Name	X-Clan
Background	group_or_band
Origin	Brooklyn, New York City
Genre	Hip hop
Years active	1990–19952006–present
Label	4th & B'way/Island/PolyGram RecordsPolydor/PolyGram RecordsSuburban Noize Records
Associated acts	IsisQueen Mother Rage
Url	http://www.xclanmusic.com/
Current members	Brother JMaster ChinaKumuUltramanACLLord CzaDJ Fat JackZulu
Past members	Professor X the OverseerSugar ShaftParadise the Architect

X-Clan is a hip hop group from Brooklyn, New York, originally consisting of Grand Verbalizer Funkin' Lesson Brother J, Professor X The Overseer, Paradise the Architect, and Sugar Shaft the Rhythm Provider. The current incarnation of the group features leader Brother J, Master China, Kumu, "Ultraman" Ra Hanna, ACL, Lord Cza, DJ Fat Jack and Zulu.

Biography

Known for its Afrocentrism and militant activism as member of the Blackwatch movement, X-Clan soon gained fame for the controversy its music aroused, though commercial success was sporadic. X-Clan's debut was To the East, Blackwards (1990), followed by Xodus (1992) and a temporary break-up. Both albums peaked at #11 on Billboard's Top R&B;/Hip-Hop Albums chart in the United States.

Other artists who were affiliated with X-Clan and Blackwatch include Isis, Queen Mother Rage, and YZ. X-Clan's affiliates released a string of titles throughout the early 1990s: Professor X released a solo album titled Years of the 9, on the Blackhand Side in 1991 and a second solo album titled Puss N' Boots: The Struggle Continues in 1993; Queen Mother Rage released Vanglorious Law in 1991; Isis released Rebel Soul in 1990; and YZ released his debut Sons of The Father (noted for the song "Thinking of a Master Plan"), in 1989, followed by The Ghetto's Been Good to Me (which included his modest hit "Return of the Holy One") in 1993. YZ became affiliated with the group after releasing his first album, and that Isis is also the MC known as Linque Ayoung, who at one point was a member of the Wu-Tang Clan-affiliated group Deadly Venoms.

Later projects

In 1994 Brother J formed a new group, Dark Sun Riders, that released the full-length Seeds of Evolution in 1996. In 1995, long-time group member Sugar Shaft died from complications of AIDS. X-Clan reunited in the late 1990s but did not release any new material. Brother J assembled a new crew that he calls X-Clan Millennium Cipher and released a vinyl single for "The One/Blackwards Row" in 2004. Professor X died from complications of spinal meningitis on 17 March 2006.

A new X-Clan album, titled Return from Mecca (originally titled The Trinity), was released in 2007, featuring Damian "Jr Gong" Marley, Chali 2na of Jurassic 5, RBX, KRS-One, Daddy X of Kottonmouth Kings, and Jacoby Shaddix, lead vocalist of the rock band Papa Roach. Also, Tech N9ne is featured on a hidden bonus track titled "Respect."

X-Clan opened for Insane Clown Posse's Tempest Tour and, in January 2009, released an album titled Mainstream Outlawz.

Discography

External links

darksunrecordings.com

xclanmusic.com

Hoodstars Magazine talks to Brother J (January 2007)

blackelectorate.com: Vibes of the Pro Black: A Conversation With Brother J. of X-Clan Part I

blackelectorate.com: Vibes of the Pro Black: A Conversation With Brother J. of X-Clan Part II

blackelectorate.com: At The Crossroads: A Conversation With Brother J of X Clan Following The Transition of Professor X.

Category:American hip hop groups Category:Suburban Noize Records artists Category:Island Records artists Category:Polydor Records artists Category:Members of the Nation of Gods and Earths Category:1980s music groups Category:1990s music groups Category:2000s music groups

Name	KRS-One
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Lawrence Parker
Alias	KRS, Teacha
Origin	South Bronx, New York, U.S.
Born	August 20, 1965Flatbush, Park Slope, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.
Genre	Hip hop
Occupation	Rapper, actor, record producer, author
Years active	1981–present
Instrument	Rapping, vocals, turntables
Label	B-Boy, Jive, RCA, Duck Down
Associated acts	Boogie Down Productions, Scott La Rock, Marley Marl, Diamond D, LL Cool J, Chuck D, Public Enemy, Buckshot, Talib Kweli, Immortal Technique
Url	http://www.krsoneinc.com/

Lawrence Kris Parker (born August 20, 1965), better known by his stage name KRS-One is an MC and producer. Over his career, he has been known by several pseudonyms including "Kris Parker," "The Blastmaster," "The Teacha," and "The Philosopher." At the 2008 BET Awards, KRS-One was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award for all his work and effort towards the Stop the Violence Movement as well as the overall pioneering of hip hop music and culture.

Biography

Born Lawrence Parker in Park Slope, Brooklyn in the fall of 1965, the MC left home at 14 to become an MC and Philosopher. He came to live in a homeless shelter in the South Bronx, where he was dubbed Krishna by residents because of his interest in the Hare Krishna spirituality of some of the antipoverty workers. By the time he met youth counselor Scott Sterling, he was also writing graffiti as KRS-One (Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everyone). Together he and Sterling, a.k.a. DJ Scott La Rock eventually created Boogie Down Productions, releasing their debut album, Criminal Minded, in 1987. KRS-One has been a vegetarian since his youth.

Boogie Down Productions

In the summer of 1984, KRS-One hit the music scene with a rap group called "Scott La rock and the Celebrity Three" with a record called "Advance". And that was, in a time when most rappers rhymed about cars, jewelry, alcohol, and the latest dance, KRS-One was rhyming about nuclear war prevention. Scott La Rock and the Celebrity Three was composed of Scott La Rock, Levi167, MC Quality, and KRS-One. After legal problems with the head of the label, Scott La Rock and the Celebrity Three were released from their contract. In the winter of 1984, KRS-One wrote a song called "Stop The Violence" although by this time The Celebrity Three had broken up and only KRS-One and Scott La Rock remained. Both realized they had to change the name of the group and they did: the new group was called The Boogie Down Crew.

In 1985, Scott La Rock, a friend of producer/writer Kenny Beck (2 The Limit, Octavia - Pow Wow Records and Mine All Mine, Cashflow - Polygram Records) asked Beck to do a record he had written for his brother Kevin Goldbeck. Since the record was not quite finished being produced yet for [Sleeping Bag Records] and Scott had a real affinity for the sty-lings of Krs-one, Kenny Beck decided to form a group around the three, Kevin (freshly released from New York State Prison), Scott and Krs-one. Their name was 12:41, given that moniker by Beck as that was the time they had completed the final mix. All three plus Beck can be heard rapping on the record. Scott, ever the social worker asked Beck to do this as a way out of the shelter for his friend Krs-one. Of course Kris and Scott wanted to concentrate on their own Boogie Down Crew but first they had to go through this. No one was paid for this project and the small amount budgeted by the label for the product prior to Scott La Rock's and Krs-one's involvement barely covered recording costs. This is why producer David Eng, Snow (Informer) and Inspector Gadget writer and studio owner of Bayside Sound (Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam, UTFO was brought in. The original song was written, produced and recorded by Kenny Beck and royalties and claims are being pursued for all parties involved. It was this project that educated Kris and Scott as to the importance of being producers of their music, as well as the artists, so at this point they decided to change the name of their own Boogie Down Crew to Boogie Down Productions.

At the close of 1987, the B.D.P lifestyle got real and Scott La Rock was killed trying to settle a dispute in the Bronx. This shocked the Hip Hop community and as a result rap and violence became a topic in the mainstream press. The rap community thought Boogie Down Productions was over but this only led to new plans for KRS-One. In 1988, KRS-One left B. Boy Records to sign with Jive Records and "By All Means Necessary" was released. Rap music was under a mainstream microscope and KRS-One now was able to release what he and Scott always dreamed about, an album that gave rap a different image. His first video on Jive Records was for "My Philosophy", a song that re-established his presence in the rap world.

KRS-One began his recording career as one third of the hip hop group Boogie Down Productions, or BDP, alongside DJ Scott La Rock and Derrick "D-Nice" Jones. They met during a stay KRS-One had at the Bronx Franklin Avenue Armory Shelter. La Rock (real name Scott Sterling) worked as a social worker there. The duo would begin to create music. After being rejected by radio DJs Mr. Magic and Marley Marl, KRS-One would go on to diss the two and those associated with them, sparking what would later be known as The Bridge Wars. Additionally, KRS had taken offense to "The Bridge", a song by Marley Marl's protege, MC Shan (later on, KRS One produced an album with Marley Marl in 2007); the song could be interpreted as a claim that Queensbridge was the monument of Hiphop, though MC Shan has repeatedly denied this claim. Still, KRS "dissed" the song with the BDP record "South Bronx"; next, a second round of volleys would ensue with Shan's "Kill That Noise" and BDP's "The Bridge Is Over". KRS-One, demonstrating his nickname "The Blastmaster", gave a live performance that devastated MC Shan, and many conceded he had won the battle. Many believe this live performance to be the first MC battle where rappers attack each other, instead of a battle between who can get the crowd more hyped.

Parker and Sterling decided to form a rap group together, initially calling themselves "Scott La Rock and the Celebrity Three". That was short-lived, however, as the two peripheral members quit, leaving Parker (now calling himself KRS-One) and Sterling. They then decided to call themselves "Boogie Down Productions", "Success is the Word", a 12-inch single produced by David Kenneth Eng and Kenny Beck was released on indie Fresh/Sleeping Bag Records (under the group name "12:41") but did not enjoy commercial success. Boogie Down Productions released their debut album Criminal Minded in 1987. The album, whose cover pictured BDP draped in ammunition and brandishing guns, is often credited with setting the template for the burgeoning genres of hardcore and gangsta rap. Scott La Rock was killed in a shooting later that year, after attempting to mediate a dispute between teenager and BDP member Derrick "D-Nice" Jones and local hoodlums.

