By All Means Necessary
Encyclopedia
By All Means Necessary is the second album from hip hop
group Boogie Down Productions
, released in 1988, on Jive Records
. After the murder of DJ/Producer Scott La Rock
in 1987, MC KRS-One
moved away from the violence that dominated their debut Criminal Minded
and began to write socially conscious songs, while using the moniker "The Teacher".
Many themes, which surface a minimalist production
accompanied by hard-hitting drum beats, cover social issues that include government
and police corruption
, safe sex
, government involvement in the drug trade, and violence in the hip hop community.
As of September 25, 1989, the album has been certified gold in sales by the Recording Industry Association of America
. Both the album cover, depicting KRS-One, and the album title make reference to Malcolm X
.
praised its social commentary. Anthony DeCurtis
of Rolling Stone
wrote that "Over irresistible beats provided by his BDP cohorts, KRS delivers the word on the drug trade, AIDS and violence – three forces that threaten to destroy minority communities".
In 1998, the album was selected as one of The Source's 100 Best Rap Albums.
In 2008, the single "My Philosophy" was ranked number 49 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop.
.
All The People - Cramp Your Style (feat. Robert Moore)
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
group Boogie Down Productions
Boogie Down Productions
Boogie Down Productions was a hip hop group that was originally composed of KRS-One, D-Nice, and DJ Scott La Rock. DJ Scott La Rock was murdered on August 27, 1987, months after the release of BDP's debut album, Criminal Minded. The name of the group, Boogie Down, derives from a nickname for the...
, released in 1988, on Jive Records
Jive Records
Jive Records was a record label based in New York City, operating under RCA Music Group. Jive was primarily known for a string of successes with hip hop artists in the 1980s, and in teen pop and boy bands in the late 1990s. The word "jive" was inspired by Township Jive, a form of South African...
. After the murder of DJ/Producer Scott La Rock
Scott La Rock
Scott "La Rock" Sterling was the original DJ of the hip hop group Boogie Down Productions.-BDP:Sterling, a social worker, met rapper KRS-One in 1986 at the Franklin Men's Shelter in the Bronx where KRS lived. The pair, together with DJ D-Nice, formed Boogie Down Productions...
in 1987, MC KRS-One
KRS-One
Lawrence Krisna Parker , better known by his stage names KRS-One , and Teacha, is an American rapper...
moved away from the violence that dominated their debut Criminal Minded
Criminal Minded
Criminal Minded by Boogie Down Productions is a highly influential hip hop album. Production on the LP is credited to 'Blastmaster' KRS-One and DJ Scott La Rock , but in interviews it has been revealed that an uncredited Ced-Gee of The Ultramagnetic MCs had a key role in crafting the sound of the...
and began to write socially conscious songs, while using the moniker "The Teacher".
Album information
 |
|
| The cover as compared to the famous Malcolm X photo (right). "By any means necessary By any means necessary By any means necessary is a translation of a phrase coined by the French intellectual Jean Paul Sartre in his play Dirty Hands. It entered the popular culture through a speech given by Malcolm X in the last year of his life... " is an oft-quoted statement made by Malcolm X. |
|
Many themes, which surface a minimalist production
Minimalism
Minimalism describes movements in various forms of art and design, especially visual art and music, where the work is set out to expose the essence, essentials or identity of a subject through eliminating all non-essential forms, features or concepts...
accompanied by hard-hitting drum beats, cover social issues that include government
Political corruption
Political corruption is the use of legislated powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain. Misuse of government power for other purposes, such as repression of political opponents and general police brutality, is not considered political corruption. Neither are illegal acts by...
and police corruption
Police corruption
Police corruption is a specific form of police misconduct designed to obtain financial benefits, other personal gain, or career advancement for a police officer or officers in exchange for not pursuing, or selectively pursuing, an investigation or arrest....
