KRS-One

KRS-One (born Kris Parker) was the leader of Boogie Down Productions, one of the most influential hardcore hip-hop outfits of the 80s. At the height of his career, roughly 1987-1990, KRS-One was known for his furiously political and socially conscious raps, which is the source of his nickname, the Teacher. Around the time of 1990s Edutainment, BDPs audience began to slip as many fans thought his raps were becoming preachy. As a reaction, KRS-One began to re-establish his street credibility with harder, sparer beats and raps. 1992s Sex and Violence was the first sign that he was taking a harder approach, one that wasnt nearly as concerned with teaching. KRS-Ones first solo album, 1993s Return of the Boom Bap, was an extension of the more direct approach of Sex and Violence, yet it didnt halt his commercial decline. Still, he forged on with a high-quality self-titled 1995 effort and 1996s Battle for Rap Supremacy, a joint effort with his old rival, MC Shan. After 1997s I Got Next, he put his solo career on hiatus for several years, finally returning in early 2001 with The Sneak Attack. The following year brought two full releases: the gospel effort Spiritual Minded and The Mix Tape, the latter including a single (Ova Here) that stood as a response to Nelly, only the latest hip-hop figure to feud with the Blastmaster. In 2003 KRS-One released two albums, Kristyles and D.I.G.I.T.A.L., while the next year brought only one, Keep Right. In 2006 Life came out on the small, California-based Antagonist Records. The following year KRS-One reunited with Marley Marl to create Hip Hop Lives, a lackluster attempt to preserve the golden age of hip-hop.