Sound of da Police

Last updated
"Sound of da Police"
Sound Of Da Police.jpg
Single by KRS-One
from the album Return of the Boom Bap
B-side "Hip Hop vs. Rap"
ReleasedDecember 6, 1993 (1993-12-06)
Recorded1993
Studio D&D Studios (New York, NY)
Genre
Length4:18
Label Jive
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Showbiz
KRS-One singles chronology
"Outta Here"
(1993)
"Sound of da Police"
(1993)
"MC's Act Like They Don't Know"
(1995)
Music video
"Sound of da Police" on YouTube
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [2]

"Sound of da Police" is a song by American rapper KRS-One. Recorded at D&D Studios in New York City with production handled by Showbiz, it was released in December 1993 as the second and final single from KRS-One's debut solo studio album Return of the Boom Bap . It peaked at number 89 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Contents

Content

The song criticizes police brutality and systemic racism. [3] [4] It begins with KRS-One whooping twice to evoke a police siren (the "sound of the police"); this recurs several times throughout the song. The heavy bass sample loop, and part of a guitar solo were taken from Grand Funk Railroad's cover of "Inside-Looking Out", the final track of their LP Grand Funk . [5] Part of the drum track is taken from "Sing a Simple Song" by Sly and the Family Stone. [5]

The music video was directed by Michael Lucero.

Charts

Chart (1994)Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100 [6] 89
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard ) [7] 79
US Hot Rap Songs ( Billboard ) [8] 17

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [9] Silver200,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

The song was featured in the American films Cop Out , Tag , Black and Blue , and the British film Attack the Block . It was featured as an in-game radio selection in the 2015 video game Battlefield Hardline (by Electronic Arts), and was used for the end credits of the 2016 movie Ride Along 2 [10] and in the 2016 published The Angry Birds Movie soundtrack. It has appeared in the TV show Brooklyn Nine-Nine . [11] The 'Whoop whoop, sound of da police' hook has been referenced by ska punk band Sonic Boom Six on their track "Piggy in the Middle", [12] by Body Count on their song "Black Hoodie" and in metal band Skindred on the title track of their 2002 debut album Babylon . The song plays over the final scenes and closing credits of season 3, episode 2 of Sex Education . [13] It is the theme music for the long-running stand-up show on BBC Radio 4, Alfie Moore - It's a Fair Cop.

The song is well known in France, where the chorus is commonly misinterpreted as "assassins de la police" (literally "police killer"). [14] A remix of the song by DJ Cut Killer was featured in the soundtrack of the film La Haine . [15] The hip hop duo Suprême NTM later sampled the chorus on their album Live. [14]

On February 3, 2012, hacker group Anonymous defaced the Boston Police Department's web page, replacing it with an embedded version of KRS-One's "Sound of da Police" music video and a message criticizing the department's treatment of the Occupy Boston movement. [16]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cypress Hill</span> American hip hop group

Cypress Hill is an American hip hop group from South Gate, California, formed in 1988. They have sold over 20 million albums worldwide, and they have obtained multi-platinum and platinum certifications. The group has been critically acclaimed for their first five albums. They are considered to be among the main progenitors of West Coast hip hop and 1990s hip hop. All of the group members advocate for medical and recreational use of cannabis in the United States. In 2019, Cypress Hill became the first hip hop group to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DJ Premier</span> American record producer and DJ (born 1966)

Christopher Edward Martin, known professionally as DJ Premier, is an American record producer and DJ. He has been frequently lauded as one of hip hop's greatest producers by publications such as Vibe. He formed the hip hop duo Gang Starr alongside American rapper Guru, with whom he has released seven albums. He formed another hip hop duo, PRhyme—with American rapper Royce da 5'9"—in 2014, with whom he has released two albums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rap rock</span> Music genre combining hip hop and rock

Rap rock is a music genre that developed from the early to mid-1980s, when hip hop DJs incorporated rock records into their routines and rappers began incorporating original and sampled rock instrumentation into hip hop music. Rap rock is considered to be rock music in which lyrics are rapped, rather than sung. The genre achieved its greatest success in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

"Takeover" is a track recorded by Jay-Z for his 2001 album The Blueprint. The song is a diss track aimed at rappers Nas and Prodigy of Mobb Deep.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drop It Like It's Hot</span> 2004 single by Snoop Dogg featuring Pharrell

"Drop It Like It's Hot" is a song by American rapper Snoop Dogg, featuring American singer, rapper and musician Pharrell Williams. It was released on September 27, 2004, as the lead single from Snoop Dogg's seventh studio album, R&G : The Masterpiece (2004). The song was produced by Williams alongside Chad Hugo as the Neptunes. It is regarded as an iconic song, with Snoop performing the chorus and the second and third verses while Pharrell performs the first verse.

