Stop the Violence Movement

"Self Destruction" is the only single by "The Stop The Violence Movement" formed by rapper KRS-One in 1988 in response to violence in the hip hop and African American communities.

"Self Destruction"
Single by The Stop the Violence Movement
ReleasedJanuary 15, 1989[1]
RecordedPower Play Studios
Chung King
StudioPower Play Studios (New York City, New York)[1]
GenreEast Coast hip hop, golden age hip hop
Label
Producer(s)KRS-One, D-Nice[1]
Hank Shocklee (Assoc.)

The single raised over $100,000 and it was donated to the National Urban League.[1]

Music video

The music video was filmed in the neighborhood of Harlem in the borough of Manhattan in New York City. West Coast rappers Tone Loc and Young MC visited the video shoot and participated in the event.[1]

History
Background

After a young fan was killed at a 1988 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.[2] Further inspired by the recent murder 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.[3] 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 ten consecutive weeks.[4][5]

The following rappers contributed the vocals to the song:

The song samples Funky Drummer, and Pass The Peas by the JB's.[3]

Later recordings

In 2007, in preparation for the original track's 20th anniversary, KRS-One relaunched the Stop The Violence Movement.[6] 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.

"Self Destruction 2009" was released in late 2008 and features contributions by Twista, Syleena Johnson, Phil G, Crucial Conflict, Kenny Bogus, Straw and Pugz Atomz.[7]

Also in 2008, Jersey City rapper Heat recorded "Self Destruction 2" with the help of other local area rappers.[8]

In late 2009, DJ Kay Slay produced "Self Destruction 2010" featuring Busta Rhymes, Bun B, Sheek Louch, Papoose, Uncle Murda and Jay Rock.[9]

In 2014, more than a dozen Baltimore rappers united under the name Stop The Violence Baltimore, recording their own version of the song with new lyrics pertinent to violence in their city at the time.[10]

Charts
Chart (1989)[5][11] Peak
Position
U.S. Billboard Hot Rap Singles 1
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs 30

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[12] Gold 500,000^

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone

See also

References
  1. "How Stop The Violence Movement's "Self Destruction" Became One of the Most Important Rap Releases". Okayplayer. 2019-01-15. Retrieved 2019-12-29.
  2. "Stop The Violence Movement - "Self Destruction" (1989)". September 13, 2019.
  3. The Stop The Violence Movement - "Self Destruction", discogs.com.
  4. "Hot Rap Songs - 1989 Archive - Billboard Charts Arhive".
  5. "The Stop The Violence Movement: Self Destruction (Hot Rap Singles)". Billboard.com.
  6. "KRS-One Relaunching Stop The Violence Movement; Enlists Superstar Rappers". Allhiphop.com.
  7. "Syleena Johnson Teams With KRS One For Stop The Violence Single". December 20, 2008.
  8. "Self Destruction 2 (Jersey City) 20 Years later (music video)".
  9. "New Music: DJ Kay Slay Ft. Busta Rhymes, Bun B, Sheek Louch, Uncle M, Papoose, Jay Rock & Remy Ma "Self Destruction '09 (Radio Rip)"". Rapradar.com.
  10. Shipley, Al. "Thirteen Baltimore MCs Remake "Self-Destruction" and Create Their Own Stop the Violence Movement". Baltimoresun.com.
  11. "The Stop The Violence Movement: Self Destruction (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.com.
  12. "American single certifications – Stop the Violence Movement – Self-Destruction". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 5, 2017. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 
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