During this time KRS-One also gained acclaim as one of the first MCs to incorporate Jamaican style into hip-hop. Using the Zungazung melody, originally made famous by Yellowman in Jamaican dance halls earlier in the decade. While KRS-One used Zunguzung styles in a more powerful and controversial manner, especially in his song titled "Remix for P is Free", he can still be credited as one of the more influential figures to bridge the gap between Jamaican music and American hip-hop.

Following the fatal shooting of Scott La Rock in 1987, KRS was determined to continue Boogie Down Productions through the tragedy, releasing the album By All Means Necessary in 1988. He was joined by beatboxer D-Nice, rapper Ramona "Ms. Melodie" Parker (whose marriage to Kris would last from 1988 to 1992), and Kris's younger brother DJ Kenny Parker, among others. However Boogie Down Productions would remain Kris's show, and their content would become increasingly political through their subsequent releases , Edutainment, Live Hardcore Worldwide and Sex and Violence.

KRS-One was the primary initiator behind the H.E.A.L. compilation and the Stop the Violence Movement; for the latter he would attract many prominent MCs to appear on the 12-inch single "Self Destruction". As Parker adopted this "humanist", less defensive approach, he turned away from his "Blastmaster" persona and towards that of "The Teacha", although he has constantly used "Blastmaster" throughout his career.

Solo career

in May 2006.]] After five largely solo albums under the name "Boogie Down Productions," KRS-One decided to set out on his own. On his first solo album, 1993's Return of the Boom Bap, Parker worked together with producers DJ Premier, Kid Capri and Showbiz, the latter providing the catchy-yet-hardcore track "Sound of da Police". His second album, 1995's KRS-One, featured Channel Live on "Free Mumia", a song in which they criticize Black Civil Rights Activist C. Delores Tucker among others. Other prominent guest stars on KRS One included Mad Lion, Busta Rhymes, Das EFX and Fat Joe.

In 1991, KRS-One appeared on the alternative rock group R.E.M.'s single "Radio Song", which appeared on the band's album Out of Time, released the same year.

In 1992, Bradley Nowell from Sublime featured an acoustic song named "KRS-One" with his voice and DJ's samplers.

In 1995, KRS organized a group called Channel Live, whose album Station Identification he produced most of, along with Rheji Burrell and Salaam Remi.

In 1997, Parker surprised many with his release of the album I Got Next. The album's lead single "Step into a World (Rapture's Delight)", containing a sample of punk and New Wave group Blondie, was accompanied by a remix featuring commercial rap icon Puff Daddy; another track was essentially a rock song. While the record would be his best-selling solo album (reaching #3 on the Billboard 200), such collaborations with notably mainstream artists and prominent, easily recognizable samples took many fans and observers of the vehemently anti-mainstream KRS-One by surprise. However, in August 1997, Parker appeared on Tim Westwood's BBC Radio 1 show and vociferously denounced the DJ and the radio station more generally, accusing them of ignoring his style of hip hop in favor of commercial artists such as Puff Daddy. Although having not been in the UK since 1991, due to the fact he does not fly, he claimed "to be in touch with the people", and said that "they weren't feeling Westwood, he's a sell out and has sold his soul to the dark side." This sparked controversy in the UK since Radio One was one of the main supporters of the single "Step Into My World" and caused the album to be his best selling. Parker has since visited the UK, most notably in May 2007, in a performance at the Royal Albert Hall where he once again dissed Tim Westwood in a freestyle.

In 1999, there were tentative plans to release Maximum Strength; a lead single, "5 Boroughs", was released on The Corruptor movie soundtrack. However, Parker apparently decided to abort the album's planned release, just as he had secured a position as a Vice-President of A&R; at Reprise Records. The shelved album was again scheduled to be released in 2008, but ultimately an unrelated album entitled "Maximum Strength 2008" was released in its place. He moved to southern California, and stayed there for two years, ending his relationship with Jive Records with A Retrospective in 2000.

Parker resigned from his A&R; position at Reprise in 2001, and returned to recording with a string of albums, beginning with 2001's The Sneak Attack on Koch Records. In 2002, he released a gospel-rap album, Spiritual Minded, surprising many longtime fans; Parker had once denounced Christianity as a "slavemaster religion" which African-Americans should not follow. During this period, KRS founded the Temple of Hiphop, an organization to preserve and promote "Hiphop Kulture". Other releases have since included 2003's Kristyles and D.I.G.I.T.A.L., 2004's Keep Right, and 2006's Life.

The only latter-day KRS-One album to gain any significant attention has been Hip-Hop Lives, his 2007 collaboration with fellow hip hop veteran Marley Marl, due in large part to the pair's legendary beef, but also the title's apparent response to Nas' 2006 release Hip-Hop Is Dead. While many critics have commented they would have been a lot more excited had this collaboration occurred twenty years earlier, the album has been met with positive reviews. KRS One has appeared on several songs with other artists, due to this he has received 9 Gold and 7 Platinum plaques.

