Ras Kass
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| Ras Kass | ||
|---|---|---|
| Background information | ||
| Birth name | John Austin | |
| Born | September 26, 1975 (age 31) | |
| Origin | Carson, California, United States | |
| Genre(s) | Hip-hop | |
| Years active | 1994–present | |
| Label(s) | Priority Records Capitol Records |
|
Ras Kass (born John Austin, on September 26, 1975 in Watts, California) is an American rapper. Fans laud not only his technical skill, but the passion he holds for his music and the no-compromise attitude evident in his lyrical content. He is recognized as one of the most intellectual members of the hip hop community.
Contents |
[edit] Career
Ras Kass released his debut album Soul on Ice in 1996. The album built up considerable hype through the release of several independent singles, including "Remain Anonymous" and "Won't Catch Me Runnin". Soul On Ice saw little commercial success but was adored by the hip hop underground, who appreciated both his sharp battle raps and his militant Afrocentricity. The latter also caused controversy due to the songs "Ordo Abchao" and "Nature Of The Threat" which were tracks detailing the history of white-on-black racism (the latter lasting for well over 7 minutes and likely his most well-known song). A few argued that Ras was extreme to the point of racism against caucasians, mostly since many listeners view much of the song as unsubstantiated conspiracy theories. In one of his most recent songs, "Reggaeton", Ras Kass takes a not-so-veiled swipe at Latinos and the popularity of Spanish-language music in the U.S.
Ras Kass made a big push to make sure his second album Rasassination was commercially successful. As well as securing guest appearances from Xzibit and the Wu-Tang Clan's RZA, he received considerable assistance from superstar West Coast producer Dr. Dre, who provided beats for the album and rapped on the lead single "Ghetto Fabulous." The video for "Fabulous" was supported by an extravagant video shot on a luxury yacht.
Though this single became easily Ras' most popular among mainstream audiences, many of the underground enthusiasts who had adored his debut album accused him of watering down his subject matter for commercial success. The album in fact contained some of his most intellectual material to date ("Interview With A Vampire", a theological and spiritual exploration that featured Ras rapping from the perspectives of God, himself and the Devil) and occasionally addressed very personal subject matter ("It Is What It Is", concerning his relationship with his mother). Despite the single, his album still didn't sell as expected.
Ras Kass' third album Van Gogh was originally intended for release in 2001. However, the nearly-finished album was leaked onto the internet months before the release date. It received excellent reviews from fans and the hip hop media, but the bootlegging caused his label Priority Records to push the release date back twice before the record was eventually shelved indefinitely.
This further worsened the relationship between the label and Ras Kass, which was already strained due to disputes over several things, including the level of promotion Ras was being given, and the supposed block of the Columbia release of his supergroup Golden State Warriors' debut album.
The bootleg Van Gogh album even featured the lyrics "Fuck Priority Records, like Prince I'm writing SLAVE on my cheek" (this was later fulfilled as Ras Kass appeared in popular hip hop magazine XXL with SLAVE written on his face).
The relationship between Ras and Priority reached breaking point when the label also shelved the intended Van Gogh replacement Goldyn Chyld, an album which featured tracks from Van Gogh as well as new material. The "indefinite postponement" was due to a dispute over the lead single: Ras wanted to release the DJ Premier-produced title track, while Priority wanted a Dr. Dre-produced track, against the wishes of both Ras and Dre. This prompted Ras to launch a "Free Ras Kass" campaign (supported by an on-line petition and T-shirts) to gain his release from the label.
This affected his personal life to the extent that his music and subjects became steadily darker, and he began drinking heavily. Eventually, he was convicted under California's "three strikes" rule for DUIs, and a warrant for his arrest was issued.
[edit] Free Ras Kass
In 2002, Ras Kass went on the run from the authorities. While fugitive, he recovered the masters of his albums from Priority Records studios and eventually gave himself up and was promptly jailed.
