| KRS-One is one of the recognized innovators of | | | | albums would serve as glorified solo efforts with a |
| hip-hop. From his work as part of the seminal 1980s | | | | rotating crew of fellow artists, and work would be |
| hip-hop group Boogie Down Productions to his later | | | | more reflective of the urban landscape of the 1980s. |
| solo work as a musician and producer, KRS-One was | | | | The next Boogie Down Productions album "By All |
| one of the first hip-hop artists to fuse socially and | | | | Means Necessary" would reflect these changes. |
| politically-conscious topics with rap and hip-hop beats. | | | | Boogie Down Productions would often be compared |
| Born Lawrence Parker in the Flatbush section of | | | | with fellow New York hip-hop artists Public Enemy. But |
| Brooklyn, KRS-One got his name from the Hare | | | | while Public Enemy's lyrical content was frequently |
| Krishnas he sometimes associated with during his early | | | | confrontational, Boogie Down Productions favored a |
| years. KRS-One founded Boogie Down Productions | | | | more blunt and intellectual look at problems impacting |
| with his friend DJ Scott LaRock, who met KRS-One | | | | urban black youths. |
| while working as a social worker at a homeless shelter | | | | KRS-One would also collaborate with an eccletic mix |
| where KRS-One stayed with his family as a teen. | | | | of artists. Most surprising was his work with college |
| KRS-One and DJ Scott LaRock would release their | | | | rock group R.E.M. on their 1991 single "Radio Song" |
| debut album "Criminally Minded" in 1987 before LaRock | | | | from the band's multi-platnium selling album "Out of |
| was murdered. | | | | Time." KRS-One has also collaborated with hip-hop |
| This experience would impact KRS-One: following | | | | musicians like Busta Ryhmes, Das EFX and Fat Joe. |