KRS One has collaborated with several artists including Canadian Rap group Hellafactz, Jay-Roc N' Jakebeatz and New York producer Domingo among other. He and Domingo publicly squashed their beef that started over financial issues and released a digital single to iTunes on November 25. The single titled "Radio" will also feature Utah up and comer Eneeone and is dedicated to underground MC's that don't get the radio airplay they deserve. In 2009 KRS One guest starred on several albums including Arts & Entertainmen on the song "Pass the Mic" by fellow Hip Hop veterans Masta Ace & Ed O.G and featured on the posse cut "Mega Fresh X" by Cormega (alongside with DJ Red Alert, Parrish Smith, Grand Puba, & Big Daddy Kane) on his album Born and Raised.

KRS One and Buckshot announced that they would be collaborating on an album set to be released in 2009. The first single, ROBOT, was released on May 5, 2009. The music video was directed by Todd Angkasuwan and debuted as the New Joint of the Day on 106 & Park on September 4, 2009. The album leaked on the Internet on September 9, 2009 and released album was released on September 15, 2009. It debuted at #62, making it on The Billboard 200 selling around 8,500 copies its first week and was met with generally positive reviews. Steve Juon of RapReviews.com gave the album a flawless 10 out of 10, claiming "Buckshot and KRS have achieved something rather remarkable here - an album I can't find a single fault with. There's not a bad beat, there's not a whack rhyme, there's not a collaborator on a track that missed the mark, and the disc itself is neither too short nor too long."

In 2010 KRS One was honored along with Buckshot by artists Ruste Juxx, Torae & Skyzoo, Sha Stimuli, Promise, J.A.M.E.S. Watts and Team Facelift to name a few on their mixtape 'Survival Kit' which is an ode to the 2009 album Survival Skills by KRS One and Buckshot. The mixtape was released for free download on DuckDown.com. The album features new version of KRS classics 'South Bronx', 'Sound Of Da Police' and 'MC's Act Like They Don't Know' as well as new versions of well known Buckshot songs and 'Past Present Future' from the Survival Skills album. The MC Fashawn stated in his verse on MC's Act Like They Don't Know that 'I did it to make Kris smile I figured he'd appreciate it'

Most recently, KRS One was featured as the voice of Chris Cringle in the new Nike Most Valuable Puppets commercials. KRS One performed in May 2010 at SUNY New Paltz for their annual "Rock Against Racism" concert,

Stop the Violence Movement

The Stop the Violence Movement was formed by KRS-One in 1988/1989 in response to violence in the hip hop and black communities.

During a concert by Boogie Down Productions and Public Enemy a young fan was killed in a fight. Coming soon after the shooting death of his friend and fellow BDP member Scott La Rock, KRS-One was galvanized into action and formed the Stop the Violence Movement. Composed of some of the biggest stars in contemporary East Coast hip hop, the movement released a single, "Self Destruction", in 1989, with all proceeds going to the National Urban League. A music video was created, and a VHS cassette entitled Overcoming Self-Destruction - The Making of the Self-Destruction Video was also released.

"Self-Destruction" was produced by KRS-One and D-Nice of Boogie Down Productions (Hank Shocklee of the Bomb Squad is credited as an associate producer).

Temple of Hip Hop

The Temple of Hip Hop is a ministry, archive, School, and Society (M.A.S.S.) founded by KRS-One. Its goal is to maintain and promote Hiphop Kulture. The Temple of Hip Hop maintains that Hip Hop is a genuine political movement and culture, as it has been accepted by the United Nations as a culture. The Temple of Hiphop calls on all Hip Hop fans to celebrate Hip Hop Appreciation Week, occurring in the third week of May. It encourages DJs and MCs to teach people about the culture of Hiphop, to write more socially conscious songs, and radio stations to play more socially conscious hip hop. Hip Hop Appreciation Week is celebrated on the third week of May each year. Hip Hop History Month (November), founded by the Universal Zulu Nation, is also recognized.

September 11 comments

In 2004, KRS engendered a controversy when he was quoted in a panel discussion hosted by The New Yorker magazine as saying that "we cheered when 9/11 happened". The comment drew criticism from many sources, including a pointed barb by the New York Daily News that called Parker an "anarchist" and said that "If Osama bin Laden ever buys a rap album, he'll probably start with a CD by KRS-One." Parker responded to the commotion surrounding his comments with an editorial written for AllHipHop.com, stating:

In late 2005, KRS was featured alongside Public Enemy's Chuck D on the remix of the song "Bin Laden" by Immortal Technique and DJ Green Lantern, which blames American neo-conservatives, the Reagan Doctrine and U.S. President George W. Bush for the World Trade Center attacks, and indicates a parallel to the devaluation, destruction, and violence of urban housing project communities.

