After a four-year hiatus, on The Sneak Attack the T'cha comes out fighting, as usual. "Attendance" ticks off a list of KRS'S additions to his ongoing revisionist history lessons, before dropping this gem: "All these rap... more »pers swear they the best, I know what you're thinking about: 'Where's KRS?'" The blastmaster's ego is still breathtaking. It's this swagger that has always made KRS-One thoroughly hip-hop: his desire not merely to represent, but to embody the music. And if he's gonna get moralistic about what hip-hop kulture (don't forget the "K") really is on tracks like "Hot" and "Hip Hop Knowledge," at least he's spitting it in dope rhymes over dope beats. While younger cats speed along on crispy, digitally flipped beats, none of KRS-One's spare, stabbing beats would sound out of place in an early '90s mix. But, like the man says, what goes around comes around. On "The Mind," he rhymes, "You ain't gotta be a scholar to know the next four years gonna be ill." Fresh for 2001, you suckas. --Jeff Chang« less
After a four-year hiatus, on The Sneak Attack the T'cha comes out fighting, as usual. "Attendance" ticks off a list of KRS'S additions to his ongoing revisionist history lessons, before dropping this gem: "All these rappers swear they the best, I know what you're thinking about: 'Where's KRS?'" The blastmaster's ego is still breathtaking. It's this swagger that has always made KRS-One thoroughly hip-hop: his desire not merely to represent, but to embody the music. And if he's gonna get moralistic about what hip-hop kulture (don't forget the "K") really is on tracks like "Hot" and "Hip Hop Knowledge," at least he's spitting it in dope rhymes over dope beats. While younger cats speed along on crispy, digitally flipped beats, none of KRS-One's spare, stabbing beats would sound out of place in an early '90s mix. But, like the man says, what goes around comes around. On "The Mind," he rhymes, "You ain't gotta be a scholar to know the next four years gonna be ill." Fresh for 2001, you suckas. --Jeff Chang
"This album is excellent, true hip-hop from the beats to the rhymes. Kris's lyrics are outstanding and alternatively amusing and clever. The beats are utterly fantastic and exceedingly more complex than the usual stuff these so-called rappers peddle to us. The production is excellent and if you think it is boring then you really should go back to Puff Daddy or JZ because you obviously don't like hip-hop. This is not pop-rap as performed by certain other artists but real rap.To suggest KRS-1 should have had Premier, Dre or Puffy to handle the beats is ludicrous. Whereas Premier is an excellent producer you can't have him do everything. Not only that, Dre and Puffy would utterly ruin KRS-1 and also represent everything that Kris attacks on this album. KRS-1 does not need any of these people.This album is excellent from to start to finish. If you respect real rap from Common, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, Kool Keith to Public Enemy then you will appreciate this album. If you find you don't like any of the artists in this list then you need to go back to Ja Rule..."
KRS - 1 Raises Da Bar Up A Notch
William m Coles | BALTIMORE, MARYLAND United States | 05/24/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Banging beats, conscious lyrics; a hip-hoppers dream. He is definately a lyrical teacher. His brilliance is unmatched in the hip-hop industry. He delivers his message clearly so there is no guess work involved. If you are current with the state of the world today you can relate. Most importantly he doesn't boast needlessly about himself or his material wealth, he only acknowledges his accomplishments as they relate to his craft as a lyrist. He has definately raised the bar up a notch. This album will definately be a classic and a must for any person who is a part of hip hop culture."
The Blastmaster Blasts Back
Groovemasta | Washington, DC USA | 08/28/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"KRS-ONE has nothing to prove to anyone in the rap game. He's a legend, hands down, and a first ballet inductee into the hip-hop hall of fame. But in approaching his latest release, two questions come to mind. Is he still hungry? And is he still relevant? The answer to the first is a resounding "yes". In fact, you don't have to go any further than the first single, "Hot" to realize that the Blastmaster has some stuff to get off his chest. In fact, most of Sneak Attack's songs fall into one of two categories, KRS asserting his status and lyrical superiority over the new generation of MCs, and KRS as motivational speaker to the Hip-Hop nation. No one can pull a sucka's card quite like Kris, so the cuts in the first category ("Hot, "Krush Them", "Hush") are infinetly enjoyable. But it is the latter songs that give the album its weight. "I Will Make It", "Get Yourself Up", and "Raptizm" serve as much needed counterpoints to the guns, blunts and ... steelo so prevailant in urban music right now. These records are throw backs to a time when hip-hop was about uplifting urban youth, and KRS's lyrics back the power of a motivational speaker. But as to Kris's relevancy in contemporary hip-hop, the answer isn't as clear. My guess is that virtually nobody under the age of 23 will buy this album, meaning those who need to hear it the most, won't. KRS is essentially preaching to the choir, his 23-35 year old long time fans. But as hip-hop comes of age, there is still a need for the elder statesmen to remain active. Just as different rock and R&B groups appeal to the 30 somethings than to the teens, rap is now begining to develop that same diversity. Overall, another solid record from one of the best to ever touch a mic."
Always incredible
Brian | FL | 01/14/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"krs-one is amazing...he never falls short of my expectations...i cant get enough of his music, his style, and his outlook on tha world"
This has to be up there along with Criminal Minded and BDP!!
wangalb@hotmail.com | 04/25/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"KRS-One's album Sneak Attack is a masterpiece which is up there along with his other classics such as Criminal Minded and his Boogie Down Productions stuff. Apparently the straight move off Jive Records has helped him a lot in freeing up his subject matter back to the issues which concern him most.Is this album what one has come to expect from KRS-One? Yes, well I have so many things I would love to praise the album for. First, there are the strong anti-drug lyrics. The teacher condemns the use of X/ecstacy which is destroying communities everywhere and whether or not young people care to listen, KRS-1 doesn't give a "what" what others thinks as long as the message is out there. He condemns crack as being the evils of our age, etc. etc. Second, there are the strong anti-materialism lyrics which I love a lot. KRS-1 remains on point and spiritual and definitely is up there with other positive hiphoppers (and certainly not as contradictory as Brand Nubian's Foundation). He doesn't waste any words and in fact, most of the songs are shorter than the typical rap song nowadays especially that crappy "... He also gives a history of his own work for the hip-hop game and condemns other rappers for pretending to have the real knowledge which isn't about money or gats but about having spiritual dominion over self which is most important... Indeed, KRS-One is faring much better on Koch.Sneak Attack uses an old school approach and the beats are bass-heavy, forceful, and very simple compared to the underground nowadays. Of course, the sampling isn't too complicated which allows one to focus on the elements of KRS-One's MCing flow giving us the breakdown. The production is solid and very consistent and even innovative such as the use of R and B (interestingly enough) hooks and a gospel chorus to emphasize the religious context of KRS-One tirades.Well, there aren't any bad songs on the album. Each song is great and one can learn something from each single element. The speeches and interludes are full of insight and he even tells a beautiful fable in the song "False Pride" which I enjoyed a lot! :) :>...I strongly believe that no other release in 2001 will compare to the heights which this album does in educating and entertaining the audience of the true hip-hop with each terse song... Peace and cop this album asap ASAP!!!Beat Detective"