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)
The End
Ras Kass Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is a mixture of slug 'em in
Slug 'em in
Plug 'em in plug 'em in
Come to spread it
The world exclusive
Check it
Turn your face stone like Medusa
Slap dick on a wicked pitch
Sons
Those who burn hurt turn nuns
I be jumpin' through the flame
With the name B.O.B.B.Y.
Makin' a hobby
Smoke the honey dip got my throat groggy
You doo-doo brain dirtbag derelict dumbfuck
What the fuck is wrong with you dickhead?
Numb-nuts
Just because you made a song or two
What's the balance due on your royalties?
Record companies spoil me
As the, hot oil me
Fuck that savage back up
Wu-Tang step inside the club
Niggas might act up
One potato
Smack you like the crossfader
Rap data, the elevators
Escape the projects, livin' inside the skyscraper
Fuck that I'm takin' back the forty acres
Nature
(Bobby, Bobby, Bobby, Bobby)
(Huh)
Yo, my Eve called 1-Adam-12, I got arrested
At first she protested
But only the seventh son of, had the power
Before the Midori Sour with red cherries
Hereditary trait, seeking salvation like the Cranberries
Wrote Murder with Angela Lansbury often
Til my biological clock stops and my casket falls
We sell tix
See-arson was askin' y'all
Is Ras Kass the last to fall victim for wearin' no mask at all?
No gimmicks, just me bein' me
But you ain't bendin' or offendin' me
Cause anyways Hennessy used to be a better friend to me
But I had to stop drinkin' so many pints (Why?)
Cause the tendency to forget
It ain't baseball, America's favorite national pastime is white
Supremacy
Never seen a nigga granted clemency
My metaphors is meta-five
My styles go up in your, little boy, you get fucked, like pedophiles
When it's all said and done I'ma retire to an island in the Caymans
Enslavin' Caucasians livin' off your mama's life savings
I take it all in stride
Dennis Rodman's laced to the side
This nigga glide, like Clyde
My hands was tied
Silent cries screamed genocide
When two-thirds of the planet died in the end
The end justifies the means
The end is power
(Power) Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely
Young black man, let us begin [Repeat x2]
In "The End" by Ras Kass, the rapper discusses his style of rap and being an underground producer. He talks about the power of the end and how it can justify any means taken to reach the end goal. Ras Kass introduces his song with his pugilistic and linguistic rap, which is a mix of slugging and plugging in his unique style. Ras Kass mentions being an underground producer and delivering world-exclusive tracks.
The rapper also makes a reference to Medusa, a character in Greek mythology who had the power to turn people into stone by looking at them. He compares her power to his style of music, which can make people turn into stone with its raw power. He also raps about his personal life, with a reference to the eve calling 1-Adam-12 and getting arrested.
As the song progresses, Ras Kass becomes more and more firm in his conviction that the end justifies the means. He talks about retiring to an island in the Caymans and living on mama's life savings. He frequently references power and corruption, highlighting how the concept of power can destroy a person. Through the lyrics, the rapper tries to make the listener aware of the power that the end holds.
Line by Line Meaning
My puglistic linguistic rapping
My style of rapping is aggressive and impactful
Is a mixture of slug 'em in
It consists of punching hard with words
Slug 'em in
Deliver killer blows with my lyrics
Plug 'em in plug 'em in
Connect with the audience and get them pumped up
Come to spread it
I'm here to share my message and influence
The world exclusive
My content is unique and not mainstream
Check it
Listen and pay attention
From the underground producers
My music is not commercial and produced by independent artists
Turn your face stone like Medusa
My words are so powerful that they can turn people to stone
Slap dick on a wicked pitch
Skillfully add explicit content to my fiery verses
Sons
This is for my listeners, fans, and supporters
Those who burn hurt turn nuns
People who have been through a lot of pain sometimes seek comfort in religion
I be jumpin' through the flame
I'm not afraid to take risks and face challenges
With the name B.O.B.B.Y.
