Ruminations [Hardcover]

Kris Parker (KRS-One) (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 12, 2003

One of the most influential lyricists of all time --Rollingstone.com

Editorial Reviews

Review

A comprehensive tome, part self-help, part manifesto . . . conducting probing, piercing metaphysical inquiries on everything, including government, religion, the music industry -- Malcolm Venable in BLACK ISSUES BOOK REVIEW on July 2003

From the Inside Flap

The ascent of KRS-ONE (Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everyone) from homeless street kid to rap revolutionary to acclaimed lecturer, metaphysician, and intellectual is the stuff of Hiphop legend. With Boogie Down Productions and as a solo artist, KRS-ONE has played a crucial role throughout his career in bringing a social and political conscience to Hiphop, through such ground-breaking albums as By All Means Necessary, Criminal Minded, Edutainment, and Ghetto Music: The Blueprint Of Hiphop.

KRS-ONE is also one of the most important and relevant figures in African-American and Hiphop culture today. The keynote speaker at the Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame’s historic conference in 1999 entitled "Hiphop: A Cultural Expression," KRS-ONE has organized and lectured at similar conferences at the United Nations and on campuses around the U.S., including Harvard, Yale, Columbia, and UCLA. He also founded the Stop the Violence Movement, HEAL (Human Education Against Lies), served as a spokesperson for the American Library Association’s literacy programs, and his latest effort, the Temple of Hiphop, is an organization with over 25,000 members that aspires to define, promote and preserve Hiphop culture and lifestyle.

In RUMINATIONS, KRS-ONE’s very first trade book, he reflects as only he can on a remarkable range of topics, including the past, present, and future of Hiphop, the most glaring challenges facing the music industry, the undeniable influence of African-American and urban culture on mainstream America, and the discipline and knowledge needed by today’s Hiphop artists to make it in a world where the odds are stacked against them. In fluid prose imbued with unwavering honesty and humanity, KRS-ONE addresses many of the most important social and political challenges facing Americans of all colors in the 21st century.

RUMINATIONS includes a full-length audio CD featuring a selection of KRS-ONE’s lectures and spoken-word poetry, introduced by Dr. Cornel West.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Welcome Rain Publishers; First Edition edition (June 12, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566492742
• ISBN-13: 978-1566492744
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,160,956 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars we are hiphop..........., July 15, 2003

By 

Adebayo Olorunto (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ruminations (Hardcover)

Ruminations is an oustanding book. Where there is no vision...."the people will perish." Kris gives us his vision, inspires us to awaken our own vision, and encourages us to continually increase our awareness and personal power. It's amazing that so few people realize that thought, word, and action are the fundamental tools we use to create our own unique destiny. He has been telling us this for years, as have many other great Teachers! When ya'll gonna listen!! Simple universal truths consistently applied is all we need to advance as people regardless of our differences. Most people are not able to apply this vision in their daily lives because of laziness, fear, and social conditioning. Heroes have discipline. The clarity in this book is phenomenal. For those of you who are searching for a way to liberate your soul...to express your Self and be your Self..this book will help you in your journey. Many people in our society are living day to day in a life of reaction, a life they hate, a life they never planned for, yet fell victim to someone elses plan. Because of ignorance, most people are mental slaves trapped in an endless cycle of poverty, misery and negativity/niggativity. We in Hiphop reevaluate this whole United States of America, because we don't like what we see. We have higher expectations. We expect more of ourselves than any institution in this country could ever expect of us. This is why we're dissatisfied with the performance of many individuals who call themselves "leaders." It takes more than graduate school degrees and high ranking government positions to impress the Hiphop community, let alone lead us, it takes: skills, conviction, and intellect to be held in high esteem by us. The spoken word pieces, message from Cornell West, and Hiphop lectures on the CD are an excellent addition to the book. Of course, Kris eloquently illuminates our artform of Hiphop, our strategy to break the chains of mental slavery, free our minds, and evolve into civilized human beings because after all: We decide what Hiphop is and what it isn't, not anyone else.

Peace...I too am Hiphop....Join this movement Y'all!!!!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars great read, August 25, 2005

By 

trx (tx) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ruminations (Hardcover)

The Blast Master has once again brought forth an education in Hiphop. KRS-ONE's love for the Hiphop culture and movement is best described in his book Ruminations. I found it to be a very interesting and dynamic read. For those that doubt the skills and knowledge of an Emcee that has been laying vocals from Street corners to world stages is mistaken when you claim his albums are "crap" and patrons demanded thier money back at live shows could be further from the truth. I have been to several KRS-ONE shows(from Chicago, New Orleans, New york, Los Angeles, Austin, Houston and beyond) and in my experience I have never seen a crowd so enthused or invigorated. Over the past few years his rhyme styles have elevated. A truly great Emcee never has to rely on "GREAT BEATS" but moreso on lyrical content. KRS writes rhymes for the educated and enlightened listener. HIP-POP music lovers need not apply, this style the KRIS style is way beyond your level of thinking.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Reflection on the past, present, and future of Hiphop music, October 18, 2003

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ruminations (Hardcover)

Rapper, lecturer, metaphysician and intellectual and well-known figure of Hiphop culture KRS-ONE (an acronym of Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everyone), presents Ruminations, a deep and abiding reflection on the past, present, and future of Hiphop music, highlights the challenges threatening the music industry, and illuminates the profound influence that African-American and urban culture has had on mainstream America. Sober, in-depth, insightful observations from a music industry insider comprise an unforgettable and thought-provoking combination of manifesto, cogitation, and window to the opportunities of the future.