A chance meeting between Laurence Krisna Parker (KRS-One) and Scott Sterling (Scott La Rock) at a Bronx shelter in 1985 started as an ex-inmate/social worker relationship, but the two friends soon found a common bond with their shared love for music, eventually forming the unforgettable ‘80s rap group Boogie Down Productions.BDP was one of the most influential hip-hop groups of the late ‘80s, but before the group got its rise rapping about street life, its musicians lived completely separate lives. KRS-One dropped out of high school as a teen and moved to the Bronx, living in and out of homeless shelters. He eventually took up hip-hop and rapping, but at 19 he was sent to jail after he was busted selling marijuana. After his release, KRS-One met Scott La Rock, and the two quickly became band mates. Boogie Down Productions released its first single, 1986's "Crack Attack," under indie label B Boy Records before releasing Criminal Minded in 1987. The album went straight to the charts as BDP started a massive movement as the first to deliver hardcore rap tracks about urban life. The duo inked a deal with Jive, but their excitement was short-lived as La Rock was soon shot dead while trying to break up a fight at a Bronx party.Devastated without his other half of BDP, KRS-One continued on with BDP as a tribute to his friend, recruiting his brother Kenny Parker to fill in as the group's DJ. BDP released their next release By All Means Necessary in 1988, KRS-One mimicking a photo of Malcom X on the album's cover. Taking it upon himself to honor La Rock, the results of the album were incredible; aside from naming himself the Teacher and rapping about issues surrounding the black community, he also laid his heart on the line with the hit single "Stop the Violence," a plea for La Rock's cause. The rapper also founded the Stop the Violence Movement, turning out music for his newfound cause. Continuing to produce chart-topping music, BDP kept recording music into the ‘90s before KRS-One finally put the group to rest, picking up a successful solo career in 1993.
