Boogie Down Productions
| Company type | Hip-hop ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1986 |
| Headquarters | Bronx, New York City , United States |
Key people | KRS-One, D-Nice, DJ Scott La Rock, Lee Smith |
| Products | Hip-hop music, albums including Criminal Minded, By All Means Necessary, Ghetto Music: The Blueprint of Hip Hop, Edutainment, Sex and Violence |
Boogie Down Productions (BDP) was a hip-hop ensemble that originated in the Bronx, New York City, in 1986. The initial members were KRS-One, D-Nice, and DJ Scott La Rock. Tragically, Scott La Rock was killed on August 27, 1987, just five months following the release of their debut record, Criminal Minded. The group's name is derived from a colloquial term referring to the South Bronx area.
BDP was instrumental in blending dancehall reggae with hip-hop, with their album Criminal Minded delivering vivid narratives about life in the South Bronx during the late 1980s.
Members
Throughout its existence, BDP's roster changed frequently, with KRS-One remaining the only permanent member. The group was initially formed by KRS-One and Scott La Rock, with producer Lee Smith—who played a significant role in crafting Criminal Minded—joining soon after.
The collective and its affiliates featured talents such as Ced Gee from Ultramagnetic MC's, Lee Smith, D-Nice, Henry Wilkerson (known as PoppyDa), Kenny Parker (KRS-One’s brother), Just-Ice, ICU, McBoo, Ms. Melodie, Heather B., Scottie Morris, Tony Rahsan, Willie D., RoboCop, Harmony, DJ Red Alert, Jay Kramer, D-Square, Rebekah Foster, Scott Whitehill, Scott King, Chris Tait, and Sidney Mills.
The group effectively dissolved as KRS-One transitioned to solo projects. After La Rock’s passing, KRS-One was the first to part ways with Lee Smith and the associated label.
In the liner notes for BDP's 1992 release Sex and Violence, KRS-One clarified: "BDP in 1992 consists of KRS-One, Willie D, and Kenny Parker! BDP does not include D-Nice, Jamal-Ski, Harmony, Ms. Melodie, or Scottie Morris. They are not affiliated with BDP so stop pretending." This statement signaled the definitive end of the group.
"The Bridge Wars"
During the late 1980s, a rivalry known as "The Bridge Wars" unfolded concerning hip-hop’s birthplace. BDP maintained that hip-hop originated in the Bronx, challenging the Juice Crew’s implied claim in "The Bridge" that it began in Queensbridge. BDP countered with tracks such as "The Bridge is Over" and "South Bronx," igniting one of hip-hop’s earliest major feuds involving MC Shan, Marley Marl, Roxanne Shanté, and Blaq Poet. After Scott La Rock’s death, KRS-One redirected his efforts towards music with a socially conscious message.
Following their debut Criminal Minded, which portrayed life on the South Bronx streets with striking realism, BDP underwent changes. Lee Smith was dismissed from the group while KRS-One embraced the "Teacha" identity to focus on political and social commentary. BDP became a pioneer in incorporating social awareness into hip-hop culture, as demonstrated by songs like "Stop The Violence" from their 1988 album By All Means Necessary.
Jamaican inspirations
The album Criminal Minded highlights Jamaican roots through its use of the "Mad Mad" or "Diseases" riddim, first popularized by reggae artist Yellowman in his 1981 track "Zunguzunguzeng." BDP utilized this rhythm in "Remix for P is Free," which was later sampled by groups such as Black Star and dead prez. Widely regarded as a seminal gangsta rap album, Criminal Minded helped cement Jamaican cultural influences within hip-hop’s evolution.
Political and social activism
Since their formation, BDP has made a profound impact on hip-hop by delivering an unfiltered depiction of life in New York’s South Bronx, an area characterized by hardship and crime. The album Criminal Minded fused Scott LaRock’s raw, reggae-inspired rhythms with KRS-One’s complex lyrical delivery on tracks such as "9mm Goes Bang" and "South Bronx," contributing significantly to the foundation of the gangsta rap genre.
BDP’s involvement in gangsta rap highlights its cultural importance. Despite frequent misunderstandings that the group glorified violence—partly due to the firearm imagery on the Criminal Minded album cover—this symbolism was intended to reflect and critique the harsh realities of South Bronx life rather than promote aggression. The cover art challenged conventional ideas about criminality, implying that true offenders are those wielding power.
Following LaRock’s untimely passing, BDP’s lyrical content took a more politically conscious direction. KRS-One released four subsequent albums under the BDP name, gradually shifting focus from earlier themes to address issues such as intra-community violence and political radicalism. Their sophomore album, By All Means Necessary, borrowed its title from Malcolm X’s famous expression "by any means necessary," becoming one of hip-hop’s most politically charged works. KRS-One adopted the persona of "Teacha," dedicating himself to enlightening listeners about African-American social challenges.
In addition, KRS-One co-initiated the Stop the Violence Movement, demonstrating BDP’s dedication to social activism. This collective effort led to the 1989 anthem "Self-Destruction," which featured a collaboration among prominent artists including Stetsasonic, Kool Moe Dee, MC Lyte, Doug E. Fresh, Heavy D, Biz Markie, and Public Enemy. The campaign sought to highlight violence within African-American and hip-hop communities, with all profits directed to the National Urban League.
Studio albums
- Criminal Minded (1987)
- By All Means Necessary (1988)
- Ghetto Music: The Blueprint of Hip Hop (1989)
- Edutainment (1990)
- Sex and Violence (1992)