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Saying I enjoyed this book is an understatement, here is a review I did for it when it came out in 2003. Possibly a tad hyperbolic but it really is good.
I just finished what may be one of the most important and
impressive books I've ever read, "Ruminations" by KRS ONE.
When it finally arrived in the mail I was very excited to read
it, I'm one of KRS' biggest fans and think it is criminal just
how unappreciated he can be. I believe that he is not only
one of the great minds in hip hop but one of the most brilliant
minds period. As Digital Underground says he deserves some
heartbeat props as I'm sure hundreds of years from now his
groundbreaking and progressive philosophies will be truly
admired.
Although I've only read the book through once so far and
realize I will need a few more reads to harvest all the jewels I
can say already that this is a book that should be read by all.
I wasn't quite expecting what I got, even Tavis Smiley who
does the introduction was saying how he was blown away
by what KRS offers. The book is not anecdotal at all, it is
pretty much packed with idea after idea and is very scholarly
and serious. Don't expect an autobiography or a conversational
as-told-to book, there are funny and light moments but KRS
is really looking to inspire and provoke here rather than to
entertain.
The first part of the book and my favourite is titled Urban
Inspirational Metaphysics and includes some hardcore
philosophy teachings. He's really outlining how he thinks
we can be better people and what we need to learn and
unlearn in order to get there. There is then a big section
on the reparations issue, then one chapter each on history,
language, voting, September 11th, and then two on hip
hop. You could actually be forgiven for forgetting that KRS
is an emcee for the first three quarters of the book. The
title Ruminations is really appropriate because it is truly
KRS the philospher/theologian/motivational speaker/activist/
deep thinker speaking his mind on various issues, not just
the rapper.
The book isn't perfect. I would have welcomed a bit more
humour at times, the last chapter is actually almost his whole
first book "The Science of Rap" from 1995 reprinted. That isn't
really a problem though since it wasn't a widely distributed
book so I'm sure it will be seen for the first time by most.
Also, when discussing the self KRS is a stauch believer in mind
over matter. I think with all the recent scientific evidence
coming out about the overwhelming role genes and physiology play
in a lot of human behaviour that it would have been nice if he
dealt with that to a degree.
Bottome line, what this book will make you do is think, KRS
likes to think outside the box, make you see things in a new way.
He's a visionary and an idealist who sees the vastness of human
and societal potential and is not satisfied until that potential
is reached. As KRS said on Sex and Violence "If there's one
thing I know, if there's one thing I know, it's that the truth
can always be questioned" The perspectives offered by
Ruminations are guaranteed to shake up some of your old truths.
There's also a CD that comes with the book which includes an
intro from Dr. Cornel West and pieces of KRS lectures and some
spoken word poetry. Beautiful stuff, the more people who I
imagine being exposed to this book the more optimistic I feel
about my own future, my future as a citizen and ultimately
the future of humanity, it really is that good.
Patrick
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