KRS-ONE: This is Hip Hop manifesting as KRS
- ONE. Thanks to Sonic Net, your PC has become a temple.
Please refrain from foul language and destructive ideas.
Following our chat will be a live performance by myself, Big
Daddy Kane, Lord Finesse, Kid Capri, and Heather B. I will accept
all questions now.
Mastersage: KRS-One, who, in
your opinion, are the young stars that will lead true, creative
hip-hop into the next millennium?
KRS-ONE: Many of you are on this chat line
anyone who feels that they are hip hop will lead hip hop and its
expressions into the future.
MasterAP : Do you smoke the gonga?
KRS-ONE: No I smoke cannabis.
Babyboo_20: What’s the most inspiring
thing that you have ever done?
KRS-ONE: In what year?
ETERNALFUNK: What was it like working with
Goldie?
KRS-ONE: Working with Goldie was great and
very innovative.
Bent_arrow: Hey, if this is really KRS
and I doubt. I heard a nasty rumor that you was going west,
Please! say it aint so!
KRS-ONE: It aint so that I will be living
there. But I will be performing there. Stay tuned!
Dogg_69: What's up, yo! Hey, when are you and
Channel Live going to hook up for another LP like Madd Izm?
KRS-ONE: Soon my son, soon.
Mastersage: KRS-One, what do
you think of Common's new album? Isn't it dope?
KRS-ONE: YES!
Slychick13: What are your mother roots, or
your home town?
KRS-ONE: Born in Brooklyn. Raised in Harlem.
Educated in the Bronx.
Mastersage: KRS-One, in your
opinion, what is the best album that you recorded or were a part
of?
KRS-ONE: Without being funny, my newest album
Maximum Strength this is going to blow your
mind.
WIZZDOME: Who did you listen to growing up?
KRS-ONE: All of the Sugar Hill and Enjoy
records label.
Mastersage: KRS-One, what
exactly was the meaning behind "I Can't Wake Up?" Is it
an anti-marijuana song?
KRS-ONE: NO, Its a poetic nightmare.
Mastersage: KRS-One, do you
regret recording a song with Puff Daddy?
KRS-ONE: Not in the least. Puffy is mad cool
and as a priest KRS- ONE must be wherever HIP
HOP is.
DIVA_00: Who influenced you the most into
getting into the hip hop industry?
KRS-ONE: Self.
Mastersage: KRS-One, on your
earlier albums, you seemed to criticize capitalism quite often,
but lately you have been saying rhymes like "without dinero,
you're zero." Why the change in heart?
KRS-ONE: I gained more education. When I was
a child I spoke as a child. Now I am a man and I speak as a GOD.
Uvb40: Hey K, what kind of message do you
like to deliver in your songs?
KRS-ONE: My basic message is health, wealth,
and self-awareness.
DamnIm2Smooth: Is it true you are a Harvard
professor?
KRS-ONE: No I lecture there from time to time
and I hold a few honorary degrees. But not from Harvard.
Mastersage: KRS-One, can
hip-hop survive a commercial takeover?
KRS-ONE: HIP HOP IS A COMMERICAL TAKE OVER.
WIZZDOME: What are your Plans after HIP HOP
or are there PLANS?
KRS-ONE: I don't know.
Latinlove97: Are you still with Miss Melody?
KRS-ONE: No we are long time divorced. I am
getting re-married in June to the mother of my two children.
Simone. G-Simone.
SonicNetHost: Congratulations!
Notorious_Poppa: Have you read Tupac's new
book? What is your thoughts on it?
KRS-ONE: NO, I have not read Pac's new book.
Flow5: Hey Kris, what's your feeling about
black/white relations today?
KRS-ONE: Its fucked up man. Hopefully our
work with the Temple of Hip Hop will eradicate
racism forever on both sides.
DJ_Phluid: What is your opinion on
independent hip-hop? Do you see groups and labels like Company
Flow, DITC, Hieroglyphics , Solesides, Mos Def, DJ Shadow, etc.
as contributing to the positive progression of hip-hop? Or do you
see them as having a negative imput?
KRS-ONE: Hip Hop is neither negative or
positive. It's either niggative or productive. I think their work
is productive.
guest_16b942000: What did you think bout the
east west coast thing?
KRS-ONE: We don't have enough time here to go
into it. Thanks for the question.
Sonicstar: Think the Temple will help bring
the hip hop community together on both coasts and maybe even aid
in the "Stop The Violence Movement?"
KRS-ONE: Absolutely!
Bseone: You invited Ice Cube to battle you if
he had beef with the east, any reply?
KRS-ONE: No....no....no.
TDub_SGP: KRS, What do you
want to accomplish with The Temple Of Hip Hop?
KRS-ONE: That's a long answer there. However
what we are looking to achieve is a balance between traditional
hip hop, modern hip hop and future hip hop. If we do not begin
today to educate the youth of tomorrow on a continued systematic
flow of knowledge and tradition, hip hop can be absorbed into the
American mainstream with the children of its originators
forgotten, sick, broke and without proper inner city guidance.
This goes for all youth, regardless of race, creed or color.
Eiht_98: So what do you think about the death
penalty?
KRS-ONE: Ye who is without sin, let them cast
the first stone. That’s what I think of the death penalty.
DJ_Phluid : Do you agree with this phrase:
"Rap is something you do. Hip hop is something you
live."
KRS-ONE: I created the phrase on the b-side
of "Sound of the Police." Of course I agree. Ohh
that’s deep.
Jackofspades: What happened to the guy who
shot Scott LaRock?
SonicNetHost: Question 666!
KRS-ONE: I am not sure if I should answer you
under these circumstances.
SonicNetHost: Why not?
KRS-ONE: I am a practicing numerologist. 666
has deep meaning. I mean, meaning in my circle. The question is
on death, and at the same time it is question number 666. It is
just very interesting to me. I would rather remain silent. Ha ha
ha.
Conner75: Why are you so reluctant to answer
questions about other rappers?
KRS-ONE: Because if I say the wrong thing, I
might have to take them out of the game and you will call me
contradictory.
Rated-R: What is important to you in your
life now that you have accomplished almost everything?
KRS-ONE: The establishing of the Temple
of Hip Hop. This will save our children and out cultural
way of life for generations to come. Sorry, Our cultural way of
life.
Bop_Gun: On the last album it was Redman, the
album before it was Das EFX. Do you like to feature other artists
who's work you're fond of with every piece of work you do?
KRS-ONE: Not really. I know them personally.
They hang in the studio. What am I to do with them? Ha ha ha.
Mastersage: How do you feel about trip-hop,
such as Tricky and Portishead?
KRS-ONE: DOPE!!
KoolAbdulWahad: Hey KRS-ONE
what ever happened to Just_Ice?
KRS-ONE: I lost touch with him. If you see
him give him my number 1-888-h i p h o p- 9. That number we just
gave out goes right in KRS's basement.
SonicNetHost: Did you check out Spice
World yet?
KRS-ONE: I am waiting for it on video
cassette.
SonicNetHost: I understand, you want to be
alone with them!
KRS-ONE: No, I don't get down like that!
STRIFE187: YO KRIS WHATS YOUR WHOLE TAKE ON
THE GANGSTAR RAP STUFF?
KRS-ONE: Ahhhhhhh. First of all there is no
such thing as gangster rap. If there was we would have to discuss
gangster recording engineers, gangster managers, gangster record
companies and gangster websites. Then we can discuss
"Gangster Rap" in detail.
SonicNetHost: When is that KRS-One
rock album coming out?
KRS-ONE: When you give me a million dollars
to do it LOL
Ticalian_Stallian: You down with the Wu?
KRS-ONE: Yes I am down with the Wu. We are
doing hip hop appreciation. Uh...we are doing a brief Temple
of Hip Hop tour to raise awareness of Hip Hop
appreciation week. Which begins May 19th to the 24th.
All involved should wear silver ribbons signifying the search for
truth.
Noise_16: Rap sucks. You should listen to
more SKA, it's a lot more positive!
KRS-ONE: Rap does suck. However you should
check more MC's.
Howie_felterup: So 2-Pac and Biggie were
living in a dream. Your comments.
KRS-ONE: Wadda ya mean?
Killmon: Why the pistol on the cover of Criminal
Minded?
KRS-ONE: Just some kids trying to be
different.
RedMan1911: Do you have anything planned
publicly dedicated to the appreciation of Black History
Month?
