Zack De La Rocha, KRS-One & The Last Emperor - C.I.A. (Criminals In Action)

From Rawkus Record's Lyricist Lounge, Volume One (1998)
Lyricist Lounge, Volume One is the first installment of Rawkus Records Lyricist Lounge album series, based on the Lyricist Lounge showcases in New York City. The double-disc compilation features De La Soul, Mos Def, Q-Tip, Tash of Tha Alkaholiks, Punch & Words, O.C., Ras Kass, Black Thought, Common, Pharoahe Monch, Saul Williams, Kool Keith, Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek, Bahamadia, Rah Digga, Shabaam Sahdeeq, Jurassic 5, KRS-One, Zack de la Rocha of Rage Against the Machine, Last Emperor and Company Flow.
Zack De La Rocha:
De la Rocha met Tim Commerford in elementary school, and in junior high school, they both played guitar in a band called Juvenile Expression. De la Rocha's interest in punk rock bands like The Clash, The Misfits, Sex Pistols, and Bad Religion turned into an appreciation for other bands like Minor Threat, Bad Brains, and The Teen Idles. In high school, he joined the straight edge band Hard Stance, which evolved into the hardcore band Inside Out around 1988 and gained a national underground following. The band released a single record, No Spiritual Surrender, on Revelation Records in 1990 before breaking up. De la Rocha later said that the band was "about completely detaching ourselves from society to see ourselves as ... as spirits, and not bowing down to a system that sees you as just another pebble on a beach. I channeled all my anger out through that band."
Following the dissolution of Inside Out in 1991, de la Rocha embraced hip hop and began freestyling at local clubs, at one of which he was approached by former Lock Up guitarist Tom Morello, who was impressed by de la Rocha's lyrics, and convinced him to form a band. Morello recruited former Greta drummer Brad Wilk-who had previously auditioned for Lock Up before that band's dissolution earlier that same year-and de la Rocha recruited his former Juvenile Expression bandmate, Tim Commerford, to play bass. The band was named for an unreleased Inside Out record, Rage Against the Machine.
Rage Against the Machine was on the main stage at Lollapalooza by 1993 and was one of the most politically charged bands ever to receive extensive airplay from radio and MTV. Rage's second and third albums peaked at number one in the United States, but did not result in the political action de la Rocha had hoped for. He became increasingly restless and undertook collaborations with artists such as KRS-One, Chuck D, and Public Enemy. He left Rage Against the Machine in October 2000, citing "creative differences," at which time he issued a statement saying: "it was necessary to leave Rage because our decision-making process has completely failed", in reference to the disagreement over the release of Renegades. The other members of the band sought out separate management and secured the immediate release of Renegades. After searching for a replacement for de la Rocha, the other members of Rage joined Chris Cornell of Soundgarden to form Audioslave.
Following the disbandment of Rage Against the Machine, de la Rocha worked on a solo album he had been recording since before the band's dissolution, working with DJ Shadow, El-P, Muggs, Dan The Automator, Roni Size, DJ Premier and Questlove with production partner James Poyser. The album never came to fruition, and de la Rocha started a new collaboration with Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, in which around 20 tracks were produced. Reznor thought the work was "excellent", but said the songs will likely never be released as de la Rocha was not "ready to make a record" at that time.
The 2004 soundtrack Songs and Artists that Inspired Fahrenheit 9/11 included one of the collaborations with Reznor, "We Want It All". This album also contained "No One Left", the debut recording by former Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello as The Nightwatchman. On October 7, 2005, de la Rocha returned to the stage with new material, performing with Son Jarocho band Son de Madera. He later spoke as MC and again performed with Son de Madera at the November 22 Concert at the Farm, a benefit concert for the South Central Farmers. He sang and played the jarana with the band, and performed his own new original material, including the song "Sea of Dead Hands". On September 8, 2016, it was reported that de la Rocha's first solo album was complete and would be released in early 2017. The news came with a new song, produced by El-P, called "Digging for Windows" that was released on KZbin and BitTorrent. However, to date, the album remains unreleased with no further announcements made.

