Artist Profile: Knowledge The Pirate is Breathing Life Into New York Hip-Hop

Harlem, New York, is a breeding ground for some of the finest lyricists the hip-hop world has ever seen. Among those artists is the enigmatic Knowledge the Pirate, whose vintage sound is modernizing golden-age hip-hop for a new generation. Along with his longtime collaborator Roc Marciano, Knowledge the Pirate is recognized by fans and critics alike as a key figure in the commercial resurgence of classic hip-hop, spearheaded by groups like Griselda Records. This commitment to his roots has garnered him a devoted fan base that appreciates his commitment to authentic hip-hop.

Knowledge the Pirate has released a steady string of projects since his 2018 debut album “Flintlock,” with the recently released "Five Pounds of Pressure" marking his fifth album in as many years. The rapper cites golden-era rappers such as KRS-ONE, Big Daddy Kane, and Rakim as significant influences while emphasizing the importance of making music with meaning that’s not just about rhyming words. He labels his style as an “Underground New Wave Rap Renaissance,” illuminating the rapper’s intention to bring hip-hop back to its roots.

“I think this sound took hold because we're in an Instagram era and people's patience is very short,” the rapper said in an interview with The Harvard Crimson. “That lower level frequency music has reached its peak. It’s time for history to be renewed. What goes around, comes around, it’s just the natural process of life. So now, the genre is coming back to where it started from.”

Knowledge the Pirate cites his involvement with the Five Percent Nation, a cultural movement closely associated with Islam that originated in New York City during the 1960s, as a key part of his identity. The Five Percent Nation has had a profound impact on hip-hop culture, influencing work from the likes of Busta Rhymes, Wu-Tang Clan, and al.divino. The movement has shaped Knowledge the Pirate’s perspective on life as well as his music, with his name emerging from a combination of his Five Percenter background and his own upbringing.

“Knowledge is something that I got from the Nation and having knowledge of myself as an African American and my ancestral background,” Knowledge the Pirate said. “I chose to call myself Knowledge because I like to study and read. The pirate stuff that came from my lifestyle. I lived everywhere. I was always poor and moving here and moving there. Never had stability. I was always navigating the streets like a pirate.”

The rapper’s name is also inspired by the history of pirates. “This pirate stuff isn't no savage shit,” he added. “They were actually stopping slavery. They were running down on the slave ships and letting the slaves go free and telling them, ‘You can come join us. Fuck this shit.’”

Initially starting out as a battle rapper, Knowledge the Pirate has forged many strong creative partnerships throughout his career. One of his most notable collaborations is with fellow New York rapper, Roc Marciano, with whom he has had a friendship for over twenty years. Knowledge the Pirate recently featured on “The Elephant Man’s Bones,” Roc Marciano’s critically acclaimed collaborative album with The Alchemist that was released last August. The pair first met at a battle rap showcase in a New York City basement.

“He spit and I spit, but we didn’t battle. We had a mutual respect for each other.” Knowledge the Pirate said. “We were together every day for damn near twenty years. Everything that Rocky has done or we have done, we've planned together.”

Knowledge the Pirate recalled the early days of recording Marciano’s 2010 album “Marcberg” and his influence on the process.

“At the time, New York hip-hop was dead,” the rapper said. “It had moved down South. Everybody was doing that down south stuff, lean with it, rock with it type shit. So I was like, ‘Yo, Roc, only way I'm rapping is if you start producing again.’ I told him, ‘Bro your beats just got the sound. You got the sound that can bring New York back.’”

In his music, Knowledge the Pirate brings authentic experiences from his life to the forefront, offering listeners a glimpse into the real-life stories that have shaped his journey. With projects such as 2021’s "Hidden Treasure" and his collaboration last year with producer Big Ghost LTD. On the album "Wolves Don’t Eat With the Shepherd's," Knowledge the Pirate continues to push the boundaries of his sound, proving that he remains an important tastemaker in East Coast hip-hop.

As for what's next on the horizon, Knowledge the Pirate is currently working on his upcoming album, "Five Pounds of Pressure," which will feature production from Element and Roc Marciano. After that, fans can expect a full-length project produced entirely by Marciano, which is sure to be an incredible addition to his already impressive discography.

“We always make great music together,” Knowledge the Pirate said of Marciano. “I love to see his success as well as mine. I thank God that at this age, we're able to do what we really love.”

—Staff writer Ryan S. Kim can be reached at ryan.kim@thecrimson.com.