John Austin IV,(born September 25, 1973 in Carson, California), is better k… Read Full Bio ↴John Austin IV,(born September 25, 1973 in Carson, California), is better known by his stage name Ras Kass.
He 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, which appreciated both his sharp battle rhymes 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 seven minutes and likely his best-known song. Some claimed that Ras was extreme to the point of racism against Caucasians.
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 rhymed on the lead single "Ghetto Fabulous," the video for which was supported by an extravagant video shot on a luxury yacht.
The album contained some of his most intellectual material to date ("Interview With A Vampire," a theological and spiritual exploration that featured Ras rhyming 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 didn't sell well.
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,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 alleged block of the Columbia/SME Records release of his supergroup Golden State Warriors' debut album. The unreleased 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 that 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 his contract with the label.
In February 2004, Ras Kass went on the run from the authorities after a warrant was issued following an arrest for reckless driving. He then gave himself up during Memorial Day Weekend in May of that year. 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 the 2004 song "Rise of the Machines," (which featured Ras) Vinnie Paz, front man of the hip-hop group Jedi Mind Tricks showed where he stood on the issue by saying the words Free Ras Kass on the track. In July 2004, Ras filed a lawsuit against Priority Records, Capitol Records, and EMI in protest to his treatment by the label and claimed breach of contract in an attempt to have the mixtape nullified. Ras was denied his release from his recording contract with Priority/Capitol/EMI Records in January 2007, even though Priority was absorbed by Capitol during 2004.
The HRSMN was collaboration between four emcees: Canibus, Ras Kass, Kurupt, and Killah Priest. Together the group released one album called The Horsemen Project during 2003 on Think Differently Music/Proverbs/Babygrande Records. Since that release, fans wait 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 hip hop supergroup. A lot of names have been mentioned in the past, such as Pharaohe Monch, Kool G Rap, Pac-Man, 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. None of these emcees were made a member of the group (though some artists on this list were featured on tracks)
He 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, which appreciated both his sharp battle rhymes 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 seven minutes and likely his best-known song. Some claimed that Ras was extreme to the point of racism against Caucasians.
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 rhymed on the lead single "Ghetto Fabulous," the video for which was supported by an extravagant video shot on a luxury yacht.
The album contained some of his most intellectual material to date ("Interview With A Vampire," a theological and spiritual exploration that featured Ras rhyming 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 didn't sell well.
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,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 alleged block of the Columbia/SME Records release of his supergroup Golden State Warriors' debut album. The unreleased 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 that 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 his contract with the label.
In February 2004, Ras Kass went on the run from the authorities after a warrant was issued following an arrest for reckless driving. He then gave himself up during Memorial Day Weekend in May of that year. 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 the 2004 song "Rise of the Machines," (which featured Ras) Vinnie Paz, front man of the hip-hop group Jedi Mind Tricks showed where he stood on the issue by saying the words Free Ras Kass on the track. In July 2004, Ras filed a lawsuit against Priority Records, Capitol Records, and EMI in protest to his treatment by the label and claimed breach of contract in an attempt to have the mixtape nullified. Ras was denied his release from his recording contract with Priority/Capitol/EMI Records in January 2007, even though Priority was absorbed by Capitol during 2004.
