Self Destruction (song)

{{Infobox song

| name = Self Destruction

| cover = StopTheViolenceMovementSelfDestruction.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = The Stop the Violence Movement

| album =

| released = January 15, 1989{{cite web|url=https://www.okayplayer.com/music/the-making-krs-one-stop-the-violence-movements-self-destruction-single-89.html|title=How Stop The Violence Movement's "Self Destruction" Became One of the Most Important Rap Releases|publisher=Okayplayer|date=January 15, 2019|accessdate=December 29, 2019}}

| recorded = 1989

| studio = Power Play Studios, Chung King (New York City)

| venue =

| genre = East Coast hip hop, golden age hip hop

| length =

| label = {{hlist|Jive|RCA}}

| writer = *Glenn Bolton, Douglas E. Davis, Mohandas Dewese, William Jonathan Drayton Jr., Arnold Hamilton, Derrick T. Jones, Dwight Myers, Lawrence Parker, Ramona Parker, Carlton Douglas Ridenhour, James Todd Smith, Joseph Williams and Marvin Shahid Wright{{cite web|url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/490656743|title=ASCAP Repertory entry for this song |work=ASCAP|accessdate=April 14, 2021 }}

| producer = KRS-One, D-Nice
Hank Shocklee (Assoc.)

| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|MmX5TgWsfEQ|"Self Destruction"}}}}

}}

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

The single raised over $100,000 that was donated to the National Urban League.

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.{{Cite web|url=https://example.com/stop-the-violence-movement-self-destruction-1989|title=Stop The Violence Movement – "Self Destruction" (1989)|date=September 13, 2019}} 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.[http://www.discogs.com/release/295642 The Stop The Violence Movement – "Self Destruction"], discogs.com. A VHS cassette entitled Overcoming Self-Destruction—the Making of the Self-Destruction Video accompanied the song's release.

The song debuted at No. 1 on the first week of Billboard's Hot Rap Songs existence and held the spot for ten consecutive weeks.{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/archive/charts/1989/rap-song|title=Hot Rap Songs – 1989 Archive – Billboard Charts Archive|magazine=Billboard }}{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/the-stop-the-violence-movement/chart-history/rap-song/song/368717|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019211118/https://www.billboard.com/music/the-stop-the-violence-movement/chart-history/rap-song/song/368717|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 19, 2018|title=The Stop The Violence Movement: Self Destruction (Hot Rap Singles)|website=Billboard.com}}

The following rappers contributed the vocals to the song:

Boogie Down Productions (KRS-One, D-Nice & Ms. Melodie)
Stetsasonic (Daddy-O, MC Delite, Wise, and Frukwan)
Kool Moe Dee
MC Lyte
D-Nice
Ms. Melodie
Doug E. Fresh
Just-Ice
Heavy D
Public Enemy (Chuck D & Flavor Flav)

Big Daddy Kane also makes an appearance in the video, but is only seen in the background.

The song samples "Funky Drummer" by James Brown, "Pass the Peas" by the JB's, and "Heaven and Hell is on Earth" by the 20th Century Steel Band.

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, along with Digital Underground frontman Shock G, visited the video shoot and participated in the event.

Later recordings

In 2007, in preparation for the original track's 20th anniversary, KRS-One relaunched the Stop the Violence Movement.{{Cite web|url=https://allhiphop.com/news/krs-one-relaunching-stop-the-violence-movement-enlists-superstar-rappers-0Y9LFPfogU26X6UzV7cgZw|title=KRS-One Relaunching Stop The Violence Movement; Enlists Superstar Rappers|website=Allhiphop.com}} 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 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.{{Cite web|url=https://singersroom.com/content/2008-12-20/syleena-johnson-teams-with-krs-one-for-stop-the-violence-single/|title=Syleena Johnson Teams With KRS One For Stop The Violence Single|date=December 20, 2008}}

Also in 2008, Jersey City rapper Heat recorded "Self Destruction 2" with the help of other local area rappers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsf9oIKvwmQ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/bsf9oIKvwmQ |archive-date=2021-12-13 |url-status=live|title=Self Destruction 2 (Jersey City) 20 Years later (music video)|website=YouTube }}{{cbignore}}

