During an interview posted on Vlad TV, KRS-One expressed some interesting views on how the governments of certain countries are more permissive toward Hip Hop than others.
According to the 49-year old, the governments of the United States (and also the UK) have always been hostile to rap. On the other hand, KRS-One believes continental European countries -- France, Germany and in particular Switzerland -- have embraced Hip Hop culture since the early eighties and continue to do so. He expanded on his experiences in Switzerland:
"You can tell that the government here [Switzerland] is lenient towards Hip Hop," KRS-One says. "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."Do you think there is some validity to what KRS is saying? The entire interview is below, with the legendary emcee also discussing topics such as Hip Hop's roots and Public Enemy's popularity with white audiences.