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)
All Day
Ras Kass Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Spit the world's shittiest rhymes
So niggas hoped I never came home
Like P diddy and shined
Lord give me a sign, tell
The governator, Kobe
And these LA rap niggas this city is mine
I got now, fuck who got next
Moon boo from the hot lex?
Then get the hoes topless, set summer jam
We with them guns fam, shit
For a hundred grand I'd turn rap to Vietnam
Have niggas running in place like they
Do in the running man with son of sam
Carpe diem, I seize the day
Never know, I might leave today
I wonder if heaven got hood or section 8
Life's a bitch, but the sex is great
So stop acting like me getting my
Swerve on is a crime
Even Jesus turned water to wine
Even stray bullets take breath away
So I'm blessed just to see next yesterday
We still here like death and taxes
Shoot straight from the lip
Like Brazilian waxes
White t shirt, Nike air maxes
Been around the world off this rap shit
Pouring out fifths for the dead homie
Pure white henny imported from France for me
Transform me like Optimus Prime
Rocking this shine knocking this dime
Probably won’t stop me from popping this 9
Fuck every rapper, I’m sick
I’ll spit snot in his spine like
He not in his prime monotonous grind
Got friends concerned I’m living too fast
Nigga life’s a cigarette
Better burn this mother fucker up
‘Cause in the end we all just ashes
Plus haters want to smash us
Gs up, hoes down
But I done seen more so-called Gs
Ho up when it goes down and freeze up
Split second of hesitation got the
Reverend speaking at your wake
We could be making?
But I can’t stop a hustler
From getting his money so he up the block
And this type of shit happens every day
Nigga i hit em up like Bobby Boucher
For my Mexican
(Hondas?) with the bomb ass panocha
That lift you off your
Feet like wingardium leviosa
Harry Potter the cherry popper
Got your proper
Body shots of raspberry flavored Bacardi
Yeah, I’m still doing 4 months
Get your grown man on, never tuck your nuts
Is it good? Do a bear shit in the woods?
Trying to be the first nigga with
Space ships in the hood
In the song "All Day," Ras Kass reflects on his freedom after being released from prison and his determination to succeed in the rap industry. He starts by acknowledging that some people wished he never came home, comparing himself to P Diddy and Shyne, who faced legal troubles in the past. Ras Kass proclaims his dominance over the Los Angeles rap scene and asserts that the city belongs to him.
The lyrics convey Ras Kass's confidence and ambition as he claims his place in the music industry. He asserts that he is the best and doesn't care about who comes next. He references the Loch Ness monster, suggesting that he is elusive and unpredictable. Ras Kass also boasts about his ability to attract women and states that he can turn any event into a wild party. He mentions his willingness to engage in violent situations for money, comparing it to the intensity of the Vietnam War. Despite the risks, he lives each day to the fullest and questions whether heaven has a place for people from the hood.
The second verse highlights the harsh realities of life, as Ras Kass acknowledges the constant threat of violence from stray bullets. He expresses gratitude for still being alive and compares his sharp and direct rhymes to Brazilian waxing. Ras Kass mentions his fashion choices, wearing a white t-shirt and Nike Air Max sneakers, as he reflects on his experiences traveling the world through his music. He pays tribute to a deceased friend, pouring out liquor and acknowledging the luxury of imported French white henny. Ras Kass emphasizes his strength and resilience, comparing himself to the transformative character Optimus Prime from Transformers. He ends the verse by declaring his undying dedication to his craft, willing to confront any rapper who challenges him.
The final verse touches on the realities of street life and the struggles faced by hustlers trying to make money. Ras Kass observes that hesitation can be detrimental, leading to one's demise and a preacher giving a eulogy. He comments on the everyday occurrences of violence and compares himself to Bobby Boucher, a reference to the film "The Waterboy," indicating his readiness to confront enemies. Ras Kass praises Mexican women, referring to their sexual prowess, and compares their effect to the levitation charm in the Harry Potter series. He celebrates indulgence and rebellion, taking shots of raspberry-flavored Bacardi. Ras Kass mentions his short prison sentence, urging listeners to embrace adulthood and assert themselves without fear. He ends the song by suggesting that he aspires to bring innovation and progress to his community by introducing spaceships to the hood.
Line by Line Meaning
Promised myself when I got free I'd
I made a personal vow to myself that when I finally became free, I would
Spit the world's shittiest rhymes
Express my creativity through rap by delivering subpar lyrics
So niggas hoped I never came home
Aspired for my continued absence, just like people wished P. Diddy and Shyne didn't return
Like P Diddy and shined
Similar to how P. Diddy and Shyne were not welcomed back, individuals felt the same towards me
Lord give me a sign, tell
Oh God, provide me with a sign and inform
The governator, Kobe
Relay this message to the governor and to Kobe Bryant
And these LA rap niggas this city is mine
Inform all the rap artists in Los Angeles that I have taken ownership of this city
I got now, fuck who got next
I am currently reigning supreme, disregarding whoever claims to be next in line
Pop out like the loch ness
Appear unexpectedly, just like the legendary Loch Ness Monster
Moon boo from the hot lex?
