Ras Kass, Chuck D Speak Out Against Arizona Immigration Law
April 28, 2010 08:04:00 PM CDT | by Salima Koroma
This week's passing of the Arizona immigration law has caused wide controversy and heated debate across the country. The bill was signed into Arizona law by Governor Jan Brewed on Monday, and permits police to use their own judgement in questioning anyone about their immigration status. Those who do not have their papers will face state punishment and police officers who do not inquire into the immigration status of "suspicious persons" may also face a state crime.
The law is being likened to Jim Crow laws, which, until the mid 1960s, were used to legally discriminate against blacks. Rapper Ras Kass is one figure who has spoken out against the new Arizona law, also comparing it to Jim Crow. "I'm just speaking up, saying how racist it is," he said in a YouTube video. "That shit is like the Jim Crow laws. Honestly, in my opinion, the world has evolved. America has evolved. There's good people everywhere but in general, it's the old, rich motherfuckers that had it, they want the good old days. They still want everybody in their place like it's the 50s or something…And it ain't the young people, but it's just the old, mad-ass, rich, white men with some bullshit. I don't know what the fuck they think. Like when God made earth [they just think] white niggas was here in America. You're mad at immigrants but [you're] an immigrant too!"
Rapper and activist Chuck D (with writer Theresa Johnson) wrote via the Huffington Post, "In 1991, Public Enemy wrote a song criticizing Arizona officials (including John McCain and Fife Symington) for rejecting the federal holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The same politics written about in 'By the Time I Get to Arizona' are alive and well in Arizona today, but this time the target is Brown people."
Kass explained that such laws encourage blatant racial profiling, and that blacks and Latinos failed to speak up when Middle Easterners were targeted after 9/11. "Really, we need to show some solidarity," he said. "No disrespect, but fuck Arizona. Us as black people, us as brown people, us as yellow people and us as white people, its a human thing; but when one motherfucker gets picked on for one thing, we gotta stand together. You either do it politically, and if you can't fix it politically, because they just passed [the bill], then do it financially. Don't support that shit. Move out that motherfucker. Let the whole state, let the rich white niggas sell [to themselves]."
Chuck D expressed the same kinds of sentiments, calling for a boycott of Arizona, and admonishing figures who have been silent on the issue. "The people of Arizona who voted for this bill, as well as those who crafted it, demonstrate no regard for the humanity or contributions of Latino people. And for all of those who have chosen not to speak up, shame on you for silently endorsing this legislated hate.
"These actions must stop," he continued. "We are issuing a call to action, urging fellow musicians, artists, athletes, performers, academics and production companies to refuse to work in Arizona until officials not only overturn this bill, but recognize the human rights of immigrants…What they're doing to immigrants is appalling, but it will be even more damning if we remain silent."
From HipHopDX.com
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.11138/title.ras-kass-chuck-d-speak-out-against-arizona-immigration-law
Ras Kass Asks Fans To Donate $3,800 To Release Next Album
February 20, 2010 12:02:00 AM CST | by Salima Koroma
West Coast rapper Ras Kass has announced that he has almost completed recording the entirety of his upcoming full-length CD. The as-of-yet untitled project will include 18-20 tracks on a limited edition CD and Vinyl respectively, and will feature unnamed special guests.
The studio time for the album is funded by fans who supported his last release, The Quarterly. Much like his previous album, Kass will look to the monetary support of fans to help produce the physical CDs of the album as well as 500 vinyl records.
With the help of music lovers, the independent rapper hopes to raise $3,800 in the next 60 days. Depending on the range of money donated by each individual, Kass will give a special reward as incentive. For example, those who pledge $15 or more will receive a physical CD of the album, as well as a link and name on Kass' website, SavetheRasKass.com. Pledge $1,000 or more, and receive a limited edition set of lyrics to "Nature of the Threat," handwritten by Ras Kass, a signed CD and vinyl of the latest album, two limited edition t-shirts, a phone call from Kass, a "special producer" credit on the album, a shout out on the project, and free entrance to any Ras Kass performance this year. Go to KickStarter.com see other incentives.
Although there is no official date for the project, it is scheduled to drop this spring.
In related news, check the fan-created Endangered Lyricist mixtape/compilation of Ras Kass' best career work.
