If you grew up in the late 80s or early 90s, there are certain needle drops that instantly change the chemical composition of a room. One of those is the opening baritone of the Dragnet theme, slowed down to a crawl, followed by the booming voice of Lawrence "Kris" Parker—better known as KRS-One.
He isn't afraid of the cop physically; he is afraid of the system the cop represents. He warns the officer not to be a "hardhead" because once the "Teacher" arrives, the "student" (the system) must eventually learn. Listen to the news today. Listen to the rhetoric surrounding policing, race, and urban development. KRS-One wrote this before Rodney King, before Sean Bell, before Eric Garner, before George Floyd. krs one lyrics sound of da police
On the surface, it’s just a catchy, aggressive chant. But KRS-One (Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everyone) is a master of onomatopoeia. The "WOO-HAA" isn't random; it’s the sonic equivalent of a sucker punch—the sudden, violent interruption of peace that occurs when law enforcement enters a marginalized community uninvited. If you grew up in the late 80s
So the next time you hear that slowed-down Dragnet bassline, don't just nod your head. Listen to the lyrics. The Teacher is still in session. What does “Sound of da Police” mean to you? Drop a comment below—but keep it civil, or the WOO-HAA might come for you. He warns the officer not to be a