Nature of the Threat
Encyclopedia
Nature of the Threat is a song by Hip-Hop artist Ras Kass
, which appeared as the fifth track on his debut album Soul on Ice
.
Despite not being released as a single, the song gained attention because it expressed controversial views on issues such as religion
, homosexuality
, and the history of Western civilization
. Much of the content is drawn from particularly militant teachings of Afrocentrism
. Ras Kass was criticized by several commentators for criticizing the government, Christians, white history, and homosexuality.
Ras Kass
John Austin IV, better known by his stage name Ras Kass, is an American rapper. He is also a part of hip hop supergroup The HRSMN along with Canibus, Killah Priest, and Kurupt...
, which appeared as the fifth track on his debut album Soul on Ice
Soul on Ice
Soul On Ice is the critically acclaimed debut album by West Coast rapper Ras Kass. It was released on October 1, 1996, by Priority Records and was produced by Ras Kass, as well as DJ Battlecat, Vooodu, Bird, Michael Barber, Michael Schlesinger, and Reno Delajuan...
.
Despite not being released as a single, the song gained attention because it expressed controversial views on issues such as religion
Religion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
, homosexuality
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
, and the history of Western civilization
Western culture
Western culture, sometimes equated with Western civilization or European civilization, refers to cultures of European origin and is used very broadly to refer to a heritage of social norms, ethical values, traditional customs, religious beliefs, political systems, and specific artifacts and...
. Much of the content is drawn from particularly militant teachings of Afrocentrism
Afrocentrism
Afrocentrism is cultural ideology mostly limited to the United States, dedicated to the history of Black people a response to global racist attitudes about African people and their historical contributions by revisiting this history with an African cultural and ideological center...
. Ras Kass was criticized by several commentators for criticizing the government, Christians, white history, and homosexuality.