Lawrence Parker, the man he now knows best, moniker KRS-One, is a rapper who started releasing hits as early as the age of 16. The passion that KSR-One has for music can be seen by reading its history, which we will detail below. However, there are some interesting details about the rapper that will also make themselves felt. For one thing, KRS-One has also written a lot of graffiti imprinted with his adopted name, which has a very interesting meaning. Read below to learn more.
Everything you need to know about KRS-One
Birthplace and Bio
KRS-One hails from Brooklyn, New York City, where he was born on August 20, 1965. His mother was a single parent and was from Jamaica. Nothing is known about the man who fathered the boy. KRS-One also had no special education as he left home at 16 to pursue his dream of becoming an MC.
So Better Stay With His Mom At 16Old Lawrence Parker lived in a homeless shelter in the South Bronx. It was the other residents of the shelter who originally gave him the name Krishna. They had noticed his interest in the Hare Krishna spirituality practiced by some of the anti-poverty workers.
Become a KRS One
Lawrence Parker was nicknamed Krishna by his peers Around this time, he began writing graffiti on walls and designating himself as KRS-One, meaning knowledge reigns over nearly all.
Create boogie-down productions
KRS-One was friends with DJ Scott La Rock and the two decided to form a group with two other friends, which they originally dubbed Scott La Rock and the Celebrity Three. The name didn’t last long as the other two members soon quit, leaving only KRS-One and DJ Scott La Rock. The two therefore decided to name their group Boogie Down Productions. The name of the group’s debut album, released in 1987, was Criminal Minded. The album was tapped as a template for the hardcore and gangsta rap genres. Unfortunately, Scott La Rock died in late 1987 from a gunshot wound to the head while trying to settle a dispute between the local hoodlums and his friend D-Nice.
The increasing clout of KRS-One
The death of his group member may have devastated Parker, but it didn’t stop him. He was soon recognized as one of the first MCs to mix Jamaican style with hip hop and use the Zung Gu Zung tune. He helped bridge the gap between Jamaican music and American hip-hop, despite using the styles in more controversial songs.
His determination to continue Boogie Down production after Scott’s death led to the release of the album By All Means Necessary. It fell in 1988 and brought him together with other MCs such as rapper Ramona “Ms Melodie” Parker, DJ Kenny Parker and beatboxer D-Nice. The group’s content became increasingly political, as evidenced by projects such as edutainment and sex and violence.
Walk alone
wife and children
KRS was originally married to another Boogie Down Productions member named Ms. Melodie. The two were jailed in 1988 but divorced in 1992. He next married Simone G., another former member of Boogie Down Productions. KRS had a stepson named Randy Parker who was found dead of a suicide at his Atlanta, Georgia home in 2007.
impact
KRS is considered a living legend. Beyond his contributions to music, he is credited with founding the Stop the Violence movement, which, while short-lived, helped end violence in African American communities. He also found the Heal Project, which stands for Human Education Against Lies.
He’s continued to release records over the years, although they’ve mostly flown under the radar, and he’s still a top live performer. He also founded an archive, a school and a society – all in one – in the temple of hip hop. He won a BET lifetime achievement award in 2007 and is cited by some top female rappers, including Jay Z, as a major influence on their own careers.