Format Cassette
Vinyl Genre East Coast hip hop Label Jive | Recorded 1994 Length 4:55 | |
Released October 22, 1995 (1995-10-22) | ||
"MC's Act Like They Don't Know" is a song from KRS-One's 1995 eponymous album. It contains production from DJ Premier that samples "Yesterdays" by Clifford Brown, and interpolates "The Breaks" by Kurtis Blow. Its lyrics deal with how lots of rappers who achieve positive chart positions and other commercial awards cannot perform well live. Ironically, it holds higher chart positions than any other KRS-One single.
Contents
Album appearances
Besides appearing on KRS-One and on the "MC's Act Like They Don't Know/Represent the Real Hip-Hop" single, it has appeared on many compilation albums. It appeared on compilations including 1996's Hip Hop's Most Wanted, 1997's Gangsta Hip Hop, Vol. 5, Hot Joints, Vol. 1, 1999's Best of D&D Studios, Vol. 1, 1999's Discover the Rhythm of Hip Hop, 1999's Ill Rated, 1999's Real Hip-Hop: Best of D & D, Vol. 1, 2000's A Retrospective, 2002's Hip Hop, Vol. 2, 2002's Rappers Delight and 2003's Best of Rapture's Delight.
Cover versions
In 2010 a new version of the song appeared on the mixtape album 'Survival Kit' which is a tribute to KRS One and his collaborative partner Buckshot. This new version of the song features Sha Stimuli, Promise, J.A.M.E.S. Watts and Fashawn and is available for free download at duckdown.com
Sampled by
Lyrics from "MC's Act Like They Don't Know" are sampled in "Anticipation" by M.O.P., "Rise of the Machines" by Jedi Mind Tricks and "Hardcore Hip Hop" by Rawcotiks.
Track listing
- MC's Act Like They Don't Know (LP Version) (4:44)
- MC's Act Like They Don't Know (Instrumental) (4:44)
- Represent the Real Hip-Hop (Street) (3:20)
- Represent the Real Hip-Hop (Clean) (3:20)
- Represent the Real Hip-Hop (Instrumental) (2:50)