Why did KRS ONE solo career never really pop off?

[Lil Bape the PostGod]

In comparison to boogie down production I’m talking about, before the old heads get upset...

Boogie down production had 4 straight gold albums (from 87-92)

then krs broke off and made 4 albums, only 1 went gold (from 93-2001) ..I won’t count whatever he released from ‘02 on because nobody has heard any of that shyt

Did he have a real fanbase? Why did the BDP fans not cross over and support his albums? Were BDP industry plants?

In hindsight, Was his solo career a disappointment? I’m sure the labels were thinking he’d have the same success when he was technically part of a group

let’s talk about it

 

[Billy Ocean]

In comparison to boogie down production I’m talking about, before the old heads get upset...

Boogie down production had 4 straight gold albums (from 87-92)

then krs broke off and made 4 albums, only 1 went gold (from 93-2001) ..I won’t count whatever he released from ‘02 on because nobody has heard any of that shyt

Did he have a real fanbase? Why did the BDP fans not cross over and support his albums? Were BDP industry plants?

In hindsight, Was his solo career a disappointment? I’m sure the labels were thinking he’d have the same success when he was technically part of a group

let’s talk about it

By 93 his era was pretty much up. The Nas, Biggie, Wu, Deathrow era was beginning. His BDP years was his era and he was one of the top MCs in the game at that time. He's had a great, legendary solo career.

 

[AnonymityX1000]

No one cared about BDP for the most part, who got any shine off their projects besides KRS? It's just that BDP was his heyday and then his solo career he was on the downside of his career.

 

[FreshAIG]

His first two solo albums are great. Return of the Boom Bap is a classic. His self-titled is like 4 Mics, maybe even 4.5. After that his music was hit or miss but he still had some fire joints post 95. And to be honest BDP albums was pretty much just KRS-ONE by himself. Of course BDP had D-Nice, Melody, Just Ice, Mad Lion, etc... but they were just more supporting cast on the BDP albums.

The BDP albums, along with his first two solos make his discography one of the best all-time. He arguably got 4 classics (Criminal Minded, By All Means, Sex and Violence and Return of the Boom Bap) in a 6-7 year span.

 

[tremonthustler1]

In my best TV One Unsung voice:

Like most artists, the rise of gangsta rap saw KRS-One's fanbase dwindling.

 

[Solomon Lurke]

I remember this being pretty big at the time. I believe the album did well numbers wise as well.

 

[Ethnic Cleansing]

Death Row had the game in a headlock. The East Coast was at a standstill.

Rakim tried, Run Dmc (down with the King gangsta rap inspired era) tried, and definitely wasn't going to lead the resurgence.

It was a definite sign new blood was needed. Biggie (by virtue of Puffys great marketing) had the antidote and a passing of the new guard

 

[Sauce Dab]

Too dusty, even back then it was still too dusty

 

[Mike the Executioner]

His first two solo albums are great. Return of the Boom Bap is a classic. His self-titled is like 4 Mics, maybe even 4.5. After that his music was hit or miss but he still had some fire joints post 95. And to be honest BDP albums was pretty much just KRS-ONE by himself. Of course BDP had D-Nice, Melody, Just Ice, Mad Lion, etc... but they were just more supporting cast on the BDP albums.

The BDP albums, along with his first two solos make his discography one of the best all-time. He arguably got 4 classics (Criminal Minded, By All Means, Sex and Violence and Return of the Boom Bap) in a 6-7 year span.

I'd argue that Edutainment is a classic. The whole album feels like a movie or a multi-part seminar.

Honestly, everything KRS did after Criminal Minded felt like solo work, even though he still carried the Boogie Down Productions name. Like you said, the other members like D-Nice and Ms. Melodie felt like his supporting cast.

 

[AnonymityX1000]

Death Row had the game in a headlock. The East Coast was at a standstill.

Rakim tried, Run Dmc (down with the King gangsta rap inspired era) tried, and definitely wasn't going to lead the resurgence.

It was a definite sign new blood was needed. Biggie (by virtue of Puffys great marketing) had the antidote and a passing of the new guard

Commercially but artistically Wu Tang and BCC brought NY back.

 

[Threnody]

BDP had an insane momentum in the early 90s

IF Kris wanted to he could have crossed BDP over and been HUGE, like REM huge the hardcore live footage from 91' is crazy

The PM Dawn/Sex and Violence shyt killed it...KRS-ONE honestly went out of his way not to go that route

His solo career he went even more against the grain for the most part

86 to 97 he had a great run still kinda shocked at how....'played out' he got around the early 2000s he was still dope but it was kinda sad to see...that Nelly shyt was embarrassing he tried to same shyt he did with MC Shan to respond to someone who didn't diss you at all but in 02' it didn't work, everyone saw it for what it was and Nelly killed him with that freestyle KRS played himself HARD

 

[Newark88]

I think Step Into A World era was the last time he was semi relevant on a mainstream level. I think that album (I Got Next) went gold. Also he had the Step Into A World remix with Puff during the height of the shiny suit era

 

[ℒℴѵℯJay ELECTUA]

His first two solo albums are great. Return of the Boom Bap is a classic. His self-titled is like 4 Mics, maybe even 4.5. After that his music was hit or miss but he still had some fire joints post 95. And to be honest BDP albums was pretty much just KRS-ONE by himself. Of course BDP had D-Nice, Melody, Just Ice, Mad Lion, etc... but they were just more supporting cast on the BDP albums.

The BDP albums, along with his first two solos make his discography one of the best all-time. He arguably got 4 classics (Criminal Minded, By All Means, Sex and Violence and Return of the Boom Bap) in a 6-7 year span.

"WE WILL BE HERE FOOOOOR EVERRRR"

 

[ℒℴѵℯJay ELECTUA]

I think Step Into A World era was the last time he was semi relevant on a mainstream level. I think that album (I Got Next) went gold. Also he had the Step Into A World remix with Puff during the height of the shiny suit era

and the shelved KRS album that had that cool posse cut..5 boroughs!!

 

[boskey]

He had the best 90s career of any 80’s rappers other than LL