[@UPROXXVideo]

Happy Friday worldwide Hip-Hop family! Making sure everyone tunes in to a very special episode of People's Party dropping Monday morning. We'll be chopping it up with underground rapper icon El-P, where he gives us thoughtful insight about a number of topics, including his time at Rawkus Records with Company Flow, Zack de la Rocha living at his house after the Rage breakup, the latest Run The Jewels project with Killer Mike, and much more. It's one of our best yet! Check for it this Monday Nov 11, at 9am ET/ 6am PT

[@nazdynate553]

Yo! This is HUGE! El is one of my favorite producers of all time, and everything with RATM coming back has me hyped. Stoked! 🙏✌️

[@saturncrush]

I have no idea how you are getting the legit rights to these videos. But thank you!!! Keep doing your thang!!!

[@nocomment7859]

Absolutely love this page. Bigups upproxxx

[@alfredomungia8004]

UPROXX Video

[@alfredomungia8004]

eighty Stevens

[@fishbone3333]

de la Rocha's flow has been criminally underrated throughout his career.

[@mastersuperblaster702]

Truth. I believe both him and Foxy Brown (stay with me and you'll understand lol) have 2 of the sickest flows ever. I don't really care for female rappers but Foxy in her prime was a straight up beast when she was focused. I'd even rank her flow (cadence, tonality, diction and precision) up there with Zack and I would love to hear them do something together. Check out this 2005 unreleased track. Her flow combined with the Hendrix sample is epic. Zack would blaze tf out of this beat and the 2 of them should've teamed up for a remix. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jnnZgHdonceLrc0

[@ByronGraham]

He sucks..

[@parkjinn1139]

@@ByronGraham He's pretty genius, I'd like to shake his hand and thank him for speaking out about sociopolitical corruption

[@ByronGraham]

@@parkjinn1139 I guess if Genius is stealing other people's raps sure.. He is rich. They never do anything for poor. Just make money off of them..

[@parkjinn1139]

@@ByronGraham I'm with you all the way want to say more but cant

[@drewcagno]

"Zack de la Rocha brings the enraged flow..." Sounds about right.

[@TheBC313]

Man i wish Zack would've released a couple of solo albums back in the 90's over beats like this.

[@mastersuperblaster702]

Truth. I believe both him and Foxy Brown (stay with me and you'll understand lol) have 2 of the sickest flows ever. I don't really care for female rappers but Foxy in her prime was a straight up beast when she was focused. I'd even rank her flow (cadence, tonality, diction and precision) up there with Zack and I would love to hear them do something together. Check out this 2005 unreleased track. Her flow combined with the Hendrix sample is epic. Zack would blaze tf out of this beat and the 2 of them should've teamed up for a remix. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jnnZgHdonceLrc0

[@LeoMes01]

@@mastersuperblaster702 Really I thought foxy was really shallow. And zack doesnt do shallow

[@mastersuperblaster702]

@@LeoMes01 Being a long time fan who knows her catalog I wouldn't peg her as shallow but yes, as far as lyrical themes go, Zack and Foxy are quite different. He's strictly political while her lyrics are more personal, street based and of course with her being a female rapper, there's a bit of sexuality thrown in for good measure- although nowhere near as trashy as Lil Kim and more current female pop rappers. Let's face it, most heterosexual men could care less about a female rapper outside of wanting to knock her down and mobody really wants to hear a female rapper spit some serious heavy political shit but if there's one who could do it with the same intensity, cadence and fervor as Zack, she'd be the one for sure. As I said, I'm not a fan of chick rappers overall but she's easily one of the dopest rappers ever when she's at her best.

[@LeoMes01]

@@mastersuperblaster702 Honestly I think hearing zack try to cat call would be. Really entertaining

[@LeoMes01]

@@mastersuperblaster702 I always thought Zack was gay.

[@cookiepie8933]

Zack's flow was killer.

[@ElMariachi555]

IS

[@r3b3lvegan89]

So killer he took himself out with Pfizer promotions last year lol. Zach sold out so hard social media felt butt fucked. Zach was a killer emcee and vocalist, he sold his soul to Pfizer and ironically the CIA too, considering they flat out co sponsor the “comirnaty” vaccine back in 2020. Y’all need to quit playin and start researching

[@stahu_mishima]

Zack's gotta be my favourite rapper at this point

[@buberjutuber7994]

mniej więcej jak Gomułka

[@julianjessevideo]

Last Emperor drops one of the best verses in hip-hop history!

