Ras Kass
Encyclopedia
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
. also a member of Golden State Warriors
with Xzibit
and Saafir
.
) and their "Wake Up Show Anthem ’94" (feat. Ras Kass, Nas, Lauryn Hill
, Chino XL
, Organized Konfusion
& Saafir
), as well as Chino XL's "Riiot" American Records, and KeyKool & Rhettmatic's "E=MC5" (feat. Ras Kass, LMNO, Meen Green & !) Up Above Records
.
, Rakim
, Scarface
, and KRS-One
. His first album, Soul on Ice
, was released in 1996. Taking its name from a book by Eldridge Cleaver
, Ras addressed racial relations in the same manner, most notably with "Ordo Abchao" and "Nature of the Threat
." The album was released on Priority Records
, as was the follow-up, Rasassination
, which featured beats from Easy Mo Bee
and guest appearances by RZA
, Twista
, Xzibit
, Mack 10
and Dr. Dre
. Lead single "Ghetto Fabulous" featured Dre and Mack 10 and was pushed by a lavish video shoot. The album received generally positive reviews, and shortly afterward the MC announced his third album, Van Gogh.
, which acquired the emcee’s contract and his material. Initially near completion, the album was heavily bootlegged before any single or promotion could be prepared. In fact, the would be single "Van Gogh" was even played on an episode of The Sopranos. Ras went back to work overhauling the project, procuring tracks from DJ Premier
, Hi-Tek
, and Dr. Dre and retaining songs from Rockwilder
and Battlecat. Tensions arose during the re-recording, from budget restrictions to lack of promotion:
Ras Kass was also involved in The HRSMN
, sometimes called the 4 Hrsmn, consisting of himself, Kurupt
, Killah Priest
, and Canibus
. The Horsemen Project
, a white-label of rough tracks by the four, was released in 2003, but no other releases have been subsequently forthcoming. Finally, nearing the completion of his album, the MC and Priority disagreed over the lead single. Originally pushing "Goldyn Chyld," produced by DJ Premier, Priority executives decided to try to release the Dr. Dre-produced "The Whoop" instead, against the wishes of both Ras Kass and Dr. Dre. As he was finishing up Goldyn Chyld, Kass was pulled over in California and arrested for a D.U.I., marking his third; though sentenced to jail time, he was given an extension. Two weeks before the start of his sentence, Priority informed him of their decision not to put out Goldyn Chyld after all. Becoming a fugitive, Ras attained the masters to his project, recorded some music, and finally turned himself in to police. During this time, he also had minor problems with producer the Alchemist
, who sold Ras a beat that he later re-sold to rapper Jadakiss
, which ultimately formed the basis for the track "We Gon' Make It."
, generating a moderate buzz despite Capitol's alleged reluctance. He would go on to release two more mixtapes in 2006, Revenge of the Spit and Eat or Die, and got into a fight with former G-Unit
rapper The Game
over an alleged reference to the rapper's son in a freestyle . In October 2007, Kass finally succeeded in being released from his record contract. However, after rumors of a deal with Def Jam or G-Unit Records
, he was again incarcerated, this time for violating his parole by flying to the 2007 BET Awards
. During this time, he put out the album Institutionalized Vol. 2 on Babygrande Records
. After nearly two years of incarceration, Ras Kass was released from jail at the end of May 2009.
Ras Kass talks about his arrest and incarceration in the 2011 film Rhyme and Punishment which documents Rap artists who have spent time behind bars.
's Hip-Hop Weekly and Freeway
's Month of Madness. Though released in this format, the collected songs was released as an album. "The Quarterly" was released on November 23, 2009 via www.raskass-central.com and includes nineteen tracks featuring collaborations by Killah Priest, Mistah F.A.B. and Krondon of Strong Arm Steady, with production from Pete Rock, Veterano, and others.
2. Being the only boy in his household, Ras Kass was always surrounded by women. He grew up between his 4 sisters.
3. Ras Kass only began rapping because he wanted to have a tape with his picture on the cover for his mom. He considers himself an accidental rapper.
4. As a History fanatic, Ras Kass thought he would one day become a college professor.
5. Although he grew up in Watts (South Central L.A.), Ras Kass was raised in Carson and lived there his whole life.
6. Ras Kass' dream car is an Aston Martin Vanquish. He plans to rename it Raston Martin.
7. As an artist, Ras Kass watches a lot of movies and doesn't listen to a lot of music.
8. When he's not watching movies. Ras Kass reads profusely. One of his favorite writers is Anne Rice.
9. Ras Kass loves low top Nike Air Force 1, while tank tops and new white 'crispy boxers sraight from the Slauson Indoor Swap Meet.'
10. Ras Kass' favorite food is Chicken Fettucine Alfredo.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rapper. He is also a part of hip hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
supergroup
Supergroup (music)
In the late 1960s, the term supergroup was coined to describe "a rock music group whose performers are already famous from having performed individually or in other groups"....
The HRSMN
The HRSMN
The HRSMN is an American hip hop group that has released one album entitled The Horsemen Project. The group consists of the platinum and gold selling artists, Canibus, Ras Kass, Killah Priest, and Kurupt. The name of the group is in reference to the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, who appear in...
along with Canibus
Canibus
Germaine Williams , better known by his stage name Canibus, is a Jamaican-born American rapper. He is a part of supergroup The HRSMN. Canibus rose to fame in the mid-nineties...
, Killah Priest
Killah Priest
Walter Reed, better known as Killah Priest, Iron Sheik from the Middle East, or Masada, is an American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan affiliate who was raised in Bedford-Stuyvesant & Brownsville neighbourhoods in Brooklyn. He is known for intensely spiritual lyrics loaded with metaphors and religious...
, and Kurupt
Kurupt
Ricardo Emmanuel Brown , better known by his stage name Kurupt, also known as Kurupt Tha Kingpin, Kurupt Young Gotti or Young Gotstra is an American rapper and former Executive Vice President of Death Row Records...
. also a member of Golden State Warriors
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
with Xzibit
Xzibit
Alvin Nathaniel Joiner , better known by his stage name Xzibit , is an American rapper, actor, and television host. He is known as the host of the MTV show Pimp My Ride, which brought him mainstream success...
and Saafir
Saafir
Reggie Gibson, better known as Saafir is an emcee, producer and actor from Oakland, California. After moving from Fresno, California to Oakland, he lived with Tupac Shakur and became a dancer for Digital Underground...
.
Early career
Ras Kass sent waves through the hip-hop world with his debut independent single release "Remain Anonymous," earning him a Hip-Hop Quotable in The Source Magazine. Before his signing with Priority/EMI Records, Ras Kass began making guest appearances on several records and freestyles on numerous radio shows, further solidified the emerging lyricist's notoriety. Recorded guest appearances include Sway & King Tech's "Come Widdit" (feat. Ras Kass, Ahamad & Saafir) (Priority RecordsPriority Records
Priority Records is an American record label, owned and operated by EMI, which has made a name for itself dealing primarily in hip hop, pop and world...
) and their "Wake Up Show Anthem ’94" (feat. Ras Kass, Nas, Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Noelle Hill is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress.Early in her career, she established her reputation as a member of the Fugees. In 1998, she launched her solo career with the release of the commercially successful and critically acclaimed album, The Miseducation of...
, Chino XL
Chino XL
Derek Keith Barbosa , better known by his stage name Chino XL, is an American hip hop lyricist, battle rapper, and actor of Puerto Rican and African American descent...
, Organized Konfusion
Organized Konfusion
Organized Konfusion is an alternative hip hop duo from Queens, New York. Though not commercially popular, the duo was one of the most respected and acclaimed underground hip hop acts of the 1990s, largely due to the groundbreaking lyrics of Pharoahe Monch and Prince Poetry.-Recording career:Group...
& Saafir
Saafir
Reggie Gibson, better known as Saafir is an emcee, producer and actor from Oakland, California. After moving from Fresno, California to Oakland, he lived with Tupac Shakur and became a dancer for Digital Underground...
