Adopting titles such as “The Waterproof Emcee”, and “The Endangered Lyricist”, this week's Rap Station Spotlight Artist goes to John Austin IV—better known to the masses as Ras Kass.
The California-based rapper introduced his magnum-caliber rhymes with his critically-acclaimed debut single, “Remain Anonymous”, which earned special recognition from The Source Magazine, and his eventual signing under Priority/EMI Records.
Prior to this, Kass already became a prominent figure in Hip-hop underground, rooted upon various appearances on several records, as well as radio-broadcasted freestyle rap sessions, which showcased the young rapper's skills on top the live stage and “solidified the emerging lyricist's notoriety”.
Kass debuted in 1996 with his album Soul on Ice, which featured hard-hitting rhymes through notable singles, “Ordo Abchao” and “Nature of the Threat”. The album was released under Priority Records, as was his follow-up record, Rasassination, which showcased Easy Mo Bee as beatsmith, and featured appearances from numerous Hip-hop icons such as RZA, Twista, Dr. Dre, and Xzibit.
Although the rapper became subject to a few controversial matters hindering his career, Kass returned to the Hip-hop scene in 2014 rostered among the rap supergroup, The HRSMN, alongside Canibus, Killah Priest and, Kurupt. Ras Kass continues delivering cutting-edge content to this day.
From his days of reckoning in the underground scene, to showcasing his prominence in various iconic collaborations; From live rap sessions to the myriad of artists he's worked with, Rass Kass has undoubtedly deserved notoriety as “one of the best rappers of all time”, as well as the #30 spot off the Top 50 MCs of Our Time.
With such magnum-caliber skills both seen live and heard through records, not to mention having such versatility with varying styles and artists—not to mention expressing such persistence throughout the years, and to top it off remained true to his roots as an artist, Rass Kass is indeed, a lyricist of the “endangered” breed.
By Jods Arboleda for RAPStation.com