[@mufasa2079]

100%

[@youtubesucks1821]

Thank you, I thought I was crazy when everyone only praises Zack and I thought his verse was the weakest. They only like his part because they are Rage fans

[@cnillax999]

@@youtubesucks1821 they all killed it. 3 great verses

[@freudianslippers6567]

@@youtubesucks1821 I thought it was good Zack brought attention to Frantz Fanon and the wretched of the earth. Everyone should read it.

[@pandora8478]

I'm 50 this year(!) and so glad I lived through the golden era of hip hop.

[@STEVEWONDA1976]

I'm right behind you at 43 years young. So lucky to have lived through the mid 80s and 90s. Living & growing with all the music that came out those 15 or so years was something I can't imagine growing up without.

[@pandora8478]

STEVEWONDA1976 absolutely!

[@carlgoogle2869]

Word!

[@BrandonMaceira-go1gs]

My manz 88' (80's baby) 90's kid I stay with the 80's like I'm berry white R.I.P

[@4thdimension760]

@@STEVEWONDA1976 Me too. I consider myself lucky to have been a teen-adult then.

[@dexenationgracey1979]

Zack is one of the few rap rockers that's for real about his flow, definitely held his own with KRS.

[@YouCanChangeYourWorldToday]

90s was such a golden era ! Everything 90s ! I’m never leaving the 90s ! I don’t care what anyone says !

[@rickyhunt4075]

Golden age of hip hop

[@danielcoy9147]

Hands down hip hops last stand. Rappers that rap. 90’s killed it

[@cornelius7323]

Facts

[@mrsix2456]

yeahhhh...90s golden era of every genre not only hiphop....metal,hardcore,reggae and many more....now days music the feeling are so different

[@lemingomerriett4612]

DOPE

[@Skeletor1889]

There's a saying "spitting rhymes", but the way Zack delivers is so vicious, it really does sound like he's spitting those rhymes.

[@ElMariachi555]

On Centre of the Storm with Roni Size he calls himself the Truth Shit Spitter among other awesome titles.

[@Katy-sh3ru]

I was literally coming to reply on that! I was gonna quote 'you smell smoke? I dip my ​tongue in gunpowder then I clear my throat' @alfonsov.7291

[@christianjosephkarner]

The world needs now Zack de la rocha voice more than ever.

[@Wiccad]

6 months later this comment aged well... if that's the appropriate term. 6 month ago us had no idea...

[@jpbostonian]

Honestly we do need him back

[@vikeightEsix]

Meanwhile Tom Morello is busy raging on behalf of the machine...

[@maimbolwakamanga4004]

Last emperor one of the most underrated MCs of his generation.

[@mandlasithole7689]

The Last Emperor is probably the most imaginative MC ever! Most of his lines flow over heads

[@jamalgray8694]

LAST EMP

[@jamalgray8694]

Thanx bro. Much love... Peace -LAST EMP

[@robertnewton5343]

@@jamalgray8694 dude, emp.......... i still jam to your track black magic... calms me man..

[@mmmyeah7]

@@jamalgray8694 secret wars is possibly my fav ever hip hop tune 🙏🏻

[@jamalgray8694]

NEW LAST EMPEROR ALBUM: "THE WIZARD, THE WITCH AND THE WOLFMAN!!!" ON TIDAL.

[@illproducer]

Zack is one of the best lyricists

[@sonnyday6727]

Oh, the sound of real hip hop, I missed you! Please come back.

[@alexmatos8523]

For my money, Zack’s verse is one of the best in rap history. No filler, just straight up fury and truth. And to incorporate a Frantz Fanon book into your bars, straight up mastery.

[@muratacar8762]

The 90s was such a golden age of rap. Les années 90 étaient l'âge d'or du rap.

[@Latscho83]

Die 90er waren das goldene Zeitalter der Rapmusik

[@jesuisamoureuxdetoi]

90-talet var en sådan guldålder av rap.

[@benvanrensburg7014]

You sold your strip from the the 70ies hey.

[@deesnutz4638]

Los 90 fueron la era de oro del rap

[@luisrg9466]

what song is that of Big L.

