Ras Kass Is A Free Man

[timvp]

http://www.raskass-central.com/images/rashome.jpg

If he signs with Shady/Aftermath as rumored, he's the next superstar. Get Soul On Ice and then thank me later.

Hip hop is dead ... but Ras Kass has the paddles.

http://www.besthearthealth.com/heart/images/defibrillator.gif

Clear :smokin

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000003AB1.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

[Spurbanana]

Shazam! I can do that 'W' thingy with my fingers too!

http://img89.exs.cx/img89/541/word6nb.jpg

Do I get to be a rap star?? :fro

Really, that's cool, even if I don't know what you're talking about....

[Duff McCartney]

I wouldn't call hip-hop dead. BTW isn't that whole West Coast thing dead? I remember back in 96 the "cool" thing to do was flash the W thing and yell "Westside!!!"

[alamo50]

:rollin @ Anna!

[Spurbanana]

:spin I was making my mean face too!


since it WAS 3 am...

[ZStomp]

Shazam! I can do that 'W' thingy with my fingers too!

http://img89.exs.cx/img89/541/word6nb.jpg

Do I get to be a rap star?? :fro

Really, that's cool, even if I don't know what you're talking about....


Why are you always wearing Churchill High School Gear? :elephant


Who's Ras Kass??

[Spurbanana]

Why are you always wearing Churchill High School Gear? :elephant



we had this convo already, I'm too poor for regular clothes. :lol

[ZStomp]

we had this convo already, I'm too poor for regular clothes. :lol


I don't believe that.

I just think it's a little too much school pride.

Seek help.

[T Park]

where are you from banana??

you from San Antonio??

[T Park]

was Ras Kass in jail??

Im not totally 100% up to date with him.

[ZStomp]

Who is Ras Kass?

I don't know who he is. I guess a rapper.

I'm 0% up to date with him. :lol

[Spurbanana]

where are you from banana??

you from San Antonio??

You got it.

My avatar is misleading everybody :lmao

[MsMcGillyCutty]

I too admit I haven't the slightest clue who Ras Kass is.

[Spurbanana]

Some 'research' :

http://launch.yahoo.com/ar-261827-bio--Ras-Kass

Rapper Ras Kass was born John Austin in Watts, CA; a voracious reader throughout his youth, he adopted his stage name in honor of the African king Ras Rass. After releasing a pair of independent singles, Ras Kass emerged as one of the most highly regarded new rappers in some time, winning particular acclaim for his skills as a lyricist (in the space of six months, he twice earned Rap Pages magazine's Rhyme of the Month award as well as The Source's Hip Hop Quotable honor); his long-awaited debut LP, Soul on Ice, finally appeared on Priority Records in 1996. Rasassination followed two years later. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide
Written by Jason Ankeny

http://www.raskass-central.com/

Ras Kass has been released from prison!! Ras is finally home after serving for 2 years in the California Correctional Facilities.

His official release date was December 21, 2004. According to the site WestCoastRydaz.com, Ras has

said to have written over 100 songs and is planning to release a mix tape very soon.


So yeah, he's free...

[T Park]

Ras Kass has been released from prison!! Ras is finally home after serving for 2 years in the California Correctional Facilities

What has he been doing time for?

[samikeyp]

Nothing wrong with school spirit.



even if it is Churchill. :)

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

Rapper Ras Kass has been released from Corcoran State Prison in California, after serving almost 2 yearsfor a third DUI conviction.

The rapper was released on December 21, 2004.

In January of 2003, Ras Kass was supposed to surrender to California authorities to serve a mandatory 9 months for the conviction.

Instead of surrendering, the rapper went on the run to protest what he labeled a “slave” deal with Priority Records.

His flight sparked conversation in Hip-Hop circles of his whereabouts. In May of 2003, he finally surrendered to authorities, after spending 5 months on the run.