The HRSMN was collaboration between four emcees: Canibus, Ras Kass, Kurupt, and Killah Priest. Together the group released one album called The Horsemen Project during 2003 on Think Differently Music/Proverbs/Babygrande Records. Since that release, fans wait 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 hip hop supergroup. A lot of names have been mentioned in the past, such as Pharaohe Monch, Kool G Rap, Pac-Man, 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. None of these emcees were made a member of the group (though some artists on this list were featured on tracks)
...In A Coogi Sweatsuit
Ras Kass Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by Ras Kass:
3 of the Best (S) What we going to do right we going To start…
3 The Best (feat. Sauce Money, Sheek Louch) [Intro: Sauce Money + Ras …
Ah Ha [Intro: Ras Kass] Ah what's crack-a-lackin zr's and shit Y…
Air 'Em Out [Ras Kass:] Jea! Re-Up! A J-Classic classic. Razzy... rest …
All Day Promised myself when I got free I'd Spit the world's shittie…
All or nuthin' All or nuthin', stall the bluffin', won't let the po-po…
And Then If bitches ain't shit but hoes and tricks, Then niggas ain't…
Anything Goes I rock Versace, sippin' VSOP and Hennessey in foam cups Moto…
Articulate I was made by the same lust The slave chains and…
Billboard Wednesday afternoon, got a call at 12 o'clock That on Billbo…
Bounce Rock Golden State West, South Central If money ain't foldin' homie I'm not ro…
Breakfast @ Banksy's Squeeze the juice out of the headphones Semi Hendrix what up…
Can U Feel It Can I get a soul clap? Pete Rock soul brother…
Capital "The Capital R A" "S" Fuck glocks, I got 60 shots…
Come On We went all around the planet, pitchin, and no one…
Conceited Bastard I created verb-noun (The most beautifullest shit) I make up …
Don't Ask Me Nobody's perfect (Please don't let me) Die before repenting…
Drama (So much drama in the) No disrespect to the opposite sex…
Dráma No disrespect to the opposite sex But I ain't flexed punani…
Drink Irish Some fuckin' is good for you, though Jack gettin' some Pussy…
Eat Or Die Uh It's crucial now niggas I'm so sick [Chorus:] If th…
Etc Chorus: (sampled from Black Moon's "How Many MC's Must Get…
Everything I Love Ron Isley's sample "For the Love" different variations "For …
F.L.Y. Real niggas back in style again How I'm making a…
Focus Sound without Focus is just noise With so much knock in…
Get At Me Damn nigga, what's wrong wit you (I reign) I reign more…
Ghetto Fabulous I got juice but I can't stop no ocean liner…
Ghosted Critically acclaimed, commercially banned No American fans b…
Gingivitis Most merciful most benevolent Praise due to the 4 elements…
Godz N The Hood I throw my 2 cents in Well make it 5 percent…
golden child Yeah yeah We gon' send this one out, to all the…
golden state project West, South Central If money ain't foldin' homie I'm not ro…
Goldyn Chyld Haha... (golden child) Yeah, ahh, ahh, yeah, is you wit me?…
Grab the Mic and Boo You Listen, listen Now since the Wake-Up Show I've been handin …
Grammy Speech Had next after Pac died - right before Eminem The…
Grindin' (feat. Bad Azz) [Hook: Da Nation] If you like what you s…
guns n roses INTRO FAME here come the drums X 2 VERSE 1…
H2oproof [Ras Kass] I was lyrically Hip Hop's top 5, before two…
HOOD ON ICE Stupid rapper You just won a Biillion dollars What are you g…
Horsementality [Ras] The beginnin' of the end niggaz! [Can] Yeah, we goin' …
Hot Game For my nigga Fred Jordan drank something Smoke something up …
How To Kill God And with the help, the help of almighty God I know…
I Ain't Fuckin' With You Intro: What? Nigga, You got problems? Nigga you don't want…
I Love This Show First comes the family, animation comedy Then reality kicks …
I'm That Gangsta [Chorus] Don't make no sense (Sense, sense) Shit's shady Don…
Ice Age [Ras Kass] Ay how come you won't gimme no pussy tonite? Aigh…
If/Then If bitches ain't shit but hoes and tricks, Then niggas ain't…
In the Moment My city Spanish for "the angels" I’m a native, Jackie Robins…
Interview With A Vampire [Ras Kass] You want to talk to God? God never sleeps [Choru…
Is This Love I'm bad for your health Make you swallow your medallions So …
It Is What It Is featuring Jazze Pha [Ras Kass] I been around the world…
