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)
Wild Pitch
Ras Kass Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Ras Kass]
What you don't want it niggas liver than Teen Summit
The Wild Pitch America's Most drunk and blunted
Stick to fishes black widows kick this vicious
Hot shit bitch Wild Pitch
[Jah Skillz]
I'm the funkalistic rapper choke an instant
Got mixed wit Malibu rums and Mistic
I'm a whole lot on it yea just a smidget
Just 'cause I live by the beach like ?Gidget?
You must think I'm small time like that biz midget
Add three piece smart mouth like bitches
And you got me, Jah Killa jet ski ills
Take me to the edge like poppin pills
Straight up, no chase, hold up unless I'm bein followed
Never swallow anything unless it's from a bottle
And that's the whole truth, and nothin but the truth so help me God
By the powers invested upon my 5 Footaz squad
You ain't ready, oh 'cause you dress like psychadelli
You the GMC like Chevy, I put a levy on yo cash flow
Just a little something to let yo ass know
Who to give 2 kind to when you pass go
Chorus [Xzibit]
You dealin wit alumni criteria
The one's that throwin Wild Pitches in ya area
Strikin you out, sending you back to the dugout
We goin up to your microphones pullin the plug out
Superior, alumni criteria, we the MCs that you make you feel inferior
Throwin Wild Pitches, fuckin your riches and your bitches
Rasassination, Jah Skillz, and Xzibit
[Ras Kass]
I ejaculate on blind justice wit the jury's se quested
And escape, run in a nigga's face like Hannibal Lector
The aqua-mati, my pen is penitentiary
Potenially plain paid for protocall pacific pro perfect cap pealer
Performing skull circumsitions, when I position the prism
Permiscuis wit other people's pussy ?pawn? wit the playa like Big Pun
Poisonous poet, I Master "p" like UHHHHHHH!!!
Skillz ?cotted? enabled
Herb you just and ingrown hair in the world of tweezers
We can dance before I crack MC's like Gator in jungle fever
Got them speakin in number like SoundScan
Severed the ears off your soundman, black Israelite
Like four-hundred and forty-four thousand
Niggas talk like dog, we'll walk like cat
I'm Ozzy Osbourne bitin the head off of rats
When they started bustin, fuck the Russian
We playin West Indian Roulette, ?some of mine? blind get wet
>From New Jack to Vet I can modem
Comes off like three adam's apples in the inner scrotum
My rhyme ?, clearin my sinus, bitch slime on your Iceberg
And let the virus cross appliance
Chorus
[Xzibit]
Give birth to earth to planet, we harder than granite
And concrete, man made could never compete, complete down to the core
Weighing in tons, hotter than lava, God, Javi, Jahovah, Allah heavenly Father
Nuns to bank robbers, wealth beyond the dollar
Here to school the scholar, make new born babies
No live for no bitch or lady, they try to play me
We flowin like the Mississsippi to the River Euphrates
One-hundred and eighty times two, one complete rotation
Fit any situation for a small donation, live on location
Third planet from the sun
Travel 24 hours you spend a lifetime to run
Witness the slave shot he bolted to a gat and a gun
>From Hitler, Musolini, to Attila the Hun
Imagine existence wit no fear, tears never shed here
One day for me could last a thousand years
The first element baby, one two....
Chorus
In "Wild Pitch," Ras Kass, Jah Skillz and Xzibit boast about their lyrical superiority over other rappers. They use metaphors and similes to describe their prowess, with Ras Kass saying he ejaculates on blind justice with jury's sequestered, implying that he can beat any rap case brought against him. Jah Skillz boasts that he's just a smidgen, but he's got a whole lot on it, indicating that he may be small, but he packs a punch with his lyrics. Xzibit's lyrics detail their alumni criteria, describing their ability as superior to other MCs, throwing Wild Pitches to strike out their contemporaries.
The lyrics in "Wild Pitch" showcase the flashy and often braggadocious style of rap that emerged in the '90s. They feature intricate wordplay, boasting and dissing other rappers, and metaphors that serve to emphasize the rapper's lyrical skill. The song's chorus emphasizes the Wild Pitch's superiority over other MCs, demonstrating their confidence and self-assuredness about their abilities.
Line by Line Meaning
(yea yea YEAH)
Yes, yes, YES.
