"Self-Destruction" | |
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Single by The Stop the Violence Movement | |
Released | 1988 |
Format | 12-inch single |
Recorded | Power Play Studios Chung King |
Genre | East Coast hip hop, golden age hip hop |
Label | Jive |
Producer(s) |
KRS-One, D-Nice Hank Shocklee (Assoc.) |
The Stop the Violence Movement was formed by rapper KRS-One in 1987 in response to violence in the hip hop and African American communities.
After a young fan was killed at a 1987 Boogie Down Productions and Public Enemy show, KRS-One formed the Stop the Violence Movement in hopes of encouraging the hip hop community to end violence being committed among themselves. Further inspired by the recent death of fellow BDP founding member Scott La Rock, he assembled many contemporary East Coast hip hop rap stars of the time to record a song about anti-violence. With production assistance by bandmate D-Nice and Hank Shocklee of the Bomb Squad, the product of the session was the chart-topping song "Self Destruction." All proceeds went to the National Urban League. A VHS cassette entitled Overcoming Self-Destruction—the Making of the Self-Destruction Video accompanied the song's release. The song debuted at #1 on the first week of Billboard's Hot Rap Songs existence and held the spot for five consecutive weeks.
The following rappers contributed the vocals to the song:
The song samples "You Can Have Watergate, Just Gimme Some Bucks & I'll Be Straight" by the JB's.
In 2007, in preparation for the original track's 20th anniversary, KRS-One relaunched the Stop The Violence Movement. This resulted in two new iterations of the original concept — "Self Construction" and "Self Destruction 2009."
"Self Construction" was released first in April 2008. The track was produced by Duane DaRock and recorded in Los Angeles from February 7 to February 9 at the Los Angeles Recording School. "Self Construction" includes appearances by over 55 artists including David Banner, The Game, Nelly, Redman, MC Lyte, 50 Cent, Ne-Yo, Talib Kweli, Method Man, Styles P, Busta Rhymes, Fat Joe, Cassidy, Wise Intelligent, Awol One, 2Mex, Rah Digga and Rakaa.