KRS-ONE: Myself. As long as I stay alive. I
am celebration. What month should White history be?
Seanjames98: Is 2 -PAC dead?
KRS-ONE: Re PAC, first of all being question
#999 and discussing death once again, leaves me in silence. Even
thought 9 is the number of completion.
SonicNetHost: So then I'll ask it, is Tupac
dead?
KRS-ONE: NO. It is said that he is living in
Atlanta with Dr. York.
Mastersage: KRS, what are
some of your favorite rock bands?
KRS-ONE: REM, Sick Of It All, uh Beck.
He’s kind of cool.
SonicNetHost: What about Hanson?
KRS-ONE: In about ten years they will become
my favorite. If they survive that long.
SonicNetHost: You mean when they're 15?
Supa18: KRS-One likes
jungle?
KRS-ONE: Yes I like jungle.
SonicNetHost: Do you agree with Puffy's Best
of 80's Style?
KRS-ONE: It not up to me to agree or disagree
his world. Its not my world that’s why I thought our
collaboration was so dope. His world is the Grammy’s,
American Music Awards and so on. The question
should be posed to them.
Eiht_98: Kris, what do you listen to right
now?
KRS-ONE: My new album. Because I am creating
it now as we speak. When I leave here, I am going to the studio
to record a record called "The Warning Shot."
Bseone: Do you think hip hops best years are
behind us or ahead?
KRS-ONE: Ahead of course. Anything else would
suggest self-destruction.
Wuclan: Will you be appearing on any other
artists albums anytime soon?
KRS-ONE: Yes, but they are too many to
mention. Mix tapes, live show tapes, a soundtrack for Warren
Beatty’s new movie Bulsworth etc.
Klowny_: If you had a choice, who would you
most like to work with?
KRS-ONE: Bill Clinton.
SonicNetHost: On a permanent or _Intern_
bases?
KRS-ONE: Head of Military affairs. LoL.
MC_Jigglebutt: Whatever happened to the
movie, Fly By Night?
KRS-ONE: I collapsed under the pressure of
HOLLY WEIRD.
Commakazi: Will Premier be producing on your
new album?
KRS-ONE: Maybe.....maybe.....
RedMan1911: Will you ever come out with an
autobiography?
KRS-ONE: YES! I've just signed with Little
Brown Book publishers. My life story will be the foundation of
the book, but it will really be about the development of my
philosophies and insights. Soon to be completed some time in
1999.
SonicNetHost: We'll take 3 more questions...
Sparky4_2: KRS-One what
religion are you?
KRS-ONE: I am the religion of Hip Hop.
Mastersage: Kris, what do you think of Insane
Clown Posse? Are they wack or what?
KRS-ONE: I am unfamiliar with the group.
SonicNetHost: You're not missing anything...
Waterbed_Twan18 : KRS, is it
true that you and Rakim are doing a song together?
KRS-ONE: I am not sure. There is a lot of
discussion about this, but I am very leery these days about
collaboration. Collaborations, it seems that everyone is relying
on someone else for their success. If I do a collaboration this
year, it will be special and meaningful. Maybe something with
Snoop Dog. We’re talking a lot these days.
Jackofspades : Is Clinton guilty?
KRS-ONE: Of being a human being? Of course he
is. Of course he is releasing that tension. Is it good for the
country's leadership? No. Real laws have been broken. That
undermines the constitution or the basic climate of the American
people. Clinton has a lot of enemies. Make sure you are not one
of them.
KRS-ONE: I got to go Y’all. Hip Hop
culture calls. But I leave you with a slammin performance and
these words. Hip Hop is not some abstract idea that is over there
somewhere distant from yourself or from yourselves. It is not
something you must align yourself with or represent or be true,
to eliminate the distance between you and hip hop, you and God
and me. You are not just doing hip hop, you are hip hop. When we
recognize that our expressions are just as real as our arm and
legs, we will come to understand the secret knowledge of cause
and effect . As you are, so hip hop is. Let us be hip hop. Let us
stop worshipping God and be God. And talk like God and act like
God. Eat what God would eat. See yourself and others as
manifestations of the same cosmic consciousness. These are the
first principles of hip hop.
KRS-ONE: Enjoy our performance. It was great
speaking with all you . SonicNet has provided a great platform
for productive conversation. The temple is now closed. Peace!