), as well as Chino XL's "Riiot" American Records, and KeyKool & Rhettmatic's "E=MC5" (feat. Ras Kass, LMNO, Meen Green & !) Up Above Records
Up Above Records
Up Above Records is an independent hip hop record label based in Long Beach, California, United States, co-founded in 1995 by Doug "Papadoug" Kato and The Visionaries member KeyKool, along with DJ Rhettmatic and Beat Junkies). The label's first release was a 12" single, KeyKool & Rhettmatic's "Can...
.
Soul on Ice & Rasassination
From a young age, Austin was influenced by hip hop music, inspired by a variety of emcees including Ice CubeIce Cube
O'Shea Jackson , better known by his stage name Ice Cube, is an American rapper and actor. He began his career as a member of the hip-hop group C.I.A. and later joined the rap group N.W.A. After leaving N.W.A in December 1989, he built a successful solo career in music, and also as a writer,...
, Rakim
Rakim
William Michael Griffin Jr. , known by his stage names Rakim , Rakim Allah, R.A.K.I.M., and The Master, is an American rapper. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential and most skilled emcees of all time. Eric B...
, Scarface
Scarface (rapper)
Brad Terrence Jordan , better known by his stage name Scarface, is an American rapper, and recording artist from Houston, Texas and a member of the Geto Boys. He is originally from South Park, Houston.-Life and career:...
, and KRS-One
KRS-One
Lawrence Krisna Parker , better known by his stage names KRS-One , and Teacha, is an American rapper...
. His first 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...
, was released in 1996. Taking its name from a book by Eldridge Cleaver
Eldridge Cleaver
Leroy Eldridge Cleaver better known as Eldridge Cleaver, was a leading member of the Black Panther Party and a writer...
, Ras addressed racial relations in the same manner, most notably with "Ordo Abchao" and "Nature of the Threat
Nature of the Threat
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...
." The album was released on Priority Records
Priority Records
Priority Records is an American record label, owned and operated by EMI, which has made a name for itself dealing primarily in hip hop, pop and world...
, as was the follow-up, Rasassination
Rasassination
Rasassination is the second album by rapper Ras Kass. It peaked at #63 on Billboard 200 and #11 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. One charting single was released "Ghetto Fabulous" featuring Dr...
, which featured beats from Easy Mo Bee
Easy Mo Bee
Osten Harvey, Jr., better known by his stage name Easy Mo Bee, is a hip hop/R&B record producer, known for production work for late 80's artists such as Big Daddy Kane, but most notable for his affiliation with Bad Boy Records in its early years and his heavy production involvement in The Notorious...
and guest appearances by RZA
RZA
Robert Fitzgerald Diggs, better known by his stage name RZA , is an American Grammy-winning music producer, multi-instrumentalist, author, emcee, and occasional actor, director, and screenwriter. A prominent figure in Hip Hop, RZA is the de facto leader of the Wu-Tang Clan. He has produced almost...
, Twista
Twista
Carl Terrell Mitchell , better known by his stage name Twista, is an American rapper. He is known for once holding the title of fastest rapper in the world according to Guinness World Records in 1992, being able to pronounce 598 syllables in 55 seconds...
, Xzibit
Xzibit
Alvin Nathaniel Joiner , better known by his stage name Xzibit , is an American rapper, actor, and television host. He is known as the host of the MTV show Pimp My Ride, which brought him mainstream success...
, Mack 10
Mack 10
Dedrick Rolison, , better known by his stage name Mack 10 is an American rapper and actor. He was a member of hip hop trio Westside Connection, along with Ice Cube and WC...
and Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
. Lead single "Ghetto Fabulous" featured Dre and Mack 10 and was pushed by a lavish video shoot. The album received generally positive reviews, and shortly afterward the MC announced his third album, Van Gogh.
Priority Issues, Van Gogh & Goldyn Chyld
During the recording of Ras's intended third album, Van Gogh, Priority Records merged with Capitol RecordsCapitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
, which acquired the emcee’s contract and his material. Initially near completion, the album was heavily bootlegged before any single or promotion could be prepared. In fact, the would be single "Van Gogh" was even played on an episode of The Sopranos. Ras went back to work overhauling the project, procuring tracks from DJ Premier
DJ Premier
Christopher Edward Martin , better known by his stage name DJ Premier , is an American record producer and DJ, and was the instrumental half of the hip hop duo Gang Starr, together with emcee Guru...