Jack Frost Chorus: (4x) Jack Frost nipping at your nose (sample of Nat …
Judas The blood scene followed by catch up Peep the cinematography…
Kick Rocks we're the winx girl powers gonna save the day ... risin' up …
Kiss U Shhhhh. Close your eyes. Game over. Bitch Eyes closed, ho…
Lap Dance [Ras Kass:] She had me only, almost losin' my cool Remi an…
lapdance She had me only, almost losin' my cool Remi and Moet…
LL Cool J That's what I I can easily do it like I used…
Lyrical Swords (featuring Ras Kass) [Intro: Ras Kass] Uh, Dreddy Kruger, w…
Mange Ou Mourir [Ras Kass:] Uh, yeah, Eat or Die I've sprayed myself throu…
Marinatin Hook: We Could marinate, get nice and and stack riches (But …
Medusa Right now you up in the club And you see that…
Miami Life Chorus: Miami Life, at any price, keep my pockets nice Eff …
Midnight Sun What if I told you that I am not black…
Mtv News Intro [Sway talking] What's up world? This is Sway with a breakin…
Nature of the Threat Let freedom ring with a buckshot, but not just yet First…
On Earth as It Is Hallelujah when I do ya [Verse One] Shit, I ain't never see…
One On One Yeah once again presenting Kid Capri Ras Kass the…
OohWee! (Ras Kass) Everything I say don't be yae yo Haters in batt…
Opioid Crisis "" Fuck you know about a Plug nigga You don't…
Oral Sex [scratching] "Death on the phono, my skills are dolo You …
Ordo Abchao The story begins like a Dickens Novel, David Copperfield "I…
Payback These fuckin' snakes man Fuckin' up our lives I'll take a pi…
Playboy [Verse One] Guess who's the man this winter, straight out th…
R.A.S. Scratch "The Capital R A" "S" - Lady of Rage Fuck…
Rasassination (Ras Kass) What, yeah yeah 1-9-9-9, the "Waterproof" nigga…
Reelishymn Hook: Well I think I'm going out of my head Yes, I…
Remain Anonymous Western Hemisfear, stand clear ock Cause now the Sun sets ac…
Rise of the Machines [Mike Tyson: Sample] I was gonnna rip his heart out, I'm…
Sex Death on the phono, my skills are porno You say 'oh…
Shark Week 1st Verse Coming up from Beneath Breaking out like…
Silver Anniversary 25 years in the making Before conversations with Elohim &…
Six Figures (Skillz, Rassy Kassy) Ain't no way out the streets but up…
Slap Season [Verse 1] They say men don't cry, but why this shit…
Sometimes Hip-hop never dye ..so I gave a …she just .. ...told me…
Sonset Hook/Chorus: Now I'm a rap fan who never saw Bam Rock…
Sophisticated Thugs Yeah, yeah Flint Town, Dayton Family, ID, Killafornia Ras Ka…
Soul on Ice The waterproof MC, you ain't wettin' me You need to stop…
Street Superstar In the foreign or the Old School Sipping champagne or…
Sushi It’s time! Come here, listen, get a bar nigga I'll chop the…
That's Gangsta [Chorus] Don't make no sense (Sense, sense) Shit's shady Don…
The End My puglistic linguistic rapping Is a mixture of slug 'em…
The End (feat. RZA) (feat. The RZA) <RZA> My acustic futuristic lingustic…
The Evil That Men Do Psssshh, I guess niggaz don't realize a good thing til…
The Long Way Watered the Bush, I was 14, breakin"" 'Raisin' -…
The Music Of Business Yeah, that's what I'm talking about The homie John John up…
The Whoop All my niggas all my bitches Get high, get drunk get…
Trapped Music This is 5- dimensional scaling from 1- dimensional sentences…
U Ain't Me ntro: What? Nigga, You got problems? Nigga you don't want no…
Understandable Smooth For the live ones, not the shook ones For the riders,…
Upscale Ratchet Kicking back home sipping on that patrone Gucci swap, gucci …
Van Gogh Ah, celebrate Hahaha, yeah, ah Vita Brevis, Ars Longa Lif…
Verses [Intro: Ras Kass (Scaramanga Allah)] Yeah (yeah) yeah (Sham…
Victory {*crowd noise and speeches for the first 0: 31*} Yo... I…
West Coast Livin' [Ras Kass] Strike three, hehe It's-just-thug-men-tal-i-ty,…
What Do You Want What do you want? - I want it all I wanna…
White Power White Power is...creating Hate where at first there was none…
Wild Pitch featuring Jah Skillz Xzibit [Ras Kass] (yea…
Write Where I Left Off Yeah, ji-ji-jeah look, man, y'all niggas is Predictable as a…
Wvth THX Shvts The content in the street so watered down now (I…
Yellow Snow Merry Christmas to you Black Friday, that's why They campin…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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