KRS-One

This is arguably the last great KRS-One album -- subsequent works only had glimmers of his former genius -- but it delivers the fire and brimstone fans have come to expect from the rapper. Singles "A Friend" and "Step Into a World" are obvious standouts. The former is surprisingly sly and subtle, while the latter is typically bombastic, as hip-hop's self-anointed "Teacher" declares over a Blondie sample that "I'm not saying I'm No. 1/ Sorry, I lied/ I'm No. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5." In 1997, that claim held weight.

Ten years and nine albums is a highly unlikely life expectancy in the here today/gone
tomorrow world of hip-hop, but self-proclaimed rap specialist KRS-One has both under his
belt. Just as significantly, he's remained relevant in a genre that has changed dramatically
during the past decade. And with the release of album No. 9, I Got Next, KRS-One has
crafted his strongest effort since 1989's Ghetto Music: The Blueprint of Hip Hop.... More >

What he really got is beats, for once ("Heartbeat," "Step Into a World [Rapture's Delight]") (Grade - *)