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)
Etc.
Ras Kass Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pen predator
Pen predator, et cetera et cetera (7X)
Pen predator, et cetera, yeah right
1st Pull:
Niggaz know it's about that time without a Schoolly D Gucci
Truly a wretched steelo -- kept you Under siege like Seagal
Cause I housed more niggaz than that faggot named RuPaul
y'all all suffer the consequences
I dispense dope sentences without a prescription
prefixes asphyxiate bitches who flips linguistics
Representin the West, relevant to relentless sentences
If renegade rebels resent this wicked syntax (then jack)
Revert to revolution Ras reverse, reverberates
Revolvin with written retalliation, rate repetitious
Reflex flex, regret niggaz regress to less than recoup
When recording, I wreck, records
Reflect stupid, it's so much more than just another rap and sample
Cause I model more styles than Naomi Campbell
See we been burning idiots with lyrical syphillis
Since E.S.T. was Ackniculous, the nickle slick meticulous
ventriloquist when I throws my voice over the Western HemisFear
While my peers step over a Trail of Tears
Go get a job as a chandelier wit a glass jaw like dat
I brings the impact to fracture mandibles, and manhandle the youth
Since my mental exceeds every MC I've perceive credible
Now becomes edible, kid!
And yo, I'm D for wreckin when reputations collide
But zhoom dumb da dumb, dadada dumb dumb
Suicide it's a suicide
("Pen predator, et cetera, et cetera") --> repeat 10X
("Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah right")
2nd Pull:
I pull bitches like a lesbian and could come the fuck off
with a vasectomy, in depth I be deeper than Bosses' recipe
Incite recitation forever Ras Rock Steady like Buck when breakin on ducks
Who get props by association
Buy if ya lyrics suck, then fuck ya record label's juice
Ock, I rock hip-hop non-stop and got more juice than Snapple
Intricate to simplistic stylistics I solicit
It gets niggaz open like fallopian ovulation
Fuckin these kids like the Michael Jackson molestations
Sendin ya back as the U.S. Nation did AIDS infected refugee Haitians
Uhh, yeah niggaz so what's the haps
You could put up ya dukes but in the West they bust caps
So bulletproof fists is the only way I'm gone miss, but peep this
My mental's the bullet, my tongue's the finger that pull it
Check the method, soundtrack voodoo uh and bamboo like strapped
Come better you, oh sorry verbal dyslexic
You better come strapped like bamboo and a voodoo soundtrack
And make sure not even one bar sounds wack (bitch)
Cause we take the best shit and make it classic
Word to Guru, take two fuckin pulls, and pass it
In the song "Etc." by Ras Kass, the chorus features a sampled line from the song "How Many MC's Must Get Dissed" by Black Moon, which says "Pen predator, et cetera et cetera." Ras Kass starts the first verse by stating that it is time to get rid of rappers who are not up to par, referring to himself as a "pen predator" who takes out those who are insufficient. He then brags about his skill by rhyming with complex wordplay and metaphors, as he believes he is the best rapper in the game. Ras Kass also alludes to pop culture figures like RuPaul and Naomi Campbell, showcasing his diverse knowledge and ability to reference different subjects. In the second verse, Ras Kass continues to assert his dominance as a rapper and disses others for their lack of originality and skill. The song ends with a nod to Guru, a member of the hip hop duo Gang Starr, encouraging listeners to smoke while enjoying the music.
Line by Line Meaning
Pen predator, et cetera et cetera
Ras Kass is a master of the pen and rap game, and the list goes on.
Niggaz know it's about that time without a Schoolly D Gucci
It's time to take over and dominate without needing the flashy brands to do so.
I pop that pussy ass rapper and leave it up to Luke to Pop the Coochie
Ras Kass has the skills to take down weak rappers and leave the sexual content to Luke.
Truly a wretched steelo -- kept you Under siege like Seagal
Ras Kass has a wicked style and can take down his enemies like Steven Seagal.
Cause I housed more niggaz than that faggot named RuPaul
Ras Kass has put in more work than RuPaul in the game, despite the hate directed towards him.
y'all all suffer the consequences
There will be repercussions for anyone who challenges Ras Kass.
I dispense dope sentences without a prescription
Ras Kass is a skilled rapper who can deliver hard-hitting lyrics without a written prescription.
prefixes asphyxiate bitches who flips linguistics
Ras Kass can shut down any female rapper who tries to compete with his linguistic skills.
Representin the West, relevant to relentless sentences
Ras Kass is repping the West Coast rap scene and delivering relentless bars.
If renegade rebels resent this wicked syntax (then jack)
If anyone has a problem with Ras Kass's wordplay, they can take it up with him directly.
Revert to revolution Ras reverse, reverberates
Ras Kass can spark a revolution with his music that will reverberate throughout the rap game.
Revolvin with written retalliation, rate repetitious
Ras Kass can retaliate with his pen and create a cycle of repetition for anyone who tries to challenge him.