While incarcerated, he organized the independent release of a mixtape titled Re-Up which featured himself and other artists. Priority Records unsuccessfully attempted to block this release. In May 2004, Ras filed a lawsuit against Priority Records, Capitol Records and EMI in protest at his treatment by the label and claimed breach of contract in an attempt to have it nullified. Vinnie Paz, frontman of the hip-hop group Jedi Mind Tricks, says, "Free Ras Kass!" in the song "Rise of the Machines." Now to the present. Ras was denied his release from his recording contract with Capitol Records in Janurary 07. There is a petiton to sign to get his release but after only a month and some change he only has 1,000 signatures.
[edit] California love
After his release from prison in December 2004, Ras was met with nationwide support. He appeared on several radio shows and returned to the studio, releasing a few songs to some acclaim.
He then announced he would release a new album in 2005. To fire up his audience, Ras decided to drop the Guess Who's Back mixtape, which was mainly released through his official website at raskass-central.com. Though still not officially released because of the Priority Records situation, Ras did manage to independently release a mixtape/album entitled Institutionalized Vol. 1. Eventually, he was able to procure release from his contract. Revenge of the Spit, a 27 track mixtape featuring commercial instrumentals and original beats, was released in February, 2006. Institutionalized Vol. 2 is slated for a drop date in the summer, but it might never see the light of day due to Ras losing his case against Capitol Records recently. In early 2006 Ras Kass was seen working with Chinga Chang Records CEO D-MAK, on a track off the soon to be released mix tape "Stackin Euros". Ras was going to release another album under a new label, but losing his battle with Capitol will make that difficult. The title of this disc will probably be "H.T.K.G", rumored to stand for "How to Kill God". Eat or die was release recently and some say it's the best mixtape of the year. Ras is on the new movie soundtrack "Paroled" with stars cedric thomas and master p.
[edit] The HRSMN
According to Canibus-central.com: [1]
- The Horsemen is a collaboration between 4 rappers; Canibus, Ras Kass, Kurupt and Killah Priest. Together they have released one album called "The Horsemen Project" in 2003 on Think Differently Music/Proverbs Records. Since that release, fans are waiting for another album.
- Although some members of the group kept calling it "The Four Horsemen", Canibus always had the idea to add more people and form some kind of rap supergroup. A lot of names have been mentioned in the past; Pharaohe Monch, Kool G Rap, Pacman, Young Zee, Chino XL, Royce Da 5'9", Journalist,Lyrisick, Common, Rakim, Pace Won, Keith Murray, Vinnie Paz, Lonnie B, Danja Mowf and Crooked I. Unfortunately, none of these rappers was made a member of the group (though some artists on this list are featured on tracks).
[edit] Feuds
[edit] The Game
A confrontation between Ras Kass and fellow west coast rapper The Game took place on September 14, 2006 at Club Element in Los Angeles. The Game approached Ras Kass about a song in which he and his son were allegedly disrespected. A scuffle ensued in which The Game punched Ras Kass in the face, Ras Kass was also rumoured to have been hit with a Moet bottle in the back of his head,and punched by one of Game's entourage. No charges were filed. Three days later, Ras Kass dropped a diss record called "Hush Little Baby (Produced by Krohme)" which hinges on supposed, apparent 'details' from The Game's past.
Ras also released a video clip about the incident confirming his black eye. It shows him in a dark room with a group of friends hurling threats and insults at The Game, while Ras gives his version of the incident in which he claims he was actually attacked 30 men to 2.
The Game later discussed his side of the incident in an interview with AllHipHop.com. He stated that the confrontation had in fact gone down, but had not involved more than 5 men, with no one attacking Ras but The Game himself. See the interview here.
[edit] Trivia
- Created the name "Ras Kass" as his alias after the Ethiopian King Ras Kassa.
- Ras Kass has twin boys called Ras & Taj with New Orleans born R&B singer Teedra Moses.
