Customer Reviews

Krs-One

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

From the instant this album starts with props to KRS from just about every Old School rapper, DJ or figure you can think of, you know that this is going to be an album with distinct nods to the past. When you see who features on some of these tracks (Fat Joe, Channel Live, Das EFX and Mad Lion), you know that the album's going to look forward to the future.

KRS is one of hip-hop's elder statesmen, having made his mark as frontman for Boogie Down Productions ("The Bridge Is Over"), with this album he registers two solo albums as well. As a result of his experience, he knows what he's talking about - when he claims "Rappers R N Dainja" or "MCs Act Like They Don't Know" he means it.

Another feature of his vintage is that he comes from a time when MCs lived and died by the lyrics they recited, not by the catchiness of a hook or funk of a beat. Thus, he is able to preach his sociological messages while still making superb rhymes. If anyone doubts his sociological qualifications, he has done many lecture tours and ("wrote over 1000 rhyme hooks/and sociological books/while you were worrying about your looks").

One slight downside to KRS-ONE's style is that the abrasive nature of his voice can sometimes get irritating, it's a good thing then that he has brought in rappers with distinctive styles and voices to balance his. This practice does have its downside though, "De Automatic" is one of the stronger tracks on the album but the outro has the only appearance of Fat Joe repeating the words "The south Bronx/The south south Bronx", which seems to interrupt the flow a bit. The same is slightly less true for "Wannabemcees" where Mad Lion's distinctive toasting style only turns up in the outro (at least it is more grabbing than Fat Joe's rap).

The best tracks on the album would probably be "Wannabemcees", "De Automatic" and "Hold" (in which KRS tells a story with one of the most amazing rhyme schemes ever recorded). Honorable mention would go to "MCs Act Like They Don't Know" where, over a DJ Premier beat, KRS does a version of Kurtis Blow's intro to "The Breaks" ("Clap your hands everybody if you've got what it takes/Coz I'm KRS and I'm on the mike and Premier's on the breaks" as opposed to "Clap your hands everybody if you've got what it takes/Coz I'm Kurtis Blow and I want you to know that these are the breaks").

On the whole, KRS-ONE delivers another sterling performance, highlighted by amazing use of the mike and a great instinct to give the people what they want - straight up with a twist.

One thing's certain: If you're trying to find out why KRS is considered by many to be one of the greatest emcees of all time, look no further than his self-titled 1995 album, "KRS-One." The Blastmaster kicks scathing battle rhymes ("MCs Act Like They Don't Know") over hardcore, boombastic beats ("Rappers R N Danja") and proves why he is THE definition of an emcee by FREESTYLING his verses on the album's main criticism of fake emcees, "Wannabemceez." Elsewhere KRS explores the frustrated ghetto mind ("Hold"), encourages blacks to use compromise over killing ("Squash All Beef"), questions orthodox Christianity ("The Truth"), and puts a muzzle on rap critics ("Free Mumia"). To understand the overall tone of the album, an excerpt from "Rappers R N Danja":

"I remember thinkin' back to '83, no video no you had to be a real live emcee! Now you youngins grow up buggin, any new jock your huggin,' weak production, let me tell you somethin: Any emcee can battle for glory, but to kick a dope rhyme to wake up your people's another story. Act like you never saw me, cauz when it comes to lyrics, I'm in a different category!"

Cop this album today and enlighten yourself.

One of the best hip-hop albums EVER!! From the moment you hear the crushing battle-song "MC's Act Like They Don't Know", to the powerful track "Ah-Yeah" to the deep metaphorical "Hold", this is KRS' supreme statement and you can really feel that he knows and understands his own lyrical/musical power. I started to get so tired in 2004 of the club rap, sex-oriented shallow rap, and lament now the art-form itself as it seemed to have crumbled... where is Public Enemy? Grandmaster Flash? KRS? Poor Righteous Teachers? The art form has been so co-opted by the media that they destroyed it in it's higher forms. If you're interested in hearing rap at it's height purchase this album while it's still in-print.

this is a classic album, and it's krs-one's best, it includes the well known hit single mcs act like they don't know, but my favorite song was represent the real hip hop, this is a must have album, it made '95 one of hip hop's best years.

