KRS One is a hip hop legend and general granddaddy of hip hop culture, known as the architect he helped popularize and bring people into the fold, helped shape a movement that seemed to burst out of nowhere and take over the world. Fact is, those behind the scenes worked hard to get it where it was, they made real social impact and they did change the world.

The young black youth of the 70s and into Hip Hops bloom in the 80s had a very different America from their parents.

In a 2015 Interview KRS was defending why he had to go make money in Switzerland and other places abroad, he said:

“Our parents were on their hands and knees begging to be a part of America,”

“We were never part of that, ever…Blacks and Latinos get it the worst. We get it the worst in America. But the white people in America too started looking. And just a sense of justice. Was just like ‘Wait a minute, why is it like this if it should be like this?’ And this is when Hip Hop exploded. With Public Enemy who was representing Minster Farrakhan of the Nation of Islam. And their whole audience was white kids…You can tell that the government here [Switzerland] is lenient towards Hip Hop. Towards it elements. Breaking in the street, graffiti on the wall, people rapping. I can’t make money in America. Why am I here? It’s 2013, okay. Why is KRS in Switzerland and not in Ohio…The political leadership of Ohio don’t respect me.”

Watch the full interview below: