By All Means Necessary

by Boogie Down Productions

By All Means Necessary cover art
  • Type: Album
  • Released: 31 May 1988
  • Label: Jive
  • Country: United States
  • Length: 1:10:17
  • Community rating: 3.69/5 from 5 ratings

Album Notes & Community Reviews

Following the murder of DJ Scott La Rock, KRS-One pivoted the group's focus toward stark, socially conscious lyricism aimed at stopping street violence. Set against minimalist, reggae-tinged boom-bap production, the album fundamentally established the intellectual 'edutainment' style of political hip-hop.

Genres

Descriptors: conscious, political, rhythmic, violence, rap, old-school, classic

Tracklist

  1. My Philosophy (5:40)
  2. Ya Slippin' (4:55)
  3. Stop the Violence (4:41)
  4. Illegal Business (5:21)
  5. Nervous (4:12)
  6. I'm Still #1 (5:12)
  7. Part Time Suckers (5:31)
  8. Jimmy (4:14)
  9. T' Cha - T' Cha (4:34)
  10. Necessary (2:59)
  11. My Philosophy - Extended Version (6:40)
  12. My Philosophy - Instrumental Version (5:22)
  13. I'm Still #1 - Extended Version (5:28)
  14. I'm Still #1 - Numero Uno Re-Recording (5:23)

Credits

  • Boogie Down Productions - primary artist
  • Ms. Melodie - costume designer [wardrobe consultant]
  • Frantz - engineer
  • Ivan 'Doc' Rodriguez - engineer
  • Doug Rowell - photography by
  • Kofi Tuda - stylist [grooming]
  • DJ Scott La Rock - supervised by [overseen by]
  • KRS-One - written-by, producer, directed by, mixed by
  • Red Alert - mixed by
  • D-Nice - mixed by
  • Kool Moe Dee - mixed by

More from Boogie Down Productions: full discography