국내에서도 많은 팬층을 확보하고 있는 최고의 하드코어 랩퍼 KRS ONE의 미발표 트랙들이 한군데 모여 'MAXIMUM STRENGTH 2008'이 탄생했다. 이제껏 LP 나 CD로 단 한번도 공개 되지 않았던 12곡은 그동안 누구보다 꾸준한 창작활동울 펼쳤던 그의 10년간의 역사를 정리하는 멋진 마스터피스가 될것이다. 대부분의 곡들이 뛰어나지만 이중 강렬한 비트와 라임의 조화가 돋보이는 'THE KOOL HERE'나 자신의 홈타운을 기리는 곡인 'NEW YORK'등이 특히 눈에 띈다. .... ....
[KRS-One:] Yeah, HUT HUT HUT HUT! I know we ain't gettin soft, HUT HUT HUT HUT! I know we ain't gettin soft, listen FIYAH!
[Chorus: KRS-One] When you advertise in New York You best to beware, oh yes When you advertise in New York, you best to beware Cause the bling bling, and de sex t'ing Dem no care, oh no, you best to beware Oh no, yo you best to beware, oh no noooo
[KRS-One:] This is how they do it kid, I thought you knew it kid This is how they set us up listen I can prove it kid Many don't understand, you see it's all a plan To keep the black man a child like he's Peter Pan You'll never see a man, a real black man Until you see a man with control of his hands And to control your hands means you control your mind And to control your mind means you ain't commitin crimes Man you smarter than that, goin to prison is whack Even the people in prison know I'm spittin the facts I'm gettin open, open the class up Don't smoke crack it'll tear yo' ass up
[Chorus]
[KRS-One:] Listen! We got our own problems here in the States So you know I'm not pointin the finger BUT WAIT This is somethin y'all got to see Even the UN knows violence begins with poverty When you ain't got no money, it's quicker to kill It's human nature that's way the jails are filled And the MILITARY? From the time you sign up To kill your neighbor man it's a SIN already And SIN meaning Selfish Inconsiderate Needs Gimme what I want! I don't care who bleeds These days people ready to steal and rob All in the name of I'm DOING MY JOB~! But what about doing your work, what's your purpose? No human being is worthless Think about this before you pull the trigger And you call your sister a bitch and your brother a - WHOA
[Chorus]
[KRS-One:] Knowledge Reigns Supreme again, ignorance is weakenin Truth is what I'm speakin when I'm reachin and teachin my friends Life is more than just cars and lust Unity is a must, we need to build trust Open up your mind to this, raisin up your consciousness Whether you a pessimist, strategist or optimist My synopsis is knowledge ain't where college is Knowledge is for leaders and wisdom is for philosophers Now I'm hearin London gettin violence like Brooklyn was Brothers gettin shot just for lookin cause? I thought we deaded that, we need to be headed back Yo France, you need to be coverin your brother's back Bring the lovin back, cause the government don't love you They into murder, money, and stayin above you They want you all in prison So before you kill your sister or brother stop and listen
[Chorus: KRS-One] Get up! What we slowin down for? Pick it up, pick it up, pick it up, pick it up, pick it up! We got a whole nation to restore Pick it up, pick it up, pick it up, pick it up, pick it up! We gotta really love each other more Pick it up, pick it up, pick it up, pick it up, pick it up! When you see my CD in the store Pick it up, pick it up, pick it up, pick it up, pick it up!
[KRS-One:] It's the teacher, class is open G Let's get open on the concept of votin, we Begin the discussion by viewin democracy People power, a people ruled philosophy Democracy is a system of government Where the whole population is the sum of it Where the goverment can't move without it's people Where before the law everybody's equal But take a look at the police and how they treat you Take a look at these corporations that cheat you Democrats and Republicans are all see-through Now we votin for the lesser of two evils Man, don't let 'em deceive you This is an autocracy, not a democracy But to call this a democracy without mock interest In the laws of society, that's called hypocrisy!
[Chorus]
[KRS-One:] Democracy only happened one time In European history, now keep this in mind It was practiced in Athens overseas In 508 B.C. by Cleisthenes Citizens would get together on a hillside And decide how and if they was gonna ride But in 322 B.C. here's what happened Alexander of Macedon conquered Athens And that was the end of democracy Where the people had a say in their society Today, we gotta get more knowledge And learn about the function of the electorial college It doesn't matter who you vote for today The electorial college has the last say But that's another day, here's what I came to say RIIIIISE UP~!