[@ernestoflores1057]

This brought me back when hipHOP make sense. I'm an old metal head this shot is fkng hot.

[@wediehardchannel3733]

[KRS-One] Yea yea yea yea yea! KRS-One comin through, Big Zack, Last Emperor WOOP WOOP! Ha hah, that's the sound of EMS Ha hah, Last Emperor, KRS Ha hah, Big Zack you know the rest Now we gonna come down like this now, hold tight all crew LISTEN!! [Zack de la Rocha] This voice shatters the calm of the day, like an alarm To wake up badder youth, and take up arms Cause more is necessary than vocabulary war Cause the toxic rock imports, gettin on your door C.I.A. I see ya later, cause your time is comin soon I flip the shit like, Pacino and it's your Dog Day Afternoon Attica Attica, drug agents your bring your static-a My alphabet will slash that neck and flip you, automatica Dramatic, like Ali Shaheed Muhammed brought the vibe I bring the sun at Red Dawn to pull the thoughts of Franz Fanon So stand at attention, devil dirge You never survive choosin sides against the wretched of the earth The infiltrator, tribe intoxicator, people incarcerator Liberation movement annihilator We got you clocked pushin rocks and it fail We got brothers troopin subways like the Ho Chi Manh trail We got the truth data, Last Emperor, KRS and history manifested, tomorrow next lesson [Chorus: all together, with samples] YOU CLAIM I'M SELLIN CRACK, BUT YOU BE DOIN THAT "You, claim, you claim, you, you claim, claim You, claim I'm sellin crack, but you be doin that" --> KRS [Zach] You know the cops they got a network for the toxic rock YOU CLAIM I'M SELLIN CRACK, BUT YOU BE DOIN THAT "So get that flashlight out of my face" -> Big L "You, you, you claim I'm sellin crack, but you be doin that" --> KRS [KRS] The Last Emperor, KRS-One, and Big Zack [The Last Emperor] As free market capitalism and technology expands The third world's fertile soil becomes a desert wasteland So it takes bands to, demand the, government provide answers when Lady Liberty has me Bewitched like Samantha And poverty is one of the most malignant forms of cancer to all my Black Magic romancers and acid rain dancers Develop close ties like Jerry Seinfeld and George Costanza We fear no man and throw jams that attack counterintelligence programs Exciting like the epic adventures of Conan (hah!) I colonize minds like Zaire by the Belgians Now what the hell is the problem with this system and what it sells us I bring ancient relics like Wyclef did to Zealots I saw an Iron Curtain called hip-hop and got it open like Boris Yeltsin Whirlwind, tornadoes, in the rain forest if you say so (whosssshhh) KRS and The Last Emperor like the Green Hornet and Kato Zach de la Rocha brings the enraged flow, but all three drop science and become the most powerful alliance since NATO [Chorus: all together, with samples] YOU CLAIM I'M SELLIN CRACK, BUT YOU BE DOIN THAT "You, claim I'm sellin crack, but you be doin that" --> KRS YOU CLAIM I'M SELLIN CRACK, BUT YOU BE DOIN THAT [Zach] You know the cops they got a network for the toxic rock YOU CLAIM I'M SELLIN CRACK, BUT YOU BE DOIN THAT "So get that flashlight out of my face" -> Big L YOU CLAIM I'M SELLIN CRACK, BUT YOU BE DOIN THAT [KRS] The Last Emperor, KRS-One, and Big Zack [KRS-One] Need I say the C.I.A. be Criminals In Action Cocaine crack unpackin, high surveillance trackin Prominant blacks and whites givin orders for mass slaughters I want all my daughters to be like Maxine Waters When they flooded the streets with crack cocaine I was like Noah, now they lower cause the whole cold war is over Communism fell to the dollars you were grabbin it All the assault and batterin in the name of intelligence gatherin? Now it's karma you battlin, a losin fight I chose the mic to recite ignite light in the night, aight? We should beat em, President Clinton should delete em it's not hard, the C.I.A. simply has no more job Oh my Goddess, mother, you can fix this We rock over mixes not six six sixes Yo this is, the message, to all that can hear it If you got secret information now's the time to share it Call your Congresswoman, your senator, your mayor It's time for all the scholars to unite with all the players Rearrangin, see times are definitely changin G They used to tap the phone, now they tappin while you pagin me It's crazy B, yet it's plain to see, who the enemy Who's left the NRA? The ATF, the AMA? Okay okay, it's all irrelevant, cause in the new millenium there'll be no Central Intelligence Uh, yea, uh, yea Throw your hands up You know whassup kid, throw your hands up Ha hah yeah, hah hah, yeah

[@shaeisgae8952]

Commenting so I can come back here

[@shaeisgae8952]

Had to remind my own damn self lmao

[@shaeisgae8952]

And again lmao I want this comment to be higher up so I'm gonna keep commenting every time I listen to this and remember lmaoo

[@SKINNYSENBATLESSTICKS]

Zack voice is perfect

[@boblangford81]

Zach has the best sounding voice amongst all rappers and rock singers IMO. Flow just as good as any rapper. Meaning behind his words is best in any game.

[@bort-]

It's not THAT deep lol

[@AbtinX]

I think so. Passion, fury. It comes from deep inside you

[@zebede4501]

I agree very basic

[@AshS85]

We need Zack back. Kids too busy listening to aspirational rap to realize their rights are being trampled and we’re slipping back to Jim Crow laws.

[@IsaiP]

I’m here. Been a fan for around 4 months but I knew of him thanks to my dad.

[@SuperRobertoClemente]

He's on the new Run the Jewels record and sounds great!

[@jmpnr]

He’s as close as your nearest RATM album.

[@terminallyonline5296]

Doesn't have to be with Rage - we love his flow and his message.

[@fredsavage5300]

Give us one example

[@sean-taylorwilliams1769]

Zack, if you reading this; we need that same energy right now son. Come back.

[@dominicmaye5529]

Its 16 June 2024, and I'm still jamming to this. Need more of this in the future.

[@Firm-Tofu-King]

Zach murdered this...

[@agentanaranjado]

“I bring the sun at ‘Red Dawn’ upon the thoughts of Frantz Fanon; So stand at attention, devil dirge: You'll never survive choosin' sides against the ‘Wretched of the Earth.’” That’s gold, Jerry! Gold!

[@ElMariachi555]

Fuk yeah

[@InfectedChris]

The first Lyricist Lounge was a true classic. The second just couldn't live up to the raw energy and sound from the first installment.

[@ilovemikerogers]

Lyricist Lounge 1 and Soundbombing 2 were the best of the bunch. But damn Rawkus was such a movement.

[@Alex-uf7mz]

This is real Hip Hop, not for our entertainment or for them making money, this is music in a form of art sending a real message with lyrics full wisdom, knowledge and the truth.

[@DamianBadalamenti]

Like you Said real hip-hop..

[@last808]

Griots, voices of the riots.

[@soulesslemming]

Check out the coup, show yo ass is a good starting place

[@AlexG-ku3dq]

Damn right, Alex, from Alex...word.

[@AlexG-ku3dq]

'sides, tho, Al-X, these homies ain't need no moolah...heard?

[@remaininginlight]

The Last Emperor . man, that guy has BARS

[@robertstan298]

I'm ashamed to say I didn't know much, if anything about him before listening to this song. Gotta do my homeworker now. Haha

[@mctommed8604]

Robert Stan. Secret wars by last emporer. You'll tank me later

[@ianbryant824]

Yes he does. He's a very underrated mc and goes just as hard as Zack and KRS on this track.

[@MrDo0bie]

@@ianbryant824 We never underrated Last Emperor, speaking for my cloud.

[@ElizaPartington]

We need music like this now now than ever!!

[@godpenuel]

Honestly one of my favourite hip-hop tracks of all time 🔥🔥🔥 "I colonize minds like Zaire by Belgians"

[@danielobrien8417]

Except what he said about Maxine Waters,she's a sellout.

[@snowmayne6283]

KRS is such a lyrical genius!

[@highwaytohealth3211]

Pure underground rap sound from 90"s!!!!what else can we ask for....

[@jeremylewellen]

The industry needs this now more than ever. Props to krs for performing at the gathering this year! All love!

[@flaviokapangue6143]

Continua na minha play list, das melhores músicas de hip Hop já feito 🔥🔥

[@msandoval8027]

Zach sounds so good on a hip hop track!!

[@jordanwood183]

This was my favorite song in 8th grade, & all these years later I think Last Emperor might have had the best verse! Idk. The whole song still goes! 🔥 🔊

[@javiercantu4817]

Real shit!!! I’m 48 and remember and miss these flows, real McIng . Boom bap beats

[@user-vj4ih9pp9z]

Grew up listening to this legend. Lyrical genius 👍

[@natedogg5708]

Sick shit, 3 immensely unique MCs

[@vladimirolujic6637]

Regardless of how many times I hear Zack's lyrics, he always makes me google sh** over and over: "This voice shatters the calm of the day, like an alarm To wake up bright anew, and take up arms Cause more is necessary than vocabulary war Cause the toxic rock imports, gettin' on your door C.I.A. I see ya later, cause your time is coming soon I flip the shit like Pacino and it's your Dog Day Afternoon Attica Attica, drug agents you bring your static-a My alphabet will slash that neck and flip you, automatica' Dramatic like Ali Shaheed Muhammed brought the vibe I bring the sun at Red Dawn upon the thoughts of Frantz Fanon So stand at attention, devil dirge You'll never survive choosin' sides against the wretched of the Earth The infiltrator, tribe intoxicator, people incarcerator Liberation movement annihilator We got you clocked pushing rocks and it fail We got brothers trooping subways like the Ho Chi Minh trail We got the truth daddy, Last Emperor, KRS and History manifested, tomorrow next lesson"

[@hiphopheaven]

Best collab ever.The last emperor is the most underrated rapper of all the time.He dropped an album last year and this year but nobody cares about it.

[@STEVEWONDA1976]

People care. I've been following Last Emp since his early days. He's just one of those MCs that speaks the truth and real shit and the fact is there's too many people out there/here that can't get down with it because they don't understand it.

[@saturncrush]

Jungle Jim baby!!

[@hiphopheaven]

@@saturncrush and The Lord of the fly

[@saturncrush]

Ismail Ghedamsi What!? Snap

[@hiphopheaven]

@@saturncrush his most recent album

[@EscapeCondition]

Listened to this song over and over when it came out. Still dope.

[@meiret]

X2

[@rondumason4756]

TOPICALLY THIS WAS WAY AHEAD OF ITS TIME. WORD TO EDWARD SNOWDEN

[@joe197301]

Agreed

[@dervolldrosten6320]

Edward?

[@rondumason4756]

@@dervolldrosten6320 Indeed sir that is who I meant thanks for the catch.

[@dervolldrosten6320]

@@rondumason4756 you're welcome, sir

[@dervolldrosten6320]

What do you think about Mr. Snowden? I think he just did his duty, to protect his fellow Americans from abuse of power.

[@awapuhi]

Even is just a mellow hip hop song, Zack de la Rocha has the rage like no one

[@manelew7482]

I think I'll wear a champion hoodie with my timberland boots today.

[@realbareknuckles]

De la Rocha definition of mcing and rebel from heart. Flow and delivery are amazing.

[@julian_carr]

Who's here to hear Zach, his energy needs to be the voice of '20 protests

[@alexpantoja2042]

yo! that is spanish for me, yo! hehehe

[@McCloud23892]

I doubt Zach gives a fuck about Soros puppets, FOH!

[@untilyoupuke]

@@McCloud23892 LOL

[@clxvdsxvl]

@@McCloud23892 what

[@aphextwin6]

Zero wolf is a nazi bitch

[@RecklessBones]

The 90s was my 60s for music, now I get what my parents where on about back then!

[@DEVINEJUSTICEALLAH72]

This is a hip hop classic!! Lyricist Lounge Volume 1 was a dope complication. All three emcees got busy on the mic. But yo The Last Emperor murdered this joint!!!! "Develop close ties like Jerry Seinfeld and George Costanza"

[@globbymobby]

ULTIMATE COMBO. WE ARE LISTENING & RESPECTING THESE LIVING LEGENDS

[@ninobrown8565]

Zach is the man👊

[@turbotone5058]

This is real hip hop, these 3 brothers killed it over this ill ass beat.

