It’s not just music, it’s a way of life and once again KRS-One reminds us with another classic, with the clear intention to drum more thought-provoking lyrics kicking through your speakers. I accept that some of y’all won’t have even heard the name KRS and I will you in. This G has been around since the start, way back in the early 80s in da Bridge (Queensbridge) with DJ Kenny Parker (still producing for and performing with KRS-One) and his crew “Boogie Down Productions” (BDP). He has always stuck with the tradition of some early hip hop by packing real and meaningful messages into his lyrical bombs. He is an underground legend (possible?) and demands respect for keeping to himself and questioning phony rappers such as Jigga (Jay Z), oh… and partially pioneering hip hop with a few other dope old skoolers!!! In this album (the latest, and only, since his ‘A retrospective’ best-of album back in the year 2G so far) KRS has at least 7 absolute gems to add to his all time greatest. Every song has something to love about it and a lot are typical KRS tracks, but some new styles also show (must have heard previous KRS to notice and appreciate his subtle change). The track that stands out the most to me is “Shutupayouface”. It is about his supremacy in the rap game with minimum recognition and it stands out due to its daringly original purely orchestral tune with very little bear at all (either dope or shit; you decide). Every song without fail is accompanied with a flurry of well aimed rhyming words with real meaning and rhythm (this should be the very defintion of rapping, but sadly is all too rare).
Another absolute KRS classic example is “The Lesson” with his rough, raw and simplistic beat and opposing lyrics accompanied by an unknown “diva” singing the perfectly rhymed and composed hook (chorus). Another hot joint. Other sweet tunes on this album are “krush Them”; a strange hyped up, mind blowing flow of beats, tunes and words, and “Hip Hop Knowledge”; a clever run through of Hip Hop’s past up until now (nice beat too). 2000 – A retrospective is released including the greatest of KRS- One.
The definite best part of this album is not the beats or tunes (although they don’t exactly impair the album’s style) but KRS-One himself in his style, flow and words. He seems to have a natural flow and wordstyle that mirrors the rest of the song (beats and melodies) similar to the lat Tupac Shakur. He also has a hint of Reggae (!!!) on occasions, creating his own unique style. An excellent album so far.
There is an aspect of this album which will deter many Hip Hop heads and this the religious aspect. This is not dominant but he does mention “The word of God” and other carious Christian philosophies as a message and goes into other deep types of shit. Now this does certify his realistic method of rapping, but can be strange. It is sparse, however, and is never strong. Just be ready to listen to what this man has to spit if you’re thnking about buying this album. But the whole album is hardcore (and interesting at least). Not for the narrow minded but defienetely NOT FOR THE POP CHARTS!!! Be ready to listen to some conscious hip hop.
2001 – KRS comes back showing us that he still represents the true essence of hip hop.
Track Listing:
1. Intro
2. Ghetto Lifestyles
3. Attendance
4. Hot
5. Why
6. Doth Thou Know
7. Lessin, The
8. Mind, The
9. HipHop Knowledge
10. What Kinda World
11. I Will Make It
12. B Side Intro
13. Get Your Self Up
14. Krush Them
15. Hush
16. Sneak Attack, The
17. Shutupayouface
18. False Pride
19. Raptism, The
Reviewed By Hip Hop Network for HipHopHotSpot.Com