On April 29, 2007, KRS-One again defended his statements on the September 11 attacks when asked about them during an appearance on Hannity's America on the Fox News network stating that he meant that people cheered that the establishment had taken a hit, not that people were dying or had died. He also discussed amongst other things, the Don Imus scandal and the use of profanity in hip-hop.

Gospel of Hip Hop comments

In an interview with AllHipHop about his book "The Gospel of Hip Hop", KRS-One said:

"I’m suggesting that in 100 years, this book will be a new religion on the earth... I think I have the authority to approach God directly, I don’t have to go through any religion [or] train of thought. I can approach God directly myself and so I wrote a book called The Gospel of Hip Hop to free from all this nonsense garbage right now. I respect the Christianity, the Islam, the Judaism but their time is up. ...In a hundred years, everything that I’m saying to you will be common knowledge and people will be like, 'Why did he have to explain this? Wasn’t it obvious?'"

These comments have been referred to by numerous media outlets such as the AV Club who comment that "KRS-One writes 600-page hip-hop bible; blueprint for rap religion" and "KRS-One has never been afraid to court controversy and provoke strong reactions. Now the Boogie Down Productions legend has topped himself by writing The Gospel of Hip Hop: The First Instrument, a mammoth treatise on the spirituality of hip-hop he hopes will some day become a sacred text of a new hip-hop religion". Parker was a graphic designer and fashion entrepreneur. A private memorial service was held on July 18 , which would have been his 24th birthday.

Benefit for first responders

KRS-One spoke at a hip hop benefit concert on September 12, 2009 to benefit the first responders of 9/11 he spoke of non violence to take back the country. The event was presented by the 9/11 group We Are Change based in New York City and SMT Studios.

Awards

VH1

2004, VH1 Hip Hop Honors

BET Hip Hop Awards

2007, I am Hip Hop

2007, Lifetime Achievement

Urban Music Awards

2009, Living Legend Award

Discography

{| border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;" |- bgcolor="#CCCCCC" align="center" !align="center"|Boogie Down Productions !align="center"|Year |- |Criminal Minded |1987 |- |By All Means Necessary |1988 |- | |1989 |- |Edutainment |1990 |- |Live Hardcore Worldwide |1991 |- |Sex and Violence |1992 |- |- bgcolor="#CCCCCC" align="center" !align="center"|Solo Albums !align="center"|Year |- |''Return of the Boom Bap |1993 |- |''KRS-One |1995 |- |''I Got Next |1997 |- |''A Retrospective |2000 |- |''The Sneak Attack |2001 |- |''Strickly for Da Breakdancers & Emceez |2001 |- |''Spiritual Minded |2002 |- |''The Mix Tape |2002 |- |''Kristyles |2003 |- |''D.I.G.I.T.A.L. |2003 |- |''Keep Right |2004 |- |''Life |2006 |- |- |''Adventures in Emceein |2008 |- |''Maximum Strength |2008 |- |''Back to the L.A.B. |2010 |- |} {| border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;" |- bgcolor="#CCCCCC" align="center" !align="center"|Collaborative Albums !align="center"|With !align="center"|Year |- |Hip Hop Lives |Marley Marl |2007 |- |Survival Skills |Buckshot |2009 |- |The Just-Ice and KRS-ONE EP Volume #1 |Just-Ice |2010 |- |Meta-Historical |True Master |2010 |- |Godsville |Showbiz |2011 |- |Return of the Boom Bip |DJ Premier |2011 |- |}

Filmography

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;" border="2" cellpadding="4" background: #f9f9f9; |- align="center" ! style="background: #CCCCCC;" | Year ! style="background: #CCCCCC;" | Film ! style="background: #CCCCCC;" | Role |- | 1988 | I'm Gonna Git You Sucka | himself |- | 1993 | Who's the Man? | Rashid |- | 1997 | Subway Stories: Tales from the Underground | Vendor |- | 1997 | Rhyme & Reason | himself |- | 2000 | Boricua's Bond | |- | 2000 | Freestyle: The Art of Rhyme | himself |- | 2002 | The Freshest Kids | himself |- | 2003 | 2Pac 4 Ever | narrator |- | 2003 | Beef | himself |- | 2003 | Hip-Hop Babylon 2 | himself |- | 2003 | Soundz of Spirit | himself |- | 2003 | 5 Sides of a Coin | himself |- | 2003 | MuskaBeatz | himself |- | 2004 | War on Wax: Rivalries In Hip-Hop | himself |- | 2004 | The MC: Why We Do It | himself |- | 2004 | Beef II | himself |- | 2004 | And You Don't Stop: 30 Years of Hip-Hop | himself |- | 2004 | Hip-Hop Honors | himself |- | 2004 | Keep Right | himself |- | 2005 | Zoom Prout Prout | himself |- | 2006 | A Letter to the President | himself |- | 2008 | | himself |- | 2009 | Good Hair | himself |- |}

