RAS KASS INTERVIEW(11/15): "I ETHERED THE GAME."
ThaFormula.Com - Last time we spoke you were getting ready to drop "Institutionalized," what's been happening since then?
Ras Kass - Really, a lot of the same. I dropped "Institutionalized," me and Dow Jones dropped a mixtape called “Revenge of the Spit” and about 3 weeks ago I dropped another album called "Eat Or Die." I’ve just been working man and really fighting with Capitol Records trying to get past that. I signed a gag order on that but definitely thanks for the support that everybody gives me and make your voice heard man and email them people at Capitol. I used to wear the free Ras Kass T-shirts when I was in jail but I’m really in jail with these people. So that’s my big fight right now as opposed to everybody thinking The Game is my big fight right now. So I’m just trying to iron that out and move on.
ThaFormula.Com - Did that rumor of you signing to DTP really happen?
Ras Kass - Supposedly, I can’t even say that I said that. But I can’t do nothing till I finish one thing. So there is no other situation that I can get involved with until I get rid of Capitol and they are being real assholes about it. It's just a lot of animosity between us man. Capitol don’t like me and I don’t like them. Of course its greed, they want something cause they think I might go somewhere else and be a success. It’s just hater shit.
ThaFormula.Com - Do you feel that the Game situation has benefited you a lot?
Ras Kass - I mean I use any situation to try and do the best I can.
ThaFormula.Com - Is this incident with Game as serious as you guys are making it out to be or is this something that will stay on record?
Ras Kass - I can’t sit here and talk about those things. This dude violated when he hit me in the back of the head with a bottle. I don't think I'm capable of forgiving that unless I hit him over the head with a bottle, then we can be friends.
ThaFormula.Com – A lot of people were disappointed in the video you guys put out on Youtube and wondered why Ras Kass would stoop to that level with the guns and all that especially with what he rhymes about in his music?
Ras Kass - I never said I was so political and positive. I stand behind my decision and what I did. I wouldn't sit here and try to please everybody. I got to do what I feel is right. Cats that know me personally, know that I am of 2 minds. Of course I don't wanna start shit, but if you start it with me I’m in my rights to do whatever it takes to defend myself and that’s just how that works. So all that positivity shit, uh I ain’t never not said I wouldn’t do this or that. If you hit me, I’m gonna fuck you up. That’s pretty much how that works. I have said that in my music from day one, so I don’t know how positive I was supposed to be.
ThaFormula.Com - How did you end up getting involved in the return of “Unity?”
Ras Kass - Bigga B creating “Unity” gave all artists a place to get their music heard at a time when radio wasn’t all that receptive to rap music, they had to come to “Unity” to get it heard. It definitely gave people like me and Xzibit and so many others a place where we could rhyme and be heard. So when Chace and Muggs asked me to do it, I’m here. So rest in peace to Bigga B. I think this is necessary and I’m glad they are doing it. We haven’t had anything since it’s been away to promote the 16 to 21 year old dude with a dream from Southern California that’s trying to be heard. We don’t have what we used to have no more so we need this.
ThaFormula.Com - Have you actually begun recording an official album or are you just doing mixtapes?
Ras Kass - My mixtapes are albums. They are original records with guest appearances. That's what album is. But really, I can’t do anything until one thing is finished. It would be a waste of my time to record an album that probably would get dated. I’ll cross that bridge when it falls on top of me, right now Capitol is what’s the biggest thing in my mind. I got to get that over with and then move on.
ThaFormula.Com - Now you’ve done 2 diss tracks towards Game. Did he respond back to you?
Ras Kass - He dropped some records dissin' me but they were just some weak shit. Nobody heard them because they weren’t that good. He did one called “Pistol Grip Pump” and one called “Soundscan.” He tried to say something, but that shit is weak. Until he comes right, which he can’t because I ethered that nigga Game, and I’ma ether him one more time maybe if I feel like it. So that’s how it works. I mean I didn’t start it but I’m here to finish it.
http://thaformula.com/ras_kass_i_ethered_game.htm
ThaFormula.Com - Last time we spoke you were getting ready to drop "Institutionalized," what's been happening since then?
