Ras Kass - Miami Life

Appears on the album "Soul On Ice" (1996), as well as the soundtrack to "The Substitute".
John Austin IV (born September 26, 1973), better known by his stage name Ras Kass, is an American rapper. He returned as a member of the hip hop supergroup The HRSMN along with Canibus, Killah Priest, and Kurupt in 2014.[1] Ras is a member of the group Golden State Warriors with Xzibit and Saafir. Editors of About.com ranked him #30 on their list of the Top 50 MCs of Our Time (1987-2007).[2] Pitchfork Media called him "one of the best rappers of all time."[3]
Austin was born on September 26, 1973[4] and grew up in Carson,Ca. In 1996 he had twin sons (Ras and Taj) with R&B and soul singer-songwriter Teedra Moses.[5][6] BMF Entertainment artist Barima "Bleu DaVinci" McKnight is his cousin.[7]
Ras Kass took his stage name from the legendary Ethiopian Emperor Yohannes IV whose name was Ras Kassa Mircha before he was crowned as an emperor. Ras Kass sent waves through the hip-hop world with his debut independent single release "Remain Anonymous," earning him a Hip-Hop Quotable in The Source Magazine. Before his signing with Priority/EMI Records, Ras Kass began making guest appearances on several records and freestyles on numerous radio shows, further solidified the emerging lyricist's notoriety. Recorded guest appearances include Sway & King Tech's "Come Widdit" (feat. Ras Kass, Ahamad and Saafir) (Priority Records) and their "Wake Up Show Anthem '94" (feat. Ras Kass, Nas, Lauryn Hill, Chino XL, Organized Konfusion and Saafir), as well as Chino XL's "Riiiot" (American Recordings), and KeyKool and Rhettmatic's "E=MC5" (feat. Ras Kass, LMNO, and Meen Green) Up Above Records.
From a young age, Austin was influenced by hip hop music and inspired by a variety of emcees including Ice Cube, Rakim, Scarface, and KRS-One. His first album, Soul on Ice, was released in 1996. Taking its name from a book by Eldridge Cleaver, Ras addressed racial relations in the same manner, most notably with "Ordo Abchao" and "Nature of the Threat." The album was released on Priority Records, as was the follow-up, Rasassination, which featured beats from Easy Mo Bee and guest appearances by RZA, Twista, Xzibit, Mack 10 and Dr. Dre. Lead single "Ghetto Fabulous" featured Dre and Mack 10 and was pushed by a lavish video shoot. The album received generally positive reviews,[8] and shortly afterward the MC announced his third album, Van Gogh.
During the recording of Ras's intended third album, Van Gogh, Priority Records merged with Capitol Records, which acquired the emcee’s contract and his material.[9] Initially near completion, the album was heavily bootlegged before any single or promotion could be prepared. In fact, the would-be single "Van Gogh" was even played on an episode of The Sopranos. Ras went back to work overhauling the project, procuring tracks from DJ Premier, Hi-Tek, and Dr. Dre and retaining songs from Rockwilder and Battlecat. Tensions arose during the re-recording, from budget restrictions to lack of promotion: Despite the fact that "Van Gogh" remained shelved the album's singles "Back It Up" and "Goldyn Chyd" received decent amount of spins on Los Angeles urban contemporary radio stations KKBT (The Beat) and KPWR (Power 106) during the course of 2001-02. "I would always tell Priority executives, "You give me a road kill cow and pair of scissors but you expect a pair of Air Jordans. It's not fair." Ironically, I would still somehow manage to make a couple pairs."
Ras Kass was also involved in The HRSMN, sometimes called the 4 Hrsmn, consisting of himself, Kurupt (of Tha Dogg Pound), Killah Priest, and Canibus. The Horsemen Project, a white-label of rough tracks by the four, was released in 2003, but no other releases have been subsequently forthcoming. Finally, nearing the completion of his album, the MC and Priority disagreed over the lead single. Originally pushing "Goldyn Chyld," produced by DJ Premier, Priority executives decided to try to release the Dr. Dre-produced "The Whoop" instead, against the wishes of both Ras Kass and Dr. Dre. As he was finishing up Goldyn Chyld, Kass was pulled over in California and arrested for a D.U.I., marking his third; though sentenced to jail time, he was given an extension. Two weeks before the start of his sentence, Priority informed him of their decision not to put out Goldyn Chyld after all. Becoming a fugitive, Ras attained the masters to his project, recorded some music, and finally turned himself in to police.[10] During this time, he also had minor problems with producer the Alchemist, who sold Ras a beat that he later re-sold to rapper Jadakiss, which ultimately formed the basis for the track "We Gon' Make It."