Books

{| border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;" |- bgcolor="#CCCCCC" align="center" !align="center"|Book !align="center"|Year |- |Break the Chain KRS-ONE | 1994 |- |The Science of Rap (self published, 1996, out of print) | 1996 |- |Ruminations (Welcome Rain Publishers, July 25, 2003, out of print) | 2003 |- |The Gospel of Hip Hop: The First Instrument | 2009 |}

See also

Suicide, it's a suicide

References

External links

KRS-One Official Site

KRS-One MySpace Profile

Rolling Stone bio

Category:1965 births Category:Living people Category:African American rappers Category:American graffiti artists Category:American vegetarians Category:Hip hop activists Category:Jive Records artists Category:Koch Records artists Category:American rappers of Jamaican descent Category:People from the Bronx Category:People from Brooklyn Category:Rappers from New York City Category:1990s rappers

Name	Christian Scott
Landscape	yes
Background	non_vocal_instrumentalist
Birth name	Christian Scott
Born	March 31, 1983New Orleans, Louisiana United States
Instrument	Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Cornet, Slide trumpet
Genre	Jazz, Neo-Fusion,
Occupation	Musician, Arranger, Composer, Record Producer
Years active	1996-present
Label	Concord Records, Universal
Associated acts	The Christian Scott Quintet, Donald Harrison, Jr. Quartet, McCoy Tyner, Mos Def, Marcus Miller, Prince
Url	www.christianscott.tv

Christian Scott, born March 31, 1983 in New Orleans, Louisiana is a Grammy Award nominated jazz trumpeter, composer and producer. He has been heralded by JazzTimes magazine as "the Architect of a new commercially viable fusion" and "Jazz's young style God."

The nephew of jazz alto saxophonist Donald Harrison, since 2006 Scott has released four studio albums, and one live recording.

The trumpeter is noted for his use of an unvoiced tone, which he calls his "whisper technique."

Early life

Christian Scott, and his twin brother, Kiel, were born in New Orleans, Louisiana on March 31, 1983 to Cara Harrison and Clinton Scott III.

Christian exhibited a variety of talents and an exceptional intellect at a very early age. He was a bright student and gifted athlete and visual artist. He and his brother began drawing with amazing depth of detail, at the age of three years old. By the time they reached elementary school, one of their teachers decided to have them evaluated for this talent. It was determined that they were indeed talented in the visual arts and the New Orleans School system provided special tutors, for several years, to help them develop their gift.

Christian was also quite gifted as an athlete. He played and excelled in tennis, baseball, football, basketball and boxing. If fact, many people were able to tell Christian from his identical twin, Kiel, because he always carried a ball of some kind. It was thought by many that Christian, although academically and artistically gifted, would pursue a career in sports. His mother even thought of guiding him towards boxing since he had a propensity for fighting in school and in the 9th Ward neighborhood in which he was raised.

Scott's musical talent emerged at around the age of 12. While riding in a vehicle with his grandmother, the two were listening to a recording by his uncle, Donald Harrison, Jr. Christian noticed there was no trumpet on the cd. Christian, who had always admired and looked up to his uncle, began to seriously think about music. He had always wanted to be a saxophone player but understood that he had a better chance of playing in his uncle's band someday if he played the trumpet. His mother and grandmother purchased his first horn and his brother Kiel's first guitar, the very same year. These choices were a departure since they came from a family of reeds players. His tutelage began with private lessons and with his mother, a clarinetist and bassoonist, who helped teach her son to read music over many nights at the kitchen table.

Christian began to display a natural talent. His mother recalls dropping a coin on a ceramic floor and, at the age of 12 or 13, Christian instinctively said, "g sharp." Scott's grandfather, New Orleans folksinger and Mardi Gras Indian, Big Chief Donald Harrison, Sr., also took note of the progress his grandson demonstrated. Harrison, Sr. began introducing Christian to musicians of the bop era. He was a huge Miles Davis fan and would often have Scott play Bag's Groove at all hours of the day and night.

Although Christian's skills were increasing at a lightning fast pace, he wanted more. He wanted to play with his uncle. After receiving the last Doc Cheatam Award to be presented by Mr. Cheatam himself before his death, Scott decided to ask his uncle to teach him. Harrison, Jr. did not know if Scott was serious about being a musician, so he had Scott learn and transcribe Clifford Brown's solo in the Jazz classic, Donna Lee. This was Harrison, Jr.'s way of determining his young nephew's dedication to the craft. When Christian completed the task and presented the transcription and played the selection for his uncle, Donald knew that Scott really wanted to learn. Scott's tutelage under his uncle began. One of the proudest days of Christian's young life came when he was 15 years old and played in his uncle's band for the first time on New Year's Eve, 1998. Scott continued to in his uncles group for several years. At the age of 15, Scott's first recorded composition, Young Blood, appeared on Harrison, Jr.'s recording, Paradise Found. Paradise Found would be the first of many recordings and firsts for Harrison and Scott.

