If Hip Hop has the ability to corrupt young minds, it also has the ability to Uplift them.
Krs-OneRead
When my time is up in hip-hop, it's going to remain what Afrika Bambaataa thought it was supposed to be. It's going to remain what Kool Herc thought it was supposed to be; what Wu-Tang Clan sees it as; what Outkast sees it as; what Snoop Dogg sees it as. People are trying to forget that brand of hip-hop.
Interpretation
What this quote means
KRS-One emphasizes the importance of preserving the original values and essence of hip-hop culture.
In this quote, KRS-One reflects on the significance of maintaining the true spirit of hip-hop as envisioned by its pioneers, such as Afrika Bambaataa and Kool Herc. He highlights the challenge posed by modern influences that risk overshadowing the foundational principles and diverse perspectives that iconic groups like Wu-Tang Clan and Outkast embody, urging listeners to remember and honor the genre's rich heritage.
Themes
Hip-HopCultureHeritagePioneersMusic
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the evolution of music genres, this quote can highlight the importance of respecting musical roots.
More from Krs-One
All quotes →Hip Hop is an idea. It is the pursuit of one's authentic being through the arts. It is not a physical thing; it is an attitude - even an aptitude.
Krs-OneRead
Hate is indeed self-destructive, and this is what real Hip Hop must avoid at all cost.
Krs-OneRead
I honestly now know that I'm the physical embodiment of hip-hop on earth. That's my only purpose here on earth is to keep the culture together long enough for it to remain everything that we thought it could be when I was coming up.
Krs-OneRead
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