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)
Drama
Ras Kass Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No disrespect to the opposite sex
But I ain't flexed punani yet that's worth my royalty checks
Men be trying to get laid women be trying to get paid
So somebody gotta get played (right)
Now you claim I'm runnin' game and still let us run the train
Pulling Coolio's braids it wasn't me it was the fame
Ass hangin' out them Daisy Dukes jeans, jockin'
Damn I love civilization
Wants to know my occupation home location and means of transportation
The correct combination unlocked your placenta
I got a cellular phone with a rubber antenna
On a three story house, drive a four door Ac
Favorite song of all time Mobb Deep's "Hit It From the Back"
Then jet, I turn a bitch into my favorite
She know my name cause I got more game than Sega CD
[Chorus]
You know it's drama, but it sound real good (3X)
You knew the game, and you still ended up on your back
You know it's drama, but it sound real good (3X)
You knew the game, and you still ended up on your back
I try U.N.I.T.Y. but why?
Cause when I was lackin', bitches made me want to roll over and die
So now I lie, cause bitches are like flies {why?}
They attract to the best shit {oh!}
You gotta play Max Julian's role unless you plan on being celibate
Cause bitches want the money clip and whatever dick that comes with it
{The bitch} saw me in the Lex and didn't know it came from Avis
Now she's on the Tip like my name was John Davis
And I'm knowin' what she thinks {what?}
I'm a sweep her off her feet because I bought the hoe a drink
Bitch, ha ha yeah I'm living nice, got a two o'clock flight to Atlanta
{Tomorrow} so maybe we can kick it {tonight}
Right there I knew my dick was getting wetted
Cause I played into this bitch's Cinderella complex
Whatever you want to hear, I can say
Forget the bitch the next day, instant replay
[Chorus]
Yo Ras, let me talk about these bitches for a minute
But let's get it straight, when I say the word bitch
I don't mean all women
Cause hookers come a dime a dozen if you thought they wasn't
You can hit this hoe today, and tomorrow you can hit her cousin
Or her mama, you gots to have drama
Nigga flash some currency and go up in her auntie!
I'm talkin' bout the skinless type loc
You know the type that seem to like the taste of swipe
Check it
When it comes to Saving Hoes Coolio ain't in it
Don't call me Captain, general, sergeant, or lieutenant
This ain't funny so don't you dare laugh
I gave the bitch my autograph, and she gave me some ass
But as soon as the hoe tried to get in my pocket
I shot her ass away from me schch like a skyrocket
Take it from a G, period, no comma, to keep these hookers
On they toes, you know the rest
[Chorus]
In Ras Kass's song "Drama," the artist discusses his experience with drama in romantic relationships. The lyrics showcase Ras Kass's candid nature as he talks about the different ways men and women approach relationships. He notes that men are often focused on sex, whereas women are focused on money. This leads to someone getting played, and Ras Kass highlights that he refuses to let his royalty checks get jeopardized by a fling. Throughout the song, Ras Kass showcases his knowledge and understanding of women's behavior, playing into certain stereotypes and tropes. Throughout the song, Ras Kass discusses the dissonance between wanting a genuine relationship and knowing that drama is bound to happen, resulting in someone getting hurt.
Ras Kass's lyrics in "Drama" critique the societal imbalance between men and women in romantic relationships. He discusses how too often, women are objectified and used for men's pleasure, while women are left to suffer the consequences. The song also touches on the difficulties of trust and hones in on the common pain that comes with being in a relationship that lacks trust. In many ways, "Drama" speaks to the reality that too often, men and women engage in relationships where they are not treated with respect, compassion, or genuine care.
Line by Line Meaning
No disrespect to the opposite sex
I am not trying to insult women here.
But I ain't flexed punani yet that's worth my royalty checks
I have not had sex with a woman who is worth spending my money on yet.
Men be trying to get laid women be trying to get paid
Men want sex, while women want money.
So somebody gotta get played (right)
Someone has to be taken advantage of in this situation.
Now you claim I'm runnin' game and still let us run the train
You accuse me of being deceptive, but you still allow us to have sex with you.
Pulling Coolio's braids it wasn't me it was the fame
I did not pull Coolio's hair, it was the result of fame and the music industry.
Let a dame complain about disrespecting my African queen
If a woman complains about disrespecting my African queen, she should not be wearing revealing clothing.
Ass hangin' out them Daisy Dukes jeans, jockin'
She was showing too much skin and flirting.
