It’s not about a salary, it’s all about reality.
KRS-One, “My Philosophy,” from Boogie Down Productions’ By All Means Necessary, 1988
Tag: Boogie Down Productions
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Now it’s my turn, and I am concerned
About idiots posing as kings.
What are we here to rule?
I thought we were supposed to sing.
And if we oughta sing, then let us begin to teach.
Many of you are educated…open your mouth and speak!KRS-One, “I’m Still #1,” from Boogie Down Productions’ By All Means Necessary, 1988 -
You were put here to protect us.
But who protects us from you?KRS-One, “Who Protects Us From You?” from Boogie Down Productions’ Ghetto Music: The Blueprint of Hip Hop, 1989 -
Believers of Jesus be denouncing Satan on every level,
But every Halloween they’re dressin’ like devils.KRS-One, “Higher Level,” Return of the Boom Bap, 1993. More from KRS… -
Rap is like a set-up…a lot of games,
A lot of suckers with colorful names.
‘I’m so-and-so,’ ‘I’m this, I’m that.’
But they all just wick-wick-wack.KRS-One, “My Philosophy,” from BDP’s By All Means Necessary, 1988. More from KRS… -
So you think that hip-hop had its start out in Queensbridge?
If you popped that junk up in the Bronx, you might not live!KRS-One, “South Bronx,” from Boogie Down Productions’ Criminal Minded, 1987 -
Rebel, renegade, must stay paid.
KRS-One, “I’m Still #1,” from Boogie Down Productions’ By Any Means Necessary, 1990 -
I am the manifestation of study,
NOT the manifestation of money.
Therefore, I advance through thought,
NOT what’s manufactured and bought.KRS-One, “Original Lyrics,” from Boogie Down Productions’ Edutainment, 1990 -
…Cops just surrounding me with pistols everywhere.
They put me in the backseat of their car handcuffed,
Pushed out them chests like they’re big rough and tough.
A cop come and said ‘You’ll never sell your guns now.’
I said ‘It doesn’t matter, you’ll sell them anyhow.
You take the guns from me, you sell them for a fee;
Anyway you put it, they’ll get in the city!’KRS-One, “100 Guns,” from Boogie Down Productions’ Edutainment, 1990 -
I never ever ran from the Ku Klux Klan, and I shouldn’t have to run from a black man.
Kool Moe Dee, “Self-Destruction,” from Stop the Violence All-Stars’ Self Destruction, 1989 -
You got to have style, and learn to be original.
KRS-One, “My Philosophy,” from Boogie Down Productions’ By All Means Necessary, 1988 -
Teach the student what needs to be taught.
‘Cause black and white kids both take shorts
When one doesn’t know about the other one’s culture,
Ignorance swoops down like a vulture.KRS-One, “You Must Learn,” from Boogie Down Production’s Ghetto Music – The Blueprint of Hip-Hop, 1989 -
Ignorance is a poison and knowledge will nourish.
KRS-One, “Word From Our Sponsor,” from Boogie Down Productions’ Criminal Minded, 1987 -
Are you tired of lyrical liars, passing fliers,
Wannabe MC’s, but really good triers,
Tripping over mic cords, getting you bored,
A total fraud, this kind of thing I can’t afford!KRS-One, “Mortal Thought,” Return of the Boom-Bap, 1993