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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Oh, the difficulty of making that second album!, May 25, 2000
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'.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Failure To Launch {3 Stars}, September 17, 2006
I'm not sure how many people remember when this album dropped, but this was the album that was supposed to launch Ras Kass' career into the same stratosphere as the likes of Jay Z, Big, Pac, and Snoop as far as record sales and spins are concerned. It's pretty much evident with the big name guests (Twista, Dr. Dre, Mack 10, RZA, etc..), big name producers (Dre, Jazzy Pha, etc..), and unnecessary/awful skits. In other words, this album was supposed to make Ras a star. What hurts a lot of the album is the amount of filler and crossover tracks. Joints like "Lapdance", "All Or Nuthin", and the Jazzy Pha produced "It Is What It Is" only serve to alienate the heads that ran out and bought Soul On Ice without hesitation. As if that wasn't bad enough, joints like "Oohwee", "Grindin", and "Conceited B*stard" should've never seen the light of day. We all know Ras Kass can spit with the best, which he does on this LP, but a lot of the production is limp, hollow, and lazy.
There are some dope cuts sprinkled throughout the album though. The title track (Rasassination), "Wild Pitch" (which the underrated Xzibit absolutely kills), and "H2O Proof" are perfect examples of what Ras Kass can do when his mind is right, the versatile "The End" features The RZA, and I still like "Ghetto Fabulous" eight years after its release. Another good, yet strange, track is "Interview With A Vampire" which revisits his earlier classic "Nature Of The Threat" and has some strange credits on it (God & Satan?).
Rasassination isn't necessarily a bad album, but hold on to your money if you're expecting Soul On Ice II. You won't find that here. In 1998 Ras Kass aimed for the stars, missed his mark, and alienated his fan base with this album. To be honest, with label and legal issues, I don't think his career has recovered from this album yet. There are some gems, but nothing that would justify buying this brand new. I can only recommend buying this if you can find it used.
Standout Tracks: The End feat. The RZA, Interview With A Vampire feat. God & Satan, Rasassanation, H2O Proof feat. Saafir, Wild Pitch feat. Xzibit & Jah Skillz (My Favorite), and Ghetto Fabulous feat. Dr. Dre & Mack 10
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
2nd album from C-arson's waterproof MC, October 25, 2005
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.
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