UPDATE: In the 48 hours since this story broke, Ras Kass revealed that the album will be called A.D.I.D.A.S. (All Day I Dream About Spittin'), and will be produced by DJ Rhettmatic of The Visionaries. The two worked together over a dozen years ago on "E=MC5." Pre-orders can be purchased here, in the CD and vinyl format.
The former Priority Records emcee also revealed that with a $1,200 donation made to his project, he will record a brand new feature verse for your project. Ras Kass' feature verses have previously appeared on albums from Ice-T, Joell Ortiz and Xzibit.
From HipHopDX.com
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.10659/title.ras-kass-asks-fans-to-donate-3800-to-release-next-album
Kurupt Reforms 4HRSMN With Ras, Canibus, Killah Priest
Monday, January 25, 2010 5:57 PM
By Roman Wolfe
(AllHipHop News) Rapper Kurupt has revealed that he is planning to reunite rap super group The 4Hrsmn, which features Killah Priest, Canibus and Ras Kass.
The group of revered lyricists have collaborated on each others albums throughout the years, but a full-length album featuring each member has never been released.
A number of outtakes were released in 2001 on a leaked album titled The Horseman Project.
“Me and M-Eighty [Wu-Tang A&R] is putting this plan together to do this right,” Kurupt said. “We gonna rack up Cani, Ras, Priest. We are going to put together one of the best albums you can possibly hear. It’s definitely going to be the best Horseman album we’ve ever done. We’re about to bottle it all up and sell it in a drink.”
According to Kurupt, M-Eighty, who is also executive producing Canibus’ upcoming Warlab Records album Melatonin Magik, will help the group with their business, something they lacked in the past as a group.
“We never really had that, so I had a long talk with M-Eighty and we are putting that together now,” Kurupt continued. “We are putting the structure to it and we are going to give yell one of these classic, major Hip-Hop albums.”
No release date was available for the project at press time.
From AllHipHop.com
http://allhiphop.com/stories/news/archive/2010/01/25/22107002.aspx
King Tee, Rappin' 4-Tay, Ras Kass On Snoop Dogg's West Coast Blueprint
January 20, 2010 12:01:00 AM CST | by Jake Paine
Snoop Dogg is representing hard for veterans lately. Between enlisting MC Eiht, Kam and Goldie Loc to his Warzone group, re-releasing Priority Records classics from EPMD, Master P and Eazy E, Snoop has put together his West Coast Blueprint album.
To be released on February 23, the 21 track compilation features various gems from the Priority and Capitol catalogs. Included is WC's breakout hit (with DJ Alladin in Low Profile), "Pay Ya Dues," Latino pioneer Kid Frost on "La Raza" and early Yukmouth hit "I Got 5 On It" .
Snoop also included two versions of his cover of Ice Cube's Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five-sampling hit "Check Yo Self."
1. Introduction To The West Coast Blueprint - Snoop Dogg
2. Eazy-Duz-It - Eazy-E
3. Act A Fool - King Tee
4. No One Can Do It Better - The D.O.C.
5. Pay Ya Dues - Low Profile
6. La Raza - Kid Frost
7. Interlude - Snoop Dogg
8. Alwayz Into Somethin' - N.W.A.
9. You Can't Play With My Yo-Yo - Yo-Yo (feat. Ice Cube)
10. Check Yo Self - Ice Cube (feat. Das EFX)
11. Playaz Club - Rappin' 4-Tay
12. Interlude - Snoop Dogg
13. Foe Life - Mack 10
14. I Got 5 On It - The Luniz
15. The Evil That Men Do - Ras Kass
16. Gangstas Make The World Go Round - Westside Connection
17. 4 Tha Hustlas - Ant Banks (feat. 2Pac, MC Breed & Too $hort)
18. Nothin' But The Cavi Hit - Mack 10 (feat. Tha Dogg Pound)
19. Trust Me - Snoop Dogg (feat. Sylk E Fine & Suga Free)
20. Check Yo Self Interlude - Snoop Dogg
21. Check Yo Self (Snoop Dogg G-Mix) - Snoop Dogg (feat. Hustle Boyz)
From HipHopDX.com
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.10471/title.king-tee-rappin-4-tay-ras-kass-on-snoop-doggs-west-coast-blueprint
