KRS‐One
From The Bronx
About
Also known as: Big Joe Krash, KRS 1, KRS One, KRS-1, KRS1, KRSONE, KRS‐I, KRS‐ONE, Kris Parker, L. Parker, Lawrence "Kris" Parker, Lawrence "Krishna" Parker, Lawrence Parker, RRS-I, The Teacha
Growing up homeless in the Bronx, Lawrence Parker turned graffiti tags into a name that would define a whole era of hip hop. KRS One, short for Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everyone, built his foundation alongside DJ Scott La Rock in Boogie Down Productions, dropping the debut album Criminal Minded in 1987. When La Rock was shot and killed later that year, Parker kept the group going largely on his own terms, and by 1993 he was releasing records under the KRS One name full time. Tracks like Sound of da Police, My Philosophy, and Love's Gonna Get'cha have made him a touchstone for conscious hip hop and boom bap, but his influence goes well beyond the booth. He founded the Stop the Violence Movement after La Rock's death, created Human Education Against Lies, and established the Temple of Hip Hop to preserve and expand the culture. He is also a longtime vegan activist, which shows up directly in his music. Decades in, he remains one of the most referenced MCs in the game, known simply as The Teacha.
