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)
Goldyn Chyld
Ras Kass Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, ahh, ahh, yeah, is you wit me?
Whattup? Y'all done forgot about lil' ole me?
Y'all don't love me no mo'?
It's all good... all my real rowdy niggaz
all my real niggaz ride witcha boy one time
Ahh...
Lyrically, I smoke whoever it may concern
Even wearing a 21 milligram patch of Niccoderm
Been broke before; ain't nuttin new
But ain't nuttin never knew me not to say 'fuck you'
So had my nuts not grew - I'd still hang in the streets
with lil' niggaz who still bang just to eat
Bang with the heat - the waterproof spit blazes
to give y'all niggaz the business like the yellow pages
Enter the dark ages, enter and spark stage
For whatever wages, until I'm famous
for resurrecting our cave language
And for saying, "Same shit, different toilet..."
The game ain't about who talented
It's about who soundscannin
now them same clowns maddened (peep game)
Go figure, lyricist of the year is a white boy
And the greatest golfer; a confused nigga
(Chorus) - 2X
And that's gangsta, without bangin a set
Big nuts on deck ain't even hangin 'em yet
See it's just some things they should never forget
Ain't no motherfuckin west without a R-ah-A-S
(Verse 2)
I was taught to rhyme undeniably, and force niggaz to think
So if you need to dance so fuckin much then buy Nsync
Startin a movement to move men
Motivational millimeter mouth or repeated and need a monster
Me; I be the agua - waterproof got a lotta truth
Spit-slaughter a lotta groups
Ridin without a crew, nod off without a loop
Blackout like a ligular, just a nigga that clown
With a suicidal groupie in a jacuzzi pullin my shorts down
Givin me underwater head 'til I nut and she drowns
Now how the fuck we sound? (man rap is outta control)
(I gotta smoke something) yo homie bust me down
Took a pull off a Newport and passed it back
Nuts hang like I had an elastic sack
Spastic blaps of our kind of plastic claps
Wanna know the reason why white people seem to laugh at blacks?
Cuz brothers in South Africa slaving to death in diamond mines
Meanwhile, we spendin every penny to overshine
Tell the next nigga he lesser
Cuz he can't afford to buy ice from his oppressor
So now he pullin out nines, tryin to homicide me for mine
Meanwhile, George W. Bush got a war on crime
Introduction to the Matrix -- I say the shit
you know is true but wanna ignore, metamorph metaphors
(Chorus) - 2X
(Verse 3)
I pop my collar, pop pistols, and pop ecstasy
Boricuas call me Poppi when they pop they pussy
Used to pop-lock and lock and watch
Pop locks and burglarize spots
Pop wheelies on the red and chrome Huffy
Graduated to Suzukis - hot soda pop or pop bottles at Sky Sushi
Now ask me what's poppin; most likely ya collar bone
Ever had that feelin where ya by yourself and your not alone
With Big Brother, and Big Brother see you
I'm hard-headed, my dick look like R2-D2
Like Mini-Me too - speed through in the V-1-2
C-Arson style, know how we do
All money is legal, dead pres and green eagles
You funny style like Bernie Mac, rappin like Beanie Sigel
Golden Child of the west, don't know how to act though
Kicked off the Up In Smoke tour for scrappin with Death Row
(Chorus) - 1X
(2nd Chorus) - 1X
And that's gangsta, without bangin a set
Big nuts on deck ain't even hangin 'em yet
See it's just some things they should never forget
"Ain't no west with Kurupt with a R-ah-A-S"
Ras Kass opens his song, “Goldyn Chyld,” addressing the listener and inquiring if they are with him, indicating either the beginning of a solo journey or a continuation with his listeners from previous tracks. Ras Kass then mocks those who have forgotten him despite his immense skill as a lyricist. He proceeds to boast that he could outdo any rapper he steps to or stands against, even while wearing a 21-milligram Nicoderm patch. Ras Kass claims that he had been broke and had faced challenges but had persisted and never shied away from speaking his mind, even if it meant offending others. He critiques the industry, pointing out how talent was no longer a primary factor for the success of an artist, but popularity and branding instead, and notes the irony that Lyricist of the Year went to a white rapper, and the greatest golfer was a confused black man.
In the second and third verses, Ras Kass highlights the different elements of his lifestyle. He touches on themes of sex, drugs, and violence, as well as issues such as economic inequality, racism, and societal discrepancies. He speaks about his experiences as a black man and a rapper, such as touring with Up in Smoke, which ended abruptly. The chorus employs a wordplay of the acronym R-A-S over confessions of Ras Kass's fearless personality, as he asks whether the listener is still with him.
Line by Line Meaning
Lyrically, I smoke whoever it may concern
I am a powerful lyrical force and will take on any challenger.
Even wearing a 21 milligram patch of Niccoderm
I am so confident in my ability to rap that I can even wear a nicotine patch and still perform at my best.
