KRS-One (Lawrence Krisna Parker), known throughout his career by several monikers including “Kris Parker,” “The Blastmaster, “ and “The Teacher,” is a rapper born in Park Slope, Brooklyn. He ran away from home at a young age and wound up in the Bronx. Young Kris Parker first adopted his most famous pseudonym when writing graffiti (''bombing'') in his neighborhood of the Bronx - he would sign his artwork as ''KRIS-One,'' which later became ''KRS-1,'' or ''KRS-ONE''. Together with DJ Scott La Rock, he formed Boogie Down Productions. KRS is a highly respected figure in the Hip-Hop community and is often referenced in works by other hip-hop artists.

Following the fatal shooting of Scott la Rock in 1987, Boogie Down Productions became increasingly political. As Kris Parker adopted this more-conscientious, less-violent approach, he stopped calling himself ''The Blastmaster'' (his battle rap nickname), and instead began calling himself ''The Teacher,'' turning the nickname KRS-ONE into an acronym (''Knowledge Reigns Supreme - Over Nearly Everybody''). He founded the Temple of Hip-Hop in 1996 (templeofhiphop.org). In 2001, KRS realized that the unification of Hip-Hop culture was not going to happen within Hip-Hop, nor with mainstream rappers. He also realized that Hip-Hop, as an international culture for peace and prosperity, had to be presented to governments, organizations and world thinkers, capable of perceiving Hip-Hop on this level. Looking beyond the constant criticism and lack of support from the Hip-Hop community, KRS approached the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to begin the work of establishing Hip-Hop as an international culture of peace and prosperity among the governments of the world. During the 4th annual Hip-Hop Appreciation Week (May 14th-21st, 2001) KRS and others introduced the Hip-Hop Declaration of Peace at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City on May 16th, 2001.