Training

Scott's early training began with his mother. Once Scott demonstrated superior abilities, his uncle, Donald Harrison, Jr. took over his training. Under the direction of his uncle, Christian excelled in all areas of musical knowledge. By the age of fourteen, Christian auditioned for New Orleans Center of Creative Arts. He was accepted to the high school for the arts and excelled under the director of the jazz music program directors, Clyde Kerr, Jr. and Kent Jordan.

After completing his high school education and graduating with honors, Scott attended, Berklee College of Music, one of the premier music colleges in the United States. He received a full tuition scholarship and studied under the direction of Charlie Lewis, Dave Santoro, and Vibraphonist Gary Burton. Scott majored in Professional Music with a concentration in Film Scoring. Scott completed the five year program in three years, all while maintaing a touring schedule with Donald Harrison, Jr.'s quartet, his own band, and writing, producing and marketing his self titled first recording. Scott's intention was always to move the jazz genre forward. The commercial success of "Rewind That" lead the way for other young musician's success in emulating the groundwork laid out by Scott. His Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Jazz Album was no surprise to those who recognized his trailblazing work.

"It came from a lot of different things. [Jazz trumpeter and elder statesman] Clark Terry told me about the technique Clifford Brown used to get an airy sound when he played. I wanted my sound to be different than any other. Miles [Davis] and Dizzy [Gillespie] and others made their mark on their generation because their sound was unique."

Katrina

Katrina is Scott's signature model Bb Trumpet made specifically for him by Edwards Instruments (Getzen). Designed by Scott, Christan Greigo and Kiel Scott the horn's attributes include a tilted bell, exchangeable lead pipe and reverse tuning system, all which helped Christian to employ his signature Whisper Technique more effectively. The horn was initially designed in this unique way from the desire of Scott to have the ability to see his audience as he played.

During those years of practice, Edwards Instruments (Getzen) was busy making Christian's CS Signature Model Trumpet that bears a likeness to Dizzy Gillespie's iconic instrument. "My bell actually curves much earlier than his [Dizzy] did, like 22 degrees. His horn had a bell that went up like 35 almost 45 degrees and his bell tilts at the valve section much eariler. Mine is a Generation X hybrid trumpet with blades and all this special matte finishing and engraving all over it that says Christian Scott and Katrina", explains Scott.

Trumpeter James Andrews also from New Orleans said that when he played Scott's horn it was like playing the most high tech trumpet on the planet. Scott's "Katrina" trumpet has reverse lead pipes, a unique valve system and stems. The tuning is revolutionary because it has a slide tuning system, and the angle of the bell at the last turn is not as sharp as a normal trumpet. This takes a bit of the backpressure off helping Scott create his unique sound."

"Why can't the world be filled with more men willing to take a risk in terms of what they wear, every now and then. Men just like jazz musician Christian Scott. Clearing not afraid of exploring the side of menswear that you don't normally seen out in the spotlight (runway lights not included), at the launch of David Beckham's new pairing with Adidas on Wednesday, the trumpet player took apart a few looks from the Dior Homme Fall 2009 show and created a whole new look of his own."

Discography

Discography as a leader

Christian Scott "Every now and again there comes an artist who captures your interest from the very first prodigious note that is made. As if by osmosis, their music is absorbed into the very essence of your extra sensory perceptive personified mind. That is exactly what trumpeter Christian Scott has done on his debut release" jazzreview.com 2006

Rewind That

"Rewind That" arguably the most remarkable premiere the genre has seen in the last decade" Billboard Magazine 2006

"Every now and again there comes an artist who captures your interest from the very first prodigious note that is made. As if by osmosis, their music is absorbed into the very essence of your extra sensory perceptive personified mind. That is exactly what trumpeter Christian Scott has done on his debut release"

"This album features Scott's interplay of music and storytelling, using the actual instruments of course but also the song titles themselves to create a package of tunes that sound like the score for a collection of short stories or miniature films." Quentin B. Huff March 2006

"Christian Scott's debut album, Rewind That, shows him to be a striking trumpeter--the breathy tone he often uses, so tenuous it can resemble a flute, stands out in an ensemble, and he shows a natural knack for phrasing, whether playing quietly or brassily." Andrew Lindemann Malone April 2006

"Rewind That is a product of everything imaginable in jazz. As a derivative of fusion, Scott has embraced hip-hop rhythms, soulful melodic grooves and harmonic nuances to bind with an improvisational standard seldom seen coming from an artist of his years. His music has a built-in simplicity about it, whereby even the most complex note structures are easily assimilated into the realm of intuitive acceptance His laid back style of play creates a sense of sanctuary in an environment where jazz is often too commercial and seldom very cerebral." C. N. Harold Oct 2007

Anthem, ... is an absolute masterpiece. Consisting mostly of songs which Scott himself wrote, and performed on all the songs, this album is a gem of musical ability and talent. Anthony Jonet August 2007

