Talk about refreshing news. This year (2016) Ras Kass and the hip-hop community celebrate the 20 year anniversary of Soul On Ice. Now, if you’re tuned into this article and you’re not familiar with the 1996 classic, perhaps you’re a bit late. But it’s okay – better late than never right? Ras now reaches out to every supporter and fan in hopes to back the project(s) via IndieGoGo – the announcement consisting of two releases to come.

The first, a precursor to Soul On Ice II titled Intellectual Property, is due out in June. Following that will be SOI2, which is set to be released in October. It’s one package deal but they’re going to be released seperately. It’s no surprise that California’s veteran lyricist linked with some of you and your fathers favorite emcees/producers for the new releases, ranging from KRS-1, Bun B, Statik Selektah, Apollo Brown, O.C., A.F.R.O., Kurupt, Snow Goons, Killah Priest, Apathy, and others. Come on, how exciting is that?

Not only are we thrilled about the new music to come, but Ras also mentions SOI2 is “partly consisting of previously unreleased vintage 1995 recordings and audio, rare remixes, some remixes from legendary hip hop producers.” 

In a recent interview with his longtime brother Sway, his aura is illuminating and gratitude is shown – the recent press runs once again reminding us why Ras Kass is still one of our favorite west coast frontrunners. A lot has changed since 1996. A lot has materialized (for the worse) in hip-hop that could leave an independent veteran with a bitter attitude and foul perspective. But he always offers an abundance of positivity on and off of the camera, and is a walking text book of experience, knowledge, and progression. Did we mention the continuous hunger? Maybe that’s the secret ingredient – new jacks take note.

To get a taste at what’s to come from the trilogy, Ras shares the booth with Freddie Foxx and Onyx in their new “Downward Spiral“. The direct flushing of a toilet followed by Ras’ “It’s all f*cked up now, the f*ck you supposed to do?” paves the few-minute trail for the four veteran lyricists, who quite directly are flushing all bullsh*t down the toilet. All of the corny, non-due-paying rappers should once again take notes and jot down the message here. It may be you they’re flushing. Make room – these four are bullies on the microphone (Freddie Foxxx being the largest to be exact). This record is what we would love to see, and quite frankly need to see, more of in 2016.

Before we shut it down, please feel free to support the project. The goal is to reach $35,000, which goes towards artist and producer feature fees, mixing and mastering, three video shoots (including”Nature of the Threat” retro), manufacturing, and online promotions. Do this one for hip-hop! Now go enjoy the record. Peace and love.

Real Dope 2014 Freestyle at Sway In The Morning (Video)

When Ras Kass Lit Medium On Fire With His Article About “How To Kill God”

Dj Premier & Ras Kass’ Bars In The Booth (Video)

The post Ras Kass Announces ‘Soul On Ice II’ Album & Drops Off A New Headbanger appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Every once in a while, a collaboration sounds like a good idea to a rapper. It may help broadened exposure, steal some fans, or simply create a memorable record. More often than not, that’s exactly what happens. But every once in a while, the idea backfires and the rapper will get murdered on their own shit. This was infamously the case with Eminem on “Renegade,” Nas on “Live At the BBQ,” AZ on “Life’s a Bitch” and numerous other times. Other times, an artist will simply be looking to fill the verses on a song. Back in 2000, a two-verse rap record was simply blasphemous. You needed three or four and, in Eminem’s case, you were more than likely the soak up four verses every time. However, you need help every once in a while. On his seminal Marshall Mathers LP, Em was posse-cut happy, giving us three (“Remember Me?,” “Bitch Please II” and “Under the Influence”). As was the case for Shady in his prime, he bested pretty much everyone. Except when it came to track 9.

Onyx’s Sticky Fingaz came in on the second verse of “Remember Me?” and delivered a show-stealing 16 that even managed to out-misogyny and out-shock value Em himself. Kicking things off with, “Niggas that take no for an answer get told no/ Yeah, I’ve been told no, but it was more like, No! No! No!” the listener immediately knew they were in for something special. Fingaz’s wild, aggressive flow made for a much-needed change up from Eminem’s in-pocket structure.

Fingaz went on to go slant rhyme heavy for the next few bars: “This vet is ahead of the shit is all redder, you deader and deader/ A medic instead of the cheddars and credda/ Settle vendetta with metal beretta from ghetto to ghetto/ Evidence? nope, never leave a shred-of.”

Proving to be just as self-aware of his content as Marshall was, Sticky renames himself, “Can’t-Believe-That-Nigga-Said-That-Shit.” The verse gets grimier, with the most unappealing kitchen sex scene since Walt and Skyler.

Where most top-heavy verses tend to fade off in the final couplet, Sticky — pardon the pun — sticks the landing with, “I’m getting wires, niggas wanting me dead, wanting my head/ You think it could be something I said?” The line itself is dope enough, but the echo of the final bar leaves fans just enough breathing room to regain their composure and prepare themselves for the next nine tracks of gay slurs, drugs and spousal murder the second half of MMLP had to offer.

Eminem has had more than his fair share of highlight reel verses, and he has certainly never been one to hold his pen back (“Fuck no, go for broke”), but even the best can’t bat 1.000. Every dog has his day and on “Remember Me?” it was Sticky Fingaz’s time to shine. Take a few minutes and travel back to 2000 for one of the most memorable guest verses ever.

The post RESPECT. The Verse: Sticky Fingaz on “Remember Me?” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

WAKEDAFUCUP, Onyx‘s first LP since early 2012, is scheduled to drop next Tuesday, bringing forth the hardcore rap stylings of a group that has been around for over 20 years. Today, the veterans from Queens tossed out a sneak peak from the Snowgoons-produced collaborative project in the form of the icy track “Whut Whut.” The eerie, synth-filled beat is prime real estate for the aggressive rhymes of Sticky Fingaz and Co. Keep your ears open for WAKEDAFUCUP early next week and check out “Whut Whut” below.

The post New Music: Onyx – “Whut Whut” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.