A Retrospective [Explicit Lyrics]

Krs-One

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 22, 2000)
• Original Release Date: August 22, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics
• Label: Jive
• ASIN: B00004WFMW
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #16,771 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

KRS-One is the most consistent rap artist (in terms of quality, not ideology) in the history of hip-hop--that's not debatable. What is debatable is why Jive Records would assemble a single-album retrospective for someone of this magnitude. A legendary rap career that spans over nine albums (to date) clearly deserves a box-set treatment. Sure, you do get a healthy sampling of his battle-rhyme headbangers from the beginning of rap's golden years in the late '80s ("South Bronx," "The Bridge Is Over," "I'm Still #1"). Likewise, the broad spectrum of politically conscious subject matter KRS-One masterfully waxes about is here: police brutality ("Sound of da Police"), antimaterialism ("Love's Gonna Get'cha"), safe sex ("Jimmy"). But for an MC whose material serves as a precursor to the profound protest rhymes of the dead prez or Poor Righteous Teachers, the glaring omission of any material from his majorly slept-on Sex and Violence LP is bizarre. Also, the compilers could have easily bumped "Step into a World (Rapture's Delight)" or "Jack of Spades" and replaced them with rare 12 inches and B-sides such as "Hip Hop vs. Rap" or "We in There." Thankfully, gems like "My Philosophy" and "Essays on BDP-Ism"--the last BDP song produced by DJ Scott LaRock--make this primer a great purchase. However, if you have some extra dough lying around, you should purchase the individual albums, too (minus Live Hardcore Worldwide and I Got Next). --Dalton Higgins

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A true legend, June 6, 2001

By	3rdeadly3rd (Brisbane, Queensland Australia) - See all my reviews

I got into KRS after being recommended his self-titled album by a friend - since then I've never looked back. This album is just as good a a greatest hits from one of the greatest solo rappers should be.

Of course, it isn't just KRS's greatest hits, the album also has some of the classics from the BDP days. It's clear from listening to those cuts that, while the rap game may have changed since they were released, they are just as relevant now as they were then.

One of the best tracks here is "The Bridge Is Over". This track can be credited historically with kick-starting the East Coast hardcore scene - it was a response to MC Shan's "The Bridge" - and is clearly one of the greatest rap cuts of any era. I'd tried to find a copy of BDP's album "Criminal Minded" to get it that way but couldn't (although I suspect that Amazon will prove me wrong) so this was the only way to get the track legally. A lot of people will say this it is good - and let me tell you that from a lyrical standpoint it is almost unbeatable.

That is to say, unbeatable unless you happen to be KRS-ONE. He calls himself "The Teacher" and with good reason. Not only does he spit out some great rhymes, he also shows real thought about issues surrounding not just rap but the community in general. Nowhere is this more evident than in his solo cut "Sound of Da Police".

KRS's trademark rap-reggae style is very evident on that track, along with one of the most memorable choruses in hip-hop history. The real standout there comes with the famous "officer/overseer" couplet in which KRS begins to demonstrate that police officers are no different to slave overseers from the plantation days. Whether you believe him or not, you have to admire a man who can throw down lines like "need a little clarity?/check the similarity" without batting an eyelid.

Another great listen is "Love's Gonna Get Ya". Here we see KRS in sneak mode, rapping out a tale of gang violence over what sounds like a soft-core RnB track with femal backing singers warbling "love's gonna getcha" in the background. This track also is where Warren G got his "all I could think about was Warren" sample for his cover of "I Shot the Sherrif" - again proving KRS's relevance throughout hip-hop culture.

It's rare to find a greatest hits compilation which doesn't have a few unreleased tracks on it. Whenever I listen to an unreleased track, I usually think "hmmm...there must have been a good reason why not to release it", usually there is - most of them are terrible compared to the released ones. This album is an exception to the rule. The last cut (I think it's called "Essays On BDP-ism") is apparently unreleased and doesn't at all seem out of place in this album. None of the tracks seem out of place really.

In short, well worth buying. The casual listener will have their ears opened to the world of KRS, while the established fan will be able to relive the good old days.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fitting anthology for a great MC, August 24, 2000

By	Nikhil Yerawadekar (Queens, NY USA) - See all my reviews

Actually, that should be 4 and a half stars.

KRS-One (Knowledge Rules Supreme Over Nearly Everyone) was one of the first MCs to insist upon dropping knowledge into the everyday mix of battle rhyming. Hailing from the Boogie Down Bronx, Kris has vocally blasted his way to mythical status, as he is generally regarded as one of the, if not the singular greatest MC of all time and this album is an excellent introduction to his unbeleivably impressive and prolific career.

It kicks off with a wealth of material from his days in Boogie Down Productions, such as the quinessential diss track "The Bridge is Over" and the ode to his fallen partner Scott LaRock "My Philosophy". These tracks, while clearly old-school, are absolutely timeless. The beats are straight-up East Coast hardcore and the rhymes are just plain classic.

The second half of the album contains KRS's solo material such as the classics "Step Into A World (Rapture's Delight)" which features Kris at his battling best ("I'm not saying I'm number one, uh sorry I lied/I'm numbers one, two, three, four AND five!"), "Stop The Violence" which is self-explanatory, and "Sound Of Da Police" which perfectly expresses every hangup anyone ever had about the boys in blue.

My only complaint is the succinctness of the album - I would have loved to see less monumental (but still dope) songs like "Rappaz R N Dainja" and "A Friend". A double-album would have been great too, because you really can't go wrong with KRS.

In summary, this album is a must-buy for any hip-hop head. It's a great starter for anyone unfamiliar with the legend and is just plain great for anyone who is.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent CD to have in your CD collection, June 8, 2005

By	S. M. Anderson "sma331" (Lithia Springs, GA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

KRS-One means Knowledge Reigns Surpreme over nearly Everyone. Born Kris Parker and nicknamed The Teacher because of his conscious and social raps. I've been a fan of this artist since his Boogie Down Production days. Having been born and raised in the Bronx, there was so much excitement when the song The South Bronx was released. KRS-One is probably one of the most intelligent, and talented hip hop artist to bless the mike with his vocal skills. What I always enjoyed about KRS-One is he would have you jamming to the music, and he hits you with this message that you had no choice but think about. His music is still poignant now and many of his songs still work today like "Love's gonna get you", and "Jimmy". A Retrospective has many of his great hits that you can enjoy again and again. I love playing this CD. You listen to it and you learn something which you really can't say with the music that you hear today.

KRS-One could care less about materialism. He was about spreading knowledge, and positivity. "Why is that" was in my opinion one of the most poignant songs he released questioning history. When I first heard the song, I loved the groove, but one day I really listened to what he was saying, and I was really blown away by what he was saying.


I enjoy all the songs on Retrospective. Here are my favorites:

1. My Philosophy
2. I'm Still #1
4. Sound of the Police
5. Love's Gonna Getcha (Material Love)
6. Step Into a world
7. You must learn
8. Jack of Spades
10. Jimmy
12. Black Cop
14. Why is that

Loves gonna get you talks about the love of materialism and where it can get you in life. That song is so deep, and he tells a story I'm sure many are familiar with. Wanting to work to help support the family, can't find a job, or when you do it does not pay enough. Someone offers you the opportunity to make some quick money, and the lure is too great to pass up. Making the money allows you to live a grand life, but it's not forever. Jimmy talks about having safe sex, and maybe he should come out with a 2005 version with AIDS taking it's toll in the black community.

Jack of spades was a song played in the I'm Gonna Git you Sucka movie. This is one CD you must have in your CD collection, and one you will play a lot. This CD will stand the test of time.