Been broke before; ain't nuttin new
I have experienced poverty before, and it's nothing new to me.
But ain't nuttin never knew me not to say 'fuck you'
No matter what, I stand up for myself and won't be taken advantage of.
So had my nuts not grew - I'd still hang in the streets with lil' niggaz who still bang just to eat
Even if I didn't have the confidence and strength I do, I would still be with my people in the streets who fight to survive.
The waterproof spit blazes to give y'all niggaz the business like the yellow pages
My lyrics are like water-resistant flames that will get the job done and leave a lasting impression on you.
For whatever wages, until I'm famous for resurrecting our cave language
I will continue to use my talents to showcase and revive our culture and language until I make it big.
And for saying, 'Same shit, different toilet...'
I'm calling out the repetitive and unoriginal nature of the music industry that only cares about what sells instead of true talent.
The game ain't about who talented, It's about who soundscannin now them same clowns maddened
The music industry only values those who make money, not necessarily those who are truly talented. This makes real artists angry.
Go figure, lyricist of the year is a white boy
I'm pointing out the irony of the lyricist of the year award going to a white rapper when black artists have always been the foundation of hip-hop.
And the greatest golfer; a confused nigga
I'm drawing a comparison between Tiger Woods (the greatest golfer at the time) and his struggles with race and identity to the larger societal issues faced by black people.
I was taught to rhyme undeniably, and force niggaz to think
My upbringing instilled in me the importance of making people think with my lyrics by being undeniable in my rhyming ability.
Startin a movement to move men
I'm trying to inspire change through my music and start a movement that has an impact on society.
Motivational millimeter mouth or repeated and need a monster
My mouth is powerful and can motivate people, or if someone tries to bring me down, I'll become a monster and fight back.
Me; I be the agua - waterproof got a lotta truth
I'm the water that cannot be stopped, and I always speak the truth.
Spit-slaughter a lotta groups
My lyrics are so powerful that they can easily destroy other groups through verbal attacks.
Ridin without a crew, nod off without a loop
I can ride alone without needing others, and I don't need drugs or a beat to keep me going.
Blackout like a ligular, just a nigga that clown
I can easily black out like someone with epilepsy, and I'm just a guy who enjoys clowning around.
With a suicidal groupie in a jacuzzi pullin my shorts down
I have a fan who is overly obsessed with me to the point of being suicidal and is even pulling my shorts down in the jacuzzi.
Givin me underwater head 'til I nut and she drowns
This fan is so obsessed with me that she's even willing to drown herself for me. It's a disturbing and unhealthy situation.
Now how the fuck we sound? (man rap is outta control)
This situation is insane, and it's indicative of how the hip-hop industry has lost control of its own image and influence.
Took a pull off a Newport and passed it back
I'm sharing a cigarette with someone else and passing it back, showing a sense of camaraderie or friendship.
Nuts hang like I had an elastic sack
I'm confident and comfortable with myself, and my 'nuts' hang low, like a sack with elastic.
Wanna know the reason why white people seem to laugh at blacks?
I'm questioning why white people are laughing at black people and suggesting that it's not a joke.
Cuz brothers in South Africa slaving to death in diamond mines
It's not a laughing matter because black people are suffering and being killed in diamond mines in South Africa.
Meanwhile, we spendin every penny to overshine
Black people in America are trying to keep up with a materialistic and shallow culture, while black people across the world are suffering and dying.
Tell the next nigga he lesser
I won't tolerate anyone trying to bring me down and make me feel lesser than I am.
Cuz he can't afford to buy ice from his oppressor
Someone shouldn't be made to feel lesser because they can't afford to buy jewelry from the same system that oppresses them.
So now he pullin out nines, tryin to homicide me for mine
This culture of keeping up with materialism and greed is leading people to commit acts of violence against each other in order to obtain what they perceive as success.
Meanwhile, George W. Bush got a war on crime
The government is using the war on crime as a way to distract and control people, while ignoring the larger issues of poverty and oppression.
I'm hard-headed, my dick look like R2-D2
I'm stubborn and firm in my beliefs, and even my penis looks like the iconic Star Wars character R2-D2.
All money is legal, dead pres and green eagles
Money makes anything legal, and people are willing to do whatever it takes to get ahead, even if it means compromising their morals and values.
You funny style like Bernie Mac, rappin like Beanie Sigel
I'm calling out people who are being fake and trying to imitate others instead of being true to themselves and their own style.
Golden Child of the west, don't know how to act though
I'm the golden child of the West Coast hip-hop, but I don't always behave appropriately.
Kicked off the Up In Smoke tour for scrappin with Death Row
I was removed from the Up In Smoke tour because I got into a physical altercation with members of Death Row Records, a rival record label.
Contributed by Landon W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.