[@uproxx]

Ras Kass is the next guest on People's Party with Talib Kweli. Episode debuts on UPROXX Video Monday 9amEST. And if you are on the move, subscribe to the People's Party audio podcast: Apple -- podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peoples-party-with-talib-kweli/id1467639342

[@NostGold]

Soul on ice - classic. Ras Kass a true legend.

[@SamarIqbal1-2-1]

UPROXX Video Ask him about his beef with The Game and how does he compare himself with Crooked I; Xzibit; Kurupt and 2pac? Also why doesn’t he get the same shine as the other West coast MCs? And also get a freestyle featuring yourself!

[@jaimemartinez2528]

2 legendary emcees. The Waterproof M.C. and Talib. I'm excited for this incredible

[@aaronduncan9656]

I used to bump the hell out of this back in da day

[@Carlos-Freeze-Tha_Hated]

The fact that a West Coast rapper captured mid 90s Miami perfectly in regards to an underrated ass movie is crazy

[@Carlos-Freeze-Tha_Hated]

The sole reason I bought the soundtrack back in the day. Eventhough there were other tracks that went hard, but this was a must have for me

[@swacfan100]

Still one of my favorite, I never forgot this one. RIP COOLIO 🙏🏾🙌🏾

[@HustlasFigureItOut]

Top 100 best songs in rap history.

[@jhonezcronic]

Charles Smith agree

[@trainelavalais6280]

Still bump it today. He is kicking knowledge in this song.

[@thegentlemansmith5411]

1 through 100 all rassy!😁

[@aloismunhoz4028]

Word

[@willsmith9822]

I promise it is in my Top 100 best songs in History. its 2020 and im like let me play some Ras kas Miami nights beats & lyrics = beautiful grimmeyness

[@loperkins4419]

RIP COOLIO🙏🏽✨26years later & this joint is still in heavy rotation on my playlist‼️

[@elektroindi]

Bought the Substitute soundtrack in 1996...still listenin to MIAMI LIFE nearly 30 years later. OMG...has is been that long???

[@sterlingsimmons2212]

💯 Miami life at any price, Ain't nothing nice, keep my pockets right, F the po-lice

[@browardc2428]

This instrumental give you the most South Florida in the 90's feeling ever 🔥🔥🔥

[@juswolf22]

Idk feelin it jay z enters the chat

[@browardc2428]

@@juswolf22 Naw fam Feelin it give you a NYC feeling. Miami Life instrumental you can smell the saltwater and hear the palm trees blowing lol

[@warrenhennon9607]

Raskass contributed to my awakening as a young man.

[@IHMadeThis]

Wow. Flashback. I haven't heard this in more than 20 years and I just rapped along with the first 2 verses. Crazy,

[@Brandonian3030]

#RhymingOverBeats soul on ice baby

[@raekwonyaeyo]

Same here man, I totally forgot about this song

[@MissEAG]

My parents used to say to me: If only you could remember important things, like what you're supposed to be learning for school, like you remember the lyrics to these songs you could be a genius. Thanks Mom & Dad, lol.

[@CoolRunnings1976]

bruh same here. I used to be a movie soundtrack junkie and loved Ras Kass. 41 years old and hadn't heard it since I had the cassette back in the 90s. Still caught and remembered the first few bars

[@shawnrdavis2012]

This track should definitely make the GTA 6 SOUNDTRACK

[@scan8501]

100% agree

[@TommyWitDaTone]

One of the greatest beats of all time

[@trentyates418]

Soul on ice is the west coast illmatic!

[@DMoney-mg3ti]

Facts

[@rasungod7257]

💯

[@madvilliandoom6163]

Ras kass is underrated

[@_viy]

Coolio is underrated too i think or isn't? But he has coolest collabs on youtube with fans if you know what I'm talking about. And the hair too.. kept it even after got aged

[@dimiperini444]

So much it's disrespectful... If Ras died young they'd be calling him the goat

[@bitaraina256]

West coast gotta a lot of underrated rappers....