I am a fan from the BDP days of KRS.His self titled release here was a bit slept on at the time.I think Boom Bap was just so cool and groundbreaking that when this came on people wanted more of that sound.Now that nearly 10 years have passed this album stands up very well.Especially with this Blinged out era its almost like crawling into a time capsule.The hottest joint Mc's Act Like They Don't Know could put any rhyme out there today on its back by itself.Thats not even the hardest cut on a emcee basis.Check out Build Ya Skills with Busta Rhymes, thats some whoop ass for ya.DJ Premier probably did some of his finest work on this album.KRS also blended his productions nicely too.If you are KRS fan this can't dissapoint.

For his second solo album, KRS-One worked with a variety of younger hip-hop talents, perhaps in an attempt to resuscitate his street credibility and his commercial standing. Featuring appearances by Das EFX, Mad Lion, Fat Joe, and Channel Live, KRS-One is loaded with fresh talent of the first-rank and they help spark the Teacher into giving an inspired performance. The album also showcases a bit fuller production than Return of the Boom Bap, but that doesn't mean he has sold it out -- it just means he's continuing to experiment, which is one of the reasons KRS-One remained a vital artist nearly a decade after his first record.

Congrats, Chris! Very Good CD and it is worth buying. Song #9 (Represent the Real Hip-Hop) Was a very good song. It was Awesome! Ah Yeah Was also a very good song. It may be a little Mature for kids under 12, but otherwise it is a great all-round CD. I would reccomend this CD with all my Heart. Awesome Work Chris!

Hip Hop Vs. Rap was the origonal name of this album before Krs-One self titled his '95 album. This is one of those albums that shows why the east coast had dominated this rap game in the mid 90's, even though during that year the west coast peaked with such banging album. Not to mention being in the game for such a long time, Kris was one of those emcees with his socially concious lyrics, who was ahead of his time, and would reach his peak with this album here.

No matter what way or how he does it, he gets the job done. Talking about how the fake emcees are making albums, and he's ready to get them on "Rappaz R. N. Danja", an idea carried over from the song "Outta Here" from his previous album Return of the Boom Bap. He has major energy on dope tracks like "Ah-Yeah" and "R.E.A.L.I.T.Y.". And there are tracks that explains why he is The Teacha of hip hop, on the song that questions religion "The Truth". Even the guests bring their A game as well, such as Das Efx on "Reperesent The Real Hip Hop", and Channel Live on "Free Mumia" (Kris, I hope you're not defending the slave record company). Other guests like Busta Rhymes and Fat Joe, do ad libs on the songs that they appear on. All throughout the album there are a few drops and shoutouts from artists and DJ's from different radio stations.

Even the production will keep you intuned. DJ Premier flies in the dope headbanger "MC's Act Like They Know", and "Wannabeemceez". Showbiz and Diamond D, as well as others brings in come dope beats for this album here.

Kris' self titled album is great like I said. Each song here shows why he is one of the best in the game. Somehow he still manages to get his point across with his dope rhymes, not to mentioned backed by some great producers. If you haven't heard any other solo albums, also check out Return of the Boom Bap as another hot album by Kris. Caution: Don't Sleep. Peace.

Lyrics: A+
Production: A
Guest Appearances: A
Musical Vibes: A

Top 5 Tracks:
1. MC's Act Like They Know
2. Free Mumia (featuring Channel Live)
3. Represent The Real Hip Hop (featruing Das Efx)
4. The Truth
5. Ah-Yeah

Honorable Mention:
1. Hold
2. R.E.A.L.I.T.Y.

This record was mainly about being aware of yourself and your surrondings. No other rapper is even trying to do that. Krs-one has a true talent to make people listen and when we are listening he has something to say.the best tracks is "Ah Heah" and Mcs act like they dont know. It's Fresh for 95 you suckas.

Waking up everyone with the skills that are rarely challenged, scathing politics, telling of the real life situations he and many others have gone through, some surviving, others not. My favorite tracks are "Build Ya Skills," and "Represent the Real Hip-Hop." A hip-hop masterpiece from hip-hop himself.