[@getthoseskills4451]

Totally awesome. Unique and rebellious poets with a powerful message. Love these dudes and other subversive rap inspired artists like Public Enemy, Immortal Tech, EL-P, Dalek, Sage Francis, Ho9909, Bob Vylan, Allflaws

[@rickyhunt4075]

Where has this been hiding??? Love Zack and KRS no idea about this

[@uno3863]

Ikr!!!

[@STEVEWONDA1976]

I've been bumping this since around 99 when I picked up Lyricist Lounge Vol. 1. I'm sorry you guys didn't know about it until now but at least you finally got it! As a huge real hip hiop head and Rage/Zach head this track meant so much to me when it first came out. Peace fellas!

[@JariahxSynn]

Right there with you. Love RATM and KRS but never heard this.

[@rickyhunt4075]

@@STEVEWONDA1976 That a CD?

[@cheo3030]

Lyricist loungen it

[@Awchshonear]

have never heard this song before…. that Big L sample CRAZY. although i was born after this song was released, i still wish rap was still like this man. at least i can still see rappers like nas and wu tang live loool

[@peacepuffz]

I love those "La Murga " horns, digging in those "Lavoe" crates.

[@TGO310]

siii

[@edumatth5974]

Siiiii.....yo sabía que había un ritmo que me sonaba a mi infancia......gracias!!!! Eso era!!!!!! La murga!!!! Fucking yeah man!!!!! Cheers mate!!!! Paz!!!!

[@bemdrua_]

Insaaaaane!!!!! Respect From Brazil 🇧🇷 🥷

[@sms1511]

Yessss! I have been waiting for years for someone to repost this!!

[@saigalrahoul]

So hard to pick but I'm going with the Last Emperor on this one. Kills it

[@channel_abc123_]

Ill flow

[@The_Angry_BeEconomist]

its not a competition though

[@tokyojapantoyotacorolla4603]

Real hip-hop Take me back to the classic 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥2019? 2020?

[@Balkan_game]

2020 is not dead in music , as we see , hits are alive still !!!! Eternal quality !!!!!

[@duqsdiecasthobby9943]

WELCOME BACK RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE

[@jarretmyer]

Zuq D Way Needed!

[@Stanlayy-em4fk]

I think they are playing Coachella in 2020.

[@kevinhunter3722]

Long over due really hope there's new material

[@TobinTempleman]

@David Sanchez And... So what... Needs to be heard... What the fuck... We need these inspiring words... Can you imagine me flipping you the bird... Seems like your about as intelligent as a turd... I bet you get triggered to the point it's absurd... Maybe old but still strong enough to kick you out to the curb...

[@nehemiah1098]

@@TobinTempleman no just no

[@heisenberg1732]

Attica, Attica, Statica..... Automatica🤣 Zack always killed me with that one

[@rondumason4756]

FIRST HEARD THIS ON THE LYRICIST LOUNGE CD

[@usmcchrisg]

I've been leveling up by listening to Chris since the bridge battles on bootleg cassette. Zack around 28 years. Love you guys.

[@Wil_Dsense]

Zack is Ragin’ and KRS is Fire on this... 90’s real

[@goulashigabor]

What a classic,,, dam i miss these days...this is still soooo dope what banger...blasting this fru some filthy big subs.

[@elreyabeja4539]

KRS has the best vocal tone, the best flow and the deepest lyrics. PERIOD

[@ElMariachi555]

Zach is a huge fan of KRS.

[@chasewoood7363]

so thankful to have found zack de la rocha

[@TheMidnightGrooveCollective]

Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everyone

[@kagimyst6987]

haven't heard this in years...🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@fraterlemuele.s.l.d.6435]

Grew up listening to De La Rocha w/R.A.T.M. and KRS with Fat Joe,Crazy Collaborations we need a revival of the Greats with the Contemporary Hip Hop Artist including those up and coming as well! #BUFFALO,NEW YORK #QUEENCITY716ers

[@herrerajoey2]

Rawkus Record's Lyricists Lounge and Soundbombing.... I feel so lucky to have been a teen when these came out. Skating, tagging, and good hip hop. When a new era was $20 and nobody left the sticker on. Skipped school to go buy hip hop albums on their release date, admire the cover art and browse the CD booklet. I remember calling some phone number that sold cds where you could listen to parts of songs. Had the same Playboy hidden in a hole in fabric on the bottom of my box spring for ever because porn was so hard for a teen to come by then. I think that well studied issue of Playboy taught me how to be monogamous, haha, still with my wife after 17 years. Those were the glory days.