<i>Dont Sweat the Technique</i> 1992 studio album by Eric B. & Rakim

Don't Sweat the Technique is the fourth and final studio album by American hip hop duo Eric B. & Rakim, released on June 23, 1992, by MCA Records. It was recorded and produced by Eric B. & Rakim at The Hit Factory in New York City. The album builds on the sounds of 1990's Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em, with Rakim sounding more aggressive on Eric B.'s jazzy, soulful production.

<i>Return of the Boom Bap</i> 1993 studio album by KRS-One

Return of the Boom Bap is the debut solo studio album by American rapper KRS-One, released on September 28, 1993, by Jive Records. The recording sessions took place at D&D Studios and at Battery Studios, in New York. The album was produced by DJ Premier, Kid Capri, Norty Cotto, Showbiz, and KRS-One. It features guest appearances from Ill Will and Kid Capri. The album peaked at number 37 on the Billboard 200 and number 5 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop)</span> 2002 single by Erykah Badu featuring Common

"Love of My Life " is a song recorded by American singer Erykah Badu for the Brown Sugar soundtrack (2002). It features American rapper Common, who co-wrote the song alongside Badu, Madukwu Chinwah, Robert Ozuma, James Poyser, Rashad Smith, Glen Standridge and the song's sole producer Raphael Saadiq. The song follows the film and its soundtrack's common lyrical theme of personifying hip hop. It was released as the lead single from Brown Sugar on August 5, 2002, by MCA Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">C.R.E.A.M.</span> Song by hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan

"C.R.E.A.M." is a song by the American hardcore hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan, released on January 31, 1994 by Loud Records, as the second single from their debut studio album Enter the Wu-Tang (1993). The song was produced by the group's de facto leader RZA, and contains a sample of the Charmels' 1967 song "As Long As I've Got You" throughout. It features two verses from members Raekwon and Inspectah Deck, who discuss their upbringings while living in New York City, and Method Man, who sings its hook. Its music video, featuring all Wu-Tang Clan members in New York City, was released in 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Light (Common song)</span> 2000 single by Common

"The Light" is the second single from Common's 2000 album Like Water for Chocolate. It was produced by Jay Dee and features keyboards performed by James Poyser. It samples "Open Your Eyes" as performed by Bobby Caldwell and the drums from "You're Gettin' a Little Too Smart" by the Detroit Emeralds. Framed as a love letter, it is a confession of Common's love for a woman – specifically, his girlfriend at the time, Erykah Badu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MC's Act Like They Don't Know</span> 1995 single by KRS-One

"MC's Act Like They Don't Know" is a hardcore hip hop song written and performed by American rapper KRS-One. It was released on August 28, 1995 via Jive Records as the lead single from his second solo studio album KRS One. Recording sessions took place at D&D Studios in New York. Production was helmed by DJ Premier.

This is the discography of American rapper KRS-One.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lost (Gorilla Zoe song)</span> 2008 single by Gorilla Zoe

"Lost" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Gorilla Zoe, released October 14, 2008 as the lead single from his second studio album Don't Feed Da Animals (2009). The song leaked in May 2008 entitled "Losin' My Mind", featuring a verse from fellow American rapper Lil Wayne. It is notable that, specifically with the Lil Wayne version, both songs use the auto-tune effect. "Lost" received positive reviews from critics praising Drumma Boy's electronic production and Zoe's sincere Auto-Tune delivery of introspective lyrics. The track peaked at numbers 10 and 29 on both the Billboard Hot Rap Songs and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts respectively. It also reached number 71 on the Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KRS-One</span> American rapper

Lawrence "Kris" Parker, better known by his stage names KRS-One and Teacha, is an American rapper from The Bronx. He rose to prominence as part of the hip hop group Boogie Down Productions, which he formed with DJ Scott La Rock in the mid-1980s. KRS-One is known for his songs "Sound of da Police", "Love's Gonna Get'cha ", and "My Philosophy". Boogie Down Productions received numerous awards and critical acclaim in their early years. Following the release of the group's debut album, Criminal Minded, fellow artist Scott La Rock was shot and killed, but KRS-One continued the group, effectively as a solo project. He began releasing records under his own name in 1993. He is politically active, having started the Stop the Violence Movement after La Rock's death. He is also a vegan activist, expressed in songs such as "Beef". He is widely considered an influence on many hip-hop artists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Feel So Good</span> 1997 single by Mase