[Chorus]
[KRS-One:] In corporate sponsored elections, who's winning? This the wrong direction from the beginning Every candidate got scandal, they all sinnin Tryin to convince you, tellin you what they been in But the real issues, they get avoided While our children still gettin exploited Heh, they call me Blastmaster Kris Edutainment, that's what my tactic is! Some criticize Kris, some laugh at Kris But you can't say Kris is not an activist Social justice, I got a PASSION for this Cause equal rights we still ASKIN for this? So when I do my tours it's not just rappin for Kris I'm givin you more than gun packin with this I'm openin doors, you should be askin 'bout this You listenin to them whores and them capitalists They game is tight, got you trapped into this It won't be long before the ring you like have to kiss That's why I'm a activist I help people not to get trapped in this The temptation? You gettin wrapped in this So get up, stop sittin like a PACIFIST Pick it up, pick it up, pick it up, PICK IT UP, PICK IT UP!
[KRS-One:] Woooooooooo! Where my men at? Real dudes Where you at? Look
[Chorus: KRS-One] Me is a mon, understand, not a passin trend Me is a mon, understand, we provide and defend Me a mon with a plan, my love it never ends I'm callin - all my men, ALL MY MEN~!
[KRS-One:] All my men that be holdin down they house and they spouse Men, y'all know what I'm talkin about Real men, providin for the kids, no doubt Holla out, 'gwan shout, you the man of the house Men! In my opinion if we gonna start winnin F'real, we gotta respect women Every mister, hug your sister, it's the Time to support your woman and not diss her It's the, teacher, overstand I'm like a preacher, reachin your upper man Man, many don't understand How important it is to have a plan
[Chorus x2]
[KRS-One:] All my men that be holdin they house down, true workin All my men that be holdin they spouse down, for certain! You spread love when you drivin around town, not jerkin You a healer, you take away what's hurtin Cause if a man can't do what a man plans to do, his purpose Then a man makes plans with empty hands, he's worthless He can't even understand the plan What the second or the first is Let me verse this or reverse this statistic We gotta think futuristic Strategic, logistical and even mystical We need a new ritual I'm tired of jumpin over buildings And havin to stop to hold adult hands like children C'mon, you can do it, c'mon And when they get paid then they quickly run along This ain't just another song This is that fruit that reveals the right from the wrong It won't be long here, before the storm's here And real men are gonna have to be strong
[Chorus x2]
[KRS-One:] Be a MON, stand on principle Just be a MON, let God live in you Just be a MON, walk in the spiritual Metaphysical, political, lyrical Just be a MON! Understand you not a passing trend And this is the end
[Intro: sped up vocal sample] Tonight's a special night So remember with pride, these 20 happy years
[KRS-One:] I can't leave my b-boys alone I can't leave my b-girls alone Let's turn this house right into a home C'mon y'all let's get into the zone Vibrate or mute or cellular phone In here they might already be on roam Minds are blown, I'm showin You ain't gotta go major you can do it alone As I look back on all the years, all the tears All my peers, in fear I hear, insecurity, the need for clout Low self-esteem and self doubt KRS lays out a whole different route And shows you what hip-hop is really all about Then we on the route, release self doubt And sing with the feds when the fear is out now Clear 'em out now, from the bottom to the tip-top Take the vow, I am hip-hop And recreate yourself, love don't hate yourself Do not deny or lie or fake yourself You can make yourself, reawake yourself You can mold remodel and reshape yourself You gotta take yourself more seriously Create yourself to what you really can be~! Yo the villain is free, look at me, I do what I do I am hip-hop and so are you Yo we almost through, but before we go I wanna invite y'all all, to every show Where the b-boys and girls are kept on their toes Like the Rocksteady Crew tribute with Fat Joe So now you know, if you got what it takes No doubt, show 'em what you really all about!
