Can u say Boom Bap??? Well, if you can and you know the meaning behind it, you would know that it best describes the music of the ultimate emcee who goes by the earthly name of KRS-One. On KRS's 13th album entitled "Keep Right", he seriously takes on the role as the Spiritual Teacher/Preacher for the HipHop nation. Every song on this album is raw and down by law. Every song is also a journey of meaning and insight. And with the Temple of HipHop behind him, it seems that this collection of tunes cannot fail or fall.
The album starts off with KRS mentioning the clubs that he rocks throughout the nation over a funky beat for the intro entitled "Club ShoutOuts". After that the Teacher then asks all his students "Are You Ready For This"?. If you are, then you are then propelled into the crazy and hype world of "Illegal Business". The next stop is "The Prayer of Afrika Bambaata" which is definitely a blessing to the playlist. After that KRS-One asks if "You Gon Go?". In this gem he directs the listener to the right path by putting them up on the knowledge they need to "go far with [him]". With that the advice continues as KRS tells stories of people in the HipHop community on the bouncy track entitled "Phucked". Then "A Call To Order" continues to ask questions and lay the foundation for the HipHop Nation. Then over a pumping beat with slick scratches echoing in the chorus, KRS-One and L the HeadToucher declare that "Everybody Rise". The ride then begins to mellow out a little bit on the slow and soulful track "Stop Skeemin", in which KRS talks about a friend of his killing his girlfriend. "And Then Again" the album begins to jumping back off over the hot bouncy track with some words by Minister Server. The pace picks up even more when KRS calls his warriors to battle and starts spitting over "My Mind Is Racing". All you can say is "Vroom Vroom!" Then KRS starts to kick it into higher gears on "Here We Go" taking us down memory lane on this scratch interlude that jumps directly into "Me Man". The violin sample that rings throughout the track perfectly compliments the words the Teacher speaks. After that the listener is taken to a place where they can do nothing other than "Feel This" and "be free". The next interlude that comes through the speakers quietly asks you to think and "Dream". After that you can do nothing other but nod your head to the sick track entitled "I Been There". Over the rugged track KRS declares that he "walks the same path that Mase do, but he [Mase] went into church, [and KRS] stayed out to face you". After that the trumpets blaze over the track entitled "Freestyle Ministry (Server Verbals)" where both KRS-One and Minister Server spit freestyle verses with seemingly effortless ease. On the next track, entitled "The I", both KRS and Mad Lion rock rough, raw, and with the purpose of trying to "lead dem to water" so hopefully they will drink. Then BucShot of Boot Camp Click interjects and leads the way for the Temple Of HipHop to discuss "Rap History". Then KRS-One begins to "Let 'Em Have It". So if you don't feel like getting sprayed up with the real shit, you best duck and cover or move out of the way of this live track that's guaranteed to make your ass unbuckle your seat belt. After that, on "Still Spittin'", KRS flows smoothly with a gang of other HipHoppas to show the true power of living and being HipHop today. And finally, as we reach the last stop on "The Cutclusion, the BlastMaster KRS-One takes us to the end of our journey, in which cuts, blends, and scratches remind us of the freshness that we just witnessed.
So if you ever thought that 13 was an unlucky number, go back and figure out the math and think again. Because for KRS-One, "Keep Right" does nothing other than add up to some super duper dope shit. Out.