Anthem is his sophomore release, and it's a doozy. Underneath a semi-static palette, you can hear the band use improvisation to create high drama using tension and release. Josh Jackson December 2007

"Anthem is a dark, sometimes despairing document that meditates on the disaster as well as charting changes in the musician's burgeoning career and personal life." BBC Paul Sullivan January 2008

Live At Newport

"Three records into his career, and every disc Christian Scott makes is better than the last one. The improvements on Live At Newport are fundamental: The ensemble is at once more cohesive and elastic, the solos more consistently inventive and the slow-motion intensity that has become Scott's trademark is invested with more emotion without any loss of control." emusic.com Britt Robson

"a talented and deft improviser and his knack for creating brooding, emotionally engaged music brings to mind a mix of '60s Miles Davis and the heady art rock of Radiohead." "part of Scott's talent is his ability to sustain such epic drama throughout a whole album and in that sense, Live at Newport crackles with an earnest, youthful energy." Todd Smith November 2008

Yesterday You Said Tomorrow

Christian's upcoming and highly anticipated release is called "Yesterday You Said Tomorrow." Recorded at Van Gelder Studios and engineered by jazz figure Rudy Van Gelder, widely viewed as the greatest recording engineer in jazz history Scott was contacted by Rudy who expressed a desire to work with him. Scott was honored and eagerly accepted the gracious invitation to work with the legend who came out of a long stint of only doing Remasters of his earlier classics for the effort.

The recording features Scott's always political point of view about the world and what he perceives as dialog points for discussion by his listeners. Such tunes as Angola La, and the 13th Amendment, KKPD, The Roe Effect, The Last Broken Heart, Jenacide and The American't. Scott explained in a recent performance that Angola and the 13th Amendment is a statement about current U.S. law that allows the legalized slavery of incarcerated persons. Never shy about expressing his socio-political take on a subject, his intent is not to change minds but to encourage open discourse about world and U.S. human rights issues that he finds relevant.

"Yesterday You Said Tomorrow", like all of his previous recordings, also includes ballads and subject matters concerning relationships and matters of the heart. As he has grown as an individual and as a musician, so has his views which are expressed through his music.

"a gym-ripped amalgam of edgy jazz, hip hop and rock rhythms, off-kilter ostinatos, intimate rhapsodies and full-on passions, all welded together by the New Orleans-born player's alternately caressing and searing horn, and by his most tightly focused band to date". Chris May January 25, 2010

2002 ''Christian Scott' Impromp2 Records

2006 Rewind That – Concord Records

2007 Anthem - Concord Records

2008 Live at Newport - Concord Records

2010 Yesterday You Said Tomorrow - Concord Records

Additional discography

1999 Paradise Found Donald Harrison Trumpet/Composer 2002 Real Life Stories Donald Harrison Trumpet 2003 Karin Williams Karin Williams Trumpet 2005 Blueprint of a Lady:Sketches of Billie Holiday Nnenna Freelon Trumpet 2006 Every Road I Walked Grace Kelly Trumpet 2006 Survivor Donald Harrison Trumpet 2006 What is Love Erin Boheme Trumpet 2007 Return From Mecca X Clan Trumpet 2007 Planet Earth Prince Trumpet 2008 Blueprints of Jazz, Vol 1 Mike Clark Trumpet 2008 Charlie Brown TV Themes David Benoit Trumpet 2008 Global Noize Global Noize Trumpet 2008 It's Christmas Ledisi Producer

Filmography

Leatherheads

Rachel Getting Married

The Roe Effect

Televsion

Tavis Smiley June 2006 Tavis Smiley September 2007 Late Night with Jimmy Fallon March 2010

Members of The Christian Scott Quintet

Current

Christian Scott - Trumpet, Cornet, Flugel Horn, Soprano Trombone

Matt Stevens - Guitar

Jamire Williams - Drums

Milton Fletcher - Piano - Fender Rhodes

Kristopher Funn - Bass

Previous

Thomas Pridgen - Drums

Andrew Marsh - Drums

Marcus Gilmore - Drums

James Williams - Drums

Aaron Parks - Piano

Zaccai Curtis - Piano

Milton Fletcher - Piano

Courtney Bryan - Piano

Luques Curtis - Bass

Esperanza Spalding - Bass

Walter Smith III - Sax

Louis Fouche IIII - Sax

Devin Phillips - Sax

David Daruska - Guitar

Roman Pilon - Guitar

Ben Garrison - Guitar

References

External links

ChristianScott.net

Christian Scott interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' February 2010

Christian Scott, Nancy Wilson Among Jazz Grammy Contenders

Christian Scott at Glenwood Summer of Jazz

Four reviews for Rewind That at All About Jazz

Christian Scott, "Yesterday You Said Tomorrow" by Billboard

Category:1983 births Category:Living people Category:Jazz trumpeters Category:Jazz musicians from New Orleans, Louisiana Category:People from New Orleans, Louisiana Category:American jazz trumpeters Category:Concord Records artists