Customer Reviews

Rasassination

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ras Kass is an incredible lyricist and after gaining a reputation for dope lyrics in cyphers etc he exploded with Soul On Ice. Some said the beats were whack but the lyrics were great and the album was critically acclaimed instantly becoming an underground classic - although it did not get high sales (Ras actually points out on this problem in todays hip hop climate on SOI).

Like other reviewers have already said this album has some better beats but seemed a blatant attempt at commercialism probably to gain more sales. There are some real dissapointing songs here.

That being said there are some real gems still - Interview With A Vampire is arguably his best track he has done where he uses FX on his voice to make it sound there is 3 people having a conversation (God, Satan and himself) about the meaning of life. Conceited B*stard is also very dope. Ghetto Fabulous and The End see him hooking up with legendary producers Dr Dre and RZA respectively, with good results (RZA is a dope MC too).

All in all this is a must have for ANY hip hop fan for the concept of Interview With a Vampire alone. His 1st album Soul On Ice is also a must have.

Ras Kass has had some label trouble but talent will always shine through. When he is on fire, for me he can always make up for any bad tracks on an album. He is that good as an intelligent MC. If you haven't heard him, you need to.

After some time away he has a new mixtape called Institutionalized with some fresh songs. Pick that up too and support quality innovative music.

Ras Kass is one of the best (if not the best) wordsmiths alive. His wordplaying skills are awesome. The only bad thing about Rasassination is that there are some more commercial songs, with R&B-hooks and less hardcore beats. Still, the hardcore joints on the album make it worth buying. "H2OProof", "Ghetto Fabolous", "Interview With A Vampire", "Ice Age", "Wild Pitch" and "The End" truly demonstrates Ras Kass' lyrical skills. Buy this album if you're into tight lyrics!

1. Endtro
2. Rassassination (****)
3. Ghetto Fabulous. Feat. Dr. Dre and Mack 10. (*****)
4. Ice Age. (*)
5. Skit #1
6. Conceited Bastard. (**)
7. Ice Age. Feat. Kurupt and El Drex. (***)
8. In A Coogi Sweatshirt.
9. H20 Proof. Feat. Saafir. (****)
10. It Is What It Is. Feat. Jazze Pha. (****)
11. Interview with A Vampire. (*****)
12. Wild Pitch. Feat. Xzibit, Jah Skills and Phil Da Agony. (***)
13. Ooh Wee. (***)
14. All or Nuthin'. Feat. Twista. (***)
15. Grindin'. Feat. Bad Azz. (**)
16. I Ain't F*cking With You. (**)
17. Get At Me. (***)
18. The End. Feat. RZA. (***)

After the decent opening "Endtro", the kick-off track happens to be the title track. "Rassassination" powers in with Stu-B-Doo's brassy horns dominating the track, and Ras spitting a fabulous opening line: "You ain't got enough calcium to have a bone to pick wit me". He then continues, bragging with remarkable confidence (most would call it arrogance), boasting a set of witty, clever braggadocios rhymes: "Write my rhymes in alien and battle n----s in sign language/ Cowards make a little cheese then enlarge/ artificially, like Pamela Anderson Lee's double D's, please/ I'm bangin from Belize to Tel Aviv on the Red Sea/ Racin' Saddam Hussein on Kawasaki jet ski's".

"Ghetto Fabulous", again sporting a menacing Stu-B-Doo beat with synthesized strings, a haunting bassline and ramming percussion, is darker in tone, with Dr. Dre surprisingly taking a stab at rapping alongside Ras about livin' it up in the `ghetto'. Mack 10 lends some powerful clout to the chorus, but Ras' lyrical skill again shines through: "Want Juice like Tupac, then Obey Your Thirst clown/ Be in the PJ's in NY, rockin DK/ Mix EJ with OJ, OK, we say. "L.A. n----z got crazy game/ like John Elway got a super-bowl ring". I>"H20 Proof" is one of the better tracks on the LP, over a raw, compressed Big Jaz beat Ras laments the lack of support for underground artists. He spits some nice lines: "I'm nice, that's probably why I don't be f--kin with Sprite/ Cause thirst is nothin, image is everything on the mic/ These days, these DJs get paid under the table/ Pay the most popular producer on the most popular label/ Pay for full page ads in the most popular magazine/ Now you got the most popular new artist/ Guaranteed the air we breathe is thin, better tell her/ Then I'ma choke the bit-h out at 11:59, reveal the real Cinderella/ (AAAAAAHHHHHHH!) When two hydrogen's reach my oxygen atom/ You can't gat 'em or get at 'em/ Anatomically designed to be solar, f--k the rap star/ When I die I want n---s doing drive-by's with my ashes in the car

