Pugilism is another word for boxing or fist fighting.
Pugilism is another word for boxing or fist fighting.
To “throw in the towel” is an idiom meaning to admit failure or defeat. This saying is based on the boxing custom of literally throwing a towel into the ring to signal that a boxer can no longer continue to fight due to injury or fatigue.
The Praying Mantis is an insect named for its large front legs that angle together in what looks like a position of prayer:
The simile used in this line to suggest frequent prayer plays off of this distinct characteristic of mantises.
As mentioned in the previous lines, the “planes” or vehicles of higher consciousness are everywhere and yet unseen. And the key to a more meaningful, socially aware existence lies in allowing “Edutainment” to guide you to a higher plane and a fuller, more comprehensive view of society and the problems it faces.
Though you might be a huge fan of KRS-One and admire him for his skills on the mic, he wants you to concentrate, not on him and his undeniable awesomeness, but on the merits of his message, which is meant to elevate his listeners to new heights.
When people get caught up in superficiality and become overly concerned with who is doing the speaking, they lose sight of what is actually being said, and therefore miss out on what could be an important message.
This is a reference to the 7 Planes of Existence, perhaps as defined by the Michael Teachings, a new aged spiritual doctrine developed around a channeled entity (or group of spirits) known as Michael.
While there actually exist several cosmologies with slightly differing views on the 7 planes of existence, nearly all of them include a physical, astral, and mental plane, with each plane believed to be higher than the one before it. KRS-One’s reference to “the final three” indicates that there are still three more planes of consciousness higher than the mental plane.
When applied here, this progression of planes suggests that KRS-One wants his listeners to look beyond the surface of his rhymes and understand his message on the highest level of consciousness.
The violence, hatred, and hypocrisy that caused the crucifixion of Jesus centuries ago still exists today, the only difference being the way in which such violence is carried out. Because the Pope is supposed to convey and represent the same religious ideals that Jesus was killed for, KRS-One wonders why the Pope has maintained such political prominence, perhaps even suggesting that the Pope is a meaningless figurehead for a corrupt institution.
