He was a pioneer, and his face belongs on hip-hop’s Mt. KRS was a commanding presence in the studio, on stage, and in the lecture halls. Over the next decade, he recorded albums that were lyrically and stylistically superior, as well as politically revolutionary. It was a work of sheer lyrical and musical genius, and it started KRS-One on the path to become one of the greatest emcees to ever touch a mic. BDP, with their 1987 debut album Criminal Minded. Thirty-five years ago, Lawrence “KRS-One” Parker debuted as the lead rapper of Boogie Down Productions a.k.a. KRS-One is the top 1 of the top 5, and that’s the end of it.Happy 25th Anniversary to KRS-One’s third studio album I Got Next, originally released May 20, 1997. Like his last album Between Da Protests ( 2020), which was quite good too, I M A M C R U 1 2 will suffer from underpromotion and disinterest (read disrespect) from mainstream Hip Hop outlets and uninformed younger Hip Hop listeners – but here at HHGA, we know what’s up and who is the GOAT. “The Beginning”, “Raw Hip Hop”, “Achieving The Levels”, “I M A M C R U 1 2”, “Drop Another Break”, “Have To Wait”, and the Slick Rick inspired “Knock Em Out” – lots of timeless KRS bangers on this LP. Production is simple but fresh and functional, and a KRS-One album is all about his BARS anyway. His flow and his articulation are as immaculate as ever – KRS-One might be 56 years old by now, but his vocal power and the strength of his pen game are undiminished. As always, KRS comes with socio-conscious rhymes mixed with braggadocio bars, delivering his bars with a hardcore, powerful, and energetic attitude. Unlike most of his post-Millenium efforts, I M A M C R U 1 2 is totally solid and consistent: it’s one of KRS-One’s best albums in over 20 years. And: “I’m 50, and 20-year olds can’t match the energy / on stage, I’m in a rage – yeah, it’s like ten of me / disrespect the Teacha, you know the penalty / KRS-One: I’m from a whole different century / I’m Paid In Full, so you can ch-check out My Melody…” In 2022, KRS-One is still going strong. “The top 1 of the top 5, and that’s the end of it.” KRS tells us on the standout cut “Achieving The Levels”. Sex & Violence was the last BDP album, the iconic Return Of The Boom Bap (1993) started KRS-One’s solo career. By All Means Necessary (1988), The Blueprint (1989), Edutainment (1990), Sex & Violence (1992) are all classic Hip Hop albums too. KRS-One is a REAL emcee, you see?Īfter KRS-One dropped a couple of singles in 1986 with the late Scott La Rock, the duo debuted as Boogie Down Productions with the now-classic LP Criminal Minded in 1987. “I am an MC, are you one too?” 35 years in the game, and KRS One is still ready to challenge and beat ANY rapper out there.
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