KRS-One Albums (14)
'Survival Skills'
Release Date 9/15/2009
Tracks 14
Label Duck Down Music
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
With old-school legend KRS-One teaming with Boot Camp Clik member Buckshot, you can expect high-caliber rhymes and an anti-sellout attitude, but Survival Skills is a diverse, welcome surprise. The radio-friendly, and more importantly, radio-worthy single "The Way I Live" with Mary J Blige is a slicker package than usual from this revolutionary duo, but the polished production is actually from Black Milk, an underground tastemaker who provides a beat right in line with the ambitious spirit of the album. The guest list is an unexpected mix of Slug, K'naan, Pharoahe Monch, Sean Price, and reggae singer Bounty Killer, while production is ably handled by the likes of Nottz, 9th Wonder, Ill Mind, and Mobb Deep's Havoc. It's Havoc who outshines them all on the key cut "Robot," an anti-Auto-Tune track with a massive hook and KRS shaking the stick at the younger generation with the usual disgust ("Go online, look up Kraftwerk/Everything you doin' is past work/We already wore that hat, those pants, and that shirt"). Buckshot is hardly a household name and KRS-One's post-2000 discography is alienating with too many releases, but casual fans of more literate hip-hop should check Survival Skills since it's easily accessible and rewarding at the same time. Loyal hip-hop heads with a taste for the old-school boom-bap shouldn't think twice and won't be disappointed. ~ David Jeffries, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
From the opening barks "I know we ain't getting' soft!" over the stripped-down piano and drum production of "Beware," it's evident that KRS-One has been reevaluating his sound, and is responding to criticism with fire. The teacher's back and class is in session. After several lackluster releases, in which Blastmaster Chris obsessed over the state of hip-hop and spent his time pointing fingers at other rappers for not bringing it, Maximum Strength shows him at his maximum strength and doing what he does best: preaching. As the first KRS One album with a real sense of purpose in years, nearly every track focuses on the beefs he has with politics and society. This is the educator at his purest. He pulls no stops as he rifles through his rhyme book, dropping lines like "take a look at the police and how they treat you/ take a look at corporations and how they cheat you/ democrats and republicans are all see through/ now we votin' for the lesser of two evils, man, don't let them deceive you/ this is an autocracy not a democracy/ but to call this a democracy without mock interest in the laws of society, that's called hypocracy." He continues waxing political in "Pick It Up," breaking open the European history textbooks to provide a background on the last time a true democracy was practiced: by Cleisthenese in 508 BC before Athens was conquered by Alexander of Macedon. Thought-provoking raps like these seem like luxuries when compared to the typical flash in the pan party raps that are embraced by radio stations, which encourage listeners to throw their hands in the air rather than pushing core values. Kris preaches unity in the community and loving your sister, but also knows when to lighten up and reminisce about the good times with party raps of his own. "Let Me Know" shows him spitting rhymes with the finesse and lyrical prowess of Busta Rhymes over a dancehall jam, and "Straight Through" shows him furiously speeding through B-boy topics without taking a breath. At the worst moments, "New York" and "Hip Hop" suffer slightly, scarred by scatting female vocals and dated production, but for a middle-aged rapper at this stage in the game, it's surprisingly relevant and not only one of the better hip-hop releases he's dropped in years, but one of the best of his career. ~ Jason Lymangrover, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
After a 22-year grudge due to a disagreement over the birthplace of hip-hop, KRS-One and Marley Marl finally make amends onHip Hop Lives. Unfortunately, the album that could be a great return to the "edutainment" of BDP ultimately falls short because of its bland lyrical content. KRS-One is too preoccupied with two issues: one being that hip-hop will never die, and the other that he was a prominent hip-hop pioneer in his heyday. His bragging rights are certainly deserved, but instead of using his legendary status to propel hip-hop forward, or to tell interesting stories about the genre, KRS-One rants like a retired professor reciting his résumé while trying to prove that he once reigned supreme. When he's not reading a laundry list of all the major urban historical events that he attended, as on "I Was There" (which could have made for an interesting song with some background facts or lyrics that rhymed), he is professing his true love for hip-hop. He praises the genre, and he spits fire at the critics who claim that the art form is dying, but this album unfortunately doesn't do much in the way of revival. As a natural leader and sharp-minded activist, it's disappointing that KRS-One chose to harp on his status in history instead of embedding powerful social commentary within his rhymes, as he did on older songs like "2nd Quarter Free Throws." The sole purpose of this album seems to be to win over fans new to hip-hop, and that prospect is unlikely, even with Marley Marl's solid and current-sounding beats. Hopefully, the duo will team up again with a more engaging record that targets their core community -- fans who already know hip-hop's past and want to hear KRS-One spout thought-provoking rhymes again. ~ Jason Lymangrover, All Music Guide
'Adventures in Emceein'
Release Date 1/22/2007
Tracks 21
Label Echo-Vista
