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)
It Is What It Is
Ras Kass Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Ras Kass]
I been around the world once had your fiancé twice
I ain't nothin' nice but every lifestyle got a price
Kiss my momma on the cheek cause her love was deep
Like Keith Sweat but the deeper the streets get
The deeper the beef get
Cause everybody want to have it ??? and sh
Now ??? is my ??? over night insight
I write like six hundred thousand kilobytes
Yes I'm on one, European cars, Cuban cigars, rap stars,
Glass ceilings to the inevitable cap dealing for sexual healing
I lack feeling, voted for black women like Terry Macmillan
Save a prayer for me, I was told no guts no glory
I shed a tear once in a while, too
But a soldier gots to do what he gots to do
I once ??? in ??? for Rupert Murdoch, I thought you knew
It is what it is
Hook:
[Jazze Pha] Nowadays, that's the way it is
[Ras Kass] Why do we do what we do when we do what we must, that's
how it is, and how it is is kinda fucked up
[Jazze Pha] It's sad to say, but things just ain't the same no more
[Ras Kass] Why do we do what we do when we do what we lust, it is
what it is, and how it is is kinda fucked up
[Ras Kass]
If the pussy is free, then talk is cheap
Then again, it's probably cheaper to keep her
Back in the days, all a nigga needed was suede pumas and a beeper
Now they all expecting condos, briquettes and pet cheetahs
See ya when I see ya
And by then I know the motors she bogus I noticed they jockin the rims on
the ???
I learned early to trust God when moms was like [you wear all that Nike
shit]
You need to swoosh your ass and get a job
My occupation be operation, more horsepower than Daytona
Cause I'm a rider, like Wynonna
Being nice is a vice, the gift is naturally mine
That's like grand verbalizing not knowin the time
See, my partners commit crimes servin federal ???
Confined to a six by nine regretin the wrong shit he did
I swig, wishing we was still little kids
But we grown men now homey, it is what it is
Hook
[Ras Kass]
Hip hop ain't even fun
In these strange days, rappers is getting done
Like Jericho won
Within two months, two major artists got slumped
I whispered 'God rest the dead' and let the ??? pump pump
Kept a ??? since about eleventh grade
Rock the Donna Carren shades
Cause I don't like to dream about getting paid
But I'm afraid I do
Trying to organize a team, willing to empty magazines
This supreme fiends for cream
We need g's, like Mary Magdelline and born again Christians
Ain't a politician cause I already got your vote
True, I want your money but I ain't a preacher no
I don't even love the dough
But if you don't work you don't eat, so I want all I can get before I go
I love what money can get
It's elementary evidently, the custom convertible Bentley tently
It is what it is
Hook x2
[Jazze Pha]
There are things that we can change
Some things remain the same
That's just the way it is
Way it goes, yeah
There are things that we can change
But most things gon' stay the same
It's the way it is
You better believe it, ooh yeah
Ras Kass's song "It Is What It Is" is a commentary on the state of the world and the hip hop industry. The song talks about how everything has a price and how people are willing to do almost anything to get it. Ras Kass talks about his experiences and how they have shaped him to become the person he is today. He mentions how the deeper the streets get, the deeper the beef gets, which is a reference to the culture of gang violence that exists in many cities around the world.
The lyrics also talk about the changing landscape of relationships and expectations. Ras Kass mentions how back in the day, all a man needed was a pair of suede Pumas and a beeper to attract a woman, but now they expect condos, briquettes, and even pet cheetahs. He laments the fact that hip hop has lost its fun and how rappers are getting killed left and right, referencing the sudden deaths of two major artists.
In the end, the song is a commentary on how people need to be aware of what they are getting themselves into and how they need to weigh the consequences of their actions. It emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself and not being swayed by external forces.
Line by Line Meaning
I been around the world once had your fiancé twice
I have traveled around the world and slept with your fiancé on two occasions.
I ain't nothin' nice but every lifestyle got a price
Although I am not a kind person, every lifestyle has a cost.
Kiss my momma on the cheek cause her love was deep
I show affection to my mother because she had a profound love for me.
The deeper the streets get The deeper the beef get
As the streets get rough, the conflicts become more severe.
Enough fatal attraction to ??? your vet
The fatal attraction is strong enough to cause harm to your veterinarian.
Cause everybody want to have it ??? and sh
Everyone wants to have their cake and eat it too.
Now ??? is my ??? over night insight
Suddenly, a new idea dawned on me overnight.
I write like six hundred thousand kilobytes
I write a lot; approximately six hundred thousand kilobytes worth of writing.
Yes I'm on one, European cars, Cuban cigars, rap stars
I enjoy the finer things in life such as European cars, Cuban cigars, and being in the company of other rap stars.
Glass ceilings to the inevitable cap dealing for sexual healing
The obstacles women face in achieving success are difficult to overcome even when engaging in sexual acts with powerful men.
I lack feeling, voted for black women like Terry Macmillan
I don't possess emotions, but I believe in supporting black women like Terry McMillan by advocating for them and their rights.
Save a prayer for me, I was told no guts no glory
I need your prayers since I was told no risk, no reward.
I shed a tear once in a while, too
Although I rarely cry, I am prone to shedding tears on occasion.
But a soldier gots to do what he gots to do
As a soldier, it is my responsibility to do whatever is required of me.
I once ??? in ??? for Rupert Murdoch, I thought you knew
I used to work for Rupert Murdoch in some capacity, and I assumed you knew that.
If the pussy is free, then talk is cheap
If sexual intercourse is offered for free, then anything else offered is likely worthless.
Then again, it's probably cheaper to keep her
It might be more cost-effective to maintain the relationship than to break up with her.
Now they all expecting condos, briquettes and pet cheetahs
Women today expect far more than a few decades ago, such as luxury condominiums, diamond briquettes, and exotic pets like cheetahs.
Cause I'm a rider, like Wynonna
I'm a rider for my people, like Wynonna Judd, who was known for being a loyal friend.
Hip hop ain't even fun
Hip hop isn't quite as enjoyable as it used to be.
In these strange days, rappers is getting done
These days, rappers are falling victim to crime more frequently.
Within two months, two major artists got slumped
Within two months, two well-known artists were killed.
But if you don't work you don't eat, so I want all I can get before I go
I need to work in order to eat and live comfortably, so I want to accumulate as much wealth as possible before I die.
It's the way it is You better believe it, ooh yeah
Things are how they are, so you better believe it.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JIMMY JUAREZ, JOHN R AUSTIN, MONTE S MOIR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind