Thursday, October 8, 1998
To the beat of a different rap
MUSIC: Rapper Ras Kass hopes to gain popularity and respect
using his own distinctive lyrical style
By Tenoch Flores
Daily Bruin Contributor
There was a time in the not-so-distant past when John Austin,
a.k.a. Ras Kass, was regarded by many as the lyrical savior of West
Coast hip-hop. Right or wrong, those were the expectations cast on
him; that he didn’t ask for them didn’t matter.
Not only could he out-rap just about anyone on the planet with
his quick wit and hard-hitting punchlines, but he had the mind of a
scholar and philosopher.
His first album, "Soul On Ice," was a lyrical masterpiece, yet
it received luke-warm acceptance by self-proclaimed hip-hop
heads.
"It’s the beats," they cried. "They aren’t good enough."
The problem with the beats wasn’t that they were bad or good,
per se, but that they were far from conventional. It seems that
un-conventional beats and rhyme concepts that go over the average
person’s head do not make a good combination.
With a new album "Rasassination," Kass is once again out to take
the hip-hop world by storm … maybe.
"I write out of frustration a lot of times," said Kass, a Carson
native. "Sometimes (the rhymes) flow out. Other times, I could sit
there and write a song, and it’ll take me two months just because
I’m so critical; I go line for line; I try to impress myself; I’m
really competing with myself."
By no means a one-dimensional individual, it seems no wonder
Kass has internal struggles. Even his influences span the boards:
from science fiction, Anne Rice and the whole Vampire Chronicles to
W.E.B. DuBois, Malcolm X and comic books.
Always hard to pin down as an artist, people often wonder
whether Kass is more of a poet, essayist or musician.
"I never was really into poetry, more so especially when I write
my rhymes, I write complete thoughts," Kass said. "My raps, when I
write them out, I see the comma, I see the indentation, new
paragraph, exclamation (point), question mark. I write like I had
to do a report … heading, body, and closing … complete the
thought by the time I finish."
It was Kass’ unique style that separated him from the rest of
the gangsta rap that the West Coast is known for. Kass immediately
gained props from hip-hop heads all over the underground, not just
in California.
More importantly, however, was that he (along with a slew of
other groups which included The Pharcyde and The Alkaholicks)
represented living proof that "real" hip-hop was not an exclusive
New York city commodity.
Heads on the West Coast now point to one of their own who can
hold down the fort, as well as anybody in the northeastern part of
the country.
"I’m a product of the West Coast, I was born and raised on the
West Coast … it just so happens I rap the way I rap," he said of
his tendency to rap in an East Coast style, though he won’t be
moving to the other coast any time soon. "That’s hip-hop. It’s
easier to go from east to west than from west to east."
Witnessing first hand what being on the right side of the
country can do for an artist’s publicity, he recalled what could
have been.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock you’ve at least heard of
a guy named Canibus, who happens to be attracting press coverage
from everyone including MTV, Rolling Stone and small town
newspapers.
After working together on a soundtrack, Kass considered moving
to the East Coast. The plan was to join Canibus and make as many
appearances on New York City mix tapes as possible.
Kass decided not to go through with it; Canibus did and landed
himself a record deal and unparalleled publicity as a result of his
various mix tape appearances. Had Kass gone through with the move,
he could have been basking in national publicity along with his
good friend Canibus.
Hip-hop missed out on something huge, two premier lyricists
working together in friendly competition – who knows what may have
been. Situations like these make one wonder if the West Coast as a
whole will ever develop an ear for lyrically intensive hip-hop.
"I don’t blame the West Coast, I blame the powers that be (on
the West Coast)," Kass said. "I blame radio stations, DJs,
magazines. People only know what they’ve (been exposed to) and if
all you’re playing them is one thing from one place then that’s
what they’re used to.
"Radio stations … back home (don’t) support their own, they
like to get things that are validated elsewhere (i.e. New York),
and I can’t change that. Or, if I can, it hasn’t happened yet."
In search of radio play to gain exposure, Kass’ new album
features fine-tuned production and guest appearances by the likes
of Mack 10 and Dr. Dre, who aren’t exactly "underground"
favorites.
Hence, the latest problem appearing on the horizon for Kass is
that his original fan base quite simply isn’t feeling this latest
release.
The lyrics from a song on his debut album come to mind when
describing Kass’ situation. "Make a radio hit – heads criticize it/
Underground classic – nobody buys it."
"I don’t understand where (people) say ‘step up the beats’ and I
do it, then it’s a different album," said a perplexed Kass.
Indeed, the main complaint from heads all over the place is once
again with regards to the beats which, they claim, are too
commercial. And in some cases rightfully so, as some of the beats
on "Rasassination" are, if not commercial, unoriginal to say the
least. For instance, the borderline corny beat in "Wild Pitch,"
which despite a tight verse by Xzibit, doesn’t do much for the
listener.
There are bright moments on the album, however, like the
battle-rhyme packed "H2O Proof," the single "Ghetto Fabulous" and
"The End," featuring RZA of the Wu-Tang Clan.
Conceptually, the best song on the album is "Interview With A
Vampire" in which Kass holds a conversation with God and the devil
asking those questions which we will never know the answers to.
The other tracks on the album seem like the kind of songs that
will get plenty of play in the car (yes, this is Ras Kass we’re
talking about). Mainstream audiences should have no trouble with
the beats should they decide to check out the album.
So, the debate remains whether or not Kass deserves the harsh
criticism that heads have been throwing his way. Some have even
gone so far as to say that he sold out (backed by an article that
appeared in The Source magazine).
Kass claims he was misrepresented in the article, which painted
him as an artist turned fortune-hunter, and that his words were
taken out of context.
"If you don’t like my (music)," said Kass, "just tell me … I
could still live, but don’t play with my words cause that’s all I
got."
For someone who understands human nature as well as Kass does,
he fails to recognize one thing. As human beings, we love to put
things into neat little categories.
No matter how hard he tries, Kass will always be placed in one
category or another. After "Soul On Ice," he was placed in the
category of a revolutionary both artistically and politically.
Which category will he end up in after "Rasassination?" Time will
tell.
"Its really not even a different album, lyrically the album is
the same," he said. "I talk about the same (things) I talked about
on the first one … Why am I so radically perceived as (being
different)? I challenge everybody to just listen to the a capella,
listen to four songs off my album a capella and then listen to four
off the first one and then … leave me alone."
Did Kass sell out? Far from it. While the beats on the album may
be difficult to deal with from a hip-hop fan’s perspective, the
lyrics aren’t watered down at all.
His message remains the same although his first album did
contain more philosophies and concepts which are harder to spot on
"Rasassination." For those that need a recognizable, bouncy beat to
get into a song , some of the tracks on the new album might
work.
"My goal is to be the most well-rounded person," Kass said. "To
be me, to fully capture me, my personality, I don’t want to be the
lyrical rapper, or the West Coast rapper or the gangsta rapper or
the revolutionary, radical, rapper. I just wanna be me."
In an effort to express his many sides, Kass explored a variety
of new sounds in his latest album. Still, the artist felt that this
comes across merely through an improved production style rather
than through an entirely new musical direction.
"I have to grow," Kass said. "I would never want to make the
same album. The next album will be different and it will reflect
the mood I’m in."
It looks as though Kass will have to wait yet again to claim the
throne. In order to take what may be rightfully his, he will have
to bring everybody along, including his old audience.
He’s got plenty of time, and Kass is much too smart to become a
victim of the pitfalls in the industry: he’s got a plan, and this
is just a part of it.Rapper Rass Kass has a unique style which
transcends the boundary between music and poetry.
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