KRS-One

KRS-One
KRS-One in 2008
Background information
Birth name	Lawrence Parker
Also known as	KRS Teacha The Blastmaster Big Joe Krash The Temple of Hip Hop
Born	(1965-08-20) August 20, 1965 (age 59) Brooklyn, New York City, U.S.
Origin	The Bronx, New York City, U.S.
Genres	East Coast hip hop conscious rap political hip hop hardcore hip hop
Occupations	Rapper singer lyricist record producer
Discography	KRS-One discography
Years active	1986–present
Labels	Jive Duck Down E1 Aftermath
Formerly of	Boogie Down Productions
Website	krs-one.com

Lawrence "Kris" Parker (born August 20, 1965), better known by his stage names KRS-One (/ˌkeɪ ɑːr ɛs ˈwʌn/; an abbreviation of "Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everyone"^[1]) and Teacha, is an American rapper from The Bronx. He rose to prominence as part of the hip hop group Boogie Down Productions, which he formed with DJ Scott La Rock in the mid-1980s. KRS-One is known for his songs "Sound of da Police", "Love's Gonna Get'cha (Material Love)", and "My Philosophy". Boogie Down Productions received numerous awards and critical acclaim in their early years. Following the release of the group's debut album, Criminal Minded, fellow artist Scott La Rock was shot and killed, but KRS-One continued the group, effectively as a solo project. He began releasing records under his own name in 1993. He is politically active, having started the Stop the Violence Movement after La Rock's death. He is also a vegan activist, expressed in songs such as "Beef".^[2] He is widely considered an influence on many hip-hop artists.