Search - KRS-One :: Mix Tape

Still Awesome

Erisu Kimu | Canada | 07/31/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Regardless of what anybody says, this mini-album is still fresh and top-notch -- Krs-One style. This is NOT just a CD that focuses on dissing Nelly. Just because it has the song "Ova Here" on this, doesn't mean that the rest of the subject matter is pin-pointed in that direction. Krs-One expresses his usual knowledge on tracks like "The Message 2002" and "Splash." Even a song like "Down the Charts" is very real with the message of the modern Hip Hop industry. The beats were raw and Krs-One's delivery is amazingly hype as expected. Yeah, everyone who was disappointed with his previous effort on "Spiritual Minded" should at least appreciate the Blast Master's revival. This CD sounds very similar to "The Sneak Attack," another album that I really enjoyed. But then again, only the truest of Krs fans would still love this effort. It's nowhere near the status of his earlier projects with BDP and "Return of the Boom Bap" -- but it still exists in its own credentials. If you love Hip Hop, you'll definitely feel this album, because that's what this delivers the most."

KRS is STILL #1!!! Fall Back When The TEACHER is SPEAKING!!

D. Brown | Savannah, GA via Washington, DC | 10/05/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"For anyone that is a fan of KRS-One, this is a MUST HAVE in your collection. For anyone that would call themselves a REAL HIP HIP HEAD, this is a must have. For anyone who is looking for a dosage of what was and what it's suppose to be, this is a must have. Aww hell......THIS IS JUSTA MUST HAVE.



This CD kind of slip out through the cracks between the "Spiritual Minded" and "Kristyles" albums. The headliner track of this CD is the Nelly diss track "Ova Here". Even though KRS loss battle with the line "Don't but Nelly's album on June 25th", ABSOULTELY NOTHING ELSE ABOUT THIS CD SAYS THAT KRS ISN'T STILL #1!!! The tracks are all neckspappers. My personal favorite is track 10 called "Problemz". Damn, that joint is thumpin'.



The ONLy reason that this CD DOESN'T get 5 stars is that it's TOO short. The best comparison would be a Young Tyson fight. There are no long solid jabs for 12-rounds, but short hard hooks to the head and a 3rd round knock out. Do the math. The CD has 13 tracks that add up too a total of 25 minutes long. And of the 13 tracks, 5 of those aren't actual songs but interludes and intros. Which leaves you with 8 actuals songs. And one song is a remix of "Ova Here", which makes that 2 of the same song, and leaves you with 7 songs.



Having said all that, I am in no way, shape or form dissatisfied by my choice in picking up this CD. This is a breath of fresh air. I'll sum it up in KRS's own own. As a matter a fact, this is how the CD starts off:



"First of all, I don't who yall saw on this stage on this stage before me. I don't know who you're gonna see on this stage after me. But THIS, is REAL HIP HOP!!!!!""

Kris does it again

J-Kay | Huntington, New York USA | 06/20/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Unless of course you don't know anything about Hiphop, you should remember when Kris ripped MC Shan with The Bridge Is Over. Now hes back to rip Nelly. The only difference is Shan had/has skills, Nelly is a much easier target. Brought about by Nelly's #1 "I'm tired of people judging what's real Hiphop/Half the time, you'll be them n****s that f***in album flop". Don't expect too much out of this album though. Kris just released it to hold the fans over until Kristyles.



In response to the Daily News story, KRS released a statement on Thursday to explain his words.



"Like everyone," he wrote, "I was shocked to read that I and other African-Americans actually 'cheered when 9-11 happened,' and that I have 'declared my solidarity with Al Qaeda.'



"I would never just say something as crazy as 'we cheered when 9-11 happened'!" he continued. "I was making an objective point about how many hip-hoppas as well as the oppressed peoples of the world felt that day."



The rapper said that when he was asked why hip-hop has not "engaged the current situation more [meaning 9-11], my response was 'because it does not affect us, or at least we don't perceive that it affects us. September 11 happened to them.' I went on to say that 'I am speaking for the culture now; I am not speaking my personal opinion.' "



KRS said that after he stated that the hip-hop community's response to the attacks was "Mmmm ... justice," he had hoped to say, "Now of course, a lot of our friends and family were lost there as well," but was interrupted.



In the lengthy statement, KRS went on to explain that his words were taken out of context and that some of what he said may have been misunderstood because "I am a poet and I speak poetically."



With regard to his statement about America committing suicide in order for the world to become a better place, KRS explained: "If you want to go beyond voting, American interests must put a gun to its head and commit suicide, because as long as we are only interested in American interests, we go out and invade the rest of the world."



Though he was saddened by 9-11, the rapper said, he and many members of his community who were "racially profiled and harassed by the World Trade Center's security" felt a "sense of justice, a sense of change, a wake-up call watching the Twin Towers fall."



"For the record," the rapper said, concluding his statement, "I am an American philosopher. I speak and seek truth." KRS apologized "if the slander that the Daily News has printed regarding my political views has offended anyone in any way."



"However," he added, "we do have a voice and a point of view, and if you are not prepared to hear what hip-hop has to say about its view of world events, then don't ask!""