Lyrical luminary KRS-One, who helped usher in the greatest era of rap music in hip-hop history in the late ’80s and early ’90s, was feted with what he calls the greatest tribute of his entire career.
KRS-One was honored with a mural on the Lower East Side of Manhattan in New York. It was made even more powerful and poignant because of the painting’s proximity to where he used to sleep outdoors when he was unhoused.
Therefore, the “Black Cop” emcee was literally stunned when he was ushered to his former stomps to view the realistic painting by Italian street artist Jorit.
“Wow! Just wow!” KRS-One exclaimed while gesturing wildly. He called it the highest accolade of his illustrious career.
“There is no award that is above this. I grew up here. KRS-One grew up in this neighborhood and was less than every single person here. I was homeless. I might have slept right there.”
When the television station asked him what hip-hop did for him, KRS said, “[Hip-hop taught me] I can do anything.”
The idolized spitter, who was born in the Bronx in 1965 and whose real name is Lawrence “Kris” Parker, adopted the hip-hop moniker KRS-One, which is an acronym for “Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everyone.” KRS charged out the gate with the cultural touchstone anthems “Sound of da Police,” and “Black Cop,” and cemented his legacy with hits like “My Philosophy,” and the ensemble classic “Self Destruction.”
The mural unveiling is part of the city’s and country’s yearlong commemoration of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop.
The artist Jorit, who sojourned in New York while painting this powerful mural, later returned to his home in Naples, Italy, where he shared his thoughts on the gift that KRS-One gave the world.
“KRS-One is aggressive but he always looked to unite the aggressiveness and force of rap with positive messages,” he told the station.