- Graduated from high school at age 15. [2]
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums/Official Mixtapes
| Album cover | Album information |
|---|---|
 |
Soul on Ice |
 |
Rasassination
|
 |
Van Gogh
|
 |
Goldyn Chyld
|
 |
Institutionalized Vol. 1
|
 |
Revenge of the Spit
|
 |
Eat or Die
|
[edit] Unofficial Mixtapes/Unofficial Albums
- 1994 Soul On Ice Demo
- 2003 The HRSMN album entitled The Horsemen Project
- 2003 Run Away Slave
- 2003 Ras Kass Presents... Re-Up (The Compilation)
- 2004 Verbal Murder
- 2005 Guess Who's Back: 2005 Mixtape Songs & Freestyles
- 2005 "Volume 1: Razzy"- presented by DJ Exclusive
- 2005 "Volume 2: Kazzy"- presented by DJ Exclusive
[edit] Singles and EPs
- 1995 "High IQ"
- 1995 "Won't Catch Me"
- 1996 "Miami Life"
- 1996 "Soul On Ice"
- 1998 "Ghetto Fabulous"
[edit] Appears on
(not including Freestyles and spur-of-the-moment radio show songs)
- 1994 "Come Widdit" (from the Street Fighter soundtrack)
- 1996 "Plastic Surgery" (from the Xzibit album At The Speed Of Life)
- 1996 "Riiiot!" (from the Chino XL album Here To Save You All)
- 1997 "Uni-4-Orm" (from the Rhyme & Reason Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]])
- 1998 "Abide By" (with other HRSMN members Canibus, Killah Priest, & Kurupt from a 12" single called White Label)
- 1998 "3 Card Molly" (from the Xzibit album 40 Dayz & 40 Nightz)
- 1998 "Handwriting On The Wall" (from the RZA album Bobby Digital In Stereo)
- 1999 "Sophisticated Thugs" (from the Bootleg album Death Before Dishonesty)
- 2000 "Horsementality" (from the Canibus album 2000 B.C.)
- 2000 "Heart Of The Assassin" (from the DJ Muggs compilation Muggs Presents The Soul Assassins II)
- 2001 "Whut Part Of The Game" (from the Killah Priest album View From Masada)
- 2001 "Bentlys & Bitches" (from Da Beatminerz album Brace 4 Impak)
- 2002 "My Bloc" (from Caz album (with Kurupt & Rosco) "Goin Head Up")
- 2003 "Horsemen Enforcements" (from Canibus album (with Kurupt) The Brainstream)
- 2003 "Harder" (from the Xzibit album Man vs. Machine)
- 2003 "Vengeance" (from the Killah Priest album "Black August -Revisited-")
- 2003 "Rise of the Machines" (from the Jedi Mind Tricks album Visions of Gandhi)
- 2004 "Can I See You What I See" (from Pharoahe Monch & Hi-Tek 12" single "Can You See What I Can See")
- 2004 "Ain't No Way" ((from the HRSMN) off the unreleased album "Catch Me If You Can")
- 2005 "Lyrical Swords & "Verses" (from the compilation Wu-Tang Meets the Indie Culture)
- 2005 "Horsemen" (by Pak-Man and the HRSMN off the Pak-Man album "Chow Time")
- 2005 "Destruction of A Guard (DJ Khalil Remix)" (from the Soul Assassins mixtape Take Aim...)
- 2005 "Horsemen Talk" (from the Canibus album MicClub Master Vol.1)
- 2006 "Introducin" (from the Vakill album Worst Fears Confirmed)
- 2007 "The Business" (from the Westside Bugg album (with 40 Glocc) "The Roach Motel")
- 2007 "Next Dose" (from the Domingo album (with Rugged Intellect) "The Most Underrated")
[edit] Filmography
[edit] Acting
- 1998 I Got The Hook Up
[edit] Appearances
- 1997 Rhyme & Reason (as Himself)
