Hip-Hop has long endeavored to be mainstream, but there
remains a bubbling, burgeoning underground that continues to emphasize the
basics – beats and rhymes. Ras Kass is one of the finest rappers to grace all
schools of Hip-Hop. He’s also seen the fruits of the game escape him time after
time. But, A.D.I.D.A.S. – a double album – is proof that the rigors of the
music industry has not broken Ras Kass. In fact, it sounds like he’s gotten
stronger.
The album – a collaboration with DJ Rhettmatic – starts fast
(ironically) with a slow tempo diddy called “I Am Legend,” where AllHipHop gets a name check with
other digital properties. Ras lyrically gives listeners all that they are
looking for and more. The song is dope and Ras delivers a slower-than-usual
flow. He almost sounds Southern, but it allows him to enunciate each lyric to
perfection.
“This S**t Right Here” reunites Ras with his HRSMN
(Horsemen) brothers, Killah Priest, Canibus, Kurupt. No hooks needed as the
four rappers go for broke. Incidentally, none of the 90’s era rappers sound
dated or bitter. “HRSMN, no vowels…I don’t give a s**t, no bowels,” Ras snarls.
Other posse cuts include “Scenario 2012” with Planet Asia, Phil the Agony &
Krondon (Strong Arm Steady), Montage 1, Mistah FAB, and Chino XL. Most songs on
A.D.I.D.A.S. demonstrate Ras’ lust for spittin’ rhymes and its truly a lesson
in lyrics.
But, Ras Kass and DJ Rhettmatic do more than strong-arm
inferior rappers with punchlines. In classic Ras fashion, he gives powerful
content that gives those with an eager ear something to ponder. “Beautiful
Grind” with Evidence is just that, a melodic, airy song that will make riders
drop the top. On “Where Is She” he
uses the metaphor as Rap as a woman to articulate his confusion over the genre.
“I just never expected to be disrespected by snitches and strippers,” he says
clearly referring to beef with The Game. These sort of songs are bountiful on
the album.
All is not perfect on Ras’ return to glory.
The primary problem A.D.I.D.A.S. is the album offers so many
songs that it gets convoluted and inconsistent at times. For example, “On Top”
with David Banner is a club record that simply doesn’t fit. If you are into
that sort of rap, it’s probably not a bad song. But it is in stark contrast to
“Radio,” the song before, with its chants of “too Black, too strong.” These
sorts of issues have plagued just about every rap act that produced a double
album. There are exceptions like “Visine,” which samples a Drake line, but the
difficulty keeping people’s attention becomes clear.
A.D.I.D.A.S. is
better than most double albums that Hip-Hop has cranked out. At 26 tracks deep,
this is a lot to digest at once, but it is consistently fresh and demonstrates
why Ras Kass has our ear to this day. Also, he’s got more guest appearances
that this reviewer has ever seen (about 35!) on a rap album. Condensed, Ras easily has a classic here. Hopefully, there
is a grassroots groundswell that allows A.D.I.D.A.S. to be properly
appreciated…and allows Ras to continue to dream about spitting bars.
Cop it.