Ras Kass is my name and I'm proud of it
Makin' a hobby
I'm passionate about rapping and it's my favorite pastime
Smoke the honey dip got my throat groggy
I smoked some weed and now my throat feels dry
You doo-doo brain dirtbag derelict dumbfuck
Insulting someone who is not smart or has done something wrong
What the fuck is wrong with you dickhead?
A rhetorical question expressing disgust and disbelief
Numb-nuts
Another insult, calling someone stupid
Just because you made a song or two
Producing one or two songs doesn't make someone great
What's the balance due on your royalties?
Asking someone how much they've been paid for their work
Record companies spoil me
I get a lot of money and perks from record labels
As the, hot oil me
Being showered with money and attention
Fuck that savage back up
Don't mess with me, I'm tough
Wu-Tang step inside the club
A reference to the legendary rap group Wu-Tang Clan
Niggas might act up
People might get rowdy
One potato
A nonsense phrase inserted for rhyme
Smack you like the crossfader
Hitting someone hard with my lyrics
Rap data, the elevators
My rhymes rise to the top, like an elevator
Escape the projects, livin' inside the skyscraper
Achieving success and moving out of poverty
Fuck that I'm takin' back the forty acres
Turning the tables and getting my due respect and power
Nature
A call to embrace the natural world and our roots
(Bobby, Bobby, Bobby, Bobby)
Repeating my name as a chant and affirmation for myself
(Huh)
An interjection to express surprise or confusion
Yo, my Eve called 1-Adam-12, I got arrested
My girlfriend alerted the police and I got caught
At first she protested
She was hesitant about calling the cops
But only the seventh son of, had the power
A mystical reference to the seventh son having special powers
Before the Midori Sour with red cherries
A specific drink order before my arrest
Hereditary trait, seeking salvation like the Cranberries
A family characteristic or learned trait of seeking redemption
Wrote Murder with Angela Lansbury often
A reference to the TV show Murder, She Wrote and the actress Angela Lansbury
Til my biological clock stops and my casket falls
Until the day I die
We sell tix
My concerts sell a lot of tickets, like the Boston Celtics basketball team
See-arson was askin' y'all
A reference to the record label executive Suge Knight
Is Ras Kass the last to fall victim for wearin' no mask at all?
Am I going to be punished for speaking my mind and expressing myself?
No gimmicks, just me bein' me
I'm authentic and true to myself, no fake persona or image
But you ain't bendin' or offendin' me
Haters and critics don't have any effect on me
Cause anyways Hennessy used to be a better friend to me
Alcohol used to make me feel better than negativity
But I had to stop drinkin' so many pints (Why?)
I realized that it was a problem and affected my memory
Cause the tendency to forget
I would often forget important things
It ain't baseball, America's favorite national pastime is white
A metaphorical comparison between baseball and systemic racism in America
Supremacy
The belief in the superiority of one race over others
Never seen a nigga granted clemency
Black people are rarely given forgiveness or pardons
My metaphors is meta-five
My use of figurative language is highly advanced and creative
My styles go up in your, little boy, you get fucked, like pedophiles
My rap style is so powerful that it can affect and influence young listeners
When it's all said and done I'ma retire to an island in the Caymans
My ultimate goal is to achieve success and retire to a paradise island
Enslavin' Caucasians livin' off your mama's life savings
A provocative statement about reversing the roles of oppression in society
I take it all in stride
I handle everything calmly and confidently
Dennis Rodman's laced to the side
A reference to the eccentric basketball player Dennis Rodman
This nigga glide, like Clyde
My moves are smooth and slick, like the basketball player Walt Clyde Frazier
My hands was tied
I was restrained or held back
Silent cries screamed genocide
Unspoken pain and suffering as a result of genocide
When two-thirds of the planet died in the end
A dystopian vision of the future, where most of the world's population has been wiped out
The end justifies the means
The outcome or goal is more important than how it was achieved
The end is power
The final result or conclusion is what gives someone power
(Power) Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely
A famous quote about the dangers of having too much power
Young black man, let us begin [Repeat x2]
A call to action for young black men to rise up and take control of their lives
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JOHN R AUSTIN, OSTEN HARVEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind