[LP Stream] RAS KASS & JACK SPLASH are SEMI HENDRIX - "Breakfast @ Banksy's"

Ras Kass is a very interesting artist in my opinion, since his demo or advance album sampler in the early to mid-'90s he has showed more lyrical promise than most yet his projects have often been badly hampered by flat production. Last year he however managed to get a lot of good reviews when he hooked up with Detroit's Apollo Brown to produce the entirety of his album. Therefore it comes at no suprise that Ras' has decided to once again hook up with Mello Music Group and have connected with a single producer to create his album.

The resulting LP, "Semi Hendrix" marries Ras' intricate rhyme schemes and agressive lyrics with funky production by Matt Kahane, better known as California producer Jack Splash. The nineteen track sees Ras Kass getting busy over funky backdrops, often spewing verses that works on the level of an indictment against the American justice system, the still prevalent racism of todays society and much more. Among the albums guest stars we can find Cee-Lo Green, Kurupt, Raheem DeVaughn, Wreckonize and even Slipknot member Starstruck. I've only listened to a few cuts so far but will give it a thorough front-to-back listen within the next couple of days. Neither Mello Music Group or Ras Kass rarely dissapoints, so I'd suggest you check it out for yourself as well! You can stream and purchase the HQ download @ MMG's Bandcamp while the 2xLP and CD editions can be copped @ UGHH .

RAS KASS x DJ PREMIER - "Bars in the Booth"

Session 8 of DJ Premier's excellent Bars in the Booth series features lyrical genius Ras Kass going all in over another sick Preemo banger. Sick!

[Album] Compilation - "MMG - Persona"

Let's continue on the Mello Music Group theme right now. A while back we got some slamming single from an upcoming MMG compilation called "Persona" featuring exclusive songs from a host of the fat roster of the respected indie label, often collaborating with other respected underground artists. Emcees and collaborations on here include a lot of interesting things; how about Oddisee & Phonte, yU & Nottz, Apollo Brown & Ras Kass (produced by Apollo Brown, so almost a "Blasphemy" bonus track), Apollo Brown & Masta Ace, L'Orange & Kool Keith, Red Pill & Oh No, and many more. Very dope compilation that YOU NEED TO HEAR! You can stream the album for free via MMG's Bandcamp where you can also purchase a HQ download of the allbum.

[Album] DJ EFN - "Another Time"

DJ EFN is a DJ and producer originally hailing from Miami, originally known for his early '90s "Crazy Hood" mixtapes series, Now after over 20 years in the industry, learning the ropes, and building connections, EFN is stepping to the table with a retail album under his own name - entitled "Another Time". The album is oficially released today and is filled to the fucking limit with incredible guests from all coasts and different generations - or how about Scarface, Inspectah Deck, MC Eiht, Blu, Sean Price, Your Old Droog, M.O.P., Guilty Simpson, KAM, Fashawn, Cormega, Cory Gunz, Masta Ace, Killer Mike and many more. Sounds almost too crazy to be true right? While the majority of the production is handled by DJ EFN himself, DJ Premier, Hazardis Soundz, Davincci and Miami Heat Wave each contribute a track or two as well. Damn sick cover by Skam2? as well, everything about this project screams true ass hip hop if you ask me... Another incredible release from the always trustowrthy Redefinition Records - order it directly from REDEF, Fat Beats or iTunes.