Reflex flex, regret niggaz regress to less than recoup
Ras Kass's reflexes are sharp, causing his enemies to regret their actions and fall behind in the rap game.
When recording, I wreck, records
Ras Kass is a force to be reckoned with when he's in the studio.
Reflect stupid, it's so much more than just another rap and sample
Ras Kass's music goes beyond what the average rapper can deliver.
Cause I model more styles than Naomi Campbell
Ras Kass can create and deliver various styles just like how Naomi Campbell can model various clothing styles.
See we been burning idiots with lyrical syphillis
Ras Kass and his crew have been destroying weak rappers with their lyricism.
Since E.S.T. was Ackniculous, the nickle slick meticulous
Ras Kass has been delivering quality music and lyrics since his days with E.S.T. (whose member had the nickname of Ackniculous).
ventriloquist when I throws my voice over the Western HemisFear
Ras Kass can control his voice and deliver his message across the entire Western Hemisphere.
While my peers step over a Trail of Tears
While other rappers overlook the struggles of their people, Ras Kass acknowledges the pain and history of the Trail of Tears.
Go get a job as a chandelier wit a glass jaw like dat
Rappers who can't hack it in the game should look for other jobs since they won't last long.
I brings the impact to fracture mandibles, and manhandle the youth
Ras Kass can hurt and control his enemies and the younger generation through his music and lyrics.
Since my mental exceeds every MC I've perceive credible
Ras Kass's mindset surpasses every rapper he considers credible and is thus superior to them.
Now becomes edible, kid!
Ras Kass is so dominant in the rap game that even his enemies have to acknowledge him and accept him as a viable opponent.
And yo, I'm D for wreckin when reputations collide
Ras Kass is ready to destroy anyone who tries to harm his reputation.
But zhoom dumb da dumb, dadada dumb dumb
This line is a nonsensical phrase and has no real meaning or significance.
Suicide it's a suicide
This line is a warning to anyone who wants to challenge Ras Kass since it will end in their defeat and ruin.
I pull bitches like a lesbian and could come the fuck off
Ras Kass can attract women like a lesbian and deliver a great performance.
with a vasectomy, in depth I be deeper than Bosses' recipe
Ras Kass can go deep with his lyrics and delivery like a vasectomy, and his skill in doing so surpasses even Boss's recipe for success.
Incite recitation forever Ras Rock Steady like Buck when breakin on ducks
Ras Kass can inspire a lifetime of recitation that is solid and unchanging, like Buck's breakdancing skills.
Who get props by association
Some rappers get credit not because of their skill, but because of their connections to other successful artists.
Buy if ya lyrics suck, then fuck ya record label's juice
Ras Kass doesn't care how much money his record label has, as long as his lyrics are good.
Ock, I rock hip-hop non-stop and got more juice than Snapple
Ras Kass can deliver non-stop hip-hop and has more skill and dominance than the popular drink brand, Snapple.
Intricate to simplistic stylistics I solicit
Ras Kass can switch between complex and simple styles of rap and deliver them skillfully.
It gets niggaz open like fallopian ovulation
Ras Kass can make his audience excited and receptive to his music like how a woman's fallopian tubes are receptive to fertilization.
Fuckin these kids like the Michael Jackson molestations
Ras Kass is dominating and taking advantage of his weaker and younger peers with his music.
Sendin ya back as the U.S. Nation did AIDS infected refugee Haitians
Ras Kass is sending his enemies packing like how the U.S. treated AIDS-infected refugees from Haiti.
Uhh, yeah niggaz so what's the haps
Ras Kass is asking his enemies what they're doing in the rap game.
You could put up ya dukes but in the West they bust caps
Fighting won't get you anywhere in the West, since it's all about guns and violence.
So bulletproof fists is the only way I'm gone miss, but peep this
Even though Ras Kass is skilled in using guns, his fists are so strong that they're virtually bulletproof.
My mental's the bullet, my tongue's the finger that pull it
Ras Kass's mind is the weapon and his words are deadly.
Check the method, soundtrack voodoo uh and bamboo like strapped
Ras Kass's technique is unmatched, and his music is like voodoo and bamboo together.
Come better you, oh sorry verbal dyslexic
Ras Kass is asking his enemies to come up with something better, but ironically, he accidentally calls himself a verbal dyslexic.
And make sure not even one bar sounds wack (bitch)
Ras Kass expects perfection from his enemies and won't tolerate or respect any weak lyrics from them.
Cause we take the best shit and make it classic
Ras Kass and his crew can take the best music and make it even better and more memorable.
Word to Guru, take two fuckin pulls, and pass it
Ras Kass is referencing the late rapper Guru and is asking his listeners to take a hit of weed and pass it along.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: EWART DEWGARDE, JOHN AUSTIN, KENYATTA BLAKE, WALT DEWGARDE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind