If you’ve been keeping up with our social media, you’ve probably heard about the project Reasun and myself are working on. It’s an artistic endeavor entirely composed of off the top freestyles over simple production; nothing overproduced, neither the rhymes, vocals or beats. I personally like the vulnerability of the approach. To start, we are releasing individual tracks every Friday on our respective Soundcloud pages (Reasun’s SC, Proseed’s SC). Alternatively, you can check out the Surface Level Records Soundcloud page to hear both in one location. The first edition of this volume, 1.01, is available for your listening pleasure now:
Check back every Friday for a new edition. Eventually we’ll get together on a few of them and then compile the best into an official release to be made available on Bandcamp and all major & minor digital outlets. Be sure to take a look at our Events section for this project and other upcoming releases.
Muamin Collective has been active in the Cleveland hip-hop scene for the better part of two decades. I’ve been blessed to know them and share the stage a few times, and was invited out to perform in Cleveland once at a cool, intimate venue known as the Grog Shop (Cleveland Heights).
Previously a duo that included MC Josiah “Zion” Quarles and Aaron “aLiVe” Snorton, the group has expanded to include producer and singer James “Jungle” Quarles.
Here’s a performance for the Applause Performances series broadcasted on Cleveland’s PBS station and the radio station 90.3 WCPN.
To listen to the Feel the Void podcast “Episode 5: KRS-ONE and the Literary Device of Repetition”, press play below or click here to check out all episodes.
KRS-ONE is a household name in the world of hip hop, a larger than life pioneer from hip-hop’s Golden Era dating back to the 1980s, and there are plenty of articles centered around his most influential and important songs, both as a solo artist and as the emcee for BDP, some of which include “MCs Act Like They Don’t Know” (1995), “My Philosophy” (1988), “Step Into a World” (1997) and, of course, the breakout track “The Bridge is Over” (1987).
This article focuses on another aspect of KRS ONE’s music and lyricism. As an educator myself, I think his lyrics should be studied in English courses in American schools. In his nearly 40-year career as “The Teacher”, KRS-ONE has released several tracks that utilize repetition, a writing strategy or literary device that students already learn about, but with KRS’ street and universal knowledge, his artistic contributions make repetition in writing and poetry all the more relevant and likely much more interesting and attractive to the youth of America. While I’m in no way saying dump the classics, I am suggesting teachers bring the work of a modern poet into the classroom and I guarantee it will allow students to see classic literature and centuries-old poetry in a new light.
“Hold”
I’m thinkin’ real hard about some money I can hold But everybody I know is deep in the hole A steady payin’ job is too hard for me to hold I call around for work but they puttin’ me on hold But in my hand a shiny .45 is what I hold I make a mayonnaise sandwich out of some whole- Wheat, I’m feelin’ weak, I can’t hold I gotta rob somebody tonight and take the whole Bank roll, some cash I gotta hold At the bottom of my shoe is a little bitty hole That’s it, my mental sanity I can’t hold I’m walkin’ to the store with this pistol that I hold…
Above is the first verse from the track “Hold” which appeared on the eponymous album, KRS-ONE (1995), and for those who know the album well, more specifically the cassette tape, it was the last track on Side A. Obviously, repetition is found at the end of each line which alternates between “hold” and “hole”, and the poet emphasizes the similarity in the words as he raps. As the song goes on, the listener gets the sense that the character in the story is desperate and as KRS put it, “your addiction to your needs and your wants is what causes problems in your life. Make sure you got what you need. Put at a safe distance all the things that you want. It’s wants that get you into trouble.”
Among the most inspiring KRS-ONE songs from the viewpoint of this emcee is none other than, well, “The MC,” from his certified gold album, I Got Next (1997). In much the same way that legendary drum solos like John Bonham’s (Led Zeppelin) on “Moby Dick” have inspired scores of teenagers to take up drumming, if you heard “The MC” in the late 90s and it didn’t make you want to be an emcee, nothing would. At a time when commercialization of hip hop had grown to the point that it was the prevailing approach in the mainstream, the artist reminded listeners of the role of a real emcee:
When the jam is slow and you need a proceeder Who am I? THE MC When you need a lyrical leader wit’ oratorical triple features Who am I? THE MC When you need to rock your 3000-seat arena, best believe, uh Who am I? THE MC When you need to get the word on the street wit’ demeanor Who am I? THE MC
When I was in college, KRS dropped The Mix Tape (2002) to hold people over until the release of the Kristyles album. The short album opens with “Ova Here,” the track he put out amidst his brief feud with the popular rapper Nelly, but on “The Message 2002,” KRS offers his usual positive encouragement to live a life of wisdom and righteousness.
Right from the hook, KRS begins with…
Crack – don’t mess with that Speed – don’t mess with that It’s whack – don’t mess with that Greed – don’t mess with that Knowledge – yeah, mess with that God – yeah, mess with that College – yeah, mess with that A job – yeah, mess with that
Then on to his first verse….
