KRS-One - Return of the Boom Bap

By 1993, hip-hop was transitioning from an organic form of musical expression into a big business fabricating stars. With many icons from his era either aging or losing their relevance (e.g., Chuck D, Rakim), KRS-ONE dropped a gem of an album that not only navigated the sound of the day but led the charge. Shedding his previous Boogie Down Productions moniker, KRS-One's Return of the Boom Bap is not just an album: it's KRS's call to arms for the return of hard beats and real rap in hip-hop music. The former took many forms, thanks to the recruitment of Gang Starr's DJ Premier, who was hitting his stride as hip-hop's preeminent beat-maker. Primo crafted the classic head-nod rhythm of the title track, the bump of "Outta Here," an autobiographical tale of KRS-One's rise in hip-hop, and the dancehall-inspired riddims of "Black Cop" and "Sound of da Police." Lyrically, KRS-One displayed variety in both style and content, meshing old-school bombast ("Mortal Thought"), consciousness ("Higher Level"), and crafty and conceptual wordplay ("I Can't Wake Up"). The album opens with KRS-One boasting, even decreeing, that he would "be here forever." At the crossroads, this album made it seem true. --Joseph Patel Amazon.com

"Back In The Days, I Knew Rap Would Never Die" (Rating: 8 out of 10- -4.0 stars)

Leave it to KRS-One to teach what hip hop is supposed to sound like. After dropping the Boogie Down Productions name, Kris comes correct on his 1993 album, Return Of The Boom Bap. The production on here is pretty much on point, courtesy of DJ Premier, Kid Capri, Norty Cotto, and Showbiz. All those dope producers, expect that signature east coast sound to represent.

A good number of tracks here are excellent. Tracks such as "Outta Here", "Slap Them Up", and "Sound Of The Police" (if you can, get the 12" that has the B-side "Hip Hop Vs. Rap") are easy standout. "Mad Crew" is an easy headbanger, along with "P Is Still Free". Another favorite of mine is "Brow Skin Woman".

Kris missteps here on early points on this album like the boring sounding "Mortal Thought" and the odd concept of himself being a blunt being passed around to various rappers on "I Can't Wake Up". A few others float around, but that doesn't stop that from being a good album. Given that this is one that defiantly needs to be in your music collection, as this one would be in rotation for sometime. Peace.

Lyrics: A
Production A
Guest Appearances: B
Musical Vibes: B+

Top 5 Tracks:
1. "P" Is Still Free
2. Brown Skin Woman
3. Outta Here
4. Mad Crew
5. Slap Them Up

Honorable Mention:
1. Return Of The Boom Bap
2. Sound Of Da Police September 29, 2008

Restoring The Roots Of Hip-Hop! (5 stars)

By time 1993 rolled around, cats were getting a lot more lyrical in the hip-hop lexicon. It was virtually a game of "can you top this" as several well-oiled rhyming machines left mediocre & stagnant rappers in a cloud of dust. KRS-One has always stayed ahead of the trends, and " Return of the Boom Bap" is no different. In my opinion, he is arguably rhyming tighter than he ever has before. His content & strong message tracks weave excellently in and out of some of his finest lyricism to date.

The production is uniformly excellent, and hits hard with a minimal and spare set of beats, which is 100% boom bap. The legendary Dj Premier, who is also on top of his game, produces most of the tracks here, with KRS-One producing 4 tracks himself. Kid Capri also produces 2 tracks, and Showbiz kills it on another. All in all, these elements add up to an unstoppable force. Every track here is bananas... "Outta Here", "Black Cop", "I Can't Wake Up", "Sound Of Da Police", "Higher Level", ""P" Is Still Free"... every tracks bangs with a rugged & raw fury. This is hand down essential KRS-One material. Recognize the master. July 28, 2008

a really good hip-hop c.d. using old school beats

Once again, Krs-One brings it to you straight no chaser...with help from DJ Premier and others you can't go wrong with this one.

my fave tracks:

1)Outta Here
2)Sound Of Tha Police
4) Higher Level..i LOVE the lyrics.

if you're a early 90's hip-hop fan or just starting your collection,i recommend this one. April 16, 2008

offbeats, steady beats, slamming beats

I was a basshead and this album was played quit a bit in the car, especially the song in the middle of the album with a bass line that goes and goes just loved it. Also liked the idea of being passed around as a blunt. Overall, the album has some offbeats, steady beats, and slamming beats. January 27, 2008

KRS-ONE RETURN OFTHE BOOM BOX

I LOVE OLD SCHOOL HIP HOP KRS ONE IS ONE THE GREAT TEACHER OF HIP HOP. BECAUSE HIS CD GIVES YOU INFORMATION THAT IS THE TRUTH. January 12, 2008

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