01. Intro feat. Umar Bin Hassan (The Last Poets)
02. Another Time feat. Inspectah Deck, Guilty Simpson, M.O.P., Bernz (¡MAYDAY!)
03. Selfish feat. King Tee, Fashawn, Kurupt
04. Lane 2 Lane feat. Don Logan (Gunplay), Denzel Curry
05. South-West feat. MC Eiht, Blu, Kam
06. Crazy Dope feat. Milk Dee, Sean Price, Murda Mook
07. Revolutionary Ride Music feat. Your Old Droog, Royce da 5’9, OC, Reks
08. Crazy (Interlude) feat. Umar Bin Hassan (The Last Poets)
09. Who’s Crazy? feat. Troy Ave, Scarface, Stalley, DJ Premier
10. Fiyah Gun feat. Smif N Wesson, Spragga Benz, Kardinal Offishall, Bittah Sosicka
11. If U Run feat. Killer Mike, Webbz, KXNG Crooked (Crooked I)
12. Survival feat. Juvenile, Dead Prez, Trick Daddy
13. When I’m Dead feat. Joell Ortiz, Chris Rivers, Keith Murray, Skam2
14. Warrior feat. Sizzla, David Banner, N.O.R.E., Jon Connor
15. Power feat. Sa-Roc, Masta Ace, Thirstin Howl III
16. Role Model feat. Bun B, Jarren Benton, Eric Biddines, Amber Monique
17. Paradise feat. Talib Kweli, Wrekonize, Redman
18. Motivation feat. Defari, Cormega, Boaz
19. G Shit feat. McGruff, Prez P, Grafh
20. #HomeTeam feat. Garcia, Dynas, Skam2?, Heckler, Society, Mother Superia
21. We Earned It feat. Ras Kass, Black Milk, Black Collar, Cory Gunz

STREAM "ANOTHER TIME" @ DJBOOTH

APOLLO BROWN / RAS KASS Ft. SEAN PRICE - "Impossible Dreams"

Apollo Brown and Ras Kass' recent collaborative project definitely featured some top-notch moments of raw hip-hop with a message (how heavy is that "Deliver us From Evil"?) and it turns out there was at least one stunning moment left on the cutting room floor. "Impossible Dreams" features the impeccable Sean Price who is a great fit for both Ras and Apollo's styles. 

RAS KASS / APOLLO BROWN Ft. Xzibit & Bishop Lamont - "Giraffe's Pussy"

The third single from the upcoming "Blasphemy" album brings more raw heat from Ras Kass over heavy, synth-driven heavy beats by Apollo Brown. For "Giraffe Pussy" (haha what) the duo invites Xzibit and Bishop Lamont for a real West Coast rendezvous. "Blasphemy" drops on October 28 via Mello Music Group, count on me to cop this! Pre-order and check the tracklist @ Bandcamp.

[Video] APOLLO BROWN & RAS KASS - "Humble Pi"

Following the hard knocking single "H20", featuring Pharoahe Monch and Rakaa of Dilated Peoples, the duo of Ras Kass and Apollo Brown is now following up with an equally hot singe "Humble Pi". The video has been out for a few days, but it's dope enough not to sleep on, so enjoy for those of you who missed it before. "Blasphemy" drops October 27, check out the tracklist and pre-order @ iTunes.

RAS KASS & APOLLO BROWN - "H20" (Ft. P. Monch & Rakaa)

As you might be aware of by now, the latest legendary emcee in line for a full-on collaboration with Detroit producer Apollo Brown is Sir Ras Kass. The album, which is set for a October 28 release via Mello Music Group, is called "Blasphemy" and consists of 15 songs featuring collabs with people like Sick Jacken, Sean Price, Royce Da 5'9", Xzibit, Bishop Lamont, Pharoahe Monch and Rakaa Iriscience. The two latter is featured on the first single "H20" (didn't Ras already put out a song with that title?) which you can check out above. Finally a Ras Kass album entirely produced by a really talented cat with a sound akin to the Golden Era. Pre-order a copy of the limited 2xLP set @ MMG, press play above and check out the tracklist below.

01. "Next Caller"
02. "How To Kill God"
03. "H20" (Ft. Pharoahe Monch & Rakaa Iriscience)
04. "Please Don't Let Me"
05. "Strawberry"
06. "Giraffe Pussy" (Ft. Royce Da 5'9", Xzibit & Bishop Lamont)
07. "Roses" (Ft. 4 Rax)
08. "Deliver Us From Evil"
09. "Too Much of A Good Thing"
10. "Animal Sacrifice"
11. "Humble Pi"
12. "48 Laws Pt. 1"
13. "Francine"
14. "Drink Irish" (Ft. Slaine, Sick Jacken & Sean Price)
15. "Bon Voyage"

SHABAAM SAHDEEQ Ft. MASTA ACE, RAS KASS, EL GRANT & PAWZ 1 - "Darkness"

Coming on the heels of his excellent "Keepers of the Lost Art" (in my opinion his finest album yet), Shabaam Sahdeeq releases the promotional street single "Darkness", a powerful posse cut produced by Jake Palumbo and released on Space Lab Recordings. Over the dark, thumping instrumental Sahdeeq get busy along with legends Masta Ace and Ras Kass a long with El Grant and Pawz One. The digital single is available from the labels Bandcamp for free streaming and can be downloaded for a price of your own choosing. The single include the main version, a clean mix and the instrumental. Bang this rugged ish y'all!

