NEW YORK, NY. (Top40 Charts/ KOCH Records) - KOCH Records is thrilled to announce the release of a brand new album by legendary Hip Hop artist/philosopher KRS-ONE. The album, titled "Hip Hop Lives," is Executive Produced by Marley Marl and will be released on May 22nd, 2007.
"Hip Hop Lives" (title track) and "Kill A Rapper" lead the album project as two very relevant songs for the Hip Hop community right now. "Kill A Rapper" touches on the murders of popular rappers and begs the question of why Rap murders go unresolved by the police? "Hip Hop Lives" focuses upon Hip Hop's immortality and reminds us of the ways in which Hip Hop renews itself annually. For 20 years KRS-ONE and Marley Marl have been known for producing classic Rap material; "Hip Hop Lives" is clearly another classic.
KRS-ONE aka "the Teacha" is one of the most influential voices in the history of Hip Hop. His reputation as a live performer is second to none, as many have recognized him as "The Greatest Live MC of All Time."
KRS-ONE (Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everyone) is one of the most outspoken leaders of Hip Hop culture, politics and spirituality. Having lectured at over 500 universities and colleges over a 15-year period, KRS-ONE has been honored by the United Nations, VH-1, Billboard Magazine, the Riverside Church in New York, Harvard University, Yale University, Lincoln University, Princeton University, Oxford University and countless other institutions and grassroots organizations.
KRS-ONE has also published three classic Hip Hop's books; "The Science of Rap" (1995), "Ruminations" (2003) and "The Gospel of Hiphop" (2007), and has founded three Hip Hop activist organizations; the Stop The Violence Movement (1989), Human Education Against Lies (1991) and the Temple of Hiphop (1996), in addition to releasing fifteen classic rap albums.
Marley Marl is one of Hip Hop's first (and finest) super-producers. As founder of one of Hip Hop's first recording companies Cold Chillin' Records, Marley Marl assembled a roster filled with some of the finest Hip Hop talent in New York: MC Shan, Big Daddy Kane, Biz Markie, Roxanne Shanté, Kool G Rap & DJ Polo, and Masta Ace. His production work for those and many other artists generally boasted a bright, booming, and robust sound that - along with his ear for a catchy sample - helped move street-level Hip Hop's sonic blueprint into more accessible territory. Most important, though, were his skills as a beatmaker; Marley Marl was among the first to mine James Brown records for grooves and also learned how to craft his own drum loops through sampling, which decreased Hip Hop's reliance on tinny-sounding drum machines.
KRS-ONE and Marley Marl met in 1986 during the height of the "answer record" era in Rap music. After Roxanne Shante answered UTFO and MC Shan answered L.L.Cool J, KRS-ONE and the late DJ Scott La Rock answered MC Shan's recording "Queensbridge" with the recording "South Bronx." Since 1986 KRS-ONE and Marley Marl have both been on a mission to preserve Hip Hop's original sound. This collaboration comes at a time when Hip Hop's future seems to be threatened by over-commercialized rap performances and cultural disunity. KRS-ONE and Marley Marl intend to change all of that.
KRS-ONE's performances and lectures can be seen and heard regularly all over the world. For more information visit: www.thetempleofhiphop.org. Marley Marl DJs on Power 105 in New York every Saturday night from midnight to 2 AM. For more information on Marley, go to visit: https://www.myspace.com/djmarleymarl.
KRS-ONE APPEARANCES:
MARCH 2007
March 22, Malibu, CA, Malibu Inn
March 23, Garden Grove, CA, Bellunos
March 31, Santa Monica, CA, (Hip Hop Unity Day) The Greek Theatre
APRIL 2007
April 4, Agoura Hills, CA, Canyon Club*
April 5, Santa Ana, CA, Galaxy Theatre*
April 6, San Diego, CA, Cane's*
April 7, Los Angeles, CA, Key Club*
April 22, Long Beach, CA, Long Beach College * with De La Soul
MAY 2007
May 12, Carrboro, NC, Cats Cradle
May 18, New York, NY, BB Kings
May 19, Washington, DC, H 20
