Rap Ratz continue their mini-series of tributes to hip hop legends. This month, it’s the Teacha, KRS-ONE. Please subscribe to the Rap Ratz YouTube channel for future tributes.
Facts about the hip hop history of KRS-ONE:
– He was born Lawrence “Kris” Parker on August 20, 1965 in the Bronx, New York
– He left home at the age of 16 to become an MC.
– KRS-One is short for (Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everyone). It’s a name he acquired while being a graffiti artist. He is also known as the “Teacha” and “Blastmaster”
– KRS-One started his career with the hip hop group Boogie Down Productions, also known as BDP, with DJ Scott La Rock and Derrick “D-Nice” Jones in the mid-1980s.
– Radio DJs Mr. Magic and Marley Marl rejected him and KRS-One went on to diss the two and all those associated with them, setting off what was called “The Bridge Wars.”
– KRS-One was offended by Marley Marl’s protege, MC Shan’s song “The Bridge” because he thought that it implied that Queensbridge was the pinnacle of hip hop.
– KRS-One responded with a dis record called “South Bronx”
– Boogie Down Productions released their debut album Criminal Minded in 1987
– DJ Scott La Rock of BDP was killed in a shooting later that year.
– KRS One releases album By All Means Necessary in 1988.
– KRS-One helped to start he H.E.A.L. compilation and the Stop the Violence Movement; which was the launching pad for the popular 12-inch single “Self Destruction” released in 1989
– After releasing 5albums under BDP, KRS-One set out on his own.
– On 1993’s Return of the Boom Bap, his first solo album, he worked together with producers DJ Premier, Kid Capri and Showbiz, who provided the track for popular song, “Sound of da Police”.
– His second album, 1995’s KRS-One, featured Channel Live on “Free Mumia”, a song in which they criticize Civil Rights activist C. Delores Tucker among others.