In late 2009, DJ Kay Slay produced "Self Destruction 2010" featuring Busta Rhymes, Bun B, Sheek Louch, Papoose, Uncle Murda and Jay Rock.{{Cite web|url=http://rapradar.com/2009/11/05/new-music-dj-kay-slay-ft-busta-rhymes-bun-b-sheek-louch-uncle-m-papoose-jay-rock-remy-ma-self-destruction-09-radio-rip/|title=New Music: DJ Kay Slay Ft. Busta Rhymes, Bun B, Sheek Louch, Uncle M, Papoose, Jay Rock & Remy Ma "Self Destruction '09 (Radio Rip)"|website=Rapradar.com|date=November 5, 2009 }}

In 2014, more than a dozen Baltimore rappers united under the name Stop the Violence Baltimore and recorded their own version of the song with new lyrics pertinent to violence in their city at the time.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/citypaper/bcp-blog-3708-20110531-story.html|title=Thirteen Baltimore MCs Remake "Self-Destruction" and Create Their Own Stop the Violence Movement|first=Al|last=Shipley|website=Baltimoresun.com}}

Single track listing

= 12" vinyl =

== A-Side ==

"Self Destruction" (Extended Mix) (5:52)
"Self Destruction" (Special Remix) (5:57)

== B-Side ==

"Self Destruction" (Single Edit) (5:28)
"Self Destruction" (Instrumental) (5:28)

Personnel

Credits are taken from the liner notes and the official page of the ASCAP.{{cite AV media notes | others=Stetsasonic | date=1985 | title=Just Say Stet | type=track listing | publisher=Tommy Boy | id=TB 875}}{{cite AV media notes | others=Stetsasonic | date=1986 | title=On Fire | type=track listing | publisher=Tommy Boy | id=TBLP-1012}}{{cite web |title=SCAP Repertory entry for this song |work=ASCAP |url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/490656743 |access-date=2 December 2021}}

Written by – Glenn Bolton, Douglas E. Davis, Mohandas Dewese, William Jonathan Drayton Jr., Arnold Hamilton, Derrick T. Jones, Dwight Myers, Lawrence Parker, Ramona Parker, Carlton Douglas Ridenhour, James Todd Smith, Joseph Williams and Marvin Shahid Wright
Producer – KRS-One and D-Nice
Co-producer – Hank Shocklee
Keyboards, Horns – DBC
Mastered by – Herb Powers Jr. (as Herbie Jr :^)*)
Engineer – Eric Calvi
Producer (exec.) – Tom Silverman

Charts

= Weekly charts =

scope="row"\|US Hot Dance Singles Sales (Billboard){{cite magazine\|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/stop-the-violence-movement/chart-history/dsa/\|title=Stop the Violence Movement Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)\|magazine=Billboard\|access-date=September 17, 2021}} \|7
class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" !Chart (1989) !Peak position
{{single chart\|New Zealand\|33\|artist=The Stop The Violence Movement\|song=Self Destruction\|rowheader=true\|access-date=September 17, 2021}}
{{single chart\|UK\|75\|date=19890218\|rowheader=true\|access-date=September 17, 2021}}
{{single chart\|Billboardrandbhiphop\|30\|artist=Stop the Violence Movement\|rowheader=true\|access-date=September 17, 2021}}
{{single chart\|Billboardrapsongs\|1\|artist=Stop the Violence Movement\|rowheader=true\|access-date=September 17, 2021}}

= Year-end charts =

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
scope"col"\| Chart (1989) !scope"col"\| Peak position
scope="row"\|US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine\|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1989/hot-rap-songs\|magazine=Billboard\|title=1989 Year End Chart: Hot Rap Songs\|access-date=September 17, 2021}} \|1

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

scope"col"| Chart (1989)

!scope"col"| Peak position

scope="row"|US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1989/hot-rap-songs|magazine=Billboard|title=1989 Year End Chart: Hot Rap Songs|access-date=September 17, 2021}}

Certifications

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|title=Self-Destruction|artist=Stop the Violence Movement|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1989|certyear=1989|accessdate=July 5, 2017}}