Customer Reviews

Soul on Ice

5 star:		(42)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Let me discuss the album that changed my life, it basically changed the way I wrote songs and viewed lyricism, and song for song I'm going to describe the feeling it gave me.

1. On Earth as it is: Basically a battle track using the Religion and the Bible for metaphors, its amazing as you hear Ras Kass demolish other mc's with Bible references, its a very oringinal concept and just a creepy beat to go with the atmosphere of the song.

2. Anything Goes: This song has a pop appeal to it, but the R&B sample is very melodic and will just make you relax to this song, the lyrics which display Ras Kass discussing society and other issues are good as well. 3. Marinatin: Another slow jam, but Ras Kass tells a story about hanging out with his friends and having a good time and the way he does it is just perfect, he keeps it clever while maintaing the story. 4. Reelishymn: Wow, this song is tremendous, the beat is perfect and the lyrics which have Ras Kass discussing the politics of the recording business and how his artistic integrity is always in question, he's basically contemplating on wheter or not he should sell out as a artist.

5. Nature of the Threat: One of the most difficult tracks to understand, you will need to hear this about 500 times to just to take this one in, a very dark and scary beat, which has Ras Kass deliverin a history lesson, but there is plenty of contreversy on this song and it may offend some people, but otherwise it may be one of the greatest songs ever written, if not the most difficult.

6. Etc.: On this track Ras just basically rips it, he starts to wordplay like you've never heard it before, and the beat is a intersting sample that lets Ras Kass change his flow up in many different ways, basically one the most enjoyable tracks on the album. 7. Sonset: This beat just has this extremely dark feel, but it makes Ras's words more meaningful, as he basically lets the people in New York know that just because he is from the West, does not mean he can't be great, basically Ras just drops more great battle lyrics on this song.

8. Drama: This is the best song I've ever heard on the groupie subject, and its another nice beat, with a catchy hook, basically this is one of the funnier songs on the album.

9. The Evil that men do: This is a biographical explaining Ras's life and he does it in such an oringinal way, that he just finds a way to sound more surperior to every other mc on any style or subject, and the beat is incredible one of the best ones on the album.

10. If/Then: Well Ras returns to the sex subject, but yet finds a way to use sexual inuendo to battle at the same time, its incredible how deep his concepts are, but he just proves once again how superior he really is.

11. Miami Life: I don't know why he did a song about Miami, but its really good, as Ras Kass basically comes up with a theme for a town he does'nt even live in, and the beat has this nice flute sample that just becomes catchy.

12. Soul On Ice: Another song discussing the world and the politics around it, he basically breaks things down like no other songwriter, a decent track behind it and you get more examples of the great lyricism Ras has to offer.

13. Ordo Abchao: The last song is just another decent beat, with you guess it, Ras Kass laying down some of the best lyrics you will ever here.

Basically you got some good beats and maybe the greatest songwriting you will ever hear, basically this album is a classic. peace.

Few cats had the level of hype surrounding them that Ras Kass did. For a good year, if not more before Soul On Ice came out. From his days on a prior record label, this album, in a slightly different form (a few other tracks) was circulating around the underground. The bootleg was horrible quality, but having a copy was a thing of status. When the real deal finally dropped he alrwady had a rediclious ammount of pressure to live up to. Thankfully though, he doesn't disappoint. Ras has never been one to be quite, he speaks his mind. For better, or for worse the albums opening track finds Ras RIPPING apart Christianity. He's also not one to shy away from controversy. The Nature Of The Threat is basically his version of world history, it's an epic 7+ minute song, with no breaks, no chrouses, no hooks. Many might question where he got his facts from, and just how correct they are. Argue about it all you want, but this song is amazing, and deep. He's educated and it shows through-out this album. At times he overuses big words, but he's just so nice you can forgive him for that. He's raps at times about being paranoid. With the goverment trying to implant chips in out skin to track us, or how the goverment created the HIV virus. So might find what he says questionable. There are illogical moments here and there, but he speaks from his heart. This album is so classic it's not even funny. I would say it's one of the most intelligent & thought provoking releases since the days when Public Enemy were "Fighting The Power" it's good to see a conscience album, and even better seeing how Ras doesn't come off at too preachy. But it's not all world history and big brother talk. One of Ras's best qualities, and one we get A LOT on this album [thankfully] is his ability with cleaver humor. Some of his metaphors are deep, there are things you might not pick up until the 50th listen. I find myself laughing at some of the outragiously ill stuff he says. When it comes to punchlines Ras is one of the sickest kids EVER.

He might only be around 5'4 but Ras Kass is one of the big men in the hip-hop world. Buy this album, buy this album, buy this album, oh yeah and BUY THIS ALBUM!

A real hip hop rapper from the west who is deep and very skillful with lyrics. The production is excellent and suits the rhymes, I think they were meant to be deep grumbling basslines. But the flows and lyrics have had a lot put into them and thats what makes this tight. His album after this was not that good, but he still has this to show. You have to listen to this properly because he puts a lot of things into his lyrics and you will catch them the second time around if you miss them. He is a true lyricist and should be in anyone who says they like true 'hip hop's'(not rap, I know what them people want, Fake simple minded bulls#it, not this!) collection. Tight, tight, tight classic and can't be missed. You got to support Ras to the max because he deserves it and we need him. Don't sleep, be smart like these people here and get it, you won't be dissaponted. Peace!