, Hi-Tek
Hi-Tek
Tony Cottrell, better known as Hi-Tek, is an American record producer and rapper from Cincinnati, Ohio. He is best known for his work with Talib Kweli on his Reflection Eternal album and on Black Star...
, and Dr. Dre and retaining songs from Rockwilder
Rockwilder
Rockwilder is an American hip hop and R&B record producer, rapper, and R&B Singer. A long term friend of Def Jam rapper Redman, Rockwilder got his start producing for East Coast Hip Hop artists in the mid 1990s. In 1999 Rockwilder produced Method Man & Redman's hit single "Da Rockwilder"...
and Battlecat. Tensions arose during the re-recording, from budget restrictions to lack of promotion:
Ras Kass was also involved in The HRSMN
The HRSMN
The HRSMN is an American hip hop group that has released one album entitled The Horsemen Project. The group consists of the platinum and gold selling artists, Canibus, Ras Kass, Killah Priest, and Kurupt. The name of the group is in reference to the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, who appear in...
, sometimes called the 4 Hrsmn, consisting of himself, Kurupt
Kurupt
Ricardo Emmanuel Brown , better known by his stage name Kurupt, also known as Kurupt Tha Kingpin, Kurupt Young Gotti or Young Gotstra is an American rapper and former Executive Vice President of Death Row Records...
, Killah Priest
Killah Priest
Walter Reed, better known as Killah Priest, Iron Sheik from the Middle East, or Masada, is an American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan affiliate who was raised in Bedford-Stuyvesant & Brownsville neighbourhoods in Brooklyn. He is known for intensely spiritual lyrics loaded with metaphors and religious...
, and Canibus
Canibus
Germaine Williams , better known by his stage name Canibus, is a Jamaican-born American rapper. He is a part of supergroup The HRSMN. Canibus rose to fame in the mid-nineties...
. The Horsemen Project
The Horsemen Project
The Horsemen Project is the first full-length album released by the hip hop supergroup The HRSMN through Think Differently Music/Proverbs Music Inc...
, a white-label of rough tracks by the four, was released in 2003, but no other releases have been subsequently forthcoming. Finally, nearing the completion of his album, the MC and Priority disagreed over the lead single. Originally pushing "Goldyn Chyld," produced by DJ Premier, Priority executives decided to try to release the Dr. Dre-produced "The Whoop" instead, against the wishes of both Ras Kass and Dr. Dre. As he was finishing up Goldyn Chyld, Kass was pulled over in California and arrested for a D.U.I., marking his third; though sentenced to jail time, he was given an extension. Two weeks before the start of his sentence, Priority informed him of their decision not to put out Goldyn Chyld after all. Becoming a fugitive, Ras attained the masters to his project, recorded some music, and finally turned himself in to police. During this time, he also had minor problems with producer the Alchemist
The Alchemist (producer)
Alan Daniel Maman , better known as The Alchemist, is an American hip hop producer, DJ and rapper. He hails from Beverly Hills, California...
, who sold Ras a beat that he later re-sold to rapper Jadakiss
Jadakiss
Jason Phillips , better known as Jadakiss, is an American rapper. He is a member of the group The LOX. Jadakiss is one of the three owners of the imprint known as D-Block. In early 2007, Jadakiss signed to Roc-a-Fella Records / Def Jam Records.-Early life:By the age of 16, Jadakiss was a freestyle...
, which ultimately formed the basis for the track "We Gon' Make It."
Incarceration, Institutionalized, Priority Release
After serving only 19 months for his D.U.I. charge, Ras Kass recorded the album Institutionalized and began seeking release from his contract with Priority/Capitol Records. Though intended to be an album, it was released as a mixtapeMixtape
A Mix Tape or Mixed Tape is a compilation of songs recorded in a specific order, traditionally onto an audio Compact Cassette.A Mix Tape, which usually reflects the musical tastes of its compiler, can range from a casually selected list of favorite songs, to a conceptual mix of songs linked by a...
