Midway through
KRS-One's
Adventures in Emceein,
Nas (often the torch-bearer for much of
KRS-One's preaching) calls
KRS "the greatest MC of all time" and repeats that designation for posterity's sake. It's hard to argue with
Nas, considering
KRS-One's unmatched longevity, much of which has been characterized by relevance and excellence.
Nas appears at the opening of "The Real Hiphop" -- a subject that is the hallmark of practically every
KRS recording. Just like every other album over the past 20 or so years -- especially the recent ones --
Adventures in Emceein deals with the preservation of hip-hop and the necessity of teaching, or as
KRS puts it on "What's Your Plan?," "All I'm trying to do is educate the young ones." The result is a series of largely static songs that, although they spring from an inspired artist incessantly motivated with the notion of the greater good, will probably bore most listeners. There is affecting production in spots ("I Got You") and
KRS seems immune to serving up garbage rhymes, with the social critique of "Our Soldiers" highlighting the substance void of both music and political talking heads. Still, many of the songs sound like recycled
KRS stock. Some are downright corny, such as "Alright." Yeah, it's always nice to hear, arguably, the greatest to ever do it, but it's become increasingly less of an event.