Did you see my female companion from my luxurious and impressive car?
Then get the hoes topless, set summer jam
Subsequently, cause the women to remove their tops and establish a memorable summer gathering
We with them guns fam, shit
I am accompanied by individuals carrying firearms, you know
For a hundred grand I'd turn rap to Vietnam
If offered a substantial sum of $100,000, I would turn the rap industry into a chaotic war zone like Vietnam
Have niggas running in place like they
Witness individuals running in a stationary manner, similar to how they
Do in the running man with son of sam
Perform the popular dance move known as the running man, just like the infamous serial killer Son of Sam
Carpe diem, I seize the day
I embrace the concept of seizing opportunities in the present moment
Never know, I might leave today
One can never be certain, I might depart this world today
I wonder if heaven got hood or section 8
I ponder whether the afterlife includes a community similar to the urban neighborhoods or government housing projects
Life's a bitch, but the sex is great
Life can be challenging, but the pleasures of intimacy are quite enjoyable
So stop acting like me getting my
Therefore, cease pretending that my actions of
Swerve on is a crime
Engaging in reckless driving is an unlawful act
Even Jesus turned water to wine
Even Jesus Christ transformed water into wine, portraying the ability to perform miracles
Even stray bullets take breath away
Even bullets fired unintentionally have the power to end lives
So I'm blessed just to see next yesterday
Thus, I consider myself fortunate to simply witness another day after yesterday
We still here like death and taxes
We persistently remain in existence, just like the inevitable nature of death and taxes
Shoot straight from the lip
I express myself candidly and directly
Like Brazilian waxes
Similar to the pain experienced during Brazilian waxing, my words have a sharp and impactful effect
White t shirt, Nike air maxes
Wearing a plain white shirt and Nike Air Max sneakers
Been around the world off this rap shit
I have traveled extensively due to my involvement in the rap industry
Pouring out fifths for the dead homie
Paying tribute to my deceased friend by pouring out bottles of liquor
Pure white henny imported from France for me
Exclusively receiving imported, pristine white Hennessy from France
Transform me like Optimus Prime
Alter my state and persona in a powerful manner, akin to the fictional character Optimus Prime
Rocking this shine knocking this dime
Displaying my impressive jewelry and attracting a beautiful, desirable woman
Probably won’t stop me from popping this 9
Possibly, the presence of these possessions will not dissuade me from using a firearm
Fuck every rapper, I’m sick
I despise every rapper, I'm disgusted
I’ll spit snot in his spine like
I will disrespect them by expectorating mucus on their spine in a demeaning manner
He not in his prime monotonous grind
His career is not at its peak, merely enduring a monotonous routine
Got friends concerned I’m living too fast
My acquaintances express worry about the fast-paced lifestyle I lead
Nigga life’s a cigarette
Life is comparable to a cigarette
Better burn this mother fucker up
It is preferable to completely consume this cigarette
‘Cause in the end we all just ashes
Ultimately, all of us will become mere ashes
Plus haters want to smash us
Furthermore, individuals who despise us yearn to destroy us
Gs up, hoes down
Gangsters rise in power, while women submit
But I done seen more so-called Gs
However, I have witnessed many self-proclaimed gangsters
Ho up when it goes down and freeze up
They become frightened when faced with adversity and freeze in place
Split second of hesitation got the
A brief moment of indecision led to
Reverend speaking at your wake
A religious figure delivering a eulogy during the funeral service
We could be making?
Could we be creating something of value together?
But I can’t stop a hustler
Yet, I cannot prevent an individual dedicated to pursuing monetary gain
From getting his money so he up the block
From acquiring his earnings, causing him to relocate within the neighborhood
And this type of shit happens every day
These occurrences are a regular part of daily life
Nigga i hit em up like Bobby Boucher
I confront them aggressively, similar to how Bobby Boucher did in the movie
For my Mexican
In exchange for the companionship of my Mexican friend
(Hondas?) with the bomb ass panocha
Driving Honda vehicles while indulging in exceptional sexual experiences
That lift you off your
Provoking intense sensations that elevate you
Feet like wingardium leviosa
Comparable to the enchantment in Harry Potter that levitates objects
Harry Potter the cherry popper
I am skilled at deflowering virgins, much like Harry Potter
Got your proper
I have the suitable technique
Body shots of raspberry flavored Bacardi
Consuming alcoholic beverages comprised of Bacardi rum with raspberry flavoring
Yeah, I’m still doing 4 months
Indeed, I am currently serving a prison sentence lasting four months
Get your grown man on, never tuck your nuts
Assert your maturity and masculinity, never shy away from displaying confidence
Is it good? Do a bear shit in the woods?
Is it excellent? Well, it is an obvious truth that bears relieve themselves in wooded areas
Trying to be the first nigga with
Striving to attain the distinction of being the initial individual possessing
Space ships in the hood
Spaceships located within the urban neighborhood
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind