KRS-One

KRS-One, whose name stands for Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everyone, is recognized as a foundational figure in hip-hop, known for his influence on both hardcore and conscious rap. Rising from a homeless shelter, KRS-One became a prominent lyrical and philosophical voice in hip-hop culture. He first adopted the KRS-One alias as a graffiti tag and, alongside youth counselor Scott Sterling (DJ Scott La Rock), formed Boogie Down Productions. The group released its debut album, "Criminal Minded," which pioneered the fusion of dancehall reggae and hip-hop and depicted life in the South Bronx.

After the death of DJ Scott La Rock, KRS-One continued Boogie Down Productions, releasing albums including "By All Means Necessary," "Ghetto Music: The Blueprint of Hip Hop," "Edutainment," "Live Hardcore Worldwide," and "Sex and Violence." The group's music became increasingly political, and KRS-One played a central role in the H.E.A.L. compilation and the Stop the Violence Movement, which brought together leading emcees for the single "Self Destruction." His solo debut, "Return of the Boom Bap," featured collaborations with producers DJ Premier, Kid Capri, and Showbiz, including the track "Sound of da Police." The album "I Got Next" included the single "Step into a World (Rapture's Delight)," which reached number 3 on the Billboard 200.

KRS-One has been described as the "conscience of Hip Hop" by Rolling Stone, the "spokesperson for Hip Hop" by the Wall Street Journal, and the "master teacher" by Zulu Nation. With 20 published albums and numerous collaborations, he is credited with writing an extensive catalog of hip-hop lyrics. He continued to record, including the album "Hip Hop Lives" with Marley Marl, which addressed the Bridge Wars and served as a companion to Nas' "Hip Hop Is Dead." His projects also include the album "Between Da Protests," which explores social issues.

KRS-One introduced the philosophy that "rap is something we do; Hip Hop is something we live" and the "I am Hip Hop" concept, which Black Entertainment Television uses for its Hip Hop Lifetime Achievement Award. He established the Stop the Violence Movement, Human Education Against Lies (H.E.A.L.), and the Temple of Hip Hop. KRS-One has published books including "The Science of Rap," "Ruminations," and "The Gospel of Hip Hop," and has lectured at universities such as Yale, Harvard, UCLA, King's College, and Oxford University. He led the signing of the Hip Hop Declaration of Peace at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, hosted by UNESCO.

KRS-One received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the BET Awards for his contributions to the Stop the Violence Movement and hip-hop culture. He has been honored by the United Nations, Billboard Magazine, The Source, BET Hip-Hop Awards, VH-1 Hip-Hop Honors, and Harvard University. He has received the keys to the city in Kansas City, Philadelphia, and Compton, and holds the Reebok Humanitarian Award and three Ampex Golden Reel Awards. His album "Temple Of Hip Hop Global Awareness" was released in connection with a European tour, reflecting his ongoing influence in hip-hop music and culture.