Tina Eide
Anthropology 3980
Melisa Rivire
28 February 2008
KRS-ONE and Only
Picture
a place where empty apartments were burning, people were unemployed, and
neighborhood gangs ran the streets, this is the 1960s in the South Bronx
(Chang 12 13). Amongst the oppression and hopelessness, a hip-hop
revolutionary would be born to help change the world he was born into. His name
is Laurence Krisna Parker or known on the streets as KRS-ONE, and he would be
the original quadruple threat emcee, writer, activist, and rapper (Huey). From
being a kid growing up on the streets to the founder of the Temple of Hip-Hop, its apparent that in
a short time his name has become inseparable from hip-hop; and all he had to do
was make it to the Bronx (Huey).
KRS-ONE
was born in Brooklyn during the 60s, which was a great time to be young (Huey)
(Chang 74). Soon after KRS-ONE was born his Trinidad-born father was deported. Growing
up as a half black half Trinidad American only further complicated the fact
that his home life was difficult. He came to realize the cold harsh reality of
growing up amongst despair. His family was moving around the boroughs of New
York, not exactly a stable environment to raise a family in. All around him
there was violence, unemployment, gangs, and little to no optimism about the
future. However, KRS-ONE would use his disadvantaged upbringing as a source of empowerment
to help those that are in the same position as he was (About the Teacha). Not
only did he not have much connection with his Trinidad culture, he also felt as
outsider in New York, seeing as his family had not settled down to create
roots. As with many other artists his disconnect with his family and community would
soon translate into works of art.. Its hard to see how anyone could survive
during these times, but there was a beacon of hope and he was almost to the
Bronx.
On
the surface the 70s were a time where Graffiti seemed to explode over the
city, while discos were closing their doors (Chang 74-77). The people of the
Bronx were crying out from all the devastation; there were few jobs or places
to live. Children often dropped out of school to either help their family or
because of legal problems, usually gang activity. While KRS-ONE would like to
have you believe he left home to pursue his calling as an emcee (About the
Teacha). The truth is that he dropped out of high school and left home to go to
the South Bronx. Living on the streets, homeless shelters and even public
libraries, he saw first hand the state of the people living in the Bronx. And
truly gained a better understanding and respect for what was going on in the
Bronx, people trying to get by and be heard. While living on the streets he
took time to educate himself, whether it was reading at the Brooklyn Public
Library or becoming interested in what was going on in the streets. The hip-hop
culture was everywhere; it was being seen and heard, quietly (Huey). This hip-hop
community in the Bronx was exactly the type of place where KRS-ONE could feel
he belonged. There were other people from mixed ethnic backgrounds, torn
households, and poor neighborhoods. Just as KRS-ONE was coming on the scene the
hip-hop as it was known was starting to fade. House parties were on the decline
and clean cut kids were starting to infiltrate the hip-hop scene. The style
and language of hip-hop was being marketed to those in Manhattan who had no
idea what the true message of hip-hop was, change. It was time for hip-hop to
reclaim itself and KRS-ONE could be just the man to make it happen (Chang 77).
KRS-ONE
began studying the methods of the hip-hop culture. In the 1970s the graffiti
tag was very popular and thus the KRS-ONE tag was born. KRS-ONE was the abbreviation
for Kris Number One, which later turned into Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over
Nearly Everyone. While knowledge may be something seen as only available to
those of higher classes, knowledge for KRS-ONE didnt have to only apply to
book smarts. And he certainly didnt let not having a high school degree stop
him from educating and informing his generation and people. For a high school
drop-out, it was obvious that KRS-ONE was something special. He gave hope to
other people just like him. In addition to tagging up and down the Bronx, he
was also begun writing his own raps. Struggling to make a name for him, it
would take an arrest in order for his vision to be realized.
Like
many juveniles at the time, KRS-ONE
was arrested for selling marijuana. After his release from jail; he met a
social worker named Scott Sterling. It just so happened that his new found
friend was a local DJ, known by the name Scott La Rock. After meeting the two became
friends and formed a rap group named Boogie Down Productions (Huey). While the
black radicalism of the 70s had moved from the foreground to underground,
Boogie Down Productions were using their power to reinstate radicalism, one of
the few groups, at that time to be so outspoken about the state of the times. Chang describes KRS-ONE and La Rock as bunkered
down in the Bronx with handguns, ammo belt, grenade, and brick cell phone
(Chang 248). While KRS-ONE
may have seemed to use violent images to get his message across, his message
really was of peace, he wanted to be a representation of his hip-hop
generation. But sometimes you have to appear strong and powerful to get an
message across. Other Hip-Hop at the time did not have such an important
political and social message. This is how his name of The Teacha came to be.
His raps were not about partying all night; they were about changing the way we
live. His goal of educating the
mainstream about the strife of the oppressed, continue today. Musically KRS-ONE
is credited with being one of the Godfathers of Gangster and Hardcore rap, due
to his lyrical content. He was also one of the first emcees to use a melody
called Zungazung in his music. Zungazung was a Jamican style of music that was
famous in the dance halls of Jamaica. It seems that KRS-ONE truly had an outlook that
involved peace not only in his home of New York, but also globally (Wikipedia).Unfortunately,
his message of peace would not spread soon enough to avoid the murder of Scott
La Rock. Scott La Rock was killed trying to stop an argument between teenager
and Derrick "D-Nice" Jones, who was also a part of Boogie Down
Productions. Its unclear if the conflict was instigated by D-Nice, but if it
did it would complicate the nature of La Rocks death. Having such internal
strife in an organization, especially one trying to promote peace, would
clearly have negatively impacted the work that KRS-ONE was trying to
accomplish. What could have been the start of another all out street war, just
like the calling of the meeting of all the youth gangs, KRS-ONE called a rally
in the name of Scott La Rock. The first rally of its time, perhaps the original
Live Aid of Hip-Hop, the project included a record, rally, book, and video
around the statement Stop the Violence. KRS-ONE had solved problems through
expression, not violence and trying to get others to do so was his goal. This
was his message, even if instead of a movement it turned into a media event
(Chang 274 275). Even in the 80s
rap was becoming more and more commercial, but KRS-ONE wanted to fight it. He was along with other important
figures such as Public Enemy, were trying to shift and keep rap towards a
political and social message (Rose 58).It seems that even today, the media
plays an all too powerful part in the consumption of the popular culture. KRS-ONE continued on to make records with Boogie
Down Productions and produced a philosophical rap called Who Protects Us
from You? In the rap KRS-ONE voices the concerns of the black communities, who
were struggling to make it in a world where the police couldnt be trusted. The
song is centralized around the disjointedness of law and the truth. The police
were killing blacks and calling it the law. It was the late 80s and a song
about injustices towards the black community, were getting radio play. A lot
had changed since the days of Rappers Delight and the possibility of a song
being both commercial and socially charged became a reality (Rose 107-110).
However, being popular has never
been on of KRS-ONEs goals.
"I'd rather have one hundred of the right people buying my albums than one million of the wrong people buying
my albums. I'm trying to influence
the next generation of leaders with my music. Rap is something that
is done, while Hip Hop is something that is lived (About the Teacha)".
KRS-ONE
has often spoken out against popular mainstream artists. Citing that instead of
talking about fast cars and bling, artists should be using their power for
good. In 1992 KRS-ONE threw P.M. Dawn, off the stage, after the group made fun of
KRS-ONE in an interview saying a
teacher of what? KRS-ONE said that he was frustrated with the mainstream
artists and their meaningless raps VH1. In 1993 KRS-ONE walked away from Boogie
Down Productions and has produced 9 albums since then. According to his own website he is the
embodiment of the philosophical, sociological, and political worldview
espoused originally by those that participate in Hip Hops culture (Huey).
While this may be accurate the controversy over KRS-ONE continues. Not only has he continued to speak
out against mainstream hip-hop, specifically Nelly, which he would say isnt hip-hop,
he has also criticized 9-11. What
happened to the man who threw a benefit in the name of peace? KRS-ONE said that
9/11 was not important to nor did it involve the black and poor communities.
And that KRS-ONE himself declared solidarity with Al-Qaeda (Rashbaum,). It
seems as if he is alienated many of those that follow him. For a man on a
mission of peace and social awareness, what kind of message is he sending out?
However, he still continues to be a prominent member of the community he helped
to create. The
Teacha is arguably at present the most forthright member of the hip-hop culture.
He continues to create and perform music. Whether it be as a producer or as a
rapper. Hes lectured at over 500 universities and has received honors from the
United Nations, VH-1 Hip-Hop Honors, American Grammys, Ivy League
Universities, and apparently students and professors in England. The Best Live Hip-Hop Emcee all of time has been
sampled or covered by many mainstream artists, which is ironic considering his
distain for popular music. In addition to his teaching, he also continues to
write books, and even created his own saving grace for Hip-Hop (About the
Teacha). The creation of the
Temple of Hip-Hop encourages people to be their best and follow a doctrine from
Afrika Bambaataa peace, love, unity, and having fun. The Temple also seeks to preserve hip-hop
as the voice of the people, with an important message. KRS-ONE continues his message through the Temple and by
continuing to tour the nation. And probably wont stop until no one listens
(Temple of Hip-Hop).
When KRS-ONE started the future of hip-hop
was uncertain, but KRS-ONE was making a name, not only for himself, but also
for the culture. And as long as there
are those that continue to remember or sample the work that he created, his
message will live on in others. And there is hope, because for hip-hop artist pedaling Lamborghinis and
Air-Force Ones; theres a KRS-ONE or Immortal Technique talking about the
issues of the people.