Ras Kass
In the 90’s Hip Hop formed something that was not influenced by corporate marketing schemes, cheesy synthesized backdrops or even the halfhearted use of the English language that makes up the charts today. Far from it, that era, termed GOLDEN for numerous reasons, provoked thought, taught life lessons and gave intelligent insight into everyday life. Grounded by sample heavy beats and carried by something we use to call a lyricist.
Ras Kass is one of those lyricists whose rhymes and delivery set a standard on the West Coast as well as maintained it to reach out far beyond its origins. The intelligent young wordsmith debuted with the now, highly regarded classic Soul On Ice, a homage to his LA upbringing with the good, the bad and the ugly parts, poetically held together with Ras’ distinct lyrical ability, something that has earned him true legendary status. April saw the renowned ‘rhymester’ visiting South Africa’s shores for 2 shows, courtesy of Cape Town’s KOL crew. I was fortunate to hang out with the west coast rider for a couple of days and got to catch up on some questions I have been dying to ask since I first heard him in the mid-90’s…
Your Debut album has been labeled a certified classic, something that these days, pops up only every couple of years. What was your process in writing that album and did you ever think a track like Nature of the Threat would ever extend to being called a ‘Hip Hop Dissertation’, as some have referred to it?
I kinda had an idea of the themes before I had some of the beats; I knew where I wanted to go and was basically done before I had a deal. I actually ended up making the majority of the album prior to that; Nature of the Threat was one of those songs that were done before. I really wrote that song for myself, a kinda thesis, history of mans evolution. I expected debate from the track but I never knew that people would gravitate towards it, in the way they did. I did a lot of research to write that track, the response was appreciated.
Your ability to descriptively write rhymes has given us an in-depth look into your personal life. How does your writing process contribute to telling these stories… is it a healing process sharing it? Also, how do you decide what to keep personal and what to share?
I used to draw before I could rap as an extension to release energy, so I used rap as another outlet to get frustration out, express things I thought were funny, my opinions. I’ve tread that line finely. I’ve said some personal things that I’ve meant but don’t particular want to talk about these days, but I’ve put it out in the universe so I got to keep going back to it. That might relate on a general level of me and a particular person; you can control what you share by writing in code so that it relates to the person its intended for. It’s an inner dialogue that I express through the art form; it’s definitely therapy, I write to get things outta my system.
You seem to have a love affair with South Africa; I can recall at least 5 references offhand from you ‘bout relative South African mentions… How was the experience of finally coming out here for you and were any expectations met if any, while here?
[LAUGHS] I think I have a love affair with any person of African descent or offspring. There’s an African part of me, not necessary South Africa, but the entire continent. I can relate to the parallels between black people here and back home as well as other races; there are good people, bad people. It was the same but different. I was fascinated by the transformation from English into the local dialect, thru Afrikaans, Zulu, and Xhosa, which was dope; I would love to come back again and again.
Peep the new album A.D.I.D.A.S and other offerings at: http://raskass.bandcamp.com/album/a-d-i-d-a-s
Follow @RasKass on twitter for upcoming news and music.
Written By : DJ Raiko
Photography By : © JASON WESSELS
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