What is established here is that Ras is without a doubt a stunning emcee. His numerous metaphorical-contemporary culture references reminds me a lot of the style of Outsidaz' frontman Pacewon, and his inventive use of language surpasses many of his peers. He has supreme confidence, and can pull of difficult concept tracks like "Interview with a Vampire". Standing at 6:55 long, it is the sole track on "Rassassination" that can compete for sheer class with anything found on "Soul On Ice". With this track Ras raps as part of a three-way conversation with God and Satan debating the creation of the human race, the creation of the earth/universe and various social issues. Klev's "apocalyptic" beat is deeply atmospheric with powerful, thick synthesizers ripping through a slow, stop-start bassline and some chilling chimes. Stunning. Unforunately, this is close to the point where "Rassassination" stops being a 5 star album. It then falls, somewhat drastically.

You see, with Ras' attempts to make a bit more scrilla, he's ended up by throwing in a lot of half-arsed collaborations, some HORRIBLE beats, and a whole pile of stinking jigginess. Stu-B-Doo immediately undoes all his previous good work with "Lapdance", featuring all of the aforementioned curses, as Ras raps sleazily about lapdancers and strip-clubs. This is an absolute STINKER - by far the worst Ras Kass song I've ever heard. "I Ain't F-kin With You" and "Grindin'" (featuring DPGC member Bad Azz) are tedious, uninspired trips through Gangsta rap territory, somewhere that a man of Ras' talent should stay the hell away from. Ras then invites speed-rap merchant Twista onto "All Or Nothing", a horrendously misguided track. Ras' mere style and lyrics are not suited to fast-paced beats and fast rhyme schemes; his lengthy bars are suited more to slower stuff. It's no wonder he's left completely outclassed and tounge-tied.

As an overall track "Ice Age" is decent, but Kurupt's nonsensical braggadocio ("Rearranged, restructured, recomposed and decomposed/ Disassembled, dismembered, reconstructed, polished"... WTF?) and Ras Kass' horrible `playa-hater' lyrics spoil things. A bad effort from two emcee's who are always much better. "It Is What It Is", featuring soul crooner Jazze Phe, shouldn't be good but actually is - with some nice lyrics and a sickly sweet beat. "Wild Pitch", notably featuring Xzibit, and "Oohwee", while sticking solely to tedious gangsta fare, has a pretty nice beat, but can't escape the fact both tracks are strictly tolerable.

With "Rassassination" Ras Kas has pitched his tent far too broadly - he's changed what he's about as an artist in an (vein) attempt to try and capture a larger slice of the pie. It has failed - while the LP does have its moments - for the majority it falls strictly into the sad category of average. What makes its worse is that Ras Kass is truly a highly talented artist who should Not be coming out with mediocre dross like this. Hopefully, his new LP "Goldyn Child" can redress this. That's if we're still not...

This disc is one of those 'disappointing sophomore albums'. Not that 'Rasassination' is bad, it's just that the sparkling debut 'Soul On Ice' was so good. 'Rasassination' features more guest artists than 'Soul On Ice', therefore the artist himself doesnt get the opportunity to shine so brightly. But when Ras shines, he shines BRIGHT. Just listen to tracks like 'H20Proof', 'Conceited Bastard' or the title track, and you'll understand why people call Ras Kass one of the best true lyricists out west. He doesnt over-use metaphors, his flow is sick and the fact that the production on this album is so much better than on the debut helps out a lot. The only problem with Ras' rapping technique is his voice, which is somewhat average. The essential hit track is the Xzibit, Jah Skillz and Phil Da Agony-featured 'Wild Pitch', with its fast beat and slick delivery. Jah Skillz, a relatively unknown female rapper, doesnt impress with her lyrics, but her flow is somehow captivating. There are wack moments too, almost too much of them. 'Lapdance' (with RC) is probably one of the wackest attempts to make a party track I've ever heard, and the lyrics are just straight up nonsense. 'Grindin' (with Bad Azz) is from the same mold with its cheesy chorus and wack beat. Bad Azz whining on the track doesnt make it better either. 'It Is What It Is' (with Jazze Pha) is so stereotypical and clicheéd it almost hurts. The hook is one of the worst I've ever heard. But if there's a true diamond on this album, its definitely the epic 'Interview With A Vampire', where Ras plays the parts of a human, God and Satan. One of the best philosophical hip hop tracks ever, straight up. In conclusion, definitely not a bad album, but most definitely not a great one either. I'd say somewhere between 'pretty good' and 'good'.

First let me say that Ras kass's "rasassination" is tight but some songs like ghetto fabolous and grindin and lapdance are little commericial and i wasn feelin it at all...But his other songs mosdef make up for it. Specialy rasassination. Still recomended.

I first learned of Ras Kass through 2 hip-hop magazines, XXL and the Source. I then downloaded a few of his songs and decided to purchase his CD, proof that downloadable music is a good promotional tool. This CD is probably the best balance between underground and commercial tracks. "Ghetto Fabulous" featuring Mack 10 and Dr. Dre should've been made into a single, but unfortunately Ras Kass' record label holds him back. The producer of several of the tracks, including "Ghetto Fabulous" and "Rasassination", Stu-B-Doo, is where Ras Kass made his mistake- he should've used him more. Ras Kass' new album should be out soon, but it will likely not be able to compare to Rasassination, and his earlier release, Soul On Ice, didn't have the beats to compare to this bangin' album. If you like Hip-Hop music in general, this album has it all-gangsta beats (Ghetto Fabulous), underground tracks (Rassasination), a track for the Wu-Tang obsessed, (The End featuring The RZA), concept songs (Interview With A Vampire featuring God and Satan) and thoughtful lyricism (every track!). So whether you love West Coast Rap, East Coast Rap, intense lyricism, underground rap, commercial rap, or phat beats, you should get your own copy of Rasassination. I also recommend Soul On Ice, but don't think Ras can obtain perfection more than once.

Sure, his first album SOUL ON ICE, had some production problems, but the lyrics were so phat, you barly noticed. Now, the beats are slicker in THE END, but I have to agree with some of the other reviews that the thickness of the lyrics was compromised. Ras Kass could be said to be picking up where KRS-One left off. You can easily hear Dr. Francis Kress-Welsing, Dr. Ben, etc. al. The brother is definatly got the potential to move a portion of the masses toward consciousness.

RAS KASS
RASASSINATION

Ras Kass has always been one of my favorite artists from his first album to now I still get everything he puts out. As a solo artist he is great and in groups like the Horsemen [Ras, Kurupt, Canibus, Killah Priest] and the Golden State Project [Ras, Xzibit, Saafir] he is alongside fellow greats. This album was Ras trying a little something different but not switching it up completely, still a lot of people complained unjustly I feel.

1.ENDTRO

2.RASASSINATION-the first song on the album is potentially the best song on the entire thing. This is Ras at his best spitting nothing but fire at fake mc's plus I love that he references the Gracie's. Each verse is fire and Ras flows with perfection over the excellent instrumental. Stu-B-Doo did an amazing job with this horn driven track and provides Ras with a classic.5/5

3.GHETTO FABULOUS-next up is the single from the album that most should remember as Ras gets down with Dr. Dre and Mack 10. Stu-B-Doo returns with a very Dre like instrumental, you know that early Aftermath sound. So the beat is nice and Dre sounds right at home over this slow pulsing track. Ras does his thing as usual although it really is more Dre's sound, he holds it down still. Mack 10 is only on the hook but his voice is very distinctive and fits the style of the song perfectly. A really good song that made a good single although not the best pick from the album.4.5/5

4.LAPDANCE-you can tell from the title that this was another attempt at a single mainstream style sound, complete with a Rufus sample. Stu-B-Doo returns and does a good job with the sample and beat, a nice head nodder. Ras does his thing over the bouncy track talking about the ladies, and RC provides some good vocals throughout.4/5

5.SKIT 1

6.CONCEITED- Klev has production duties on this one and does a great job bringing another sound to the album. This is Ras at best lyrically flipping it all throughout the song over the smooth sounds. This brings back memories of Ras's first album in fact it would have sounded right at home there. A great track that all would enjoy and showcases Ras well.4.8/5

7.ICE AGE-next up we have a track that I was incredibly looking forward when this album was released. Of course that is because my favorite artist Kurupt stops by to drop a raw verse on the album. Young Gotti spits raw battle influenced lyrics over a Twelve instrumental. This is a Horsemen style track for sure from two of the members to the sound of the beat. Ras kills it of course over the banging beat even referencing the title track and fellow Horsemen Killah Priest's single that Ras featured on. El Drex also spits next to the two Horseman and sounds right at home.4/5

8.SKIT

9.H20PROOF-now this one here is absolutely one of the best on the album as Ras goes at all those who are faking and all those who hate. Ras drops gem after gem in each verse killing it each time. Big Jaz provides the great instrumental this time and it fits Ras perfectly, Saafir is great on this as well, this was also a single.5/5

