On this day in 1987, KRS-One, DJ Scott La Rock, D-Nice, and the rest of Boogie Down Productions unleashed their groundbreaking debut album, Criminal Minded, on B-Boy Records.
Arriving at the peak of the legendary “South Bronx” vs. “The Bridge” battle—BDP’s war on wax against the Juice Crew—Criminal Minded became an essential blueprint for lyrical warfare. As KRS-One later recalled in Beef, the classic documentary by Quincy Jones III, MC Shan’s response to “The Bridge Is Over” only fueled BDP’s ascent. He argued that the group’s rise might not have been as meteoric without it.
Beyond the battle, Criminal Minded also played a pivotal role in the evolution of New York City’s radio wars. With DJ Red Alert championing BDP on 98.7 KISS FM and Mister Magic and Marley Marl backing the Juice Crew on 107.5 WBLS, their rivalry helped shape the competitive energy that later defined the Hot 97 vs. Power 105 era.
The album itself remains a Hip-Hop classic, featuring unforgettable tracks like the intellectually sharp “Poetry,” the gritty street narratives of “My 9mm Goes Bang” and “P Is Still Free,” the Scott La Rock-inspired “Super Hoe,” and the title track’s masterclass in lyricism. Tragically, just months after the album’s release, Scott La Rock was killed—a loss that deeply impacted both BDP and the culture as a whole.
Following Scott’s death, KRS-One shifted his approach, channeling his energy into socially conscious music. His efforts led to the Stop The Violence movement and the iconic, star-studded anthem, “Self Destruction.”
Today, Criminal Minded is one of the most influential albums in Hip-Hop history, marking the moment when BDP declared war—and won.