So you think that hip-hop had its start out in Queensbridge?
If you popped that junk up in the Bronx, you might not live!
KRS-One, “South Bronx,” from Boogie Down Productions’ Criminal Minded, 1987
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Rebel, renegade, must stay paid.
KRS-One, “I’m Still #1,” from Boogie Down Productions’ By Any Means Necessary, 1990
I am the manifestation of study,
NOT the manifestation of money.
Therefore, I advance through thought,
NOT what’s manufactured and bought.
KRS-One, “Original Lyrics,” from Boogie Down Productions’ Edutainment, 1990
…Cops just surrounding me with pistols everywhere.
They put me in the backseat of their car handcuffed,
Pushed out them chests like they’re big rough and tough.
A cop come and said ‘You’ll never sell your guns now.’
I said ‘It doesn’t matter, you’ll sell them anyhow.
You take the guns from me, you sell them for a fee;
Anyway you put it, they’ll get in the city!’
KRS-One, “100 Guns,” from Boogie Down Productions’ Edutainment, 1990
Too many MC’s take that word ‘emcee’ lightly;
They can’t Move a Crowd, not even slightly.
KRS-One, “MC’s Act Like They Don’t Know,” KRS-One, 1995
You got to have style, and learn to be original.
KRS-One, “My Philosophy,” from Boogie Down Productions’ By All Means Necessary, 1988
Yo Premier, why these rappers so soft?
They corny ass raps be makin me doze off.
KRS-One, “Criminal Minded ‘08," Smirnoff Signature Mix Series, 2008
Teach the student what needs to be taught.
‘Cause black and white kids both take shorts
When one doesn’t know about the other one’s culture,
Ignorance swoops down like a vulture.
KRS-One, “You Must Learn,” from Boogie Down Production’s Ghetto Music – The Blueprint of Hip-Hop, 1989
Ignorance is a poison and knowledge will nourish.
KRS-One, “Word From Our Sponsor,” from Boogie Down Productions’ Criminal Minded, 1987
Rap is something you do, Hip-hop is something you live.
KRS-One, “Hip-Hop vs. Rap,” B-Side to Sound of Da Police 12", 1993
Do you ever think about when you outta here?
Record deal and video, outta here!?
Mercedes Benz and Range Rover, outta here!?
No doubt, BDP is old school, but we ain’t goin’ out!
KRS-One, “Outta Here," Return of the Boom Bap, 1993
Are you tired of lyrical liars, passing fliers,
Wannabe MC’s, but really good triers,
Tripping over mic cords, getting you bored,
A total fraud, this kind of thing I can’t afford!
KRS-One, “Mortal Thought,” Return of the Boom-Bap, 1993
It’s not about a salary, it’s all about reality.
KRS-One, “My Philosophy,” from Boogie Down Productions’ By All Means Necessary, 1988
MC’s are just hopeless:
They think record sales make them the dopest!
KRS-One, “Step Into a World (Rapture’s Delight),” I Got Next, 1997. More from KRS…
I never want a jheri curl up under my hat,
The woman in my bed has got to be strictly black,
I never want money if my lyrics are wack,
So I must…rock…the mic.
KRS-One, “Mortal Thought,” Return of the Boom Bap, 1993. More from The Blastmaster…
Me? I got no jewels on my neck.
Why? I don’t need ‘em, I got your respect.
KRS-One, “Classic (Better Than I’ve Ever Been),” 2007. More from The Blastmaster…
Now it’s my turn, and I am concerned
About idiots posing as kings.
What are we here to rule?
I thought we were supposed to sing.
And if we oughta sing, then let us begin to teach.
Many of you are educated…open your mouth and speak!
KRS-One, “I’m Still #1,” from Boogie Down Productions’ By All Means Necessary, 1988
“All I see is blinking lights, track boards and fat mics. 950s, SP-12s, MPC60s…”
– A.G., “Next Level,” from Show & A.G.’s Goodfellas, 1995. DJ Premier closes down the legendary D&D Studios (aka HeadQCourterz) today and migrates to Kaufman Astoria Studios in Queens. The recording den, where Rakim, KRS-One, Jay Z, Nas and Gang Starr made some of hip-hop’s most canonized songs, will come to a close in 2015 due to new building ownership.
You were put here to protect us.
But who protects us from you?
KRS-One, “Who Protects Us From You?” from Boogie Down Productions’ Ghetto Music: The Blueprint of Hip Hop, 1989
Believers of Jesus be denouncing Satan on every level,
But every Halloween they’re dressin’ like devils.
KRS-One, “Higher Level,” Return of the Boom Bap, 1993. More from KRS…
Rap is like a set-up…a lot of games,
A lot of suckers with colorful names.
‘I’m so-and-so,’ ‘I’m this, I’m that.’
But they all just wick-wick-wack.
KRS-One, “My Philosophy,” from BDP’s By All Means Necessary, 1988. More from KRS…
I’d rather make one righteous dollar on my level
Than make a million dollars spittin’ rhymes for the devil.
KRS-One, “True School,” from DJ Jean Maron’s True School, 2014
Believers of Jesus be denouncing Satan on every level,
But every Halloween they’re dressin’ like devils.
KRS-One, “Higher Level,” Return of the Boom Bap, 1993
Take a look at the police and how they treat you,
Take a look at these corporations that cheat you.
Democrats and Republicans are all see-through.
Now we votin for the lesser of two evils…
Man, don’t let ‘em deceive you.
This is an autocracy, not a democracy,
But to call this a democracy without mock interest
In the laws of society? That’s called hypocrisy.
KRS-One, “Pick It Up,” Maximum Strength, 2008
Rappers spit rhymes that are mostly illegal,
MC’s spit rhymes to uplift their people.
KRS-One, “Classic (Better Than I’ve Ever Been),” 2007