[Album] RAS KASS - "Goldyn Child"

More than ten years past its incarnation Ras Kass finally is giving his much bootlegged "Goldyn Child" album an official release. Albeit only a digital release via Ras' Bandcamp page at this point it's good to see that the LP is at last given it's proper due; mastered and all. While it's not my favorite project from this lyrical giant, the 18 track album has its fair share of bangers, including collaborations with Pharoahe Monch, DJ Premier, Dr. Dre, Busta Rhymes, Hi-Tek, Rockwilder, Xzibit, Scott Storch. Not to mention loads of ill verses from the main artist, but that's a given. Be sure to give this one a spin and why not throw up a 10 for a HQ download while you're at it?

Throwback] RAS KASS - "Rasassination" (Bonus Trx)

 Back in 1998 Ras Kass followed up his magnificent and later to become a classic solo debut "Soul on Ice", which proand ved that he wasn't just a nice emcee speaking on real topic over to this unforgettable beats (records like "Soul On The Ice", not least the remix, "Nature od The Treat", "On Earth as It Is", "Sonset", and the list goes on). But following such a solid album, not to say classic, is always a risky thimodeng - the infamous sophomore jinx which we've seen so many tmes from various, great artsts. Still signed to Priority records the year after his debut was released, Ras was back at the studios getting busy with collaborators such as Dr. Dre and Mack 10 who supplies rhyme with Ras over a hot joint laded down by Dre's protogé at the time, Stu-B-Doo who produces another additional four songs.Other guests and producers include Big Jaz, Xzibit, Saafir, Twista, and man more.he collaboration between The RZA and Ras Kass over a stunning Easy Mo Bee (on "The End" - to this day one of my favorite track from both Ras' and Mo Bees' respective catalouges.  

 "Resuecction"  might not be the bonafide classic that '96 debut is, but it's most certainly a very good album. Lyrically Ras is as on point as always it's a blessing listening to his wordplay, serious lyrics and his voiceaddictive cadence. Add to that the majority of beats that really knocks for the most part, and when you take these two concepts  Add a bunch of hot guests from both the East and West and you can't deny that you have a hot album on your hands. The only downside was that it's slightly too long and a bunch of he tracks didn't hold up to the high standard of the best mateial here. Deleting about four tracks Ras Kass had created an incredible album that I still play from-time-to-time a long with his debut two years earlier.,

So how come I'm making a post and nini-article on this particular 1998 album, it happens that I do it when I have just listened to an older album that I love and want to revisit its strengths and wealnesses. Here though, Ras Kass has just released an updated version of the album (digital only it seems), which is available for stream and/or download in HQ "mp3:s from Ras' Bandcamp.. I'm not sure if it has been remastered but the most interesting thing about the release is that it is a deluxe edition featuring three previously unreleased tracks recorded during the making of the project, and they are all iLL too; "DJ Red Alert Drop" as you would've gussed is just a thirty second drop from Red Alert over a funky, thumping beat; "Game Face" is perhaps the most interesting joint, recorded in 1997, it features Ras and Xzibit going back and forth; last but not least you got "66-Sicks", a smooth beat where Ras Kass goes into storytelling mode and takes on the topic of how fucked up the world can, and often will be. This would have been perfect on the album, I can't understand why he would ditch it. It would've been perfect as the closing song if  "The End" didn't already do that job marvelously. Oh well, at least we are now finally able to hear this gems as well as revisit Ras last classic album if you ask me. In case you're new to this site, be sure to check out two next two albums following this, that unventually got shelved after competion and thought was lost for years. Luckily the incredible Lost Tapes contributer ANT hooked me up with full, mastered versions of "Goldyn Child"  and  "Van Gogh" so we should definitely THANK HIM for thosse gems. Ait, time to get your Ras Kass on!

