KRS-One

Album: 40 Oz. To Freedom (1992)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • KRS-One is a rapper who was one of the first to infuse social commentary into his songs. He has been cited by Sublime as a major influence on both their ethos and sound: They would take many different genres and mix them together, something KRS-One was known for as well.
  • This samples two songs from KRS-One's group Boogie Down Productions: "You Must Learn" (which samples "Super Sporm" by Captain Sky) and "The Style You Haven't Done Yet." It also samples "Tough" by Kurtis Blow.
  • "KRS-One" is one of the most popular songs on Sublime's debut album, 40 Oz. To Freedom. Released on their own independent label, it was little-heard outside of their Southern California stomping grounds until 1997, when several songs from their third (self-titled) album earned airplay. Lead singer Bradley Nowell died two months before the release, putting a sudden end to the band. There was no more new Sublime material to be had but many fans who discovered them in the late '90s picked up the 40 Oz. To Freedom album. By the end of 1998 it had sold over a million copies in America; by the end of 2005, 2 million. Their second album, Robbin' The Hood (1994), is pretty rough around the edges and only sold 500,000.

Comments: 3

  • Dawn from Newburgh, NyThe "You Must Learn" sample is a small part in the middle (at the break) of the track. In those days, a lot of DJ's sampled it.
  • Ben from Encinitas, CaThe 2nd line should be:
    Elijah Muhammad or the welfare state.
  • Matthew from Raleigh, Nccomposed mostly of lyrics from KRS-ONE songs
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Chris Isaak

Chris IsaakSongwriter Interviews

Chris tells the story of "Wicked Game," talks milkshakes and moonpies at Sun Records, and explains why women always get their way.

Jon Anderson

Jon AndersonSongwriter Interviews

Jon Anderson breaks down the Yes classic "Seen All Good People" and talks about his 1000 Hands album, which features Chick Corea, Rick Derringer, Ian Anderson, and many other luminaries.

Tim McIlrath of Rise Against

Tim McIlrath of Rise AgainstSongwriter Interviews

Rise Against frontman Tim McIlrath explains the meanings behind some of their biggest songs and names the sci-fi books that have influenced him.

Country Song Titles

Country Song TitlesFact or Fiction

Country songs with titles so bizarre they can't possibly be real... or can they?

Commercials

CommercialsFact or Fiction

Was "Ring Of Fire" really used to sell hemorrhoid cream?

Lecrae

LecraeSongwriter Interviews

The Christian rapper talks about where his trip to Haiti and his history of addiction fit into his songs.