, safe sex
Safe sex
Safe sex is sexual activity engaged in by people who have taken precautions to protect themselves against sexually transmitted diseases such as AIDS. It is also referred to as safer sex or protected sex, while unsafe or unprotected sex is sexual activity engaged in without precautions...
, government involvement in the drug trade, and violence in the hip hop community.
As of September 25, 1989, the album has been certified gold in sales by the Recording Industry Association of America
Recording Industry Association of America
The Recording Industry Association of America is a trade organization that represents the recording industry distributors in the United States...
. Both the album cover, depicting KRS-One, and the album title make reference to Malcolm X
Malcolm X
Malcolm X , born Malcolm Little and also known as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz , was an African American Muslim minister and human rights activist. To his admirers he was a courageous advocate for the rights of African Americans, a man who indicted white America in the harshest terms for its...
.
Reception
The album is widely seen as one of, if not, the first politically conscious efforts in hip-hop. Allmusic.com described the album as "a landmark of political rap" and Rolling StoneRolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
praised its social commentary. Anthony DeCurtis
Anthony DeCurtis
Anthony DeCurtis is an American author and music critic, who has written for Rolling Stone, The New York Times, Relix and other publications.-Career:...
of Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
wrote that "Over irresistible beats provided by his BDP cohorts, KRS delivers the word on the drug trade, AIDS and violence – three forces that threaten to destroy minority communities".
In 1998, the album was selected as one of The Source's 100 Best Rap Albums.
In 2008, the single "My Philosophy" was ranked number 49 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop.
Track listing
All songs were written, produced and performed by KRS-OneKRS-One
Lawrence Krisna Parker , better known by his stage names KRS-One , and Teacha, is an American rapper...
.
Samples Used
- "My Philosophy" contains a sample from the Stanley TurrentineStanley TurrentineStanley William Turrentine, also known as "Mr. T" or "The Sugar Man", was an American jazz tenor saxophonist.-Biography:Turrentine was born in Pittsburgh's Hill District into a musical family...
recording "Sister Sanctified". - "Ya Slippin'" contains a sample from the Deep PurpleDeep PurpleDeep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, they are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although some band members believe that their music cannot be categorised as belonging to any one genre...
recording "Smoke on the WaterSmoke on the Water"Smoke on the Water" is a song by the British hard rock band Deep Purple. It was first released on their 1972 album Machine Head. In 2004, the song was ranked number 426 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest songs of all time, and in March 2005, Q magazine placed "Smoke on the Water"...
". And has Poetrys beat from Criminal MindedCriminal MindedCriminal Minded by Boogie Down Productions is a highly influential hip hop album. Production on the LP is credited to 'Blastmaster' KRS-One and DJ Scott La Rock , but in interviews it has been revealed that an uncredited Ced-Gee of The Ultramagnetic MCs had a key role in crafting the sound of the... - "Illegal Business" contains samples from the Fat Albert and the Cosby KidsFat Albert and the Cosby KidsFat Albert and the Cosby Kids is an animated series created, produced, and hosted by comedian Bill Cosby, who also lent his voice to a number of characters, including Fat Albert himself. Filmation was the production company for the series. The show premiered in 1972 and ran until 1985...
recording "Creativity" & the Jefferson StarshipJefferson StarshipJefferson Starship is an American rock band formed in the early 1970s. The group is a spin-off from the iconic 1960s psychedelic/folk group Jefferson Airplane. The band has undergone several major changes in personnel and genres through the years while retaining the same Jefferson Starship name...
recording "Rock Music". - "Nervous" contains samples from the Rhythm HeritageRhythm HeritageRhythm Heritage was a 1970s American disco-funk band, best known for their 1976 US #1 single "Theme from "S.W.A.T.". It sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc by the Recording Industry Association of America in February 1976...
recording "Sky's the Limit" & the WarWar (band)War is an American funk band from California, known for the hit songs "Low Rider", "Spill the Wine", "The Cisco Kid" and "Why Can't We Be Friends?". Formed in 1969, War was a musical crossover band which fused elements of rock, funk, jazz, Latin, rhythm and blues, and reggae...
recording "Galaxy". - "I'm Still #1" contains a sample from the All the People (featuring Robert Moore) recording "Cramp Your Style".
