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KRS-One Says Technology Is Trying to 'Manipulate' Hip Hop

"Real hip hop should remind of us our humanity."

Technology has turned the tables on hip hop, says KRS-One in an interview with the Village Voice. In speaking on his plans for 2016, which include re-releasing his Now Hear This album, the South Bronx native discussed hip hop’s tech addiction.  

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“Original hip hop manipulated technologies of all sorts; it was not manipulated by the technology itself,” he explained. “Today, however, it is technology that is attempting to manipulate hip hop. Today’s young hip-hoppas being so dependent upon their computers and not their own minds have missed the whole point as to why one would practice hip hop in the first place. Hip hop is a human skill, and the practice of real hip hop should remind us of our humanity.”

While most artists depend on social media, KRS-One only uses it when “necessary.” Yet more than two decades into his career, the 50-year-old MC feels Millennials connect to him better than their parents. “Young people may be stupid at times, but they respond to the truth when it is present, and for them, KRS-One is the truth!”

The new version of KRS-One’s Now Hear This will feature additional tracks, remixes and videos.  

BET.com is your No. 1 source for Black celebrity news, photos, exclusive videos and all the latest in the world of hip hop and R&B music.

(Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

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