 "Photo: Courtesy Photo")
Long before Tupac, Biggie, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg created what anti-rap activist C. Dolores Tucker called "a culture of guns, violence and hate," KRS-One was busy in his South Bronx hostel creating the basis for hardcore rap.
Boogie Down Productions (BDP), the combination of KRS-One and DJ Scott LaRock, released Criminal Minded in 1987, the 11-track debut that made a legend out of Kris "KRS-One" Parker and resurrected the birthplace of hip-hop. Although the sound of old funk and reggae samples set to a TR-808 drum machine may sound dated in 2005, Boogie Down's abrasive lyrics and unrelenting beats form a ferocious symphony that 50 Cent calls "the soundtrack to my life."
Criminal Minded will forever be remembered for the two diss tracks used in the legendary battle in New York between Bronx-based BDP and the Queens-based Juice Crew, a group of all-star performers that included Big Daddy Kane, Masta Ace and BDP target MC Shan. After being rejected by New York DJ Mr. Magic, a big supporter of the Juice Crew, KRS attacked MC Shan with "South Bronx," a response to Shan's hit "The Bridge." The song, which defiantly called out Shan, the Juice Crew and essentially all of Queens, became an instant phenomenon and put KRS on the map.
After Shan answered back with "Kill that Noise," KRS produced "The Bridge is Over," a harsh, menacing tune created from a simple hard-kick drum, snare and cymbal. The song's straightforward production emphasized KRS' unique mix of reggae-rap vocals, which basically dismantled MC Shan, his DJ Marley Marl and the entire borough of Queens.
KRS-One and Scott LaRock used their victory to launch their careers nationwide, creating Criminal Minded, which created huge controversy when, aside from the music itself, the duo posed for the cover with guns - something unheard of at the time.
KRS would eventually go on to use hip-hop to unleash his growing social consciousness, but his debut record was a lot more gritty and violent. The album, however, still expanded the range of topics that could be addressed on a rap record. In the title track, "Criminal Minded," KRS properly ends the album with a spirited, polished freestyle while Scott LaRock cuts and scratches over the driving beat.
Scott LaRock was tragically killed the year after Criminal Minded was released, igniting one of the first discussions of whether hip-hop was life imitating art or art imitating life. KRS would go on to produce multiple albums, as well as help launch several hip-hop-based causes, such as Human Education Against Lies and the Stop The Violence Coalition.
KRS made headlines in 2001, when he criticizied rap star Nelly for being a product of marketing and promotion to a mainstream, MTV-fed generation that ignored the history and basis on which hip-hop was founded. Although his call for a boycott of Nelly's album, Nellyville, failed, KRS-One proved he could once again raise awareness of a growing problem amongst the hip-hop generation.
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