What you don't want it niggas liver than Teen Summit
You don't want it, we're more lively than the Teen Summit TV show.
The Wild Pitch America's Most drunk and blunted
The Wild Pitch represents the carefree and intoxicated culture prevalent in America.
Stick to fishes black widows kick this vicious
Stay in your lane, because we, the black widows, bring the fierceness.
Hot shit bitch Wild Pitch
Our music is amazing and captivating, just like the Wild Pitch concept.
I'm the funkalistic rapper choke an instant
I am the funky and skilled rapper who can seize your attention instantly.
Got mixed wit Malibu rums and Mistic
I blend well with Malibu rum and Mistic, adding a flavorful touch to my persona.
I'm a whole lot on it yea just a smidget
I'm packed with talent and confidence, even though I may appear modest.
Just 'cause I live by the beach like ?Gidget?
Merely because I reside near the beach, similar to the fictional character Gidget.
You must think I'm small time like that biz midget
You probably underestimate me and assume I'm insignificant like a business midget.
Add three piece smart mouth like bitches
In addition, I possess a witty and sharp tongue, like clever women.
And you got me, Jah Killa jet ski ills
And once you understand all these aspects, you'll truly know me, Jah Killa.
Take me to the edge like poppin pills
Engage with me fully and push me to the limit, just like the effects of taking pills.
Straight up, no chase, hold up unless I'm bein followed
I always tell the truth without sugarcoating, but I'll pause if I feel someone is watching.
Never swallow anything unless it's from a bottle
I never trust anything unless it's from a sealed bottle.
And that's the whole truth, and nothin but the truth so help me God
I speak nothing but the complete truth, and I swear on God's help.
By the powers invested upon my 5 Footaz squad
With the collective strength and abilities of my 5 Footaz crew.
You ain't ready, oh 'cause you dress like psychadelli
You're not prepared because you dress flamboyantly like a psychedelic artwork.
You the GMC like Chevy, I put a levy on yo cash flow
You are inferior, like a GMC compared to a Chevy, and I impose a tax on your financial flow.
Just a little something to let yo ass know
Just a minor action to make you aware of your status.
Who to give 2 kind to when you pass go
To whom you should show kindness when advancing forward.
You dealin wit alumni criteria
You're engaging with highly skilled individuals who meet the standards of the alumni.
The one's that throwin Wild Pitches in ya area
We are the ones creating exciting and unconventional music in your neighborhood.
Strikin you out, sending you back to the dugout
We will eliminate you from the game, sending you back to the bench.
We goin up to your microphones pullin the plug out
We approach your microphones and disconnect them, silencing your voices.
Superior, alumni criteria, we the MCs that you make you feel inferior
We are superior and meet the standards set by the alumni, making other MCs feel inadequate.
Throwin Wild Pitches, fuckin your riches and your bitches
We disrupt the norm, affecting your wealth and relationships.
Rasassination, Jah Skillz, and Xzibit
We are Rasassination, Jah Skillz, and Xzibit, the names behind this powerful music.
I ejaculate on blind justice wit the jury's se quested
I expose the corruption in the justice system, climaxing with a critique on the jury selection process.
And escape, run in a nigga's face like Hannibal Lector
I skillfully evade consequences, confronting people like Hannibal Lector.
The aqua-mati, my pen is penitentiary
My rhymes flow like water, imprisoning listeners with their power.
Potenially plain paid for protocall pacific pro perfect cap pealer
My potential to earn is plainly obvious, adhering to a specific protocol while perfectly removing caps.
Performing skull circumsitions, when I position the prism
I metaphorically perform precise and impactful surgeries on minds when I utilize my unique perspective.
Permiscuis wit other people's pussy ?pawn? wit the playa like Big Pun
I engage promiscuously with other people's partners, just like Big Pun would, asserting my player status.
Poisonous poet, I Master "p" like UHHHHHHH!!!
I am a venomous poet, mastering the letter "p" in my poetic craft, emphasizing its sound.
Skillz ?cotted? enabled
My skills are revered and potent, enabling me to excel.
Herb you just and ingrown hair in the world of tweezers
You're nothing but an insignificant and annoying obstacle in the larger scheme of things.
We can dance before I crack MC's like Gator in jungle fever
We can engage in a back-and-forth before I defeat other MCs with confidence, like Gator from the film Jungle Fever.
Got them speakin in number like SoundScan
I influence others to discuss and analyze numbers, just like SoundScan measures music performance.
Severed the ears off your soundman, black Israelite
I metaphorically silence your soundman and proudly embrace my Black Israelite identity.
Like four-hundred and forty-four thousand
Similar to the biblical reference of the chosen few, I am part of a select group of individuals.
Niggas talk like dog, we'll walk like cat
Others may speak boldly, but we will be sly and unpredictable in our actions.
I'm Ozzy Osbourne bitin the head off of rats
I'm like Ozzy Osbourne, using shock value to capture attention, just like biting the head off rats.
When they started bustin, fuck the Russian
When the conflict escalated, we disregarded the Russian involvement.
We playin West Indian Roulette, ?some of mine? blind get wet
We engage in a dangerous game, similar to West Indian Roulette, where some individuals get hurt unknowingly.
From New Jack to Vet I can modem
I have transitioned from being a newbie to a skilled veteran, easily adapting to various situations.
Comes off like three adam's apples in the inner scrotum
My rhyme delivery is noteworthy and distinct, comparable to three adam's apples located within the inner scrotum.
My rhyme ?, clearin my sinus, bitch slime on your Iceberg
My rhymes are therapeutic, relieving my sinus congestion, similar to a cleaning agent, while dismissing the low-quality rhymes of others.
And let the virus cross appliance
I allow my infectious rhymes to spread across various platforms and impact the music industry.
Give birth to earth to planet, we harder than granite
We, as artists, bring forth creativity and substance, surpassing the toughness of granite.
And concrete, man made could never compete, complete down to the core
Even man-made structures like concrete can't match the authenticity and completeness we possess at our core.
Weighing in tons, hotter than lava, God, Javi, Jahovah, Allah heavenly Father
Our impact is immense, surpassing the weight of tons and being hotter than lava, embodying the divine qualities of God, Javi, Jahovah, and Allah.
Nuns to bank robbers, wealth beyond the dollar
Our reach extends from religious figures like nuns to criminals like bank robbers, encompassing abundance beyond material wealth.
Here to school the scholar, make new born babies
We aim to educate and enlighten even the most educated individuals and inspire the birth of new ideas and creations.
No live for no bitch or lady, they try to play me
I don't prioritize or depend on any woman or romantic relationship because they often attempt to manipulate me.
We flowin like the Mississippi to the River Euphrates
Our music flows and spreads seamlessly, much like the connection between the Mississippi and River Euphrates.
One-hundred and eighty times two, one complete rotation
Reflecting on ideas and possibilities, considering 180 multiplied by 2, which equals a full rotation or complete change.
Fit any situation for a small donation, live on location
We adapt to any circumstance and can provide our services for a small fee, performing live at various venues.
Third planet from the sun
Referring to Earth, specifically as the third planet from the sun in our solar system.
Travel 24 hours you spend a lifetime to run
Even if you travel for 24 hours, it feels like a lifetime because you're constantly running and chasing something.
Witness the slave shot he bolted to a gat and a gun
We observe the oppression and violence against slaves, which drives them to use firearms to defend themselves.
From Hitler, Musolini, to Attila the Hun
Referring to tyrants and historical figures known for their brutality and conquests.
Imagine existence wit no fear, tears never shed here
Imagine a world where people live without fear and never shed tears due to pain or sadness.
One day for me could last a thousand years
A single day in my life feels like an eternity, given the intensity and impact of experiences.
The first element baby, one two....
I am the original and fundamental element in the rap game, establishing the foundation for others to follow.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@terryhill4244
Jah Skillz was so damn talented ..
@yowspisaac6113
One of my favorites for sure
@anthonysmoshpadilla
nothing like this couldve been made out of the 90s , to damn good
@blablablabla691
His first album, At the Speed of Life, is proof of that.
@DonMack279
i had no idea this song was 10 years old. I didn't hear it until 2003 or 2004.
@yowspisaac6113
23 years old now !!
@DeFiNiTioNoFiLLmaTiC
Son Ras Kass is a beast, the best from the west next to xzibit
@cuddlesducks
proof that xzibit can write when he actually tries
@choseneliteigu
the new firm should be Nas, AZ , RAS KASS & XZIBIT
@xBigTwoSSx
warren g>jah skillz> im in this vid.