[KRS-One:] Yo, now that that is out of the way Let me continue what I came to say Breakers, writers, emcees and DJ's Beatboxers too we've come a long way Come to the Temple of Hip-Hop today Our hip-hop week is every third week of May Hip-Hop appreciation we remember Hip-Hop history, that's in November Peace, love, unity, that's the agenda When I'm on the mic that's just what I send ya We at the end sir, so what's the answer Hip-Hop can be more than MC's and dancers It's time to expand your Awareness, consciousness, enhance your Living, tell me, what are you playing for What are you staying for, what are you giving? I will demand your respect, with two MC's Two b-boys, two DJ's on set Two hour shows you bet! We get authentically hip-hop as hip-hop can get Independent, free from debt 2005 you ain't seen nuttin yet Some like it dry, some like it wet Some like to give, some like to get Some like a good soundset You a b-boy and you ain't been out to the Bronx yet? No, yes, maybe, someday Whatever, we bring it to you Sunday to Sunday Workin for peace love unity and fun day Just a little somethin to balance off gunplay So now for the break if you got what it takes No doubt, show 'em what you all about!
[Intro: KRS-One] Yeah, yeah, yeah This what we live for! Let it rock, let it (Big up to all Brooklyn man, all Bronx man) (Uptown massive, follow)
[Chorus: KRS-One] We can all be hear rockin 'til the mor-ning Boom, bap, and rap is what I bring We love, the clubs and we rock them Yes all over the world we shock them Cause everybody knows this flow It blows your mind
[KRS-One:] We used to step inna de club with these murderers Hustlers, thugs, pimps and burglars You ain't gettin in the spot if they ain't heard of ya And if you sneak in the spot they might murder ya I used to be in them spots just servin the Raw rhymes flows and yes earnin the The respect from the streets in a circular Over the years, an MC I turned into
[Chorus]
[KRS-One:] Ladies and gentlemen, the most controversial MC in hip-hop is about to raise your adrenaline Settle in and grab a seat, they start meddlin I'm a grab the heat I already grabbed the streets KRS, you don't find me on your radio station You find me chillin on them Indian reservations I spit like cajun spice You don't know KRS? Your momma must notta raised you right Man I blazed your type, done raced your type Man sit down~! You still on a training bike I'm the crazy type, you the lazy type Hey yo, look, I blaze these mics; cause
[Chorus]
[Outro: ad libs from KRS and possibly the producer]
[Intro:] And you say New York City! Duane 'Darock', KRS
[Chorus: female singers] It's New Yorrrrrrrrrk, and we livin The whole world, it knows, your name It's New Yorrrrrrrrrk, and we livin The whole world, it knows, your name
[over Chorus:] Lenox Avenue, Park Ave Long Island I see you baby Jamaican Ave, Queens KRS, let's go!
[KRS-One:] New, York, City, get it right, get it tight, get it hype New York City's in the house tonight All day, off and on, Broadway The world's Big Apple is what they all say Wait, way back in the day Dudes from the South migrated this way North Lookin for the higher pay of course Led by the forces they became big bosses Like Rick Ross is, the city that never sleeps Yup, New York is If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere What's that?
[Chorus]
[over Chorus:] Flatbush! Brooklyn (we live this) BX Bronx, c'mon Gun Hill Road, Grand Concourse
[KRS-One:] New, York, City, still part of my heart, still part of my start As you can see it's still, part of my art Still part of my lesson plan, listen man~! N.Y., every year we fresh again I be doin South Bronx everywhere I go Everywhere I go, every nation know I'm a New York dude that's not New York rude All over the world I eat New York food Ha, I'm at home anywhere, any place Right now somebody from New York in this place Yeah, no matter where I be I'll always be N-Y-C
[Chorus]
[over Chorus:] Coney Island! Brighton Beach Wooo, Red Hook! I see you Canal Street, Delancey Street Hester Street, c'mon, New York let's go
[KRS-One:] New, York, City, metropolitan life, cosmopolitan life It put the strength inside of my life But New York City got it's challenges also Racism, sexism, crime, you all know! Them guns that keep goin off bustin And another one bites the dust when Conflicts arise and dudes start bustin And cussin, I gotta speak to this New York is not unique in this But if we keep sewing this we gonna keep reapin this I'm teachin this, we gotta overcome our weaknesses Remember man!
