KRS-One facts for kids

Quick facts for kids KRS-One
KRS-One in 2008
Background information
Birth name	Lawrence Parker
Also known as	KRS Teacha The Blastmaster Big Joe Krash The Temple of Hip Hop
Born	(1965-08-20) August 20, 1965 (age 59) Brooklyn, New York City, U.S.
Origin	The Bronx, New York City, U.S.
Genres	East Coast hip-hop conscious rap political hip-hop hardcore hip-hop
Occupation(s)	Rapper singer lyricist record producer
Years active	1986–present
Labels	Jive Duck Down E1 Aftermath

Lawrence Parker (born August 20, 1965), known as KRS-One, is an American rapper from the Bronx, New York. His stage name, KRS-One, means "Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everyone." He is also called "Teacha" because he often shares wisdom and knowledge in his music.

KRS-One became famous with the hip-hop group Boogie Down Productions, which he started with DJ Scott La Rock in the mid-1980s. Some of his well-known songs include "Sound of da Police" and "My Philosophy." After a sad event where Scott La Rock passed away, KRS-One continued the group's work and later began releasing music under his own name in 1993. He is known for being active in social causes, like starting the Stop the Violence Movement. He also supports veganism, which means not eating animal products. Many people see him as a big influence on other hip-hop artists.

The Life and Music of KRS-One

Early Years and Hip-Hop Beginnings

Lawrence Parker was born in Brooklyn, New York City, in 1965. He had a difficult childhood and spent some time living without a permanent home in New York. During this time, he developed a strong love for hip-hop music and culture. He also enjoyed creating graffiti art under the name KRS-One.

In 1984, while staying at a community shelter in the South Bronx, he met a youth counselor named Scott La Rock. They became friends and decided to form a music group. Together, they created Boogie Down Productions and released their first album, Criminal Minded, in 1987.

Activism and Hip-Hop Culture

KRS-One uses his music and platform to promote peace and education. He helped start groups like the Stop the Violence Movement and Human Education Against Lies (H.E.A.L.). He also founded the Temple of Hip Hop, which aims to protect and grow hip-hop culture. He believes hip-hop can bring people together and help them learn.

KRS-One once said that hip-hop shows how people from different backgrounds can work together for justice and freedom. He saw this in collaborations between artists like Eminem and Dr Dre, or Run-DMC and Aerosmith.

Early Musical Influences

KRS-One's early music was inspired by other New York hip-hop artists like Run-DMC and Whodini. He remembers how his group's album, Criminal Minded, and Eric B and Rakim's "Paid in Full" became important in hip-hop history. He also believes his album By All Means Necessary and Public Enemy's It Takes A Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back helped bring more awareness to important topics in rap music.

Boogie Down Productions' Journey

KRS-One started his music career with Boogie Down Productions, alongside DJ Scott La Rock and D-Nice. The group became known for their "battle" with another rapper, MC Shan, over which part of New York City was the true birthplace of hip-hop. KRS-One's song "South Bronx" was a response to MC Shan's song "The Bridge". Many people believe KRS-One won this rap battle with his powerful live performances.

KRS-One and Scott La Rock first called themselves "Scott La Rock and the Celebrity Three," but soon changed to "Boogie Down Productions." Their first album, Criminal Minded, was released in 1987. Sadly, Scott La Rock passed away later that year.

After this tragedy, KRS-One decided to continue Boogie Down Productions. He released the album By All Means Necessary in 1988. Other members joined, including D-Nice and Kris's younger brother, DJ Kenny Parker. The group's music became more focused on political and social messages in albums like Ghetto Music: The Blueprint of Hip Hop (1989) and Edutainment (1990).

KRS-One also helped start the H.E.A.L. music project and the Stop the Violence Movement. For the Stop the Violence Movement, he brought together many famous rappers to create the song "Self Destruction" in 1989. This song aimed to promote peace in the hip-hop community.

KRS-One's Solo Career

KRS-One performing in Belgium in May 2006

After making several albums with Boogie Down Productions, KRS-One began his solo career. His first solo album, Return of the Boom Bap, came out in 1993. It featured popular producers like DJ Premier. His second album, KRS-One (1995), included guest artists like Busta Rhymes.