I rhyme for respect y’all, intellect y’all Not sex y’all, move that neck y’all, correct y’all Checks y’all, cash y’all, don’t last y’all With cops y’all to blast y’all, harass y’all
On “What Else Happened” from Kristyles (2003), KRS tells a story that’s both humorous, as well as a warning to impressionable females to watch out for players and to not play themselves.
There once was a dreamer named Peter (what else happened?)
Peter was also known as Skeeter (what else happened?)
Peter had sex with Anita (what else happened?)
Anita got pregnant from Peter (what else happened?)
Peter wasn’t just with Anita (what else happened?)
Peter knew this girl named Rita (what else happened?)
Peter had sex with Rita (what else happened?)
Rita got pregnant from Peter (what else happened?)
Now TWO girls are pregnant by Peter (what else happened?)
But Rita doesn’t know of Anita (what else happened?)
And Anita, doesn’t know Rita (what else happened?)
The two of them, only know Peter (what else happened?)
Now Peter’s at the mall with Anita (what else happened?)
You know, he runs into Rita (what else happened?)
Well Rita takes a look at Anita (what else happened?)
And Anita takes a good look at Rita (what else happened?)
Well Rita starts to pull out the heater (what else happened?)
The heater now is pointed at Peter (what else happened?)
Anita jumps right on Rita (what else happened?)
Rita busts shots at Anita (what else happened?)
Rita missed Anita by meters (what else happened?)
But Rita’s bustin’ shots at Peter! (What else happened?)
Just then somebody shook Peter (what else happened?)
Yo how many spoons of the dairy creamer? (What else happened?)
It’s Keisha sayin’ WAKE UP PETER (what else happened?)
That’s why they call you the dreamer (Now that’s happenin’!)
One track later on Kristyles, KRS-ONE takes listeners on a journey through the opposite roles that people play in the world through the song “Somebody”. In a way it feels like a message to play the cards you’re dealt, even though it’s coming from a man whose main motivation appears to be to inspire others to improve their station in life.
Somebody gotta be lost Somebody gotta be found Somebody gotta be in the economy making the money go round Somebody gotta be the president Somebody gotta get down Somebody gotta be hesitant Somebody gotta be relevant Somebody gotta be celibate Somebody gotta be having their sex in a lex for the hell of it Somebody gotta be intelligent Somebody gotta be illiterate Somebody gotta go all the way Somebody gotta go a little bit Somebody got to be an idiot Somebody gotta be belligerent Somebody gotta be hip hop Cause somebody else is living it Somebody gotta be spitting it Somebody gotta be ignorant Somebody gotta be holy But somebody gotta have sin in it Somebody gotta be losing it Somebody gotta be winning it Somebody gotta be flippin’ the style I’m kicking just a little bit
On “Me Man” from Keep Right (2004), KRS raps like he’s having an honest and intimate conversation with a lost soul about his role and place in a changing industry. He follows his own path, and he’s still got something to teach.
You told me man, you need me man Who the teacher me man, who gon’ lead you me man Who gon’ free you me man, well not mostly me man But come up close to me man, make a toast with me man I’m not starvin’ me man, I be feedin’ me man You won’t be seein’ me man, cause I be bookin’ me man Them lights be cookin’ me man, while people look at me man They sing the hooks with me man, yo read this book with me man How these rappers slash actors wanna fuck with me man When we be up inside the spot they be duckin’ me man I be movin’ me man, showin’ and provin’ me man My wife is soothin’ me man, yo’ life is new to me man
Fast forward 16 years and the man born Lawrence Parker has not lost a step. Remarkably, on his 22nd album, Between Da Protests (2020), Kris hits us with the track “Black, Black, Black.”
The real Underground Railroad The first subway for Black, Black, Black! The freedom train begins with your brain Get it on track, track, track! Whether justice or injustice How do you react-act-act? Can you stand there laughing While they shoot us in the back, back, back? This is what some rappers sound like Every time they rap, rap, rap! I’m raising up the red and the green And the black, black, black! Even with no cops in the hood We still hear “click-click, clack-clack-clack”! I cannot forget my ancestors Just because I rap, rap, rap! Look at me from top to bottom, KRS is Black, Black, Black!
KRS-ONE is the quintessential artist, poet and for me, inarguably the purest emcee. In the past, he’s been criticized for what some would label contradictory and controversial messages, but he’s been in the public light for nearly four decades, and what I get from his presence is honesty, growth, evolution and a positive spirit. He’s walked with the torch of hip hop the entire time, and spread an inclusive message throughout the world without shutting the door on anyone. That’s just one more reason to add to the list of a host of others as to why English classes throughout the nation should open the door to the poetry of KRS-ONE.
