The Teacher

From his founding role in '80s icons Boogie Down Productions to his latest solo LP, 2004's Get Right, KRS-One has always sought to make people think. The Brooklyn-born and -bred MC coined the term edutainment to describe the street-level wisdom — a mix of self-knowledge, anti-corporate awareness, and intense distrust of the government — that he spits over big boom-bap beats. Younger MCs such as Boots Riley, Gift of Gab, and Saul Williams owe a debt to Kris Parker and his only equal, Public Enemy's Chuck D, both of whom branded hip-hop as a tool of social awareness way before it was co-opted by more money-minded interests. The fact that, like Chuck, KRS is still in business and still on the offensive proves that what they have to say might actually be sinking in.

KRS-One storms the stage at 8 p.m. Thursday, April 6, at Revolution, 200 W. Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. Tickets cost $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Call 954-727-0950.