Ras Kass - Really, a lot of the same. I dropped "Institutionalized," me and Dow Jones dropped a mixtape called “Revenge of the Spit” and about 3 weeks ago I dropped another album called "Eat Or Die." I’ve just been working man and really fighting with Capitol Records trying to get past that. I signed a gag order on that but definitely thanks for the support that everybody gives me and make your voice heard man and email them people at Capitol. I used to wear the free Ras Kass T-shirts when I was in jail but I’m really in jail with these people. So that’s my big fight right now as opposed to everybody thinking The Game is my big fight right now. So I’m just trying to iron that out and move on.
ThaFormula.Com - Did that rumor of you signing to DTP really happen?
Ras Kass - Supposedly, I can’t even say that I said that. But I can’t do nothing till I finish one thing. So there is no other situation that I can get involved with until I get rid of Capitol and they are being real assholes about it. It's just a lot of animosity between us man. Capitol don’t like me and I don’t like them. Of course its greed, they want something cause they think I might go somewhere else and be a success. It’s just hater shit.
ThaFormula.Com - Do you feel that the Game situation has benefited you a lot?
Ras Kass - I mean I use any situation to try and do the best I can.
ThaFormula.Com - Is this incident with Game as serious as you guys are making it out to be or is this something that will stay on record?
Ras Kass - I can’t sit here and talk about those things. This dude violated when he hit me in the back of the head with a bottle. I don't think I'm capable of forgiving that unless I hit him over the head with a bottle, then we can be friends.
ThaFormula.Com – A lot of people were disappointed in the video you guys put out on Youtube and wondered why Ras Kass would stoop to that level with the guns and all that especially with what he rhymes about in his music?
Ras Kass - I never said I was so political and positive. I stand behind my decision and what I did. I wouldn't sit here and try to please everybody. I got to do what I feel is right. Cats that know me personally, know that I am of 2 minds. Of course I don't wanna start shit, but if you start it with me I’m in my rights to do whatever it takes to defend myself and that’s just how that works. So all that positivity shit, uh I ain’t never not said I wouldn’t do this or that. If you hit me, I’m gonna fuck you up. That’s pretty much how that works. I have said that in my music from day one, so I don’t know how positive I was supposed to be.
ThaFormula.Com - How did you end up getting involved in the return of “Unity?”
Ras Kass - Bigga B creating “Unity” gave all artists a place to get their music heard at a time when radio wasn’t all that receptive to rap music, they had to come to “Unity” to get it heard. It definitely gave people like me and Xzibit and so many others a place where we could rhyme and be heard. So when Chace and Muggs asked me to do it, I’m here. So rest in peace to Bigga B. I think this is necessary and I’m glad they are doing it. We haven’t had anything since it’s been away to promote the 16 to 21 year old dude with a dream from Southern California that’s trying to be heard. We don’t have what we used to have no more so we need this.
ThaFormula.Com - Have you actually begun recording an official album or are you just doing mixtapes?
Ras Kass - My mixtapes are albums. They are original records with guest appearances. That's what album is. But really, I can’t do anything until one thing is finished. It would be a waste of my time to record an album that probably would get dated. I’ll cross that bridge when it falls on top of me, right now Capitol is what’s the biggest thing in my mind. I got to get that over with and then move on.
ThaFormula.Com - Now you’ve done 2 diss tracks towards Game. Did he respond back to you?
Ras Kass - He dropped some records dissin' me but they were just some weak shit. Nobody heard them because they weren’t that good. He did one called “Pistol Grip Pump” and one called “Soundscan.” He tried to say something, but that shit is weak. Until he comes right, which he can’t because I ethered that nigga Game, and I’ma ether him one more time maybe if I feel like it. So that’s how it works. I mean I didn’t start it but I’m here to finish it.
http://thaformula.com/ras_kass_i_ethered_game.htm
