Spiritual Minded

( 3 )

Editorial Reviews

Barnes & Noble - Tracy E. Hopkins
Hip-hop's self-appointed teacher, Kris Parker, a.k.a. Knowledge Reigns Supreme over Nearly Everyone KRS-One to his friends, has been edu-taining the hip-hop masses with his battle-ready and thought-provoking rhymes since he and his South Bronx posse, Boogie Down Productions, dropped their classic debut, Criminal Minded, in 1987. Throughout his career, KRS has positioned himself as both more enlightened and lyrically superior to the average money-hungry and carnally driven MC, so it's not surprising that the aptly titled Spiritual Minded should mark Kris's evolution from conscious rapper to hip-hop prophet. It's true, like Reverend Run before him, KRS-One is now down...
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Editorial Reviews

Barnes & Noble - Tracy E. Hopkins
Hip-hop's self-appointed teacher, Kris Parker, a.k.a. Knowledge Reigns Supreme over Nearly Everyone KRS-One to his friends, has been edu-taining the hip-hop masses with his battle-ready and thought-provoking rhymes since he and his South Bronx posse, Boogie Down Productions, dropped their classic debut, Criminal Minded, in 1987. Throughout his career, KRS has positioned himself as both more enlightened and lyrically superior to the average money-hungry and carnally driven MC, so it's not surprising that the aptly titled Spiritual Minded should mark Kris's evolution from conscious rapper to hip-hop prophet. It's true, like Reverend Run before him, KRS-One is now down with the King. Instead of droppin' science about vegetarianism 1988's "My Philosophy", the perils of materialism 1990's "Love's Gonna Get'Cha", and police brutality 1993's "Sound of Da Police", he's schooling the hip-hop nation about Jesus. In the past, the MC has embraced everything from Black nationalism to Rastafarianism -- and famously assaulted rap's other Bible booster, Prince Be of P. M. Dawn -- but whatever his spiritual preference, his messages of self-respect the female-affirming "Take Your Tyme" and self-empowerment the mantra-like "Know Thyself" are universal. And if you think that spouting the Gospel has watered down the Blast Master's commanding flow, then think again. On the "urban inspirational" "Take It to God," he chides, "Watch me bump this gospel rap/never wack." With lyrical gems such as "We say 'criminal minded' 'cause our thoughts are illegal/We represent the very thinkin' of inner city people," from "Know Thyself," he remains one of rap's best wordsmiths -- even after his conversion to holy hip-hopper. On that same track, KRS professes: "When the student is ready/The teacher shall appear/So I'm here." For old-schoolers who have watched hip-hop grow from the harmless boasting of the '70s to the brief political consciousness of the '80s, only to witness its steady decline to the materialism and senseless violence of the '90s and beyond, Spiritual Minded is a welcome lesson.
All Music Guide - John Bush
In the late '80s he supplanted Public Enemy's Chuck D as the angriest man in hip-hop. In 2002, he released a surprisingly gospel-centric album, one that proved time had not dulled the sharp edge of KRS-One's rhymes. And the Blastmaster never does things by half-steps; Spiritual Minded isn't a gospel crossover record at all, it actually is a gospel record. Although his messages on tracks like "Come to the Temple," "Lord Live Within My Heart," and "Take It to God" are strictly uplifting and even rooted in doctrine, there's no tempering his aggressive delivery and skeletal productions. The highlight, "Take Your Tyme," features KRS-One talking directly to young women about the pitfalls of premarital sex; it's easily one of the most encouraging hip-hop tracks heard in several years. As for weaknesses, Spiritual Minded certainly doesn't have the gloss of most major-label rap albums, and occasionally the production and hooks are sacrificed for the message in the material. Still, it's intriguing to hear one of the best rappers in history turning out a gospel album; contemporary gospel, including Christian hip-hop, is actually much more artistic than most would give it credit for. Though much of his new audience may not even recognize one of the most famous names in rap history, it's likely they'll enjoy hearing this level of talent.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 1/22/2002
  • Label: Koch Records
  • UPC: 099923836322
  • Catalog Number: 8363
  • Sales rank: 69,594

Tracks

Disc 1
  1. 1 Opening (1:27)
  2. 2 Lord Live Within My Heart (3:23)
  3. 3 Take Your Tyme (3:15)
  4. 4 Take It to God (4:07)
  5. 5 Good Bye (3:31)
  6. 6 South Bronx 2002 (4:27)
  7. 7 Never Give Up (3:17)
  8. 8 T Bone Speaks (0:32)
  9. 9 Tears (5:46)
  10. 10 The Struggle Continues (Choose Your Way) - KRS-One & The Temple Of Hiphop (5:47)
  11. 11 The Conscious Rapper (4:12)
  12. 12 T Bone Speaks Again (0:21)
  13. 13 Trust (2:57)
  14. 14 Come to the Temple - KRS-One & The Temple Of Hiphop (4:17)
  15. 15 Ain't Ready (4:02)
  16. 16 God Is Spirit - B.B. Jay (4:12)
  17. 17 Know Thyself (5:07)
  18. 18 G. Simone Speaks (0:31)
  19. 19 Dayz Ahead (3:40)
  20. 20 Power (4:43)
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Album Credits

Performance Credits
KRS-One Primary Artist, scratching, Vocals
Eleven Choir, Chorus, 12-string Guitar
Veronica Williams Vocals
T-Bone Wolk Choir, Chorus
Tawatha Background Vocals
Reality Choir, Chorus
Anthony Grant Background Vocals, Choir, Chorus
Smooth B. Track Performer
Fat Joe Track Performer
T-Bone Stone Track Performer
B.B. Jay Vocals
Technical Credits
Bervin Harris Producer
Douglas Jones Producer
KRS-One Producer, Engineer
Scott La Rock Contributor
Simone G Producer
Terry A. Producer
Placido Domingo Producer
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 3 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(2)

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(1)

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Sort by: Showing all of 3 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Hard Beats good message

    Not only is this the first real gospel rap album i have ever heard but the beats are still hard as ever. Loved it. Wish the radio would get a hold of more real sounds like this, than that trendy rap we here over and over and over again.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Lyrical Nutrition

    KRS-One has been edutaining the world for so long that it has become a nutritional need. Spiritual Minded gives you hope, inspiration, and as always, a lesson. Those of you who may be foriegn to KRS-One's unique style are in for a treat, after hearing this album and others like it, you'll no doubt be lyrically feed. If you are looking for something flashy, degrading, and constantly talking about self indulgence then KRS is not the One. But if you have a sincere heart and you want to listen to a cd that will lift up your spirits,and leave you with a different view of society and the world then KRS-One is the only One.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    KRS-ONE Back N Better Then Ever

    KRS-ONE is back and better then ever. KRS-ONE has returned with his latest album Spiritual Minded, a look at allot of conventions seen in Gangsta' Rap and the like, such as, drugs; guns; women, &c. He doesn't condemn anyone in particular, but he does get quite heated about people polluting the art form, Hip-Hop that he was so instrumental in creating. He brings it down to street level allot especially in South Bronx 2000 a hardcore street beat, as well he remembers his fallen hip-hoppers and addresses allot of big issues, probably why he coped so much flak over it. A very strong album for the rap masses and not just the rich ones ?...You don?t need no rings to be down...? it?s worth the buy, but I have to say that any KRS-ONE album is.

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Sort by: Showing all of 3 Customer Reviews