement' in hopes of raising awareness of the violence within the hip hop and black communities. The single "Self Destruction" featuring Public Enemy, the late Heavy D, MC Lyte, Kool Moe Dee, Just-Ice & Stetsasonic was released with intentions of bringing the hip hop community back to it's original principles.
A conscious effort was made to change the subject matter on his following releases, with KRS adopting the moniker "Teacha", and writing songs that were driven to address to the political and social consciousness of growing up in The Bronx. Most notable are the songs "My Philosophy", "Stop The Violence" & "You Must Learn".
Stop The Violence - "Self Destruction"
Although mainly solo efforts, KRS would go on to record a total of 5 albums as part of the hip hop collective before recording under his own name. In 1993, KRS-One released his debut album The Return Of The Boom Bap which featured production largely from DJ Premier, Kid Kapri, KRS himself & Showbiz. The Return Of The Boom Bap would receive 4 out of 5 mics and would be selected as one of the 100 Best Rap Albums in The Source.
KRS One - "The Sound Of The Police"
It's nearly 20 years after his debut release and KRS-One is still as iconic as he was back in his BDP days, remaining as a figurehead for real hip hop fans and continuingly releasing consistent music.
Happy Birthday KRS!
Mark Fort