- "Part-Time Suckers" contains samples from the Smokey Robinson & the Miracles recording "Mickey's Monkey" & the Stevie WonderStevie WonderStevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
recording "Part-Time LoverPart-Time Lover"Part-Time Lover" is a 1985 single by Stevie Wonder, from his album In Square Circle. The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, R&B, dance and adult contemporary charts. The song's simultaneous chart success made him the first artist to score a number-one hit on four different Billboard...
". - "Jimmy" contains the basic rhythm from the WingsWings (band)Wings were a British-American rock group formed in 1971 by Paul McCartney, Denny Laine and Linda McCartney that remained active until 1981....
recording "Let 'Em InLet 'em In"Let 'Em In" is a song by Wings from their 1976 album Wings at the Speed of Sound. It was written and sung by Paul McCartney and reached the top 3 in both the United States and the United Kingdom: It was a #2 hit in the UK, and in the US it was a #3 pop hit and #1 easy listening hit...
" and a sample from the SequenceThe SequenceThe Sequence is a former female old school hip hop trio signed to the Sugar Hill label in the early-1980s. The group consisted of Cheryl Cook , Gwendolyn Chisolm , and lead singer/rapper Angie Brown Stone...
recording "Funk You Up."
Album Chart Positions
| Year | Album | Chart positions | |
| Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums | ||
| 1988 | By All Means Necessary | #75 | #18 |
Singles Chart Positions
| Year | Song | Chart positions | ||
| Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks | Hot Rap Singles | ||
| 1988 | Stop The Violence | - | #76 | - |
Later Samples
- "My Philosophy"
- "Gangsta GangstaGangsta Gangsta (N.W.A song)"Gangsta Gangsta" is a single from American rap group N.W.A's 1988 album, Straight Outta Compton. The song later appeared on the N.W.A Greatest Hits album and The Best of N.W.A. - The Strength of Street Knowledge. The song conveys the dangers of living in the streets of Compton, California and...
" by N.W.A.N.W.A.N.W.A was an American hip hop group from Compton, California, widely considered one of the seminal acts of the gangsta rap sub-genre....
from the album Straight Outta ComptonStraight Outta ComptonThe lyrics on the album were mainly written by Ice Cube and MC Ren. Critics of the album expressed their view that the record glamorized Black-on-Black crime, but the emcees stated that the group was simply showing the reality of living in the areas of Compton, California, and South Central Los... - "How Many MC's..." by Black MoonBlack Moon (band)Black Moon is an American hip hop group, consisting of members Buckshot, 5 ft and DJ Evil Dee . The group were most notable for their debut album Enta da Stage, and their affiliation with the Boot Camp Clik.-Biography:...
from the album Enta Da StageEnta Da StageEnta da Stage is the debut album of American East Coast hip hop group Black Moon, released on October 19, 1993 through Nervous Records. The album was produced by DJ Evil Dee and Mr. Walt of Da Beatminerz... - "The Sounds of ScienceThe Sounds of Science (song)The Sounds of Science is the 6th track on the album Paul's Boutique by American hip hop group the Beastie Boys, released on July 25, 1989.* Produced & written by the Beastie Boys & the Dust Brothers.* Engineered by Mario Caldato & Allen Abrahamson....
" by the Beastie BoysBeastie BoysBeastie Boys are an American hip hop trio from New York City. The group consists of Mike D who plays the drums, MCA who plays the bass, and Ad-Rock who plays the guitar....
from the album Paul's BoutiquePaul's BoutiquePaul's Boutique is the second studio album by American hip hop group Beastie Boys, released on July 25, 1989, on Capitol Records. Featuring production by the Dust Brothers, the recording sessions for the album took place in Matt Dike's Apartment and the Record Plant in Los Angeles from 1988 to... - "M-Sea-Creasy" by CanibusCanibusGermaine Williams , better known by his stage name Canibus, is a Jamaican-born American rapper. He is a part of supergroup The HRSMN. Canibus rose to fame in the mid-nineties...
from the album Rip the JackerRip the JackerRip the Jacker is the fifth studio album by rapper Canibus, released on July 22, 2003, through Babygrande Records.- Conception :After producer Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind produced the track "Liberal Arts" from Canibus' fourth album Mic Club: The Curriculum , Babygrande Records CEO Chuck Wilson... - "Wack Mc's" by Slaughterhouse released on the internet
- "Gangsta Gangsta
- "Part Time Suckers"
- "Part Time Mutha" by 2Pac from the album 2Pacalypse Now2Pacalypse Now- Unused Tracks :* "Crooked Nigga Too" * "Tears Of A Clown" * "Scared Straight '91"...
- "Bug A Boo (Refugee Camp Remix)" by Destiny's ChildDestiny's ChildDestiny's Child was an American R&B girl group whose final line-up comprised lead singer Beyoncé Knowles alongside Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. Formed in 1997 in Houston, Texas, Destiny's Child members began their musical endeavors in their pre-teens under the name Girl's Tyme...
and Wyclef JeanWyclef JeanWyclef Jean is a Haitian musician, record producer, and politician. At age nine, Jean moved to the United States with his family and has spent much of his life in the country...
from the album This Is The RemixThis Is the Remix (Destiny's Child album)-Chart success:The album was relatively successful. This Is The Remix debuted at #29 on the Billboard 200 selling over 37,000 copies in its first week, but after only seven weeks, the album had fallen off the chart and has to date sold an estimated 100,000 copies in the US... - "Sea Mammal" by Mr. ScruffMr. ScruffMr. Scruff is the recording name of Andy Carthy , a British DJ and artist. He lives in Stockport, Greater Manchester, and studied fine art at the Psalter Lane campus of Sheffield Hallam University...
from the album Mrs CruffMrs CruffMrs Cruff is a 2005 re-release of Mr. Scruff's earliest material. Originally released on EPs on the record label Rob’s Records, and in 1997 the songs were released together as an album entitled Mr. Scruff on Pleasure Records...
- "Part Time Mutha" by 2Pac from the album 2Pacalypse Now
- "Ya Slippin'"
- "Kod specijalnog suda" by Prti Bee Gee from the album Tačno u pre podne
- "Stop The Violence"
- "Vocab" by Fugees from the album Blunted on RealityBlunted on RealityBlunted on Reality is the debut album released by hip hop group The Fugees. The album was written and recorded by the group in 1992, however, following a long dispute with their record company, the album was not released until February 1, 1994. Most versions of the album contain seventeen tracks,...
- "DefinitionDefinition (song)"Definition" is the first single from Black Star's eponymously titled 1998 album . It is produced by Hi-Tek, who samples "The P Is Free" by Boogie Down Productions for the track's beat. In addition, the song's chorus interpolates "Stop the Violence" by Boogie Down Productions...
" by Black Star (altered chorus) from the album Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star - "Execute the Sounds" by P.O.D.P.O.D.Payable on Death is an American Christian metal band formed in 1992. The band's line-up consists of vocalist Sonny Sandoval, drummer Wuv Bernardo, guitarist Marcos Curiel, and bassist Traa Daniels. Their Christian faith is an important part of their music.They have released seven studio albums and...
from the album Payable on DeathPayable on DeathPayable on Death is the eponymous fifth studio album and third major label release by Californian metal quartet P.O.D.. This is also their first album to include guitarist Jason Truby and their last album produced by Howard Benson. Payable on Death was released on November 4, 2003 through Atlantic...
- "Vocab" by Fugees from the album Blunted on Reality
- I'm Still Number 1"
All The People - Cramp Your Style (feat. Robert Moore)