Criminal Minded: The 30th Anniversary!

This past week has been an incredible one for hip hop and especially those who are from the Bronx, the birthplace. It makes me proud to be from The Bronx this time around, even though I’m always proud, regardless of the ignorant and asinine comments made about my borough daily. This past week, Swizz Beatz went live to reveal an unreleased joint during a DJ battle with Just Blaze that made the entire hip hop community go bonkers and Remy Ma rips Nicki Minaj apart with her diss track “ShEther.” There was definitely a lot of talk about whose the better MC between the two ladies and of course, non hip hop fans jumping in discussions just to defend Nicki by throwing out information about her sales and income when we all know that traditionally in hip hop, it’s the skills on the mic that matters, not the sales and awards, but it was definitely another interesting The Bronx vs. Queens battle, which reminds me of KRS-One and MC Shan. Now speaking of KRS-One, yesterday was the birthday of the late great DJ Scott LaRock and today, “Criminal Minded” turns 30. On March 3rd, 1987, KRS-One and DJ Scott LaRock aka Boogie Down Productions released “Criminal Minded.” A 10 track album that’s definitely one of the greatest and most influential hip hop albums of all time. I usually critique each song on the album when it comes to celebrating its anniversary but for this one, It’s one powerful album for just 10 songs. In classic hip hop, KRS-One fashion, what The Teacha himself is known for, he delivers with such knowledge and wisdom. Teaching the listeners a thing or two about politics and such. At the same time, the two classic bangers, “South Bronx”, which is my personal theme song, and “The Bridge Is Over” are both responses to the MC Shan battle during that time and it shows how an aggressive KRS-One gets on the mic. Like he says, never battle him cause he’s number one! This album is definitely a top 5 for me personally. Not just because it’s KRS-One but because it’s an album that’s actually a banger from beginning to end and what I consider to be an early blueprint or “the guide to being an MC” for a lot of dope and talented rappers in the game, both old and young. I guess this is my way of paying homage to KRS-One and Scott LaRock but mostly to Scott. Definitely a late great whose time was cut short unfortunately but is still respected and loved today and peace to The Teacha. 30 years, BX we here!