[Album] PAWZ ONE - "Face The Facts"

Pawz One is a quick-minded writer and spitter with a good ear for beats that's been on the rise for a few years with independent mixtape releeases like the "Verbal Virus" series, "B.A.D. Company" and "Numbers Don't Lie". Coming from the streets of Los Angeles you can count on Pawz having a whole bunch of interesting stories to tell, and as the press release states "the album plays out like a Golden Era hustler's anthem, [but it's the] delivery and presentation that makes this one so memorable". "Face The Facts" is eighteen tracks of fine storytelling rap, everyday life documents and striving from nothing to the top over a mix of gritty boom bap and slightly smoother jazz-esque joints provided by long-time collaborators Default and Breeze (both fellow LA-reps), respecitvely. While Pawz would perfectly hold down this LP by hismelf it's hard to complain when the guests invited to the table includes Ras Kass, Rakaa Iriscience, Masta Ace, Termanology and 2Mex. Another positive is the heavy use of cutting and scratching, something that pretty much any real hip-hop LP benefits tremendously from in my opinion. Though Pawz have been making his name known through the mixtape series throughout these recent years, I'd say that practice is over and "Face The Facts" is Pawz true introduction to the world - an introduction that indiciates that this young L.A.-born and bred emcee is definitely hear to stay. Easily one of the best debuts of the year - excellent!

"Face The Facts" are being released by Below System Records (the same imprint that gave us another of 2014:s strongest outing with Shabaam Sahdeeq's "Keepers of the Lost Art") and are right now selling the album in digital format and as a three panel digipack CD. However Below System will be doing a run of the LP on wax, limited to 250 copies, and unlike all those fancy labels that choose to make new vinyl releases rare by pushing the prices to ridiciolous amounts, these 250 copies are not priced much higher than the CD which is a big thumbs up from me. The vinyl drops on September 26, and can be pre-ordered as a part of three different packages. Package #1 (the LP only), Package #2 (the LP + CD + three track cassette single of "The Luv" featuring Masta Ace) and Package #3 (same as #2 but also includes a Pawz One/Face The Facts T-Shirt). Via Bandcamp you can order the CD (which are shipping now) and cop the digital as well as stream the entire album which I have embeded below (notice that the player starts with track #8 just back up til' you come to track #1 before you hit play). PLAY IT LOUD.... A LITTLE LOUDER!!

RAS KASS / HRSMN / TRAGEDY KHADAFI - "Historic"

Save for the hook I feel the A-grade lyricism displayed from everyone involved and the production is not outstanding but definitely stellar. So yeah, this track from Canibus' upcoming album "Fait Accompli" with strong guest verses from four of the best from the East and the West, respectively. A while back Ras Kass said he was leaving The HRSMN (the super group consisting of 'Kass, Killah Priest, Canibus and Kurupt) and here he reunites with them for the first track from the crew in several years. Also featured on the song is Tragedy Khadafi,, one of my absolute favorites - amd it's a wise choice adding him to the mayhem, especially rhyming with Killah Priest. Good to hear a real lyrical joint witth something to say, I'd say this would take multiple listens before you can truly absorb the real knowledge. Bump this one while you wait for the release of the previously mentioned "Fait Accompli" which hit stores and online retailers on June 10, pre-order your copy @ iTunes or Amazon for the CD release. Also check out the first album single.

9TH PRINCE / RAS KASS - "California Dreaming"

More Wu-Tang related ish right here, and hell yeah it's a banger. 9th Prince might not have the strongest delviery in the game, but he's got an amazing ear for beats and his catalouge is one of the few Wu-affiliates still active really worth bumping. His new single from his upcoming "Shaolin Prince" (dropping this summer) is no exception as producer BP hooks up 9th and guest emcee Ras Kass with an up-tempo chopped up soul monster sampling the classic Mamas & The Papas song of the same name. The high energized production enables both emcees, with 9th almost back in Killarmy mode, going in HARD. Thanks to Jammin and WTCFoLife for the find of the track, and video, respecitvely. Muich appreciated!

RAS KASS / MISTA LAWGNE - "Kick Rocks"

West Coast legend  Ras Kass and one time East Coast  legend Mista Lawgne (the proucer and sometimes emcee of Black Sheep's classic "A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing" and the somewhat overlooked "Non-Physicion") has teamed up for a new group called The White Crows. Being a fan of both artists this is some rocking good news, and especially to finally hear the production work of Mista Lawgne who have been missing from the game for more or less than 20 years. The single (which comes with the disclaimer "for promotional purposes only, and not meant for sale"). The joint is only just under 3 minutes but undoubtedly sound good, and I'm hyped to see where this will lead. Stay tuned for more info.

Sgt. Over / Ras Kass / Ransom - "I'm Thru" + "Black Death"

Jersey's Sgt. Over goes west with sending an invitation for Ras Kass to join him on his latest single "I'm Thru". The result is a hardknocked winner - over a thumping, raw drum track underlining a sparse bass melody broken down by a nicely chopped vocal sample and winding down keys. Ras Kass truly spazzes here, but Sarge definitely gets it in as well. The Basement Beatz produced "I'm Thru" as well as the recent "Black Death" (feat. Ransom) are promotional singles for "Big Music", set to drop sometime during the first quarter of 2014. Before Sarge's official LP drops, two EP:s are however planned for immediate release; "School Of Hard Knoxx" and "Sargenetics"... Stay tuned!

Lil' Fame - "Get Busy Freestyle"

There's no question that Lil' Fame still got it, just check this latest freestyle off J-Ronin's latest tape, where Slap gets busy over the "Get Busy" beat. This'll appear on J-Ronin and All Element's upcoming "Freestyle Files Vol. 2" which also includes tough frees by Skyzoo, Ras Kass, Sav Killz, Tragedy Khadafi, Sadat X, Krumbsnatcha and many more.

[Video] PLANET ASIA & RAS KASS - "Kings"

Two of the West Coast's finest lyricists join forces over a heavyhitter supplied by DJ Numsonic (remember Reks' last album), with some straight turntablism supplied by DJ Heron. "Kings" is the lead sigle from an album featurig some extreme talented vocalists going in over productions by Brown Bag AllStars J57 and DJ Numsonic called "LI FTW" which hopefully will see the light of the day soon enough. The video was directed by Garcoa for Crazy Hood Films.

[Mastered] RAS KASS - "VAN GOGH"

At one time, Ras Kass was truly the great lyrical hope of the West Coast, releasing two albums that were as fantastic as they were promising in the mid- to late '90s. I'm of course talking about the lyrical masterpieces "Soul On Ice" (1996) and the slightly inferior, but still very good, "Rasassination" (1998). Following those true gems, things started go downhill for various reasons for one of the most promising artists of the West Coast; it all started with problems with his current label Priority Records. His next official solo album ("Institutionalized") didn't land in stores until 2005, and if you don't know your history you might believe that Ras simply was fed up with the music industry and recorded shit all in those seven years. This couldn't be farther from the truth; in fact, Ras Kass completed no less than two albums between those two albums, neither which was sadly officially released although a few singles and several promo ads made their presence known.

 

In late '99 the brilliant West Coast artist was set to release "Van Gogh", an interesting album for Ras Kass die-hards but at the same time a far cry from his two first albums in both production and lyrics. Still, there's a bunch of dope tracks here that any fan of meaningful West Coast rap and The Kass should here. One of the most interesting parts of the album is The Alchemist "diss" which stemmed from Ras being promised an ALC beat for his album, which the producer sold to Jadakiss for his "We Gonna Make It" before Ras got the chance to release his album. The DJ Khalil produced "Kiss U", one of the illest cuts on the LP starts off with about one minute prelude set over the Alchemist beat and Ras' first verse over the song which was to be called "Home Sweet Home". It's abruptly cut off which is a shame since the song could bring some more much neated heat to the project. Khalil also laces Ras with the title track which is another banger. I get the feeling that DJ Khalil should be the main producer of this album, as he and Ras seems to have a nice chemistry between them. I also got to give props to the fat track "NBA", one of the first songs to feature the trio of Xzibit, Saafir and Ras Kass; also known as Golden State Project.