Ras Kass’ highly anticipated CD Goldyn Chyld was never released by Priority, as was the case with his anticipated album Van Gogh, which was shelved due to rampant internet bootlegging.

In May, lawyers representing Ras Kass filed a civil complaint in the Los Angeles County Superior Court against Priority Records.

The rapper’s lawsuit alleged that Priority breached their agreement, by distributing two of the four albums Ras Kass recorded over a period of 9 years.

“I want what is fair; all I want is to create great music, have the proper team behind me, and be the artist that I am,” Ras Kass said in a previous statement. “I am prepared to do what it takes in order to be released from this ugly situation.”

Litigation in the case continues.


http://www.allhiphop.com/hiphopnews/?ID=3895

[MannyIsGod]

Hip Hop is dead. The only thing holding it together was Eminem, but he's less than great now. His last albums have been sub par, but maybe only because the first 2 LPs set the bar so damn high.

Dre is still incredible, as are the Neptunes, but there's just too much shit to wade through to get to the quality tracks.

[alamo50]

"his anticipated album Van Gogh"

:(

[T Park]

Interesting.

Ill have to download his stuff.


Manny,

I agree, Encore just doesnt have the same Oomph like the Slim Shady LP, or others.

Hes still a great lyricist and poet though.

[MannyIsGod]

Shut up Tpark, you're the last person who's hip hop reviews I want.

[Notorious H.O.P.]

Does this mean timvp is going to have to change his title from Free Ras Kass to Ras Kass Freed? Or does the campaign to free other suppressed potential rap superstars begin?

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

Does this mean timvp is going to have to change his title from Free Ras Kass to Ras Kass Freed? Or does the campaign to free other suppressed potential rap superstars begin?


Free Shyne!

[Spurminator]

Is Snow out of prison yet?

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000002JQ0.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

Is Snow out of prison yet?

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000002JQ0.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

If Snow's in a prison, and nobody's there to get him out, does anybody care?

[T Park]

Shut up Tpark, you're the last person who's hip hop reviews I want.


Blow me fuck face, If I want to give one, Ill give it, dont like it?? Tough fuckin shit.

[MannyIsGod]

heh. Feel free to give them, nothing has stoped you from opening your mouth about things you know nothing about to this point, why would I expect it to start now?

Oh, and it's time to change my signature.

[timvp]

While you were locked up, did you face any problems from the other inmates because of you’re level of fame?
Ras Kass: Nah man. My whole philosophy in life is to try and be a man about it. So, in any situation, all you can do is try to maintain and be a grown ass f***ing man. I was alright. I was blessed. I don’t think I faced any major problem because of who I am. Nine times out ten, you can avoid bulls**t; it’s the tenth time you got to be prepared for, and I was prepared for the tenth time, so it was all gangsta.

What did you learn from the time you spent in jail?
Ras Kass: I’m still fundamentally the same. Dude, I seen people go in and never come out. I’ve seen people die. I’ve seen people who had 51 years to life. I had a relatively short experience there. I almost did two years. I did 19 months. It’s just a waste of life. The main thing I learned is no matter how f***ed up it is in the streets, at least you have a fighting chance to change your life. In there you can’t do anything, and I think that’s the whole point. It’s like sensory deprivation. Basically, I didn’t touch anybody for two years. I’m not a f***ot, so that wasn’t gonna work. [Laughs] That’s a key thing. It’s scientifically proven, that if you feed a baby but don’t give it love and physical contact, the baby dies. That was new for me. I didn’t have just little s**t, dude. Just walking outside when you feel like it to go look at the sky. That type of stuff. It made me realize that I have a fighting chance, and all I have to do is make it up out of here. At least I can utilize the luxuries of real life, like telephones and all that, and try to change my life.

