Biography
Who is KRS-One?
Early life and real name
Lawrence Krisna Parker was born on August 20, 1965, in the Bronx, United States. His mother worked as a secretary, while his father was a handyman of Caribbean descent who was deported when Parker was an infant. He grew up with his younger brother, Kenny Parker, and attended William E. Grady CTE High School.
As a teenager, Parker spent time at homeless shelters where residents called him Krisna due to his interest in Hare Krishna spirituality. He also worked as a graffiti artist and signed his work as KRS-ONE. At the age of seventeen, he passed the General Educational Development tests and eventually met Scott Monroe Sterling, who worked as a DJ with the alias Scott La Rock.
Boogie Down Productions
Parker and Scott La Rock formed the hip-hop group Boogie Down Productions alongside D-Nice. In 1987, the group released their debut album, Criminal Minded, through B-Boy Records. The album sold around 300,000 copies in its first year and peaked at Number 73 on the Top Black Albums chart.
Later in 1987, Scott La Rock was shot and killed. Parker continued the group with his brother Kenny Parker, D-Nice, and Ms. Melodie, releasing the follow-up album By All Means Necessary in 1988 through Jive Records. Parker later released the final Boogie Down Productions album, Sex and Violence, in 1992.
Solo career and activism
In 1993, Parker released his solo debut album, Return of the Boom Bap, which reached Number 37 on the Billboard 200 and featured popular singles like Sound of da Police. He followed this with his self-titled album KRS-One in 1995 and I Got Next in 1997, which peaked at Number 3 on the Billboard 200 and included the single Step into a World (Rapture's Delight).
Parker founded the Stop the Violence Movement in 1988 after a fan was killed during a concert, releasing the single Self Destruction. He also established the Temple of Hiphop in 1996 to promote hip-hop as a culture. Over his career, he has received recognition through the Bronx Walk of Fame, Hip Hop Honors, BET Hip Hop Awards, and Urban Music Awards.
Birthday and age
KRS-One was born on August 20, 1965, which makes KRS-One 61 years old today. That birthday falls under the Leo sign. KRS-One shares the date with 33 other famous people.
Explore more
