Customer Reviews

Kristyles

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

whatever you do dont buy this album, koch records released it without kris' consent he even went to the trouble of sueing them over it. he urges his fans to download it instead of giving more money to the record company. when you do download it you will notice many of the tracks have scratches, crackles, fizzing etc. this is because the album was unfinished! wait until august 28th when krs releases the proper album, The Kristyle. it will have 20 tracks, with a slightly different tracklisting to this unofficial version. also the quality is top-notch ;-)

Off the top, let's clarify that Krisyles is not the album that KRS-ONE intended to release. Following Industry Rule #4080 (record company people are shady) to a tee, the Koch records suits released a collection of that the Blastmaster has gone on record as calling "unfinished". KRS successfully sought an injunction stopping Koch from further distributing the album, meaning the few in circulation could be collector's items down the line.
Now to the disk itself: For what essentially amounts to a collection of rough cuts and cast offs, Krisyles is not bad. One particular sequence (tracks 4-10) showcases everything we have come to love about the teacher. "Underground" is a proud ode to the vibrant hip-hop scene which thrives off the radio and television radar. On how bad do you want it, Kris auditions a hungry new jack named Peedo. The two trade verses about hunger and dedication over an adreniline fueled track. Better still is "Survivin'", where unbilled guests Lord Jamar and Sadat X trade verses with Kris about the every day struggles of black life in America. But else where the unfinished nature of the album shows. Cuts like "9 Elements" and "Philosophical" feature strong concepts and lyrics but are undermind by ragged production and in some cases a poor audio mix which probably would have been fixed had Kris been given the opportunity to finish the album his way. "The Only One" is Kris's attempt to acknowledge his wife Simone on wax. While the soulful production complements Kris's heartfelt flow, the Teacher's legendary ego ultimately undermines the song, as it becomes more of an ode to his greatness as a husband and father than love letter to his wife.
Still, with skills to rival anyone in the game, KRS makes portions of Kristyles a pleasure to partake in. And if in fact future distribution of this version of the album is ceased for good, all KRS fans and collectors should cop this one on G.P.

If youre a KRS-ONE fan, no doubt you feel like you were waiting for a new joint for two years. Yep, The Mixtape dropped last year, but that was essentially just an EP, not a full dose of the Bronx Teacher. True, in 2001, KRS dropped Spriritual Minded, but that was his gospel album, and fittingly lacking a bit of his usual lyrical venom as a result. Well, get ready to allay those Blastmaster withdrawal shakes; Lawrence Parker has returned to the dance, and hes spilling his Kristyles all over your stereo.

Frighteningly, Kristyles does start off with a few questionable choices. The introduction continuation Do You Got It features KRS flowing over a uncharacteristically irritating beat, before segueing to a live segment chronologically running down his discography, presumably for the listener to cop at their nearest record store. Then DJ Tiné Tims old-school beat-chopping gives What Else Happened a bit of potential as a novelty track, but KRS brief narrative has nowhere near the depth of his previous storytelling classics like Loves Gonna Get Ya or Bo Bo Bo. At best, this should be considered a musical skit.

Fortunately, the album quickly recovers from these lapses. After supplying the Blastmaster with one of last years most popular underground battle records, KRS-ONE wisely returns to Da Beatminerz to supply him with some additional heat for Kristyles. Though their far too heavily layered chords and percussion drown out KRS repetitive vocals on Somebody, the producers manage to squeeze out two bangers with The Movement and Underground. The latter is destined to become a highlight of KRS-ONEs catalogue as he skillfully pays homage to those who embrace the true spirit of Hip-Hop underground over gothic synth marches and lush drums. KRS raps, when the critics dont get it/ there for the streets you spit it/ when your lyrics they fear it/ thats underground!

As expected from one Hip-Hops most vocal advocates, listeners can expect a healthy dose of Hip-Hop commentary on the album, supplied by Aint The Same and "9 Elements. For Aint The Same KRS laments the material and superficial route urban culture has taken over a catchy string-driven beat. Its not exactly new lyrical ground for the perennial Hip-Hop activist, but his words grow more and more crucial as rap gets more wack year after wack year. With DJ Revolution of the World Famous Wake Up Show behind the boards for "9 Elements Kris runs down definitions of the nine elements of Hip-Hop culture. Rev perfectly picks up on the emcees passion for the subject, lacing a funky, sparse drumbeat with chopped samples.

Also, the legendary rapper flexes his political and spiritual voice throughout the effort. Melancholy soul samples resonate in the background of Its All a Struggle, a song exploring lifes difficulties. The theme is repeated on the radio-friendly Survivin featuring singer Tekitha blessing the chorus. Radio-friendly that is, if the year was 1993. The messages KRS laces this with are on-point and relevant as usual, but the artist's skills in crafting a modern R&B-rap hybrid are unquestionably lacking.

But one thing becomes painfully evident when listening to Kristyles, and this is perhaps the only time you will ever see these words in a rap album review: there is not enough braggadocio this album. No joke. Besides being renown as Hip-Hops Teacher, KRS reputation is built upon his ability to smack up wack crews (and tight ones too, dont trip) at will. The tasty treats KRS drops on the Kenny Parker-produced Alright With Me and over the fiery BDP-reminiscent thumps of Gunnen Em Down are great, but the album could definitely use a few more of Parkers serrated battle raps. How about a My Philosophy 2? MCs STILL Act Like They Dont Know?