What kind of songwriting did you get done during the past two years?
Ras Kass: I got fire, dog. I’ve always been hungry and I’ve always tried to give 110%, but this time I had it with no distractions. It’s just raw and uncut. I ended up with about 100 songs, and that’s material that I’m comfortable with. I think its fire. I’m pretty critical of myself. If I don’t think it’s decent, I’ll tear the sh*t up. So, I got 100 songs that I’m believing in. N*ggas got a problem, as far as I’m concerned.

Besides family, who kept in touch with you over the last two years and showed real support?
Ras Kass: All my Re-Up family. My family and my homies. I got a gang of homies I grew up with and homegirls all kept it real with me. My fans, too, which was cool as f**k. I had cats writing me from Poland, so that was a blessing. I damn sure got to shout out Busta Rhymes, ‘cause he kept it real gangsta, but that’s family. Xzibit, Paul Rosenberg, and the whole Shady camp too. Cats showed me a lot of love. A lot of the time, the love you get in the industry is only based on whether you’re doing something or not, but they really showed me some genuine love. They just gave a f**k about me as a person, and that’s a blessing.

Is there any truth to the rumors that you might sign with Aftermath?
Ras Kass: Anything is possible. I’ll just leave it at that. :smokin

Did you keep up to date with the current Hip-Hop scene while you were away, and if so, what do you think of it?
Ras Kass: I’m not really a big radio listening person, so I didn’t really do that. I tried to get the CDs, but the prison system is so slow, it’s like snail mail. I tried to keep as up to date as I could, but I wouldn’t give too much of an opinion. To be honest, not much as changed really, from what I hear. I’m interested what’s going to happen in the next 12 months, ‘cause I haven’t heard much a difference in the past 19.

Are you going to try to pick better beats this time around, ‘cause the production on your albums has been lacking?
Ras Kass: Opinions are like a**holes. I can be perfectly honest with you, dog. That s**t was really dead when it started, that whole picking the beat s**t. My first album (1996’s Soul On Ice), just to give people some back history on me, Nas was the first person to really get five mics in The Source, for Illmatic. The Source heard “Nature of the Threat,” and like four or five other songs, and they were going to change their rating system for me, and this is all bulls**t to the side. I probably would have been the first motherf***er with six mics. But there was a drastic change, ‘cause at that time, I was still independent. I started negotiating these deals, and boom, 12 months later, I finally iron out all the s**t in this deal and I’m finally dropping this album. The production did kind of change drastically in those 12 months, ‘cause I kind of caught Hip-Hop in a transition point. Needless to say, Priority didn’t perform the way they were supposed to, and the record didn’t sell what it was supposed to. Aside form that, the first time hearing it, the industry had pretty much heard it. Then, I get the critiques. Because Wu-Tang came out and did the numbers with grimy production, they didn’t get criticized. [Laughs] You know?

On my second record (1998’s Rasassination), I had Dr. Dre tracks, and I had Jazze Pha on it, who is the man now down South. I was way ahead of my time on a couple of things. Like, I had Twista on that record. So, it’s funny to me that all the a**holes got these opinions on that. I can’t be mad at them, ‘cause they’re a**holes. I’m not saying it in a negative way, ‘cause I know that people are humans with opinions. I’m not here to live my life to please everybody, ‘cause I can’t. I’ve had very little sold to the world since my second album. Van Gogh was a good record, and Golden Chyld was strong f***ing record. I got the Premier records. I had fire on every angle. Even no name cats, I pick fire. I just think it’s ironic that the production topic would still come up. Maybe you’re not listening good enough to hear it. Listen to the s**t now before you keep telling me about 1996.


Considering all of the obstacles that you’ve had to face since you first came out, what is it that keeps you motivated?
Ras Kass: A lot of things, man. I’m hungry, and that’s a big part of it. I know I got something to say. Technically, I’m a young dude. I’m not old yet, and I got a baby face too, so f**k it. [Laughs] I just grew up in the game, so I used to lie up about my age, but now I might start to lie down. [Laughs] There are still people who aren’t doing what they’re supposed to do. I’m like, “If this dude can win, then f**k that. I got to get mine, too!” I look at some cats and I know there is definitely a spot for me. Honestly, one of the biggest motivations is the love and support I get from the heads across the country and world. Be it industry love, and AllHipHop.com has always showed me a lot of love, and that’s big. It’s encouragement, when you feel like things aren’t going right. When I’m walking down the street, and real OG gangbanger stops me and is like, ‘N***a, you’re hard. You the best on the West.’ I love it, and that’s encouragement when I touch real n****s.

