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Ras Kass, Method Man, Lil Fame & RJ Payne Roll On MCs

Ras Kass knows a thing about super-groups. The Southern California veteran MC co-founded HRSMN with Kurupt, Killah Priest, and Canibus 25 years ago. He also linked with Xzibit and Saafir for several memorable songs, amid onetime reports of an album in the works. In 2024, Razzy Kazzy has teamed Philly-by-way-of-Brooklyn... Read more

Kurupt Details The Classic Death Row Songs That Began As Freestyles

For more than 20 years, core fans kept hope that the HRSMN might release an album. As one of Rap's earliest super-groups, the quartet composed of Kurupt, Ras Kass, Killah Priest, and Canibus hurdled label challenges, leaks, bootlegging, legal woes, and all that comes with four separate lives and careers.... Read more

Ras Kass Recruits Pete Rock For Some Ice Cold Soul (Video)

Ras Kass has steadily dropped quality material since he came on the scene in the mid-1990s. Soul On Ice 2 is an important album in a respected discography, especially since it was first announced three years ago. When this sequel to 1996's cult-lauded original was released at the beginning of... Read more

Ras Kass’ Soul On Ice 2 Involves Snoop, Pete Rock, Diamond D & Immortal Technique

For more than three years, Ras Kass has teased fans with a sequel to his cult-lauded 1996 debut, Soul On Ice. After an album trailer (with a fundraising drive) and a revival rendition of that Priority Records title track, "the Waterproof MC" takes a giant leap today (June 19). The... Read more

Killah Priest Attacks ’70s Breakbeats On A Mixtape Featuring Ghostface & Raekwon (Audio)

The whole Wu-Tang Clan family has a deep respect for Hip-Hop's earliest days. RZA's production, and the swarm's rhyme routines often call back to the park-jams and pioneering days of the culture. That's true of Killah Priest, the former breakout star of Sunz Of Man and a Brooklyn, New York... Read more

DJ Quik & Scarface Confirm Upcoming Collaborative Project (Video)

DJ Quik and Scarface are two living legends of Hip-Hop, Gangsta Rap, and music, period. Together, the two artists jammed on stage in The Novo in Los Angeles, California last night (August 17). With that show currently on the road, the Geto Boys icon and the producer for Tupac, 2nd... Read more

Ras Kass Forms A New Group With J57 & El Gant. Here’s The First Single (Audio)

Over the years, Ras Kass is a big proponent of collaboration. He has appeared on blockbuster albums like Gangsta's Paradise by Coolio, he rapped alongside GZA on the cult-lauded Wu-Tang Meets The Indie Culture compilation, and he spit bars on the celebrated Caltroit project. Beyond simple song chemistry, Razzy has... Read more

Kool G Rap, Canibus & Chris Rivers Send An Omen That Real Lyricism Is Back (Audio)

One of 2016's most steadfast MCs, Chris Rivers is a clear disciple of that hard-nosed late '80s and 1990s lyricism. While the Bronx, New Yorker's greatest influence would appear to be his father (Big Pun), there are other clear connections. Pun, after all, was a student of Kool G Rap,... Read more

Ras Kass Sees Lady Liberty Getting Grabbed & Names Those Who Let It Happen (Audio)

For more than 20 years, Ras Kass has been one of Hip-Hop's most steadfast critics of what he perceives as lies and corruption fed to the people. The Carson, California representative has called out organized religion, school-taught history, and the old guard music industry. In a week that has many... Read more

Ras Kass Reveals Intellectual Property: SOI2 Tracklist, Features & Artwork

Veteran lyricist Ras Kass is completing his latest solo album, Intellectual Property: SOI2. Releasing September 9, the album finds the wordsmith returning to his own catalog, after an acclaimed 2014 project with Detroit, Michigan producer Apollo Brown (Blasphemy) and a Semi Hendrix collaboration (Breakfast At Banky's) with Grammy Award-winner Jack Splash.... Read more

Ras Kass’ Rawest Rhymes Come To Life Over Statik Selektah Production (Audio)

2016 marks 20 years since Ras Kass entered the stage with Soul On Ice. Ever since, the Carson-by-way-of-Watts, California MC has become one of the most lethal lyricists in Hip-Hop, a master of style and substance. When Ras is agitated, he can make some of his best music—whether tackling lesser-skilled... Read more

Ras Kass Plans “Soul On Ice 2,” Featuring Unreleased Songs (Video)

This year marks the 20th anniversary since Ras Kass' debut album, Soul On Ice. The native of both Carson, California would ink a contract with Priority Records to release what some still consider his greatest lyrical work—and a benchmark of intellectual songwriting. In the time since, Razzy Kazzy has released... Read more

Royce Da 5’9″ & Ras Kass Are Big On Witty Lyricism And Lots Of Attitude (Audio)

Ras Kass and Royce Da 5'9" have a history of collaborations. Both of these MCs hit the 2000s as lyrical tour de forces. Both men would subsequently face label woes, personal and legal battles, and an ever-changing focus of what's hot in Hip-Hop. But neither artist wavered, continually serving fans the... Read more

Ras Kass & Jack Splash Go All In For Semi Hendrix, With Kurupt In The Wings (Audio)

Ras Kass' career has enjoyed a transformation in the last year. Fresh off of Blasphemy one year ago (alongside Apollo Brown), the Southern California MC teams with decorated songwriter/producer Jack Splash for a group called Semi Hendrix. What mere searchers may not realize however, is how lethal Jack is on... Read more

Canibus Hosts An All-Star Track With Raekwon, Kurupt & Craig G (Audio)

