Customer Reviews

Keep Right (Bonus Dvd)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Man, where does one begin when writing a critique of anything done by KRS-1? He's our Stanley Kubrick of Hip-Hop, creating more than just music; but visions. Unlike our mainstream "legends" of today, KRS actually has something to say. And more importantly it's actually worth saying. Music Marketing has done a good job of tailoring amoral lyricism with troglodyte message-making, courtesy of artists like 50 Cent, Eminem, and The Game. Which is no dis-respect to any of them. They are all very talented, and quite good at creating a marketable product. Actually, mentioning those artists names doesn't stray far from doing a review of "Keep Right", since several songs on the CD are a critique of the massification of what once was an authentic music form. The "Hip-Pop" syndrome is a recurring theme with KRS-1, and the name of this CD itself is his call for true hip-hip appreciators to continue to support the real hip-hop culture.

What's so intriguing about KRS is that many of the accolades that go to other rappers, are more deserving to KRS than anyone else. A good example being Tupac, a name so venerable that he has become a dubious standard by which so many other rappers measure themselves by. And why? The answer we hear so often is that Tupac was "real." But in reality, that credit goes best to KRS. On this CD, as well as all his others, KRS says exactly what he wants to say, never compromising his thoughts or lyrics for record sales. He is more concerned with how his music reverberates on the streets. Even Pac, a self-described street soldier, compromised most of his music for what the record labels knew would appeal to the streets -- even if that appeal fed into an already self-destructive downward spiral. KRS ignores those appeals and gives us the true street voice and the true hope for the preservation of the street population. Of my opinion that is more real than any Gangster Rap or Thug Life that claim to represent the streets.

Eminem is another example. Who can argue his tongue twisting witticism? Eminem is a true master of rhyming. But KRS is a true master of language AND rhyming, which is why he deserves the title of "genius" more so than Eminem. Unlike Em, KRS performs the same verbal acrobats, the same wit and weirdness but with more complexity, more depth and more meaning. KRS can serve an entire history lesson in one song (see "Edutainment" CD). He can discsuss politics, religion or just whack MC's with the same linguistic posturing as Eminem. And more suprisingly, he can do it without a single X-rated word if he so chooses.

All of this you'll find on "Keep Right": a healthy serving of street lyrics wrapped up in a clever, tongue twisting delivery underscored by some of the best and most progressive productions I've heard in quite some time. In fact, I would have to say that the beats on "Keep Right" are a long awaited return to the twisted juxtaposed sounds we heard from KRS's classic album "By All Means Neccessary". Who can forget how "Fat Albert" was infused in "Illegal Business"? Well, that same type of creative musical hybrid can be found in Keep Right. Songs like "You Gon Go", "Everyone Rise" and "Me man" are absolutely infectious and encapsulate the true New York sound before it began taking it's cues from Dr.Dre "Chronic." And "Still Spittin" with it's twisted carnival-esque anthem could probably be ranked as one of the most original productions in hip-hop history.

The only bad thing I can say about this CD is that the skits from Afrika Bambaataa -- and I hate to say this about the man -- are just downright corny and pass more as rhetoric than a rap session. I'm not even sure how that made it on the CD, with the exception of "dream", which seems more down to earth and almost inspiring. The other skits are just pseudo-philosophical eccentric manure worthy of the skip button.

Even if you aren't a KRS fan, or if you faded away because of his more questionable CD's from old, you owe it to yourself ot add this one to your hip-hop collection! It is by far a rap classic.

The production values are solid here-- most cuts are helmed by KRS-One himself, spreading the love with with his immediate circle of collaborators like Choco, Commissioner Gordon and a few others also in the mix.. DJ Q-Bert of the Skratch Piklz contributes an instrumental, but there are a lack of "name" producers here, for people who check for such things-- KRS has publicly declared that his self-financed LP projects don't have the budgets to afford most of the high-profile hot producers of the moment, though surely, it would be great to get tracks from Kanye West, Dr. Dre', Neptunes, Rick Rubin, etc.

KRS started off his career on indie B-Boy/Rock Candy Records (Criminal Minded basically made the label, but financial disputes led the group to leave), then spent most of his career on Jive/Zomba (which, ironically, ended up becoming the haven for teen pop stars like Britney, NSync, Backstreet Boys, etc., all of whose LPs probably got 10 times the promotional attention his got)

After abruptly scuttling plans to release "Maximum Strength" in 1999 ("the five boroughs" from the Corruptor Soundtrack, is the only song to surface from those sessions), KRS did an A&R stint at Reprise Records in the Time-Warner system, leaving after a few years to start his Temple of Hip-Hop Ministry and Preservation Society-- His post-millenial comeback found him releasing 3 records for NY indie Koch-- the last of which found him in a promotional dispute with the label--

And now with "Keep Right" released on Boston-based indie Grit Records, KRS seems to enjoy his "free agent" status, not being tied to long-term contracts for a major label anymore..

this is a good album and is of course underrated as an album the album is nice and has alot of hott beats and nice lyrics, KRS continues to keep things real and this is a mesage to KRS-One; I think one day, Hip Hop will rise and come back to order, we will have our chance one day, we just gotta wait patiently and we will come back when these brain dead kids finally realized and see what the hell they were really listening to.

