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)
Grindin'
Ras Kass Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Hook: Da Nation]
If you like what you see, make a movie
Get ya grind on, playa haters, always lose
It's about fun, gettin money, layin in the cut
We everything you need, now what's up
It's the nigga you love to hate, '98
Now how much cheese can one black nigga take
Convertible Jag XK8 wit customized plates
Playmates jumpin out my birthday cake
See we be on one, so raise the roof
Or we gon tear the club up, hosin daisy dukes
I made you lose, orange juice mixed wit Indo
I be doin my thug dizzo, that's for shizzo
C Arson baby, born and raised
Back in the Kay kays, when we was babies
Now, I get around like a circle
Squeezin on ya lady fat ass like a girdle
Latino cute, she was built somethin fierce
21, had a tongue and a bellybutton pierced
Playa, I think your wifey wanna politely bite me
Play Marv Albert, but that hurt boo, blow lightly
[Chorus: Ras Kass (Bad Azz)]
And all the ladies say
(Get your grind on, just get your grind on)
And all the hustlers say
(Get your grind on, just get your grind on)
And everybody say
(Get your grind on, just get your grind on)
And all the niggas say
(Get your grind on, just get your grind on)
[Ras Kass]
Let's take you back to the basics
I smack a rapper's ass like a dominatrix
Life is cruel, faces and misdemeanor cases
More chedda, the more better
Family trunk tight,
wit my grandma dressin all you chickens on fight night
I'm flossin in Vegas, like dream come true
Whippin a '98 cream, V1-2
Of course, you be seein me in one two
Or me, three, lazer cut key boo, one on Peach Tree
One on Crenshaw, one on one-two fifth
Walkin in a B-Boy stance, holdin my dick
I'm sick, flippin scripts like nixel plicks on chicks
If they ridin on my Navy, like fleas and tits
You need to just, catch us in the club
Tear drunk minimum, freak 'em from the back, then I'm bendin 'em
And it don't stop, til the fat lady sing
But where Roseanne Barr at any way? Knowhatimean?
[Chorus]
[Hook]
[Ras Kass]
A material girl in a material world
Read her lips from 'cross the crowd, she said give me your world
But you can have a piece of my love tonight
I gets my swerve on like D.U.I.
True lies between two thighs, no shame in my game
Tryin to take over the world like Pinky and the Brain
Gotta get a lotta C.H.I.P.S. like Eric Estrada
And gotta get a lotta hits like a fly swatter
Kick it to up scale hoochies, the one who wear a thousand dollar dress
And still got five on it stress
Don't get it twisted, why you over there lookin at me
If you ain't comin home tonight, let's get it on tonight
Blame it on the Alize, Moet, the Chronic, the mic and strobe lights
Yeah, I'm knowin, that's why women keep they panty lines showin
Grindin, and grindin, and grindin
[Chorus]
In the song Grindin', Ras Kass and Bad Azz talk about grinding hard to achieve success while also having fun and enjoying life. The song starts with Da Nation's hook, which encourages listeners to make a movie out of their lives and not let anyone stop them from grinding hard. Ras Kass comes in first, boasting about his success and his ability to get around. He talks about his car and the customized plates on it, as well as the women who jump out of his birthday cake. He encourages everyone to raise the roof or tear the club up, implying that they should have fun while working hard.
In the second verse, Ras Kass takes a step back and reflects on his humble beginnings. He talks about his Grandma dressing the chickens on fight night and his family being tight-knit. However, he also talks about his ability to go to Vegas and whip cream cars. He calls himself sick, flippin scripts like nixel plicks on chicks, showing his determination to succeed. He talks about catching people in the club and taking them home to freak them from the back before ending the verse with a playful reference to Roseanne Barr.
The song ends with both the chorus and the hook, reaffirming the message that listeners must grind hard, have fun, and not let anyone stop them from achieving their dreams. The song delivers this message with a catchy beat and strong vocals from both artists.
Line by Line Meaning
If you like what you see, make a movie
If you enjoy what you're witnessing, create a memorable moment out of it.
Get ya grind on, playa haters, always lose
Stay dedicated to your hustle because those who try to bring you down will ultimately fail.
It's about fun, gettin money, layin in the cut
Life is about enjoying yourself while also making money and keeping a low profile.
We everything you need, now what's up
We offer everything you could possibly want, so what else do you need?
It's the nigga you love to hate, '98
I'm the guy who brings out strong emotions from others, even back in 1998.
Now how much cheese can one black nigga take
How much money can one African-American man accumulate before it becomes too much?
Convertible Jag XK8 wit customized plates
I drive a convertible Jaguar with personalized license plates.
Playmates jumpin out my birthday cake
At my birthday celebration, women popped out of a cake intended for me, as I'm a playboy or wealthy individual.
See we be on one, so raise the roof
We are on a specific mindset, so let's celebrate and raise the spirits in the room.
Or we gon tear the club up, hosin daisy dukes
If we don't raise the roof, we will cause chaos and destruction, while females wear skimpy Daisy Dukes shorts.
I made you lose, orange juice mixed wit Indo
I caused you to feel intoxicated, using a cocktail of Orange juice and a strain of marijuana.