10.IT IS WHAT IT IS-other than the title this may be my favorite track on the album, this is just one of those songs that you can't help but love. Ras goes little more real on this track talking about what is messed up with the world. Each verse gets better and better and Jazze Pha sounds excellent on this track. His hook is great maybe one of his best performances, maybe best. Klev returns to drop one of the best instrumentals ever in my opinion, I love this track as it was the last single.5/5

11.INTERVIEW WITH A VAMPIRE-now I know I have said this before but this is one of the best on the album, but this one could also be one of the best in all of music. I am not over exaggerating as the story told here is amazing. In this one Ras speaks with God and the Devil in a three way dance of conversation. Creatively this is absolutely amazing as is the lyrics and Ras's flow as each one. Klev did an amazing job on the darker instrumental, excellent song.5/5

12.WILD PITCH- Stu-B-Doo returns bringing his style to the table once more with a quicker tempo, and each artist kills. Ras does his thing on here easily as does Jah Skillz who kills it, Ras is still the show stealer here of course. But Xzibit comes close destroying the track like few can do, I wish the Golden State project would have worked. This is a great track that changes the pace up from the last couple of tracks.4.5/5

13.OOHWEE!-another mainstream kinda sounding one comes forth on this one but it is the opposite lyrically. That may be the point because of the content of Ras's lyrics, also Ras kills it with the flow. Also he samples another west coast song from Tha Dogg Pound [Daz & Kurupt] and Mack 10 called "Nuthin but a Cavi Hit". Ras really kills this track lyrically and flow wise just destroying it. Klev provided the bouncy beat for Ras to make his point over.4.5/5

14.ALL OR NUTHIN-Twista is in the house for this track over a Toxic instrumental that is clearly more of his style. But Ras holds his own over the track but this is that sound out of Twista's town. Lyrically both artists kill the track and the hook is perfect, any Twista or Do or Die fan will like this one.4/5

15.GRINDIN-any hip hop head will know the name Easy Mo Bee well he provides the beat for this one as Ras Kass unites with another DPG in Bad Azz. The beat is perfect for Ras as he lets loose on the mic even though he switches it up some. Bad Azz is always great to hear even though he is only on the hook and providing backups. Still this is another good track that fits the style of the album.4/5

16.I AIN'T # WITH YOU-Flip provides the beat for this one and definitely comes with something different. The beat is kinda simplistic but not at the same time, it is weird and sounds like something D-12 might get on. Ras does his thing on this track although it doesn't fit his style perfectly. Not one of the best but none of the songs are horrible in my opinion but this one is ok.3.5/5

17.GET AT ME-Flip comes back with one of the best instrumentals on the album and that is after that last one. The strings on this track sound amazing and the slow style of the beat fits Ras perfectly. Ras gets down easily on this one and kills it alongside a great hook. This one could have been a good single with a nice video since it tells a story, excellent track.5/5

18.THE END-East Mo Bee returns with a straight hip hop style track that sounds a lot like guest Rza's production style. Rza and the whole Wu for that matter have always been some of my favorites but Ras is the star of this one and steals the show. This is an excellent end to the album as the both provide different styles over the beat.4.8/5

A lot of people speak ill of this album saying it was to different than Ras's last album but I like this album. And while as a whole "Soul on Ice" is the better album there a lot of great songs on here as well. There is nothing wrong with an artist trying different things and switching it up a bit. I felt there was enough of Ras from the previous album to complement the new one that was found on the other half of this album.

Ras Kass is probablly one of the best rappers in the game if not the best, which this album proves. If you have heard Ras Kass before you know he doesn't water down,or have hooks to sell records. He is a raw underground rapper with intellegent lyrics and one liners you might not get the first time hearing it. Rassaniation really shows his true technique and skills. The title track is my personal favorite, but the entire album is very entertaining. To see what true rap is about I'd say to get this album as quick as you can.

This is an "Album," and it's good from start to finish. The "Album" concept is becoming more and more rare in rap music, most artists put out a disc with 2 or 3 sure hits and fill the other 60+ minutes with junk. It's refreshing to hear Ras Kass put together an "album"--quality product from start to finish. From the haunting and beautiful IT IS WHAT IT IS to Ras going 100 miles a second with Twista on ALL OR NUTHIN, he proves that he's one of the most versitile and slept on MC's out. If you're sick of spending money for 3 songs on a disc, this is a must. The production almost matches his lyricisim on this cd, and it's so varied that there's something on it for everybody--pop it in, press play, and put down the remote:there's no need to fast forward anything here.