KRS-One rarely gets the credit he deserves in Hip-Hop for remaining relevant in the game since 1983.

The teacher's latest release is "Maximum Strength" released on KOCH Records.

The album begins with the blazing "Beware" as KRS speaks on the current ills of society including poverty, self hate and drug use in the black community over a piano driven banger from producer Darock. "But take a look at the police and how they treat you/take a look at these corporations that cheat you..." KRS spits on the tension building, politically charged "Pick It Up". "Rockin' Til The Morning" sees KRS reminiscing on his early days smashing the Hip-Hop spots as he crowns himself the most controversial MC in Hip-Hop.

On "New York" producer DaRock utilizes the backdrop of Tevin Campbell's "Can We Talk For A Minute?" as vocalist Sheena puts her own spin on the hit song's hook revolving it around New York City. The song is a great canvas for KRS to flow eloquently about his love for New York.

One of the album's coolest tracks is the Oh No produced "The Kool Herc" as KRS spits a brief 1:05 Rap about his place in the game.

Additional album highlights include "Nah" and "The Heat".

Things take a wrong turn as KRS spits patois laced lyrics on the terribly produced "All My Men" with its frantically incomplete track. KRS again tries to interlace patois laced lyrics on "Let Me Know" but it just comes off as unfinished and awkward given the album's stronger points revolving around straight ahead Hip-Hop bangers. Also awkward sounding is the Dirt produced "Straight Through" where KRS races a beat that isn't quite up to the speed of his flow. Not to mention the song's blatant self promotion of the Temple of Hip-Hop.

It would be great to hear KRS-One drop one more album with some sort of substantial budget behind him and see him rock over beats from the likes of Kanye West, Just Blaze...shit, even Timbaland. But "Maximum Strength" is further proof that although he may not drop genre shaking albums anymore, KRS is still very much relevant.