On this day in 1988, Boogie Down Productions released one of the most influential and politically charged albums in Hip Hop history: By All Means Necessary. Widely regarded as a foundational project in the realm of conscious rap, the album marked a seismic shift in the genre’s trajectory, both musically and socially.
KRS-One first made waves for his sharp lyricism during the infamous Juice Crew vs. BDP battle, which cemented his place as a lyrical heavyweight following the 1987 release of Criminal Minded. But everything changed with the tragic murder of DJ Scott La Rock, who was shot and killed in the South Bronx later that year. The loss deeply affected KRS-One and prompted a significant transformation in his public persona. Leaving behind the battle raps and gun talk, “The Blastmaster” embraced the role of “The Teacher,” using his platform to address systemic issues like police brutality, government corruption, and institutional racism.
By All Means Necessary was BDP’s first major release following Scott La Rock’s death, and it showcased a powerful new direction for the group. One of the album’s standout tracks, “Stop the Violence,” became a direct response to the senseless loss of life in the Hip Hop community, as KRS-One rapped:
“I look, but it doesn’t coincide with my books /
Social Studies will not speak upon hard hitting crooks /
It’s just the Presidents, and all the money they spent /
All the things they invent, and how their house is so immaculate /
They create missiles, my family’s eating gristle /
Then they get upset when the press blows the whistle.”
The track would later inspire the Stop the Violence Movement, which KRS spearheaded with the now-legendary single “Self Destruction,” bringing together an all-star cast of Hip Hop talent to speak out against inner-city violence.
From the infectious cautionary tale “Jimmy”, where KRS became one of the first rappers to address the growing HIV/AIDS epidemic, to “Illegal Business,” which boldly exposes the corruption in the drug trade and its ties to government and law enforcement, nearly every track on the album delivered a pointed narrative. Even the cover art, an homage to Malcolm X’s iconic “By Any Means Necessary” photo, made a clear statement about the album’s mission.
With tracks like “Nervous,” “Part Time Suckers,” and “My Philosophy,” By All Means Necessary remains a landmark release that continues to resonate decades later. It not only redefined what Hip Hop could say, but also what it could stand for.
Salute to KRS-One and the Boogie Down Productions crew for gifting the culture a timeless and fearless contribution to Hip Hop’s legacy.
“It’s not about a salary, it’s all about reality…”