by Marco Giorgi

In today’s material-driven music industry it is common to see pop artists release songs that are produced by hip-hop’s elite, such as Justin Timberlake and Timberland teaming up. It is also more common to see “mash up” songs between rock bands and rappers, like Linkin Park and Jay-Z. These types of compilations, however, are basically promoted in order to broaden the financial market for record labels – get fans of multiple genres to purchase $18.00-a-pop albums or over-priced concert tickets.

It is rare, however, to see artists promoting other artists with genuine admiration in order to broaden the knowledge market of their fan-base. Although uncommon, such songs can be found, and with a little bit of promoting, can enlighten the minds of consumers as much as fatten the pockets of record labels and artists alike. Sublime had the courage to share one of their influences on record, and it’s a shame that they are not around today to show the music biz how it’s done.

Prior to 1992, Sublime was a small southern California ska-punk band that was hitting a cord with the laid back Cali crowd. They incorporated rock, reggae, dancehall, dub, ska, and hip-hop into their sound. Their debut album, 40 oz. to Freedom, in 1992 was a product of their early success but went largely under the mainstream radar. It wasn’t until their self-titled third album that they garnered a national audience in America.

As a fan of quality music, 40oz. of Freedom has a lot to offer, but track 20, KRS-ONE, is the most inspiring for me because it encourages Sublime’s fan base to take a look at another artist. By turning their (mostly southern Californian) following, on to the Bronx, New York native, KRS-ONE ("Knowledge Reigns Supreme - Over Nearly Everything"), Sublime opened a window into a world that may have been as foreign to their listeners as Timbuktu. Sublime acknowledged that KRS-ONE - MC, poet, author, teacher, activist, etc. - had introduced them to unknowns, and that if other artist tried to do the same with their influences it would take us “to a higher ground.” It may also take the music industry as a whole to a higher place if knowledge and creativity were the focus instead of unrealistic materialism.

…………

Sublime
Krs-One
In school they never taught bout hamburgers or steak,
Elijah Muhammed or the welfare state.
But I know.
And I know because of KRS-ONE.
Yeah and I know
And I know because of KRS-ONE.

Because he's droppin science, droppin history
With a whole leap of style and intelligency
Yes, I know.
I know because of KRS-ONE
Yeah, and I know
I know because of KRS-ONE.

Because we don't want to pay money to hear the same old sounds.
Watch him he'll take hip-hop to a higher ground.
And I know
(How do I know?)
And I know because of KRS-ONE.
Yeah, and I know
And I know because of KRS-ONE.

And I know
And I know because of KRS-ONE.
And I know
And I know

It only took Sublime two minutes and twenty-three seconds to give their fans this gem, and even though the actual number of fans who subsequently turned on KRS-ONE may never be known, this song is a model of how solidarity between musical genres can be real, not contrived.

…………


If a few of Sublime’s fans did take the time to sample what KRS-ONE had to offer, then they would have been treated to a plethora of urban knowledge. KRS-ONE challenged his listeners, largely disenfranchised Americans, to think independently and to transcend the barriers imposed on them.

“…the rich get richer,
cause they work towards rich
the poor get poorer,
cause their minds can't switch
from the ghetto
let go, it's not a novelty
you could love your neighborhood without loving poverty

…educate yourselves,
make your world view bigger
visualize wealth
and put yourselves in the picture!”
(KRS-ONE, 2nd Quarter)

………..


To learn more about Sublime and KRS-ONE, check out:

http://sublimespot.com/sublime/
http://kr.youtube.com/watch?v=Ii2TeTv5iDw&feature=related
– Live Version of Sublime’s KRS-ONE.
http://kr.youtube.com/watch?v=SxWsTaKORW8
– Album Version of Sublime’s KRS-ONE.

http://www.krsone.org/
http://www.myspace.com/templeofhiphop
- KRS-ONE’s myspace page
http://kr.youtube.com/watch?v=oJDO-NyNIKc&feature=related
– KRS-ONE on Def Poetry Jam performing 2nd Quarter.