When Hip Hop fans talk about longevity, one name that is often notably absent from discussions is West Coast lyricist Ras Kass. True, label and legal issues may have held the MC (once dubbed by The Source as the West Coast answer to Nas) from living up to his mainstream potential. Still, with over 25 years in the game — and over 25 solo and collaborative releases (including mixtapes) —he’s remained a solid institution and beacon for bars.
Sitting at 15 songs, the project captures the essence of Kass’ hunger and ultra-complex rhyme schemes from the original, while managing to sound somewhat more refined, modern and fresh.
There’s a lot to love here. The Diamond D-produced “Grammy Speech” (which sounds vastly different than the version he released a video for) sees him lamenting about the subpar skill set of some of today’s bigger acts. Humorously, he calls out phony rappers who purchase songs or rely on ghostwriters — beeping out their names, of course.
It’s reminiscent of the Mad Skillz single “Ghostwriter,” in which he blanked out the names of numerous artists he wrote for, only to reveal them in a later live performance.
“Shark Week” is another standout, drenched in enough bars to require multiple listens — and in an altering 4/4-3/4 time signature for an added layer of dexterity on his part.
One of the more surprisingly amazing collaborations was the reflective “The Long Way” featuring Everlast who smashes the soulful, laid back feature.
“LL Cool J” with Snoop and the Pete Rock produced “Can U Feel It” are (necessary) dialled back breathers from the more heavy tracks like university level dissertation Ras and Immortal Technique pave on “White Power.”
Though there are some deeper cuts here (in the spirit of “Nature Of The Threat”), Kass does spend a lot of bars harping on the music of today. Strangely, it doesn’t feel like typical old head chatter, but more of a superior beast pointing out weaker prey.
In fact, barring some references and a few mentions of distaste about being called an “OG,” Ras feels as lyrically fit as ever — and insanely focused.
There are definitely a few momentary lulls that may not inspire revisits, but overall, Ras Kass maintains his status as a rap institution. As the album closes not just with the lyrical depth of “Opioid Crisis” but the true album highlight — the remarkably self-aware, emotionally charged bonus track — you’re left wondering why Ras Kass is chronically left out of conversations.
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This is what I am talking about!! I can not wait to buy this joint!!
Ras been a beast since I was a young head. I’m now the old head the young cats clown but as my hair grown grayer Ras gotten nicer on the mic. With this the Nas, new Blu joint and my favorite Little Brother been a great 2 months or so for hip hop. A lot of good stuff so please stop trying to convince post malone is an artist. I grew,up.poor so I know garbage when I see it, smell it or it and he is all 3
Fr Fr, This, Little Brother, Nas, and the new Joell Ortiz.
Hip hop at its finest!
Supreme Spitter. Lyrically, Top 5 ever!
I got this cd 2 monds ago From Amazon?
The release was delayed but some shipments were sent out on the original release date
Finally. A well desrved review. Dope ass article. Real rap
Classic!!!
This is a racist
I wonder why he was never criminally charged for nature of the threath in wich he call whites unhuman mutants and raps about how bad and evil white people in history were.
Probally because he was never popular.
Good thing GAME knocked this clown k.o.
Criminally charged???? Lol! STFU
I’m white and your opinion sucks.
The truth hurts huh?
you can’t be racist to the people who invented racism
He so wack
Take the nut sack out your mouth and brush your teeth your opinion is smelly like an ass.
Ras ain’t fucking around here…
This ain’t it chief. A grown man talking about all that bullshit topics.
u a lil bitch, hoe child
This man (Ras Kass) knows what this man (me) will turn up in the beamer!
Fuego!!!
A WORTHY FOLLOW UP TO THE OG. SURPRISINGLY GREAT PRODUCTION ON THIS WITH SOME (EXPECTEDLY) TIGHT LYRICS.
4/5
Top 5 Forever!!
Ras Kass is arguably the greatest lyricist ever!!
Dope
Ras’s only problem in his career is that he was ahead of the game by 20 years. People finally catching up now and recognizing a great emcee.