Damn I love civilization
I love the progress and advancements we have made as a society.
Wants to know my occupation home location and means of transportation
She wants to know where I work, live, and how I get around.
The correct combination unlocked your placenta
I know the right things to say in order to have sex with you.
I got a cellular phone with a rubber antenna
I am successful enough to own a cell phone with a rubber antenna.
On a three story house, drive a four door Ac
I am financially stable enough to have a 3-story house and drive a 4-door car.
Favorite song of all time Mobb Deep's "Hit It From the Back"
My favorite song is Mobb Deep's "Hit It From the Back," which is degrading to women.
Then jet, I turn a bitch into my favorite
After having sex with a woman, I move on, forgetting about her.
She know my name cause I got more game than Sega CD
I am very skilled in seducing women.
[Chorus]
The chorus is saying that there is a lot of drama when it comes to relationships and sex, but it still sounds appealing.
I try U.N.I.T.Y. but why?
I try to treat women with respect, but why should I bother?
Cause when I was lackin', bitches made me want to roll over and die
When I was unsuccessful and not popular, women would not give me the time of day.
So now I lie, cause bitches are like flies {why?}
Now, I am not honest or respectful to women because they are attracted to fame and wealth like flies to garbage.
They attract to the best shit {oh!}
Women are attracted to the best and most successful men.
You gotta play Max Julian's role unless you plan on being celibate
If you want to have sex with women, you have to act like Max Julian, the pimp character from 70s films.
Cause bitches want the money clip and whatever dick that comes with it
Women want a man with money and are willing to have sex with him just for that.
{The bitch} saw me in the Lex and didn't know it came from Avis
She saw me driving a Lexus but did not know it was a rental car from Avis.
Now she's on the Tip like my name was John Davis
Now she is interested in me because of my money and fame.
And I'm knowin' what she thinks {what?}
I understand that she is only interested in me for my wealth and status.
I'm a sweep her off her feet because I bought the hoe a drink
I will flirt with her and buy her a drink to make her like me.
Bitch, ha ha yeah I'm living nice, got a two o'clock flight to Atlanta
I am living well and have a flight to Atlanta at 2 pm.
{Tomorrow} so maybe we can kick it {tonight}
I hope to have sex with her tonight, so maybe we can spend time together tomorrow.
Right there I knew my dick was getting wetted
I knew I was going to have sex with her.
Cause I played into this bitch's Cinderella complex
I fed her desire to be treated like a princess or to feel special.
Whatever you want to hear, I can say
I tell her whatever she wants to hear in order to have sex with her.
Forget the bitch the next day, instant replay
I forget about her the next day and move on to the next woman.
Yo Ras, let me talk about these bitches for a minute
Let me talk about women for a moment.
But let's get it straight, when I say the word bitch
I want to clarify that when I say 'bitch' I am not referring to all women.
I don't mean all women
I do not intend to insult or generalize all women with that word.
Cause hookers come a dime a dozen if you thought they wasn't
Prostitutes are easy to find and are not worth much.
You can hit this hoe today, and tomorrow you can hit her cousin
You can have sex with a prostitute today, and then tomorrow you can have sex with her relatives.
Or her mama, you gots to have drama
You can even have sex with the prostitute's mother, as long as you have some drama in your life.
Nigga flash some currency and go up in her auntie!
Show some money and you can have sex with anyone, even the prostitute's aunt.
I'm talkin' bout the skinless type loc
I am referring to women who are only interested in sex and money.
You know the type that seem to like the taste of swipe
Women who are interested in stealing or taking advantage of men.
Check it
Listen to what I am saying.
When it comes to Saving Hoes Coolio ain't in it
Coolio is not interested in saving or helping women.
Don't call me Captain, general, sergeant, or lieutenant
Do not call me by military or heroic titles, as I am not interested in those things.
This ain't funny so don't you dare laugh
This is not a joke, so do not laugh.
I gave the bitch my autograph, and she gave me some ass
I received sex from a woman after giving her my autograph.
But as soon as the hoe tried to get in my pocket
As soon as she tried to get money from me...
I shot her ass away from me schch like a skyrocket
I rejected her quickly and abruptly.
Take it from a G, period, no comma, to keep these hookers
Listen to me, as a gangster, to know how to manipulate or control prostitutes.
On they toes, you know the rest
To keep them interested and under your control, you have to keep them guessing.
Lyrics © TUNECORE INC
Written by: ERICA WRIGHT, TYALLEN MACKLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind