In a stroke of incredible luck for area fans, legendary rapper
KRS-One decided to stop in Ann Arbor on his latest tour. As one of
the early pioneers of rap, a near 20-year veteran and a legendary
stage performer, KRS-One is a household name to anyone who loves
hip-hop. On the eve of the release of his eleventh studio album,
Keep Right, KRS dazzled with a run-through of his catalog,
including tracks both from his Boogie Down Productions days and his
solo career.

It’s difficult for “old school” artists to
stay relevant and respected in today’s fickle hip-hop
culture. Eighties upstarts Big Daddy Kane and Kool Mo Dee, for
instance, conjure images of rope chains and fedora hats. Only
through constant image shifts and mass commercialization can
longevity be achieved in this industry (we’re looking at you,
LL Cool J). KRS stopped dancing that dance long ago and has settled
comfortably into his position as sage of underground hip-hop.

Looking as hungry as an upcoming MC and projecting the stage
presence, fire and confidence of an established veteran, KRS-One
ruled the stage. His audience control and tight delivery demanded
energy from the rapt crowd. The enthusiasm in the crowd’s
participation indicated that those present definitely knew they
were seeing something big.

One of the purest and most respected aspects of hip-hop is the
freestyle. It can be hard to tell whether the performer is
genuinely creating the lyrics on the spot or reciting memorized
lines, but KRS passed the test, spouting out rhymes between songs
that frequently referred to the Blind Pig.

He gave a brief history lesson of hip-hop with a large
projector, full of pictures of the genre’s originators. He
rhymed nimbly about each one, admirably holding audience’s
attention. Throughout the show he managed to draw numerous
“oohs” and “ahs” from the audience with
poignant commentary and always-appreciated barbs against Nelly.
Without a moment of let-up or boredom from viewers, KRS reminds
everyone why he’s still the preeminent stage performer in
hip-hop.