, generating a moderate buzz despite Capitol's alleged reluctance. He would go on to release two more mixtapes in 2006, Revenge of the Spit and Eat or Die, and got into a fight with former G-Unit
G-Unit
G-Unit is an American hip hop group originating from New York City formed by 50 Cents. G-Unit emerged on the New York scene by independently releasing several mix tapes...
rapper The Game
The Game (rapper)
Jayceon Terrell Taylor , better known by his stage name Game, formerly The Game, is an American rapper and actor. As a member of G-Unit, he rose to fame in 2005 with the success of his debut album, The Documentary, which earned him two Grammy Award nominations...
over an alleged reference to the rapper's son in a freestyle . In October 2007, Kass finally succeeded in being released from his record contract. However, after rumors of a deal with Def Jam or G-Unit Records
G-Unit Records
G-Unit Records is an American record label, specializing in hip hop music, founded in 2003 by rapper 50 Cent and his manager Sha Money XL. Upon its inception, it operated as a subsidiary of, and was distributed through, Universal Music Group's Interscope Records...
, he was again incarcerated, this time for violating his parole by flying to the 2007 BET Awards
BET Awards
The BET Awards were established in 2001 by the Black Entertainment Television network to celebrate African Americans and other minorities in music, acting, sports, and other fields of entertainment over the past year. The awards are presented annually and broadcast live on BET...
. During this time, he put out the album Institutionalized Vol. 2 on Babygrande Records
Babygrande Records
Babygrande Records is an independent record label based in New York City founded by Chuck Wilson. Babygrande is distributed by the The Orchard, and represented by the Creative Artists Agency in Hollywood.-Discography:...
. After nearly two years of incarceration, Ras Kass was released from jail at the end of May 2009.
Ras Kass talks about his arrest and incarceration in the 2011 film Rhyme and Punishment which documents Rap artists who have spent time behind bars.
The Quarterly
Featured in HipHopDX's Underground Report, Ras Kass revealed that his next release would be a project called The Quarterly. Originally intended to be completed within the fourth quarter of 2009, it comprises a song a week released in the fashion of fellow west coast emcee Crooked ICrooked I
Dominick Wickliffe, better known by his stage name Crooked I, is an American rapper from Long Beach, California. He is a member of the hip hop group, Slaughterhouse with other members Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz and Royce da 5'9. Slaughterhouse is currently signed to Shady Records / Interscope Records....
's Hip-Hop Weekly and Freeway
Freeway (rapper)
Leslie Edward Pridgen , better known by his stage name Freeway, is an American rapper. Best known for his tenure on Roc-A-Fella Records and his affiliation with Jay-Z and Beanie Sigel, he is recognized by his high-pitched delivery and for the long beard he keeps due to his Muslim faith...
's Month of Madness. Though released in this format, the collected songs was released as an album. "The Quarterly" was released on November 23, 2009 via www.raskass-central.com and includes nineteen tracks featuring collaborations by Killah Priest, Mistah F.A.B. and Krondon of Strong Arm Steady, with production from Pete Rock, Veterano, and others.
A.D.I.D.A.S. Kickstarter Project & Save The Ras Kass
In 2010 Ras Kass launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund the manufacture of 1000 CDs and 500 vinyls for his A.D.I.D.A.S. (All Day I Dream About Spittin) project and a viral marketing campaign called Save The Ras Kass, which included a series of satirical webisodes about the plight of the endangered emcee. In an interview with MTV UK writer Han O'Connor he explained his decision to use Kickstarter, stating "we started trying different angles at solving old problems. Kickstarter was the natural evolution of trying creative new business models. When we put out The Quarterly there were people that said, ‘well how come you didn’t create a CD for this?’ and I’m like ‘well if I have to spend that $5000 and you want one, I appreciate it but there’s the small problem that I spent $5000.’" His webisodes document the downfall of an emcee, as he explained, "You just see this downward spiral; it’s just that fall from grace and I’m kind of making fun of that and using me as the vehicle for it."Studio albums
| Year | Album | Peak chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
U.S. R&B Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999... |
||
| 1996 | 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...
