Hip-Hop Albums of the Year

10 June, 2021

KRS-One — Keep Right


Eighth effort of KRS-One, seventh studio album, fifth in three years. Production is handled by KRS, Daneja, Domingo, DJ Qbert, B. Creative, Fatin Horton, Gordon Williams, Rich Nice, Soul Supreme, Gato, John Doe and Statik Selektah. The guests are Afrika Bambaataa, Minister Server, L da Headtoucha, An Ion, Illin 'P, Mix Master Mike, Supastition, Akbar, Joe and Mad Lion. The lyrics are decent, the performer's hardcore rap is good, a little lackluster towards the end, and his socio-conscious, political and bragging themes start to get repetitive after two decades, plus his selection of beats still leaves much to be desired. The music becomes more difficult with each listen, especially the first two songs and the whole second half, unlike the first part, when the production is more solid, consistent and regular compared to the rest of the record, thanks to Fatin Horton, Soul Supreme, Rich Nice and Williams Gordon who record the best beats. Domingo disappoints, while Statik Selektah is left to the outro. Released by the independent Grit Records, the album exceeds in the quantity of songs and skits (a third), it's negatively criticized by most of the reviewers and marks the moment in which KRS-One loses its relevance even in the underground circuit, one year after the release of the successful "Kristyles". 5/10.

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