It really takes KRS-One to perform live for fans to truly appreciate the musical talent and intellectual domination he brings to a stage.

KRS-One, a hip-hop/rap artist notorious for his politically and socially controversial lyrics, along with special guest Rebels in Rhythm, rocked the stage at a concert held Thursday night in the University Union Ballroom at Sacramento State University.

The hip-hop/rap pioneer first became famous in the late ’80s as the head of Boogie Down Productions, a rap group credited with laying the foundation for early hip-hop culture.

Although the group dissolved with the death of Boogie Down Productions DJ Scott La Rock, KRS-One has remained incredibly connected to a style of rap and hip-hop, which speaks critically about the socio-political strata of America.

KRS-One, who has been in the recording industry for 18 years, exposed his talent for delivering an intellectual message as he moved the Sac State crowd with his hardcore yet socially conscious rap lyrics and trendy hip-hop beats.

He kept the audience under his spell during the entire second half of the show as they threw their hands in the air and swayed from side to side to his performance of the song South Bronx.

South Bronx, a song from his Spiritual Minded album released in 1987 captivated the fans and left raging for more.

A guest performance by the Rebels of Rhythm, a local hip hop group, proved that this was no one man show as they added a flavor of their own that had the crowd bobbing their heads and dancing to their thirst quenching beats.

The Rebels of Rhythm established themselves in Sacramento’s underground hip hop scene in 2000 under titled Sound Cultivators Productions recording label.

The group, which features artists Anonimous, Fiasco and female rapper Kghee, took the hip hop scene by storm with the release of their 2001 debut album titled “Rebels of Rhythm Homeless Superstar.”

The album, which sold about 1,000 copies, is just a taste of the verbal skills fans can expect from star-studded, highly energetic group.

The creative musical talent and solid lyrical flow by the Rebels of Rhythm was just an appetizer with KRS-One as its main course.

Those who are interested in hearing more from the Rebels of Rhythm can access their tour dates online at www.scpworld.com.