|
169 | 35 |
| 1998 | Rasassination Rasassination Rasassination is the second album by rapper Ras Kass. It peaked at #63 on Billboard 200 and #11 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. One charting single was released "Ghetto Fabulous" featuring Dr... |
63 | 11 |
| 2010 | A.D.I.D.A.S. (All Day I Dream About Spittin)
|
||
Street Albums
- "Van Gogh" (2001) (unreleased)
- "Goldyn Chyld" (2002) (unreleased)
- "Re-Up The Compilation" (2003)
- "Institutionalized" (2005)
- "Eat Or Die" (2006)
- "Revenge Of The Spit" (2006) (mixtape)
- "Chinese Graffiti" (2007)
- "Institutionalized Vol. 2" (2008)
- "Quarterly" (2009)
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. R&B Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... |
U.S. Rap Hot Rap Tracks Rap Songs is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States. It lists the 25 most popular hip-hop/rap songs, calculated weekly by airplay on rhythmic and urban radio stations and sales in hip hop-focused or exclusive markets. From 1989 through 2001, it was based on how much the single... |
|||
| 1996 | "Anything Goes Anything Goes (Ras Kass song) "Anthing Goes" was the first single released from Ras Kass' debut album, Soul on Ice. Produced and written by Ras Kass himself, "Anything Goes" peaked at 85 on the U.S... " |
85 | 20 | 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... |
| "Soul on Ice Soul on Ice (song) "Soul on Ice" was the second single released from Ras Kass' debut album, Soul on Ice. Produced by Bird, "Soul on Ice" became Ras Kass' most successful single chartwise, gaining the most success on the Hot Rap Singles, where it peaked at 22. Diamond D of D.I.T.C... " |
82 | 22 | ||
| 1998 | "Ghetto Fabulous Ghetto Fabulous (song) "Ghetto Fabulous" was the lead single released from Ras Kass' second album, Rasassination. Produced by Stu-B-Doo, the song featured a verse from Dr. Dre and a chorus by Mack 10. Though "Ghetto Fabulous" had a more commercial sound to it than his previous singles, it was not a commercial success,... " (featuring Dr. Dre Dr. Dre Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records... and Mack 10 Mack 10 Dedrick Rolison, , better known by his stage name Mack 10 is an American rapper and actor. He was a member of hip hop trio Westside Connection, along with Ice Cube and WC... ) |
56 | – | Rasassination Rasassination Rasassination is the second album by rapper Ras Kass. It peaked at #63 on Billboard 200 and #11 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. One charting single was released "Ghetto Fabulous" featuring Dr... |
Filmography
- 1997 Rhyme & ReasonRhyme & Reason (film)Rhyme & Reason is a 1997 documentary film about rap and hip hop. Documentary filmmaker Peter Spirer interviewed over 80 significant artists in rap and hip hop music...
- 1998 I Got the Hook UpI Got the Hook UpI Got the Hook-Up is a 1998 crime comedy film, starring A.J. Johnson and Master P, and directed by Michael Martin. This was No Limit Records first theatrical release.-Plot:...
- 2000 Brothahood
- 2007 BEEF IV
- 2011 Rhyme and Punishment
Razzypedia
1. In high school, Ras Kass was interested in performing arts. However, instead he ended up studying visual arts.2. Being the only boy in his household, Ras Kass was always surrounded by women. He grew up between his 4 sisters.
3. Ras Kass only began rapping because he wanted to have a tape with his picture on the cover for his mom. He considers himself an accidental rapper.
4. As a History fanatic, Ras Kass thought he would one day become a college professor.
5. Although he grew up in Watts (South Central L.A.), Ras Kass was raised in Carson and lived there his whole life.
6. Ras Kass' dream car is an Aston Martin Vanquish. He plans to rename it Raston Martin.
7. As an artist, Ras Kass watches a lot of movies and doesn't listen to a lot of music.
8. When he's not watching movies. Ras Kass reads profusely. One of his favorite writers is Anne Rice.
9. Ras Kass loves low top Nike Air Force 1, while tank tops and new white 'crispy boxers sraight from the Slauson Indoor Swap Meet.'
10. Ras Kass' favorite food is Chicken Fettucine Alfredo.