This is a truly classic album. There are so many different styles on this album you would think KRS is his own group. I wasnt feelin it all the way at first but the more I listened to it I could listen better to what he was saying and now I'm hooked. Even my dad likes it. Keep right before you get left!!!

This is another great cd. The only equals I know of are KRS-ONE (self-titled), the Blueprint, and Sex & Violence. Next to Les Nubians, Sally Nyolo, and Guru (from Gang Starr), any of KRS-ONES's cd's are great to bump at full volume in my Maxima, relax to make me sleep with thoughts of making a better world, add to my views on life while I pray, or just hype myself up whenever I want., especially on long drives. His music has influenced me to become a teacher, take control of falling organizations, desire to learn my ancestry, become an SGI Buddhist, make this website: http://solanoafrican.expage.com -, start writing my book, and be in the process of going to teach in Africa. Maybe I can create a new spiritual consciousness?

Man, nobody has been doing it as long as the Blastmaster- not to mention with as much success- so his 9th solo album (don't forget a number of Boogie Down Productions LP's) Keep Right shouldn't come as a surprise. Granted, the Teacher has gone through numerous phases and styles, this 23-track lyrical bombardment combines all of those into one neatly packaged full-length. With production by Soul Supreme and long-time boardmate Domingo ya'll know that the beats are butter. Check vocal guest spots coming from L Da Headtoucha, Akbar, Mad Lion, Supastition, the legendary Afrika Bambaataa, and the turntable tweeking of Q-Bert here and this is an all around piece of musical necessity. As a nice little prize in the bottom of the box Kris Parker serves you up a poster and DVD complete with live performances spanning the board as well as a musical video for "Illegal Business 2004."

THIS IS A GREAT ALBUM.... THE ONLY PROBLEM I HAVE IS THAT I DID NOT KNOW IT CAME OUT TILL 1/05.... BUT I'M GLAD I GOT IT. IT'S CLASSIC MATERIAL ONLY IF YOU LOVE REAL HIP-HOP, NOT THAT CLOWN RAP THAT THE RADIO IS PLAYING. THIS IS GROWN-UP HIP-HOP. CRAZY ILL BEATS AND CRAZY HEATED LYRICS BY THE BASTMASTER HIMSELF. IF YOU LOVE HIP-HOP AND WANT A HOT ALBUM PICK THIS ONE UP. ALSO COP MASTER ACE'S LONG HOT SUMMER THATS A HOT ONE TOO.. PEACE TO ALL THE TRUE HIP HOP HEADS....

KRS churns out another album but this is one that is actually worth buying. "Kristyles" was the first underground hiphop album I ever bought, and that led me to numerous old school and other underground rap albums. Although I soon realized that KRS was unstoppable in his early days, yet even today his music is still relevent and captivating.
I like the many styles he toyed with in "Kristyles" but some of the beats were horrible, and here on "Keep Right" they do not detract at all. He seems to be on a little bit different of a lyrical tip, maybe more like that of his mid-career. He brings back a little more swearing than we're used to hearing him do lately, but of course he's still on point. The album is consistent, it will keep your attention throuhgout, but there's not a lot of replay material. Many of the songs are short. Although that's a welcome sign to see he's still trying new things. "Stop Skeemin'(with Joe)" is a nice change of pace, and "The I" contains his best lyrics, but the hook is horrible and hard to sit through. "My Mind Is Racing" is a standout as well.
Okay, this album will not inspire you in any new way that KRS hasn't already accomplished, but "Keep Right" is an incredible package that is worth buying. It has a separate DVD with some info about our hero, a behind-the-scenes look into the Temple of Hiphop's declaration of peace, and a video and bits of concert performances (and how often do we get to see that every day?). Plus you can pop in the cd into your computer and check out three bits of his hiphop lectures (mostly relevent to what he talks about in his book "Ruminations" and lecture cd if you have that), Chuck D and him philosophizing, some documents on the Temple of Hiphop and the state of Hiphop, and much more. A new album, a DVD, and computer goodies, needless to say "Keep Right" is a nice little package. Essential to anyone who appreciates real hiphop and is committed or interested in the whole Hiphop movement and Kulture (there's much more to it than just the music).

First of all, Kris is handsdown one of the founding fathers of hip hop, and continues to keep it real. Anything that goes towards this cd goes towards a greater cause, because KRS and crew have started something called the "Temple of Hip Hop," dedicated to the preservation of Hip-hop as a whole. Check out www.templeofhiphop.org to get more info on that. KRS-one, Grandmaster Caz, and Busy B came through my school, and spread the love and the word of true hip hop. Join the movement, get this album, check out the dvd extras, you will be moved.

THIS THE LIGHT Hiphoppas have been waiting for

this is dope lyricsim at its best

each cut is like a indivdual mission in to save and cleanse

Hip hop

just one line destroys the comp

(I,M STILL STANDING AND RAPPERS GET MAD MAD

(CAUSE THEY GET BURNT LIKE THE AMERICAN FLAG IN BAHGDAD

YOU NEED TO GO OUT AND PICK THIS UP FOR Hiphops soul

also there is a freshh for 2004 dvd

and an ecd where he talks with CHUK-D

AND GIVES A DOPE LECTURE ON HIPHOP

SO PICK UP TWO AND GIVE ONE TO A FRIEND IN NEED

KEEP RIGHT

AND GIVE BACK TO THE TEACHER