By Odeisel

KRS-ONE’s arrogance is legendary. What is also legendary is his talent for ripping microphones apart. His career has spanned 26 years and he’s one of the few if not the only rappers from that era right now that could get in the ring with ANY rapper and manhandle them on the microphone. One of his best attributes is his lack of Old School entitlement; he doesn’t think he should just have your respect because he’s a pioneer, although he’s proud to be one. He feels that you should respect him because he will hand you your ass.

He’s nearing the release of his 20^th (damn I’m getting old) album, Just Like That, produced by former collaborator Mad Lion, scheduled for release in the first quarter of 2012 and the lead single is the title track. KRS goes through his history in the music, but not as some self-congratulatory exercise but a trip down memory lane as a narrative. He doesn’t give you glassy eyed nostalgia but story form complete with a dope video that reflects the rhymes and the periods.

The Blastmaster is in fighting form, slimmed down and ready to hit the road. This song is fresh, and not just because he’s old and there is novelty to it. The vid and the song itself are contemporary and not out of their element and KRS prove that his songwriting skills are still sharp. Here’s how you do a song without littering it with similes and punch lines. Mad Lion is still sharp on the beats. How do they do it? “Just Like That.” Enjoy