Strickly for da Breakdancers & Emceez
KRS-One · 2008
78 min · 20 tracks · hardcore hip-hop
A vibrant fusion of classic boom bap beats and incisive lyrical flow, celebrating hip-hop culture's roots and resilience.
Top tracks — play these first
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Steady Bounce Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Yes, Yes, Y’all — This track encapsulates the album's celebratory spirit, featuring call-and-response elements that engage listeners and evoke classic block party vibes.
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Wanna Battle? — With its competitive bravado and sharp lyrics, this track showcases KRS-One's mastery of battle rap, making it a standout representation of his lyrical prowess.
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Walking Away — This reflective piece highlights KRS-One's introspection, blending personal narrative with broader societal commentary, making it a poignant moment on the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album effectively blends classic hip-hop elements with KRS-One's lyrical prowess, making it a strong homage to the genre.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent boom bap production style across nearly all tracks, with heavy use of samples and classic drum patterns.
- KRS-One's delivery alternates between rapid-fire verses and more laid-back flows, creating dynamic shifts in energy throughout the record.
- Several tracks incorporate live instrumentation alongside programmed beats, adding a layer of authenticity to the sound.
- The sequencing includes interludes that provide thematic breaks, allowing for moments of reflection amidst the energetic tracks.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dance floor energizers throughout
- dynamic flow with peaks
- head-nodding rhythm for battles
- vibrant beats for movement
- engaging call-and-response moments
Maybe skip if you
- prefer slow, sounds
- dislike lyrical complexity
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — Returns to hip-hop roots after a series of experimental projects.
- Themes
- block party nostalgia· battle rap culture· hip-hop resilience
- Career context
- Released in 2008, 'Strickly for da Breakdancers & Emceez' marks KRS-One's return to his foundational hip-hop roots after a series of experimental projects. This album showcases his unwavering commitment to the genre amidst a changing musical landscape and comes as he celebrates over two decades in the industry.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Nas· Rakim· Public Enemy
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 Steady Bounce Start here 4:26
- 2 Wanna Battle? 4:06
- 3 Warm Up 4:53
- 4 Yes, Yes, Y’all 3:17
- 5 Venus 4:25
- 6 Nute 2:06
- 7 Tiamot 3:43
- 8 Ashera 5:26
- 9 Isis 6:18
- 10 A Moment of Silence 0:10
Disc 2
- 1 Hera (More Chicken Shit) 6:46
- 2 Aphrodite 1:33
- 3 Eve 2:23
- 4 Shiva 3:59
- 5 I Love Simone 4:45
- 6 Walking Away 3:11
- 7 KRS Loves Simone 2:51
- 8 Stick Up 4:28
- 9 Some Live Shit From the East Coast 3:24
- 10 Some Live Shit From the West Coast 6:04
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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