Lawrence Parker, better known by his stage names KRS-One , and Teacha , is an American rapper and occasional producer from the Bronx , New York City , New York . KRS-One rose to prominence as part of the group Boogie Down Productions , which he formed with DJ Scott La Rock in the late 1980's. Following the release of the group's debut album, Criminal Minded , La Rock was shot dead, but KRS-One continued the group, effectively as a solo project. He began releasing records under his own name in 1993. KRS-One is noted to be a politically active musician having started the Stop the Violence Movement , after the death of Scott La Rock, and the Temple of Hip Hop, as well as addressing political issues in his music. Lawrence Parker was born in Brooklyn , New York in 1965. Parker left home at 16 to become an MC, coming to live at a homeless shelter in th...