Everybody's favorite Ras' joint pre-"Soul On Ice", "Goldyn Child" appears early in the album, and while it's lyrically fierce, the beat leaves much to the imagination and sounds pretty genertic overall (although it has been said that Dr. Dre produced it). In other words, this is hardly the classic DJ Premier remix we hear here, but rather the original version which is so bland that it makes you appreciate Preemo's remix skills even more. This is followed by the Dr. Dre West Coast anthem "Back It Up" which is actually sounding pretty ill, and would definitely get a club moving back in 2000. Some other dope cuts here are the Xzibit featured "Sex", which for a change is an actually good production by JellyRoll, though it's quite unconventional it suits the two emcees quite well. The two final tracks, were Ras Kass gets introspective over some somber production ("God Bless" and "Eulogy") is a real nice way to round off the album.

With that being said, there's plenty of wack tracks here, that makes you scratch your head, wondering if this is really the same guy who made tracks like "The End", "Nature of the Threat" and the Diamond D remix of "Soul On Ice". Songs like the over-ambitious "TV-guide", "A-Ha" and "One Night" strays so far away from what his already established fanbase that it's really no mystery why Priority decided to shelve this album at the last minute. And it's probably the best thing to do as, despite a few real heaters, this album would taint Ras Kass catalouge maybe even to the point of no return. Download it for yourself. listen to this and then listen to the "Goldyn Child" album which is at least quite a bit better although it still really doesn't match up Ras' two first albums. On there, he reused most of the best songs from "Van Gogh", like the DJ Premier remix of the title track, "Back it Up", and a few others along with a lot of brand new cuts. Maybe if you take the best songs from both albums, you could come up with a pretty damn decent album. For now enjoy this 2/5 album, much thanks to ANT (who also supplied the mastered version the abovementioned album).

 

01. "Intro"

02. "Hot Game"

02. "Goldyn Child"

03. "Back It Up" (Ft. Kokane)

05. "Kíss U"

06. "SEX" (Ft, Xzibit & Jellyroll)

07. "Is This Love"

08. "Twins" [Skit]

09. "Kick Rocks" (Ft. Tray Dee)

10. "4 Much" (Ft. Tash, Nate Dogg & Bad Azz)

11. "What U Want?" (Ft. Mikey Dan)

12. "N.B.A." (Ft. Golden State)

13. "Commercial" [Skit]

14. "TV-Guide"

15. "Ah-Ha"

16. "One Night"

17. "U R Mad" [Skit]

18. "Root$ of Evil" (Ft. Kokane)

19. "Van Gogh"

20. "Ignant" [Skit]

21. "God Bless"

22. "Euology"

 

RAS KASS - "VAN GOGH" [MASTERED]

[LP Stream] RAS KASS - "Barmageddon"

On November 14, one of the West's finest lyricists Ras Kass released his mixtape "Bare Arms Presents: Barmageddon" as a free digital mixtape. The 23-tracks included here works as a prequel to Kass' forthcoming full-length LP, "Barmagedon", including classic guest spots, freestyles and new material..Whenn the tape was released, the official album was announced to be release date of December 19. The project has since been pushed back to February 12, but unfortunately only seems to be available in digital format via iTunes where you can now pre-order the album.

The good news is that Ras' and his crew have already made the entire album up for streaming via the emcees' Bandcamp page. The eighteen tracks featured here, includes collaboration from Guilty Simpson, Sick Jaken, Talib Kweli, Planet Asia, Kendrick Lamar, Ice-T, Agallah, Monie Love, Dina Rae, and more. Production comes from the likes of FOCUS, Agallah, Illinformed, Klassic, and more. In other words a definnite listen, and if you're feeling this please support it over at iTunes, or if we're really lucky we will eventually get a physical relase. TURN IT UP!