"Feel So Good" is the debut single by American hip-hop artist Mase. It was released in October 1997 through Bad Boy Records and Arista Records as the lead single from his debut album, Harlem World, and it appeared on the Money Talks soundtrack. The song was produced by D-Dot and Sean "Puffy" Combs and featured vocals by R&B singer Kelly Price on the chorus. The single was the most successful of the three singles released from the album, having peaked at number 5 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and number-one on the Hot Rap Singles chart. "Feel So Good" was certified gold just about a month after its release on November 12, 1997; it was later certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Chris Tucker, Mase and Sean appears in the music video, which was directed by Hype Williams. They drive around the city in a Mercedes-Benz and a group of female dancers are also shown dancing with them.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mass Appeal (song)</span> 1994 single by Gang Starr

"Mass Appeal" is a song by American hip hop group Gang Starr, released on February 8, 1994 as the second single from their fourth studio album Hard to Earn. The song reached #67 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #42 on the Billboard R&B chart. It was also featured on the soundtrack of the video game Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donald Trump (song)</span> 2011 song by American rapper Mac Miller

"Donald Trump" is a song by American rapper Mac Miller, released as the only single from his mixtape Best Day Ever (2011). The melody, which is played throughout the song, is sampled from "Vesuvius" by Sufjan Stevens. The song's music video was uploaded to YouTube on March 3, 2011, while the single was released digitally on May 17, 2011.

Boom bap is a subgenre and music production style that was prominent in East Coast hip hop during the golden age of hip hop from the late 1980s to the early 1990s.

"Take It Easy" is a hip hop and reggae fusion song, recorded by hip-hop/dancehall artist Mad Lion from his debut studio album, Real Ting (1994). The song contains a sample of "When A Man In Love" by Yami Bolo and "Return of the Boom Bap" from collaborator KRS-One from his 1993 debut album of the same name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Who I Smoke</span> 2021 single by Yungeen Ace, Spinabenz, and FastMoney Goon featuring Whoppa Wit Da Choppa

"Who I Smoke" is a song by American rappers Yungeen Ace, Spinabenz, and FastMoney Goon featuring Whoppa Wit Da Choppa. Released as a single on April 16, 2021, "Who I Smoke" samples Vanessa Carlton's "A Thousand Miles" and serves as a diss track against multiple deceased people who are specifically named and disrespected in the song. "Who I Smoke" performed successfully for the featured rappers, going viral throughout social media and on music platforms following its release. "Who I Smoke" was described by HipHopCanada as having exemplified "Jacksonville's deadly KTA vs. ATK war"; the rappers featured are associated with ATK, which sources have described it standing for "Ace's Top Killers", "Ace to Kill", or "Aim to Kill". Many of the individuals named in the song were friends with Julio Foolio, another rapper who, prior to his death, were rivals against the creators of "Who I Smoke".

References

  1. Zaru, Deena; Lee, Alex (August 16, 2017). "KRS-One gets political: What's fake and what's real in politics?". CNN. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  2. "Sound of Da Police [LP EP] - KRS-One | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic . Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  3. Zaru, Deena (25 November 2015). "KRS-One gets political: What's fake and what's real in politics?". CNN. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
  4. Nestruck, J. Kelly (19 April 2017). "Sound of the Beast is an unusual, disarming display of poetic justice". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
  5. 1 2 "Direct Sample of Multiple Elements". whosampled.com. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  6. "KRS-One Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  7. "KRS-One Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
  8. "KRS-One Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard.
  9. "British single certifications – Krs-One – Sound Of Da Police". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  10. "IMDB - Ride Along 2 - Soundtracks". IMDb .
  11. Brooklyn Nine-Nine (November 28, 2017). "Best of Hitchcock and Scully". youtube.com. Archived from the original on 2021-12-12. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  12. "Piggy In The Middle Lyrics by Sonic Boom Six - Lyrics On Demand". Lyrics On Demand. Retrieved 2017-11-17.
  13. Hunt, James (September 17, 2021). "Every Song In Sex Education Season 3". Screen Rant . Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  14. 1 2 Leprince, Chloé (10 December 2018). ""Assassins de la police" : histoire d'un slogan né d'une hallucination collective". France Culture (in French). Radio France . Retrieved 14 August 2022.
  15. Green, Steph (8 September 2020). "The sound and the fury: rap, reggae and resistance in La Haine". Sight & Sound . BFI . Retrieved 14 August 2022.
  16. Cooper, Roman; Kuperstein, Slava (February 4, 2012). "KRS-One's "Sound Of Da Police" Video Used In Hacked Boston Police Department's Website". HipHopDX . Retrieved May 18, 2021.