After Ras Kass' debut album (Soul On Ice), I was expecting quite a bit from this talented artist. One of the few to mold the elements of the Bible, social consciousness and battle rap's into one unique mixture had me awaiting the release of Rasassination. Although Soul On Ice was lacking in the production category (that’s not to say it pulled a Can-I-Bus?), the lyricism was unparalleled and, up to the release of the aforementioned album, it was some of the best that the Hip-Hop Underground had heard since Common (Sense's) Resurrection. With this said, it’s not hard to see why I had been waiting for this album throughout the year of 1998. With this said, it was one of the biggest disappointments I've ever heard. Dropping the social consciousness, Bible references and underground-inspired battle rap's from his lyrics, he's now become a West Coast rapper that may have been original at one point in time, but has decided that misogynistic rants, ''I'm A Rider'' slogans and Gangsta rapping is the way to go. Truly, the end is the beginning for Ras Kass' career.
The production, although better, stoops to the lowest level by using Dr. Dre's modern West Coast sound. Darker bass lines, up-beat funk and synthesizer clutter up the sound. The production seems like a mixture between The Bomb Squad and Dr. Dre which, in itself, will probably impress fans of the West Coast sound that is found on many commercial artists from that coasts particular beat stylings, but the sound is a jump from darker, laid back ''dramatic'' rhythms from his debut album to more commercialized, mainstream funk. Although it’s not horrible, the attempt to draw commercial success and more fans to Ras Kass himself is certain throughout the duration of the album. While the production is undoubtedly better, the sound itself brings down the overall value of the album by using commercial beats, samples and a sound that, while, will most likely get more commercial appeal that Ras Kass' debut album, it doesn't fit his lyrics in the least. The subject matter, on the other hand, is complemented by this sound which, in cohesion, isn’t saying much at all for the overall value.
The West Coast sound is the most used throughout Rasassination. As I said above, fans of this particular sound and the unmistakable commercialism will probably have the sound getting more exposure, the reputation for the production on a Ras Kass album being dark, atmospheric underground has taken a backseat and more G-Funk-ish sound has been put in its place. While the sound has been said to be, at times, complex, which is certainly one of the few Pros the album has to offer up, the sampling is poor, as are the beats themselves. Although they have more dexterity and overall quality than those found on his debut, that’s not to say their ultimately better. Although I had high hopes hereing the Underground-influenced H20Proof, the sound, ultimately, was led astray. Although the few Underground moments sparkle with originality and individuality, most noticeably Interview With A Vampire and Wild Pitch, but the other moments, beat wise, are forgettable. Though these tracks are enough to actually bring up the production and overall sound from abysmal in its utilization and overall West Coast influence, the few moments listed above bring up the album somewhat.
Even though the production and beats are one of the better things about the album; they're uninspiring, unoriginal and poorly created. Although many would have you believe that the production is an improvement over Soul On Ice, but with overall sound being commercial with the exception of a few tracks, which don't come near to bringing up the album from the hole its dug itself into, make this nearly unlistenable.
Looking past the poor production and beats, lyricism has always been Ras Kass' strong suit. Keeping an open mind, I wasn't quite prepared for what was soon to come. Although I was expecting a few commercial tracks, but underground influences were what I was hoping for. What I received were few underground track and commercial-influenced tracks that, while, still had Ras Kass' trademark lyrics and flow, the subject matter was lacking as a whole. Although there are plenty of metaphors and similes that are a Ras Kass trademark, they lack in creativity and originality that, while, are better than the production, are overall marred by the poor subject matter and the lack of social and political awareness that he exhibited on Soul On Ice. While I had not expected the same impact and awareness that was found throughout the duration of that album, his street knowledge, as well as his views on a wide array of topics have been thrown away to show the world that even poets are ''Gangstas.'' Some may appreciate this, but if you're looking for more smart lyricism found on the aforementioned album, listen to Can-I-Bus? because, by near and far, it isn't found on this album.
But while this is true, the uninspiring subject matter is not enough have the aforementioned lyrical examples be ultimately a waste of time, but uninspiring, predictable West Coast lyricism clutters up a large portion of the album. Admittedly, fans of Dr. Dre, Warren G, Snoop Dogg, Xzibit, etc… Will find Ras Kass' new flow and rhymes of the same topic matter than many of the aforementioned artists find themselves rhyming about album after album. However, due to the fact that the lyricism, flow, metaphors and similes are better than most emcees from the West Coast. Although, commercial Hip-Hop fans will find that the lyrics mixed with the talk of woman, ''riding'', drinking, etc… Will bask in the glory that such as talented emcee would grace the half-assed subject matter of their beloved genre, the Underground Hip-Hop fans will find that the subject matter is incredibly uninspiring for a Ras Kass fan. With this said, even with the fairly good lyricism, the subject matter is what brings the album down all the much more.
The lyricism, although not as bad as it could have been for this particular sub genre of Hip-Hop, are, none the less, poor and unimaginative for a Ras Kass album. While Soul On Ice made valid points, had social consciousness, references and topics to nearly every subject that could be rapped about, Rasassination does the exact opposite. Admittedly, there are a few saving graces scattered throughout, most of it is unimaginative and filled with nonsensical commercialism.
The guest artists are one of the weakest points on the album. Featuring nearly every popular artist from the West Coast doesn't ensure lyrical masterpieces. Ranging from Bentley's, to weed, to tanqueray all the way back to cognac. With the same uninspired rhymes and subject matter that create the material found in these artists own albums only bring down the album all the much more.
This is one of the most disappointing LP's to be released from a master lyricist since Nas released Nastradamus. Although the lyrics overall are fairly good, the production and beats, subject matter and guest artists take an album that could been just as good, if not better than Soul On Ice, but doesn't live up to expectations due to the aforementioned flaws.