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Midway through KRS-One's Adventures in Emceein, Nas (often the torch-bearer for much of KRS-One's preaching) calls KRS "the greatest MC of all time" and repeats that designation for posterity's sake. It's hard to argue with Nas, considering KRS-One's unmatched longevity, much of which has been characterized by relevance and excellence. Nas appears at the opening of "The Real Hiphop" -- a subject that is the hallmark of practically every KRS recording. Just like every other album over the past 20 or so years -- especially the recent ones -- Adventures in Emceein deals with the preservation of hip-hop and the necessity of teaching, or as KRS puts it on "What's Your Plan?," "All I'm trying to do is educate the young ones." The result is a series of largely static songs that, although they spring from an inspired artist incessantly motivated with the notion of the greater good, will probably bore most listeners. There is affecting production in spots ("I Got You") and KRS seems immune to serving up garbage rhymes, with the social critique of "Our Soldiers" highlighting the substance void of both music and political talking heads. Still, many of the songs sound like recycled KRS stock. Some are downright corny, such as "Alright." Yeah, it's always nice to hear, arguably, the greatest to ever do it, but it's become increasingly less of an event. ~ Vincent Thomas, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
KRS-One has always been a socially conscious rapper, tackling different subjects throughout his career, most of which relate to problems that face many urban dwellers, especially black ones. But in Life, race is an issue he chooses not to tackle; in fact, he makes a point to mention that specifically. "I am hip-hop/I don't speak for blacks," he states in "Still Slippin'," understanding that his art has the ability to reach a large demographic (something he also addresses in "I'm on the Mic"). Instead, KRS-One speaks of problems that can and do afflict all people. "Everywhere across the nation more people are joining the homeless population," he states in "Mr. Percy," a song that discusses how easy it is to find yourself without a place to stay, despite your best efforts to work, save money, and improve your situation "with the state of the economy and the way that it is." In the electric guitar-driven "I Ain't Leavin'," KRS declares his "purpose is to inspire the poor" as he tries to explain their situation and sympathize with them. This is all delivered between lines about his own talent and dedication to hip-hop, ideas that, like on any true rap album, certainly aren't forgotten or ignored. But KRS-One has been writing rhymes for so long that this sort of thing doesn't seem trite or boastful. He talks about himself and the genre simultaneously, equating one with the other ("I am to hip-hop what flour is to pancakes"), which isn't actually uncalled for, being that he has been such a major figure in it, and it's a technique that keeps his lyrics pretty interesting. KRS-One has been around for a while, but his style has changed as the genre's progressed, and Life is an indication of this. It's not a perfect record, but the rhymes are pretty thoughtful, the beats are pretty good, the subject matter is pretty unique. Perhaps it can all be summed up best in a line from the closing song, "My Life" (originally stated in BDP's "I'm Still No. 1" : "You know what you need to learn?/Old-school artists don't always burn." If all of them are as talented as KRS-One is, that statement's absolutely true. ~ Marisa Brown, All Music Guide
'Peedo and the Luna Empire Mix Tape'
Release Date 11/16/2004
Tracks 26
Label X-Ray
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
KRS-One found himself in a war of words in 2002, as the young prince of mainstream hip-hop Nelly sought out a battle of epic proportions; little did he know what he had gotten himself into. Although KRS-One has built a reputation for releasing quality, reggae-tinged hip-hop over the last decade, on The Mix Tape he allows his thoughts to be shared with the masses, including the sensational retaliation on "Ova Here." While the album is 13 tracks long, there is very little material actually offered up, as more or less the intended goal was to release the lead single as soon as possible and let KRS-One's opinions be aired. Even with his scathing assessment of the current rap scene, this respected MC handles himself with dignity and class, using his intelligence to spark the war of words instead of his ego. As of such, The Mix Tape is a great, albeit brief, trip through the mind of KRS-One, and a thoroughly enjoyable listen. ~ Jason D. Taylor, All Music Guide
'Spiritual Minded'
Release Date 1/22/2002
Tracks 20
Label Koch International
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
In the late '80s he supplanted Public Enemy's Chuck D as the angriest man in hip-hop. In 2002, he released a surprisingly gospel-centric album, one that proved time had not dulled the sharp edge of KRS-One's rhymes. And the Blastmaster never does things by half-steps; Spiritual Minded isn't a gospel crossover record at all, it actually is a gospel record. Although his messages on tracks like "Come to the Temple," "Lord Live Within My Heart," and "Take It to God" are strictly uplifting and even rooted in doctrine, there's no tempering his aggressive delivery and skeletal productions. The highlight, "Take Your Tyme," features KRS-One talking directly to young women about the pitfalls of premarital sex; it's easily one of the most encouraging hip-hop tracks heard in several years. As for weaknesses, Spiritual Minded certainly doesn't have the gloss of most major-label rap albums, and occasionally the production and hooks are sacrificed for the message in the material. Still, it's intriguing to hear one of the best rappers in history turning out a gospel album; contemporary gospel, including Christian hip-hop, is actually much more artistic than most would give it credit for. Though much of his new audience may not even recognize one of the most famous names in rap history, it's likely they'll enjoy hearing this level of talent. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