[Chorus]
[over Chorus:] Big up to the firefighters, rest in peace World Trades y'know Brooklyn! The Bronx, Queens Manhattan! Staten Island! New York love it baby
[Chorus]
[over Chorus:] South Bronx South Bronx, big 'em up! Rest in peace Jam Master Jay, Big Pun Big L, Randy Parker You with us for life rest in peace my brother
[KRS-One:] We need unity in the community KRS, hip-hop is one Conscious, gangsters, hustlers Man
[Chorus:] Hiiiip-Hop; I'm livin for that Hiiiip-Hop; I'm livin for that Hiiiip-Hop; I'm doin it for Hiiiip-Hop
[KRS-One:] Yo - we went from nuttin to somethin, bein real and not frontin No one was givin us nuttin so we resorted to gunnin Growin up and we comin, up the ladder not bummin Dodgin warrants and summons, from the cops we were runnin Goin to school not for nuttin they teachin lies and assumptions And they tell us keep comin, comin to school now for what? When Comin back to a system that's whack and really not runnin Oh I'm sorry it's runnin, it's not PROPERLY runnin It's a conspiracy hear me man it's got to be somethin I can get guns faster than I can get an english muffin And the black church ain't sayin nuttin We on our own cousin, I'm stickin to this
[Chorus]
[KRS-One:] I'm livin for this hip-hop, I'm spittin for this hip-hop I'm givin to this hip-hop, my life is hip-hop Culture, and y'all know that Hip-Hop in the media, y'all know it's whack But just like them dopefiends who keep comin back Like the mayor of D.C., buyin Joey's crack No disrespect to either one of them but look at that Study the metaphors in this rap We bigger than crack, but we keep buyin it We bigger than rap, but we keep denyin it Justice, equality, keep cryin it But the only way to get it is to start applyin it Fat Joe that's my bro shows 'nuff respect Talib, that's my bro, shows 'nuff respect 50 Cent that's my bro he shows 'nuff respect Common! That's my bro he shows 'nuff respect Snoop Dogg is my bro showed 'nuff respect Dead Prez that's my peeps yo 'nuff respect Cassidy's an MC who shows 'nuff respect Hip-Hop is one, don't forget I'm stickin with this
[Chorus]
[KRS-One:] I'm livin for that hip-hop culture, shape it like a sculpture Touch it why don'tcha, touch it why don'tcha Hip-Hop is yours and mine and that's fine But hip-hop's culture ain't about just crime You caught up in the image and, don't know they rhymes You caught up in they bodies and don't know they minds So I'm, here to bring the truth in the place Like don't think Common won't punch you in your face~! And don't think Talib won't hold the heat To stop the violence you gotta know your street You gotta know who Tanga Reed is Fat Joe's a leader, Busta Rhymes a preacher KRS-One's a teacher But through Cassidy my lessons are quicker to reach ya We one community I'm talkin about unity, in other words you and me I'm with this
[Intro:] FRESH~! For 2008, you suckers Yeah! James Desmond, yeah, ha ha ha ha KRS, keep bringin that
[Chorus: KRS-One] Heat, the heat, the heat, the heat The heat, the heat, the heeeeeat!
[KRS-One:] I'm called when all falls and yes y'all stalls And cornballs wanna get smoked like Pall Malls I'm on all fours, all year on tours Place your bets I'm takin all yours All wars, topplin all scores Teachin street laws, the teacher because I bring the
[Chorus]
[KRS-One:] I'm called when no one is talkin The truth about what's goin on and on and When you wanna put that New York talk in You cause the KRS-One to start barkin Toward the mic, grab the mic, start barkin Outside the club spot cars start parkin for the
[Chorus]
[KRS-One:] Yeah, get it bumpin now, get it bumpin now Turn up that da-dumb-dumb-dumb-BLAOW I know you know how, we doin it right now People in the club like WOW~! For that
[Chorus]
[KRS-One:] OHH! It's gettin hot, don't stop We just about to reach the top of hip-hop That's why I'm called, with that yes yes y'all At this very moment you feel no stress at all No, I'm not testin y'all, this a real lyric If you can hear it I'm blessin y'all, with the
[Chorus]
[KRS-One:] So we can continue to go down the menu I send you my poetry that critiques the evil that men do You better attend to, the AC When I MC I'm bringin heat lately, now fade me No ifs ands buts or maybes I'm not crazy, God made me speak with the