But despite the occasional musical stumble, KRS 17-year streak of non-wackness remains unbroken. His skill on the mic can only be matched by his knowledge and love of Hip-Hop culture, and Kristyles is dripping with both. Hip-Hop is something you live, rap is something you do; and no one does it better than Kris.

If you are looking for bird sounds or "its getting hot in herrrrrre, take off your clothes" type lyrics to party to, KRS isn't for you. If you like that hard core "boom bap" beats and great lyrics this is a hot cd. This is another one of those KRS albums that years later people will look back and call classic for his lyrical skill. I was a little dissapointed though in that I thought that he was getting some production from Dr. Dre. Over the years his lyrics are still #1 but some of the beats could be better. Drops a lot of knowledge and battle rhymes as usual. If you appreciate true Hip-Hop you will love this cd, if you want "pop" or booty shaking club jams you wont feel it. I would rate this as his best CD since he I got next.

This is NOT KRS-One's Kristyle CD. This is a CD put together behind his back. He had no idea that this record was being put out. The REAL Kristyle record, The Kristyle, will be released by KRS-One himself and be available for download on the internet in the near future. Until then, DO NOT GET THIS ALBUM, AS IT IS NOT ENDORSED BY KRS-ONE AS AN ALBUM WORTHY OF HIS NAME.
From KRS-One himself: "They have stuff that I wasn't even putting on the album. I have no idea what's on the album [Koch put together]. I don't know what the artwork looks like, I don't know what the album credits look like, I don't know nothing. What they did was go behind my back and release the album."
So, by my own and KRS-One's own recommendation, AVOID THIS DISC AT ALL COSTS.

Klassic in every since of the word. This is his best since self titled Krs-One album. A little disappointed that no beats were done by Dre but, it was his best production since Primo. To all, this is the KRS we have warned you about for years, a the sucka M.C.'s must run back and re-write their albums. It's good to see that some where out there, HIPHOP (REAL HIPHOP) is still alive. Kris stay strong brotha keep your head up I will take victory of the Hip-Pop.and continue to fight the war over the MTV, BET and any other media outlets that only exploits the music...

My favorite joints on Kristyles album is Ya Feel Dat, Somebody, What Else Happened, Underground, Gunnen Em Down, Alright With Me. He had a couple of songs on here that were corny which surprised me because he usually doesn't make corny songs.

If you're a fan of hip-hop you should have this in your collection, KRS-ONE is still one of the few mcs out there that put out quality albums, this is great from start to finish, don't hesitate to buy this, peace!

The most lyrically inspired he's been in years, and the first time since his self titled that the beats have matched the caliber of the MC. I am going to put this in a walkman with biga** headphones and put this on my pregnant wife's stomach. F$#%^ the classical music, this is what I want my child listening to! Dope music, revolutionary lyrics and the man has the gift of slapping an Mc in the face and the slapped mc has to respect him. Krs-one is truly gifted and on this lp it truly shows. I esp like "Ain't the sAme" What You Need" and "The only One" this album and the new Gang Starr in the same month and it ain't even Christmas! Krs reminds us what rap is all about; a tool to express views seldom heard. Word!

I've downloaded most of this album and I give it 4 stars, however, if you want to support KRS-One, you should NOT BUY IT.

KRS-One warned fans that the album Koch has released is unfinished. The label decided to remove a tribute song to Jam Master Jay as well as other songs and guest appearances by Dirt McGirt (formerly known as Ol' Dirty Bastard) and others. The label also incorrectly labeled the album Kristyles instead of The Kristyle (an acronym for "To have everything, keep radiating in sprit through your love everyday.")

"This is insane, this is insane, this is so egregious, this is so devious,"

"They don't have the full album," KRS explained. "They have stuff that I wasn't even putting on the album. I have no idea what's on the album [Koch put together]. I don't know what the artwork looks like, I don't know what the album credits look like, I don't know nothing. What they did was go behind my back and release the album. I got word just in the nick of time last week. I got my legal team together and we slapped them with a court order to cease the distribution and the pressing and manufacturing of this album."

Despite KRS' efforts, Kristyles had already been shipped out and is being sold by some stores.

KRS-One said he's still working on his album, which he plans on calling The Kristyle.
"This ain't about no money, this ain't about me not selling a record, this is about principle. We cannot allow these record companies to dictate to us how we are going to present hip-hop to the world."

He said the last conversation he had with Koch was sometime in early May, when he and the label discussed pushing the album back from its June 24 release date because issues had to be resolved concerning the LP's press campaign, the video shoot for a first single and a photo shoot for the album's packaging.

KRS-One said the album he's still working on could be released as soon as the next few weeks. He plans to sell it...on his summer tour of the West Coast and Midwest. He also plans to make the LP available for download....

"I don't need my fans to buy my music," he explained. "My music is free, basically. I appreciate when people buy my music, but I'm not going to sit here while some company rips my fans off."