On this day in 1993, KRS-One and Boogie Down Productions released Sex and Violence, the fifth and final album from the pioneering Bronx-based hip-hop collective.
Despite BDP’s influential legacy, the album struggled commercially—a shortfall that KRS-One partially attributed to the controversy surrounding his infamous altercation with PM Dawn. During a performance, KRS forcibly removed Prince Be from the stage, an incident that drew both criticism and attention. Additionally, the album served as a response to X-Clan, as KRS-One addressed his embrace of humanism rather than aligning with X-Clan’s militant Afrocentric philosophy.
Lyrically, Sex and Violence tackled pressing social issues of the time. Tracks like “Say Gal” referenced the rape trial of Mike Tyson, while “Build and Destroy” further elaborated on KRS-One’s humanist views. The controversial “13 and Good” confronted the harsh realities of statutory rape, offering a stark reflection of societal norms.
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Though it didn’t achieve mainstream success, Sex and Violence remains an underground classic, showcasing BDP’s fearless approach to addressing complex topics. Salute to “The Teacher” KRS-One, Prince Paul, Heather B, Kenny Parker, and the rest of Boogie Down Productions for delivering a thought-provoking and raw final chapter in BDP’s discography.