In 1991, KRS-One appeared on the song "Radio Song" by the rock band R.E.M.. In 1997, he released I Got Next, which became his best-selling solo album. This album included the hit song "Step into a World (Rapture's Delight)".

KRS-One continued to release new music. In 2000, he worked with German rapper DJ Tomekk on the song "Return of Hip Hop (Ooh, Ooh)". In 2002, he released Spiritual Minded, an album with gospel-rap music. He also founded the Temple of Hiphop during this time.

In 2007, KRS-One collaborated with fellow hip-hop artist Marley Marl on the album Hip Hop Lives. This album was seen as a response to Nas's album Hip-Hop Is Dead, suggesting that hip-hop was still alive and strong.

KRS-One has also worked with many other artists. In 2009, he released the album Survival Skills with rapper Buckshot. This album was very well-received by critics. In 2010, other artists created a mixtape called Survival Kit to honor KRS-One and Buckshot's work.

KRS-One has also lent his voice to commercials and documentaries. He narrated the 2011 film Rhyme and Punishment, which was about hip-hop artists who had been in jail. In 2012, he toured Australia, traveling by cruise ship because he prefers not to fly. His most recent solo albums include Between da Protests (2020) and I M A M C R U 1 2 (2022).

The Stop the Violence Movement

The Stop the Violence Movement was started by KRS-One in 1988 and 1989. He created it to address violence in the hip-hop and African American communities.

This movement began after a young fan was killed at a concert by Boogie Down Productions and Public Enemy. This event, along with the earlier passing of his friend Scott La Rock, inspired KRS-One to take action. He gathered many famous East Coast hip-hop artists to create a song called "Self Destruction" in 1989. All the money raised from the song went to the National Urban League, an organization that helps people. A music video was also made for the song.

The Temple of Hip Hop

The Temple of Hip Hop is an organization founded by KRS-One. Its main goal is to protect and promote Hip Hop Kulture. It also aims to create educational centers that will store information and host talks about hip-hop culture.

The Temple of Hip Hop believes that hip-hop is a real cultural movement. It encourages fans to celebrate Hip Hop Appreciation Week every year in the third week of May. It also asks DJs and MCs to teach people about hip-hop culture and create more songs with positive social messages.

KRS-One describes hip-hop as more than just music; he sees it as an "energy, a consciousness, an awareness, a behavior, an attitude." He believes that hip-hop's true nature cannot be fully captured by traditional history books.

The Gospel of Hip Hop Book

KRS-One wrote a book called The Gospel of Hip Hop. In an interview, he said he hopes this book will become a new guide for people in the future. He believes he can connect with a higher power directly and wrote the book to help others find their own path. He respects other religions but feels it's time for new ways of thinking.

Many news outlets reported on his book, calling it a "600-page hip-hop bible" and a "blueprint for rap religion." KRS-One is known for not being afraid to share his strong opinions.

Personal Life

KRS-One is a strong supporter of veganism, which means he does not eat meat or other animal products.

He has a son named Kris Parker, who is also involved in music as a producer and DJ.

Political Views

KRS-One has shared his thoughts on politics. He supported Ron Paul in the 2012 presidential election. He has also expressed his views on other political figures, encouraging people to think critically about what they hear.

Break the Chain Comic Book

In 1994, KRS-One and artist Kyle Baker released a comic book called Break the Chain. It featured a hero named Big Joe Krash. The comic book came with a tape that had three songs by KRS-One. The idea for the comic was to create an educational story. KRS-One explained that the title "Break the Chain" means to break free from old ways of thinking. He also released an animated music video where he appeared as Big Joe Krash.

Awards and Recognition

• Bronx Walk of Fame (2001)
• VH1
  • 2004, VH1 Hip Hop Honors
• BET Hip Hop Awards
  • 2007, I Am Hip Hop
  • 2007, Lifetime Achievement
• Urban Music Awards
  • 2009, Living Legend Award

Discography

Film and TV Appearances

See also

In Spanish: KRS-One para niños