Canibus is a well-connected lyricist. For his just-released Time Flys, Life Dies...Phoenix Rise album (with producer Bronze Nazareth), 'Bis brought in his troops. From the HRSMN collective (f/k/a 4 Horsemen), Canibus taps Kurupt for "The Kings Sent For Me." Along with the HRSMN link, an MC who influenced Canibus' ferocious... Read more

From Battles To Collabos…Canibus Makes Good With Battle Rap Opponent Dizaster (Audio)

Canibus is widely considered one of Hip-Hop's most fearless figures. Fresh into his career, 'Bis challenged LL Cool J in a battle that nearly matched Tim Duncan's NBA career. Canibus has lambasted Eminem, criticized J. Cole, and even left a cult-championed career to enlist in the United States Army in... Read more

Ras Kass Meets DJ Premier’s Bars In The Booth With Those Classic Snaps & Punchlines (Video)

Since the very beginning, Ras Kass has had no fear with his verses. The Southern California MC loves a good joke at a peer's expense, whether it's Lil' Kim, Seal, or even Prince, and it's what's made the confident and cocky lyricist so punchy. Those good ol' jabs are at... Read more

Kurupt’s In A Foul Mood. He, J. Wells & Roscoe Make A Groove About It (Audio)

Sometimes MCs benefit from having a chip on their shoulder. Nearly 15 years ago, Kurupt took his frustrations with people trying to holler at his girl (then Foxy Brown), feeling neglected as a West Coast artist, and not feelin' the 2Pac imitations, and made "Callin' Out Names." While the song... Read more

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): Kool G Rap vs. Ras Kass…Who You Got?

We have reached the second round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). We are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups... Read more

Finding The GOAT: Murs vs. Ras Kass…Who You Got?

As we continue the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time), we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups in a sequence not... Read more

Leave It To Ras Kass, Apollo Brown & Sean Price To Punch ‘Em With A Bonus Cut (Audio)

Two stellar lyrical alumni of 1996, Ras Kass and Sean Price come together yet again. Over another string-heavy Apollo Brown track, Ras and Ruck link up for "Impossible Dream." Hardcore as you might expect, the breakaway from the Blasphemy sessions was unearthed, and finds cross-coastal MCs demolishing a beat from... Read more

Ras Kass & Apollo Brown’s How To Kill God Is Everything You’d Expect It To Be (Video)

The revealed original title for Apollo Brown & Ras Kass' Blasphemy was How To Kill God. Thereby, the Soul-charged indictment on organized religion by Razzy Kazzy functions as a title track from the newly-released Mello Music Group album. The jarring title (to some) is met with hard-nosed opinions and facts... Read more

Ras Kass’ Razor Sharp Freestyle Streak Continues… (Video)

Ras Kass is moving like its the '90s again. In the splashing wake of Blasphemy (with producer Apollo Brown), Rap's answer to Vincent Van Gogh throws some verbal paint on Toca Tuesdays, with a cocky freestyle. What else would you expect from the sharp-tongued vet? Related: Ras Kass Flips A... Read more

Ras Kass & Apollo Brown Slice Down That Humble Pi (Video)

They say "necessity is the mother of invention." That adage speaks to the careers of Ras Kass and Apollo Brown. The MC, Ras, was among the brightest hopefuls of early '90s Los Angeles lyricism. However, troubles with the law, a label under a new regime, and shifting attentions in the... Read more

Ras Kass & Apollo Brown Trade Memories With Pharoahe Monch & Rakaa (Audio)

Apollo Brown beats beckon reflection from MCs. Whether O.C., Journalist 103, or Roc Marciano, rappers tend to get nostalgic when they get an opportunity to touch one of these soul-sampling gems from the Michigan native. On "Memories," Ras Kass steps in to recall his days in Watts (before moving to... Read more

Killah Priest Gets Back To Heavy Mental Form In Body Of Light (Video)

When it comes to stuffing raps full of information, historical and religious context, and still opining on social issues, could any crew rival the HRSMN? While Ras Kass and Canibus amassed reputations for these traits, another true master in the realm of dense lyricism is Killah Priest. Twenty years removed... Read more

Ras Kass’ Goldyn Chyld Had Dr. Dre & DJ Premier But Never Released…Til’ Now (Album Stream)

After 1998's Rasassination, Ras Kass went to work on his third album. Still signed to Priority Records as he was for most of the decade, the C-Arson, California MC was out to best his previous work, which also included acclaimed release, Soul On Ice. In doing so, Razzy recruited the... Read more

M.K. Asante Recruits Talib Kweli, Ras Kass & Bishop Lamont For Godz In The Hood (Video)

Multi-talented M.K. Asante is an MC, author, filmmaker, professor, and scholar surrounding Hip-Hop and modern race relations in America. The Philadelphia native recruited MCs from Brooklyn to C-Arson in Talib Kweli, Ras Kass, and Bishop Lamont. "Godz In The Hood" is a song that explores the ulterior motives to some... Read more

Ras Kass & Mista Lawnge’s White Crows Kick Something R.E.A.L. Over A New Wave Sample (Audio)

After their first song back in February, the HRSMN x Black Sheep connection strengthens. Ras Kass & Mista Lawnge's The Black Crows are back with "Something R.E.A.L." The lyric-driven track features a sampled chorus from Boy George's original group, which Heads might not expect. But it comes out nicely. After... Read more

Ras Kass & Black Sheep’s Mista Lawnge Form The White Crows, Drop 1st Song (Audio)

The Black Sheep flag waves high. Dres and A Tribe Called Quest's Jarobi formed Evitan a few years back, and have stayed busy. Now, Mista Lawnge has made a cross-country outfit with Ras Kass. Fans of mid-'90s lyricism could not have predicted this union, but from Black Sheep, it's now... Read more