Ras Kass's 1996 debut is an excellent journey through the complex and brilliant character of Ras Kass. Ras is a west coast native with a decidedly east coast style, throughout the album he tackles countless relevant issues and drops lots of knowledge and beliefs. "Soul on Ice" is divided between two kinds of tracks: the laidback, enjoyable slower songs with chilled-out beats and choruses; and the lyrically hard-hitting, verbally deep songs. Other reviewers have been disparaging the production on this album, personally I think the production is very solid and fits the MC very well. Lyrically most of the songs are too deep for an overpowering beat, and the more laidback mainstream-styled cuts are very well produced. Ras Kass provided a lot of controversy with some of the lyrics on this album, and even if you don't agree with all of his views, it's really interesting to listen to what he has to say. Most of the songs are around six minutes long, and there are some interesting interludes of conversations in the studio. This album is very underrated and is now out of print, making it very hard to find. I highly recommend this album to all fans of lyrical hip hop, this album is one of the west coast's finest in that regard.

The album begins with "On Earth as It Is...," which has a strange, dark beat and Ras introduces his raw, philosophical lyricism. "Anything Goes" has a laidback beat and a great chorus, and Ras happily discusses the ups and downs of urban life. "Marinatin'" is an awesome, totally chilled-back song, perfect for listening to at night, this song has great production and is just relaxing. "Reelishymn" is definitely a lyrical highlight, and "Nature of the Threat" is one of the most startling rap songs I've ever heard. In an eight-minute epic, Ras Kass tackles such touchy subjects as slavery, the birth of Christ, and religion in a very pro-black and opinionated manner. I don't agree with everything he says but I find this track awesome to listen to anyway, I've never heard another rapper speak of such interesting topics with such conviction. "Etc." and "Sonset," where Ras talks about the state of hip hop, are both subtly produced and lyrically outstanding. The Coolio collaboration "Drama" has excellent chorus and beats, the lyrics tell stories of the life they live. My favorite track lyrically is "The Evil That Men Do," where Ras recalls childhood experiences and explores the way of human nature. "If/Then" has a kind of cool beat and is very relevant, tackling urban inequalities, even in the chorus that provides a new take on a classic Dr. Dre song. "Miami Life" is another musically relaxing song. On the title cut, Ras comes hard and intelligent once again, and the unique final track "Ordo Abchao (Order Out of Chaos)" closes the album well.

"Soul on Ice" is a very unique and special album that I recommend highly. I understand that the outrageous prices that it now sells for are totally unreasonable, but if this album comes your way, definitely pick it up. Ras has some other good material among his handful of albums, but this is certainly his shining work. This album is one of the most interesting lyrical albums out there and is a very focused and complete effort that I really love.

Ras Kass is a true lyricist!!!
one of the all time greats. The punchlines are OUTSTANDING. You will never get tired of hearing this. Ras Kass has and always will be ill. You gotta hear it to believe it!

Despite the demonic, but dope beginning with "On Earth as It Is", the Californian shows brilliant lyrical composition. Ras Kass also provides smooth, laid-back sounds on tracks such as "Anything Goes", "Reelishymn (pronounced realism)", and "Marinating". In addition, Ras Kass brings intensity and controversy with "Nature of the Threat", "Soul on Ice", and "Ordro Abchao (Order out of Chaos)". Not to mention the brief but hype melody of "Etc.", however the album does have a couple of soft spots, tracks such as "Drama (featuring Coolio)" and "The Evil That Men Do" do not have the catching beats of the rest of the album. The 'sleeper' track of the album may be "Miami Life". Ras Kass cements the LP with the male/female dedication "If/Then". Overall this is one of the most 'slept on' albums in hip hop today.

Well when i first heard this album wow its been 9 years all ready. I'm listening 2 this album as i type down this review everything on this album is mad tight i think he's one of the best lyricist thats out. A good album like this makes you appiate the realness and its art. Theres too much watered down b.s. in hip hop rite now so if you can find a cheap copy of this album cop it i'll be dayum if i pay 55 00 for an album i'm good cause i burned it from my brother. Well peace out amazon.

First off, this cd is indeed a CLASSIC! Yes, that title is thrown around wantonly, especially in today's one-style-fits-all Hip Hop world. But this cd represents a different epoch. Literally the offspring of the famed "Golden Era", Soul on Ice easily earned Ras Kass the respect of "your favorite rapper's favorite rapper" by proving that his West Coast lyricism, word play, story-telling ability, and deft intellect were not only on par with his New York counterparts, but in most cases superior to them.

Because tracks like "Nature of the Threat" --which is undoubtedly the greatest lyrical attempt to re-present Afrikan history to a beat-- are not "club bangers", Ras was destined to remain an underground entity. In the 90s, however, underground did not mean unpopular or unnoticed, and Ras Kass wore his underground tag like a badge of honor.

i dont have to write anything, this is a hiphop classic! ras kass classic! dont even front !

I bought this when it came out and still i be bumpin while driving and it never gets old. As far as beats & lirycs go on this album ? Simply put ? Its a classic release. Ras kass's "soul on ice" is highly recommended. Keep killing mc's and weak rappers ras!