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KRS-One Album: “Krs-One”
 Description :
Personnel includes: KRS-One, Fat Joe, Channel Live, Das EFX, Mad Lion, Busta Rhymes (rap vocals); DJ Dice (scratches); Dexter Thibou, Rich Nice, Sadat X (background vocals).
<p>Producers: DJ Premier (tracks 1, 3, 8); Big French Productions (track 2); KRS-One (tracks 4, 6-7, 10, 12, 14); Norty Cotto (track 5); Showbiz (track 9); Diamond D (tracks 11, 13).
<p>Engineers: Eddie Sancho (tracks 1, 8); Norty Cotto (tracks 2-3, 5, 12); Won Allen (track 4); Commissioner Gordon (tracks 6, 9, 11, 13); KRS-One (tracks 7, 10, 14).
<p>Recorded at Boogie Down Productions Studios and D&D Recording Studio, New York.
<p>All songs written or co-written by L. Parker. Samples include "Time's Up" (as performed by O.C.), "Pure" (as performed by The Troubleneck Brothers), "We Run Things (It's Like Dat)" (as performed by Da Bush Babees) and "Mystique Blues" (as performed by The Crusaders).
<p>KRS-ONE contains 38 spoken interludes dedicated to KRS-One by guest artists and radio personalities.
<p>Hip-hop music owes a lot to KRS-One. Lyrically speaking, no other rapper has contributed so much knowledge to the culture; musically, every song hits you in the head like a hammer. At a time when hip-hop has begun expanding into new genres (new-jack swing, g-funk, gangsta rap, R&B hip-hop, etc.), Kris Parker brings all rappers back down to earth with KRS-ONE, reminding them what hip-hop is really about.
<p>Since his days with Boogie Down Productions, KRS-One has declared that his "Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everybody," and, due in part to his street-poet-like use of clever analogies to wake up his community, it does. On "Ah-Yeah," KRS takes on the form of his ancestors to show how the hardships they suffered are coded in today's society: "This is not the first time I came to the planet/But every time I come only a few could understand it...They try to harm me/I used to be Malcolm X/Now I'm on the planet as the one called KRS." The song is only the latest of many on which KRS has used his rhymes to educate the hip-hop nation about African-American history.
<p>Although each song on KRS-ONE has something to teach, the idea that his music still pumps life into hip-hop through hardcore beats can not be overlooked. On "Rappers R.N. Dainja," KRS' lyrics warn others of the industry tactics of wack MCs ("the style that I am kickin' is like chicken/It will be bitten, re-written then performed for a twenty-five dollar admission"), as DJ Premier rocks the track with a wicked scratch of O.C.'s "Time's Up," allowing KRS-One to make it fresh for '95 just like he did in '86.
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Track Listing :
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Album Information :
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UPC:012414157027
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Format:CD
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Type:Performer
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Genre:R&B - Gangsta/Hardcore
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Artist:KRS-One
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Guest Artists:Busta Rhymes; Sadat X; Das EFX; Channel Live; Mad Lion; Fat Joe
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Label:Jive Records (USA)
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Distributed:BMG (distributor)
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Release Date:1995/10/10
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Original Release Year:1995
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Discs:1
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Mono / Stereo:Stereo
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Studio / Live:Studio
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
- KRS-One's best post-BDP album?
One thing's certain: If you're trying to find out why KRS is considered by many to be one of the greatest emcees of all time, look no further than his self-titled 1995 album, "KRS-One." The Blastmaster kicks scathing battle rhymes ("MCs Act Like They Don't Know") over hardcore, boombastic beats ("Rappers R N Danja") and proves why he is THE definition of an emcee by FREESTYLING his verses on the album's main criticism of fake emcees, "Wannabemceez." Elsewhere KRS explores the frustrated ghetto mind ("Hold"), encourages blacks to use compromise over killing ("Squash All Beef"), questions orthodox Christianity ("The Truth"), and puts a muzzle on rap critics ("Free Mumia"). To understand the overall tone of the album, an excerpt from "Rappers R N Danja":
"I remember thinkin' back to '83, no video no you had to be a real live emcee! Now you youngins grow up buggin, any new jock your huggin,' weak production, let me tell you somethin: Any emcee can battle for glory, but to kick a dope rhyme to wake up your people's another story. Act like you never saw me, cauz when it comes to lyrics, I'm in a different category!"
Cop this album today and enlighten yourself.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
- krs one's self titled album
this is a classic album, and it's krs-one's best, it includes the well known hit single mcs act like they don't know, but my favorite song was represent the real hip hop, this is a must have album, it made '95 one of hip hop's best years. 4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
- Arguably his strongest solo album
For his second solo album, KRS-One worked with a variety of younger hip-hop talents, perhaps in an attempt to resuscitate his street credibility and his commercial standing. Featuring appearances by Das EFX, Mad Lion, Fat Joe, and Channel Live, KRS-One is loaded with fresh talent of the first-rank and they help spark the Teacher into giving an inspired performance. The album also showcases a bit fuller production than Return of the Boom Bap, but that doesn't mean he has sold it out -- it just means he's continuing to experiment, which is one of the reasons KRS-One remained a vital artist nearly a decade after his first record. 3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
- Hip Hop Vs. Rap (Rating: 9 out of 10- -4.5 stars)
Hip Hop Vs. Rap was the origonal name of this album before Krs-One self titled his '95 album. This is one of those albums that shows why the east coast had dominated this rap game in the mid 90's, even though during that year the west coast peaked with such banging album. Not to mention being in the game for such a long time, Kris was one of those emcees with his socially concious lyrics, who was ahead of his time, and would reach his peak with this album here.
No matter what way or how he does it, he gets the job done. Talking about how the fake emcees are making albums, and he's ready to get them on "Rappaz R. N. Danja", an idea carried over from the song "Outta Here" from his previous album
. He has major energy on dope tracks like "Ah-Yeah" and "R.E.A.L.I.T.Y.". And there are tracks that explains why he is The Teacha of hip hop, on the song that questions religion "The Truth". Even the guests bring their A game as well, such as Das Efx on "Reperesent The Real Hip Hop", and Channel Live on "Free Mumia" (Kris, I hope you're not defending the slave record company). Other guests like Busta Rhymes and Fat Joe, do ad libs on the songs that they appear on. All throughout the album there are a few drops and shoutouts from artists and DJ's from different radio stations.
Even the production will keep you intuned. DJ Premier flies in the dope headbanger "MC's Act Like They Know", and "Wannabeemceez". Showbiz and Diamond D, as well as others brings in come dope beats for this album here.
Kris' self titled album is great like I said. Each song here shows why he is one of the best in the game. Somehow he still manages to get his point across with his dope rhymes, not to mentioned backed by some great producers. If you haven't heard any other solo albums, also check out
as another hot album by Kris. Caution: Don't Sleep. Peace.
Lyrics: A+
Production: A
Guest Appearances: A
Musical Vibes: A
Top 5 Tracks:
1. MC's Act Like They Know
2. Free Mumia (featuring Channel Live)
3. Represent The Real Hip Hop (featruing Das Efx)
4. The Truth
5. Ah-Yeah
Honorable Mention:
1. Hold
2. R.E.A.L.I.T.Y.
Customer review - July 26, 1998
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
- "KRS-ONE from BDP, f******* up the microphone for everybody"
Waking up everyone with the skills that are rarely challenged, scathing politics, telling of the real life situations he and many others have gone through, some surviving, others not. My favorite tracks are "Build Ya Skills," and "Represent the Real Hip-Hop." A hip-hop masterpiece from hip-hop himself. |
