KRS-ONE has been somewhat of a myth to me. Of course I’ve heard the name, and I had heard and see enough to know he is akin to a founding father of hip-hop. He’s seen it all, a historian of hip hop, and political activist, a teacher. Who your favorite rapper claims to be. Today he sat down with Talib Kweli & Tef Poe. Here are couple of things that stood out to me:

KRS One start with saying that most Americans aren’t as American as they claim to be. In the our declaration of independence it says that, “It is our patriotic duty to revolt against tyrannical power” but at this point in America it’s the politician would rather cozy to the tyranny instead of revolting. Saying, “These people never win, so they puff up their chest” they just fake it till they make it.

He also touched on some of the same issues that were happening in 1963, in Dr. King’s speech, are still happening today. A continuous conversation that I’ve been seeing and hearing about online in a bit of an awkward realization. Though about 60 years have passed since Civil Right, American find themselves talking about the same issues, “were not reading our own history”. We are suck in a cycle that doesn’t progress.

what is the actual philosophy of hip-hop? “to go back to peace, love and unity… and safety having fun”

peace: when we were back in the hood, we didn’t know we were broke. We were just living getting by. We weren’t chasing money and status like today

love: if you don’t love what you do, you won’t last long in it

unity: I don’t have to like you, but we can agree on this issue.

KRS-One actually spits the knowledge of what the words hip-hop actually mean. Originally on the recording, Hip Hop Live. Now that I think about I don’t think that anyone has ever told me or if I even care to really look up a definition of hip hop. I mean who was I gonna ask, Merriam-Webster?

“Hip means to know, it’s a form of intelligence. To be hip is to be update and relevant. Hop is a form of movement. You can’t just observe a hop you got to get up and do it. Hip and hop is more than music. Hip is the knowledge. Hop is the movement, Hip and hop is intelligent movement or relevant movement. We’re selling the music. Write this down on your black books and journals. Hip hop culture is eternal. Run and tell all of your friends. An ancient civilization has been born again. It’s a fact. I come back every year. I get newer. I’m the dust on the moon.”

So much more was said but your going to have to watch it for yourself