[@tezassss]

Word up bro!

[@marlondaniels7912]

And you've still got the Playboy hidden in the box sprung of the marital bed lol

[@jojoadeyemi8239]

Zach is always gonna be in my Top 5.

[@zackd4055]

I’m still wearing my clothes from the 90s 😂

[@STEVEWONDA1976]

I still have some of mine as well. But the ones I actually wore in the 90s on the regular became part of the 90s.

[@feinegrafik]

David Sanchez Wow, you are so masculine

[@dannydee3268]

Loooool

[@alissa6]

@@feinegrafik And you're triggered by the truth for a reason...

[@feinegrafik]

King of Ebla I just mind my own fucking Business

[@9087125498172345]

Still rock it like it’s new. The 90’s was the pinnacle for hip hop imo.

[@taylorthegreat3663]

KRS-one is one of the most wisest beings in hip hop history.

[@optix1012]

Fuck KRS he's still defending Afrika Bambaata's pedophile ass. Threw all his music in the garbage.

[@wisdomreigns8704]

I thought so when I was 12 30 years later he saying the EXACT same thing Where is his growth? He only seeds chaos

[@ImreVogelezang]

He used to be my all-time favorite too. Defending a pedophile pretty much ruined that status..

[@taylorthegreat3663]

@@optix1012 I'm just now finding this out now. I Actually did not know this, thanks for telling me.

[@Anudorini-Talah]

or just a lot of dumb sheeps in the game

[@juan2wartownthuggissytherz692]

I'm still playing the icon legend #KRSONE This Is Still 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@raphaelfritzler7799]

I remember when the video for My Philosophy came out. The rapping, the lyrics... It blew my mind. And he’s still got it. Great to see Zach beside him. Love and Respect from NYCity!! 🕉☯️

[@devintaylor8702]

EVERYTHING KRS ONE AND THE CREW WAS RAPPING ABOUT IS SO TRUE ITS HAPPENING TODAY FOR REAL💪🙌⭐✌️

[@hoagymapleton2206]

Happy birthday Zach we love you

[@freddyp07ify]

Dude Zack could end hip hop careers real talk 💯 unleash this man 🤘

[@Ah-ed6ie]

Strange but I forget he was ill outside of rage against the machine. Wow!

[@Raposo_xz]

Zack de la rocha*-*🖤

[@philipmason2660]

We need you back. Del la Rocha. You are a fighter. We need you.

[@ryanlykins-thebarber]

Super dope!!! De La Rocha I been waitin on

[@faintsmile88]

When real hiphop ruled the world.....

[@danielkinn782]

THIS is hip hop. Fuck mumble rappers

[@OnlyOriginalSongs]

@@danielkinn782 also mumble is not a rap

[@danielkinn782]

@@OnlyOriginalSongs very true. But it falls under that category

[@EndemikMusic]

Please Zach, please, finish a full on rap record. We need it!

[@drwho1821]

Man this is fire where have I bin

[@paulajane9828]

I love everything about this song forever ❣🎸❤

[@Omglolwut]

Where is the KRS + Zack full album we all want

[@gigarcia3093]

Classic last emperor and Krs classic respect.

[@Eye1Kemet]

Talk about being witness to great musical history.

[@TheArthead]

Just heard a song with Zack and Los Tigres del Norte. This dude is a righteous truth seeker. I didn't know he spoke Spanish. The song talks about Native Americans or Native Mexicans " Indians " being discriminated against but are more American than the European American. Great song. These artists speak the truth.

[@cesarska4196]

Zack de la rocha maneja el flow

[@granddadjones7250]

Well got dam, never knew about a vid. This is fire!

[@michaelmyers5040]

Pure...Fire!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Gfresh1620]

Heavy weight MCs right here son, wisdom and knowledge...true hip hop at it's finest 👊