I be doin my thug dizzo, that's for shizzo
I carry out my gangster activities, which is undoubtedly true.
C Arson baby, born and raised
I am fondly referred to as C Arson, born and raised in a particular place.
Back in the Kay kays, when we was babies
During our childhood days spent in certain areas beginning with the letter K.
Now, I get around like a circle
I move around frequently and widely, like a circular shape.
Squeezin on ya lady fat ass like a girdle
I'm touching your woman's thick buttocks tightly, as if squeezing a girdle.
Latino cute, she was built somethin fierce
I encountered an attractive Latina female with an exceptional physique.
21, had a tongue and a bellybutton pierced
A 21-year-old female with piercings on her bellybutton and tongue caught my attention.
Playa, I think your wifey wanna politely bite me
Hey, man, I believe your wife desires to engage with me in a polite way.
Play Marv Albert, but that hurt boo, blow lightly
You can role-play as Marv Albert, but please be gentle as that tends to hurt.
Let's take you back to the basics
Let's take you back to the essentials or fundamentals of life.
I smack a rapper's ass like a dominatrix
I criticize and humiliate rappers as if I'm a dominant woman in a BDSM scenario.
Life is cruel, faces and misdemeanor cases
Life can be harsh and unforgiving, with appearances that can lead to minor legal issues.
More chedda, the more better
The more money, the better the situation becomes.
Family trunk tight, wit my grandma dressin all you chickens on fight night
My family is supportive, with my grandma even helping to dress women at a fighting event.
I'm flossin in Vegas, like dream come true
I'm flaunting my wealth in Las Vegas, living my dream.
Whippin a '98 cream, V1-2
I'm driving a creamy colored 1998 car with a specific engine type.
Of course, you be seein me in one two
Naturally, you'll find me driving a 12-cylinder car as well.
Or me, three, lazer cut key boo, one on Peach Tree
Alternatively, I could drive a third type of car with a new key, possibly found on Peach Tree street.
One on Crenshaw, one on one-two fifth
I also own cars parked on two other specific streets in different cities.
Walkin in a B-Boy stance, holdin my dick
I'm walking in a specific hip-hop dance pose while holding my penis.
I'm sick, flippin scripts like nixel plicks on chicks
I'm an expert in writing rhymes, manipulating them similarly to how pixels work on female images.
If they ridin on my Navy, like fleas and tits
If females are sexually interested in me, they cling to me like fleas and are always present.
You need to just, catch us in the club
You must join us in the nightclub to have a good time.
Tear drunk minimum, freak 'em from the back, then I'm bendin 'em
We're getting heavily intoxicated, having sex from behind and even bending women in unusual ways.
And it don't stop, til the fat lady sing
We'll keep going until the fun ends or until a specific event happens.
But where Roseanne Barr at any way? Knowhatimean?
Where is Roseanne Barr located at the moment, do you understand what I'm asking?
A material girl in a material world
A woman who values possessions in a world that values material possessions.
Read her lips from 'cross the crowd, she said give me your world
I overheard a woman from across the crowd asking for my undivided attention.
But you can have a piece of my love tonight
I'm willing to share my affection for one night.
I gets my swerve on like D.U.I.
I party and drink heavily, like someone charged with a driving under the influence offense.
True lies between two thighs, no shame in my game
Sexual deception exists between two people, but I'm not ashamed of my actions.
Tryin to take over the world like Pinky and the Brain
Just like Pinky and the Brain, I want to rule the world.
Gotta get a lotta C.H.I.P.S. like Eric Estrada
I need to accumulate a lot of money, like the actor Eric Estrada.
And gotta get a lotta hits like a fly swatter
I need to get a lot of musical hits, like a fly swatter gets hits on insects.
Kick it to up scale hoochies, the one who wear a thousand dollar dress
I'm trying to flirt with attractive and high-class women who wear expensive clothing.
And still got five on it stress
Even with all the money and status, there's still a bit of stress.
Don't get it twisted, why you over there lookin at me
Don't misunderstand my intentions, while staring at me from across the room.
If you ain't comin home tonight, let's get it on tonight
If you don't plan on returning home tonight, let's have some physical fun.
Blame it on the Alize, Moet, the Chronic, the mic and strobe lights
Let's blame our actions on the effects of various substances and the environment around us.
Yeah, I'm knowin, that's why women keep they panty lines showin
I realize that's the reason women wear revealing clothing that shows their undergarments.
Grindin, and grindin, and grindin
We'll always keep working hard and hustling.
Contributed by Bailey D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@michaelnixjr.familymembers9188
I got love for Ras Kass.
@globalmajority1370
✊🏾💥💥💥2021👑 RIP BAD AZZ 👑
@MacDre071
R.I.P. Badd Azz
Much love from.the Netherlands
@amsterdamG2G
easy mo bee!!! Bad Azz!!! this is that shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit!
@eddiewalker9191
Easy Mo Bee
@KrayzieMofoGuy
Easy definitely knows how to adjust to the west coast sound
@oliverrando6463
Yo I liked this album more than soul on ice
@gstacks510
rassy!!!
@illevakamesir309
Rip bad azz
The production on ras kass first album were underproduced but by any means ras,' more about lyrics than beats. He had good line up but didnt pick the right beats