KRS-One

As the victor of one of hip-hop's first public rap battles and an early purveyor of socially conscious raps, KRS-One is a cross-functional icon of the culture. Born Lawrence "Kris" Parker in Brooklyn in 1965, KRS began rapping in earnest after meeting social worker Scott Sterling, also known as DJ Scott La Rock. Together, they formed Boogie Down Productions. Their 1987 debut, Criminal Minded, established them as ascendant voices in East Coast hip-hop while helping further embed street rap in the hip-hop continuum. As the albums went by, KRS and BDP's music grew more and more political, with tracks like "My Philosophy" and "Stop the Violence" becoming indelible progressive anthems. Beginning with 1993's Return of the Boom Bap, KRS-One embarked on a solo run that saw him release 16 LPs in under 30 years, each one adding to his status as one of rap's greatest teachers.