KRS-One Thinks Technology Is Attempting to Manipulate Hip-Hop

New York rap legend KRS-One is still going strong and still dropping gems for those willing to listen. The Teacha put out his 12th solo studio album Now Hear This in November which touches on topics of Black plight, racism, immigration, “Hip Hop’s real citizenry” and other concerning issues. The South Bronx MC recently chopped it up with The Village Voice about the project and the state of hip-hop, and revealed one of his biggest concerns for the health of the culture are technological advances he thinks are hindering the growth.

“Original hip-hop manipulated technologies of all sorts; it was not manipulated by the technology itself,” said KRS.

“Today, however, it is technology that is attempting to manipulate hip-hop," he added noting that the turning of the table has directly affected the culture. "Today’s young hip-hoppas being so dependent upon their computers and not their own minds have missed the whole point as to why one would practice hip-hop in the first place. Hip-hop is a human skill, and the practice of real hip-hop should remind us of our humanity.”

Does the OG have a point?

Mr. Parker plans to re-release Now Hear This in 2016. The LP, his first in since 2012's The BDP Album features production by KRS, Mad Lion, DJ Predator Prime, DJ Static, Hellmaf, The Beat Miners, Nick One, MK Zoo, Linsey Vona, and Narayan.

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