[timvp]

If you've never heard Ras Kass, which I'm sure 99.999% of people haven't, here are some songs to check. They are RealAudio, so they're not the best quality. But you get the idea.

Reelishymn (http://www.chsmith.com/Ra/ras-reelishymn.ra) -- This was on the Soul on Ice album. Perhaps the best lyrical song ever.

Nature of the Threat (http://www.chsmith.com/Ra/ras-nature.ra) -- This song is epic. It's Ras Kass' history of the world.

The Evil That Men Do (http://www.chsmith.com/Ra/ras-evil.ra) -- Another Soul On Ice track.

Interview with a Vampire (http://www.chsmith.com/Ra/ras-interview.ra) -- Another classic Ras Kass. This one is on his other album, Rassassination.

[MI21]

I don't like seeing people sign with Shady/Aftermath.

Obie Trice was nice on tracks before his Shady experience, and 50 Cent was awesome before his Shady crap (Check out "How To Rob" for those who don't believe). Ever since Eminem has started concentrating on the label he has gone shit as well.

:(

PS - Timvp, you know/listen to Royce Da 5'9?

[timvp]

I don't like seeing people sign with Shady/Aftermath.

Obie Trice was nice on tracks before his Shady experience, and 50 Cent was awesome before his Shady crap (Check out "How To Rob" for those who don't believe). Ever since Eminem has started concentrating on the label he has gone shit as well.

:(


All what you said is true, but Ras wouldn't let that happen to him. He has too much pride. He just needs Shady/Aftermath for the pub.



PS - Timvp, you know/listen to Royce Da 5'9?

Yeah, he's good. I saw him in concert with UGK a loooooong time ago and have followed him since. The people around him kind of bring him down a little tho and his lyrics are declining, but overall he's one of the best out there.

[T Park]

Feel free to give them, nothing has stoped you from opening your mouth about things you know nothing about to this point

I could say the same thing about you too.

You disagree with my opinion and you say I know nothing about it.

From now on, if you disagree with me, you obviously have zero clue what you are talking about.

[MannyIsGod]

Say Them.

[3rdCoast]

http://www.boomspeed.com/sweetc/Tpark50.jpg http://www.blueblood.net/boards/images/smilies2/whip.gif

TPARK = FORUM WHIPPING BOY :lmao

[PeterBurns]

Shyne is bad ass.

His 1st CD, was unreal.

[T Park]

ooo, im critisized on a message board.

How ever will I move on. :rolleyes

[MannyIsGod]

I would say something about you learning how to spell, but the truth is I suck just as bad. Damn.

[Dre_7]

Why the big deal about where he signs? Ras Kass isnt even that good.

[MI21]

All what you said is true, but Ras wouldn't let that happen to him. He has too much pride. He just needs Shady/Aftermath for the pub.

Hopefully he stays true, I didn't think 50 would change but now all he is is a bigger more dangerous looking version of Nelly.


Yeah, he's good. I saw him in concert with UGK a loooooong time ago and have followed him since. The people around him kind of bring him down a little tho and his lyrics are declining, but overall he's one of the best out there.

Check out his latest, "Death is Certain" if you already haven't. The lyrics are Raw and he doesn't hold anything back. Some of the punchlines are magic. Also, check out the diss towards Em and D12, "Malcolm X". You probably heard it, but just in case ya haven't.

[scott]

I vote for a weekly TPark hip-hop review.

[T Park]

yo yo yo.