Search - Ras Kass :: Soul on Ice

Ras will make you see LA (UCLA) like Ed O'Bannon

J. Williams | Riverside, CA | 09/02/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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!"

The Greatest songwriting ever

Jonathan | Tampa, Fl | 05/24/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Real rapper

Kd | 06/16/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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!"