[@MrWindmills]

This beat is sick yo!

[@JONTEE206]

I almost teared up thinking of the memories. One of the cleanest one hitter HipHop joints ever. Bass line gets me every time.

[@MrDaveyboysmitt]

We can’t get them back

[@louiscooks7457]

That bass line is absolutely disgusting!

[@Manny-nm8dh]

@Daveyboysmitt Just thank God we experienced them; this younger generation missed out.

[@crews-lj3ph]

@@MrDaveyboysmitt wish we can

[@waltbcouncil4786]

Bassline is nasty and that high pitched flute sound...really gives this track flavor..

[@ORIGINALTHINKA]

Peace, Soul on Ice is one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time. Peace to Ras Kass!

[@kushpakk2210]

i actually heavily agree with that in ts crazy how no one i know even knows this album

[@DovelleCB]

Classic!!!! Takes me back to 1996, 25 years ago WOW! The middle school era for me. I would blast this song on the TV everytime somebody order the video on The Box. That's how old I am now, crazy how time flies. Dope song and dope movie too The Substitute.

[@braggsdesigns76]

Hell yeah

[@gordongiobanni7543]

Yup

[@omegawicked1]

I was in 4th grade

[@danielarismendiz5783]

i was 11 when this dropped. Dope movie soundtrack & Album

[@anthonycobb3028]

I remember that song on the box to back in the day 96 was my 6th grade year I remember one boy in 7th grade played this song every morning on his stereo every morning at the school bus stop in Jacksonville Florida this brings back that child hood memories

[@lesson6317]

Ras Kas’ son’s are killing shit right now🗣🎶🔥🎶🔥

[@muztaggainz5145]

The only comment I was looking to see inside here 😂😂😊

[@joshuaberry5465]

Ras kass..lyrical monster...period

[@davidwood8439]

Rass Kass was dope, hope he can make a living on interviews, give this man his flowers, RIP Coolio

[@ChiefRxcka]

You listen to Blasphemy a couple years ago? Ras and Apollo Brown's album? Straight fire.

[@TheUncannyOne]

*IS DOPE

[@VideosNorthwesttraveler]

This song makes me feel good to hear. Im from Miami. Reminds me of a good time in my life. I made it tho. This song was so deep. I'm 50 years old and I'm still here.

[@theboulevard2092]

Kass's bars went over so many heads like the clouds.......real hip hop❤

[@andrewilliams5593]

I'm from the east coast and I swear to God this is the dopest Westcoast song I've ever heard Shout Out the Rass Kass 4 eva

[@jhonezcronic]

One of my favorite songs in this life....

[@yuvithedope]

Rass Kass is one of the best artist R.I.P Coolio 🕊️

[@antoniogoode4407]

Wow I seeing this video on rap city back in 96 it from the substitute soundtrack classic movie and song i miss the 90 era of west coast hip hop music

[@whitesharkcafe1207]

I heard this song on the substitute soundtrack.. song so dope it gave me anxiety at 15.. soon as this album came out i copped.. Been down since 97. The most underrated artist out of the west if not the best

[@josiahfadder]

This song is so fucking beautiful

[@jg3758]

Rest Easy Coolio 🕊🙏🏾

[@themoscatofamily2353]

This song got me through some times. RIP Coolio 🙏🏽

[@rolondorivas6562]

✊🏿🫡‼️ Me too Bruh

[@HipHopBeatSource]

That intro on the beat was so crazy to me back in the day. This was the first song I ever heard from Ras Kass. Went and bought soul on ice soon after and heard "nature of the threat". Been check for him ever since.

[@jiz32]

The bass breakdown is everything!!

[@frankmitchell5128]

Damn this was my high school days right here! Saw this at the $1 movie and had to get that song. Good times and didn't even know it!

[@laniellanauxjr6201]

25th Anniversary to the soundtrack of one of my favorite movies.👌🏿

[@LonerBecause]

The beat is beautiful 💯

[@cliftonbrown3794]

This is real hip-hop music

[@100DeutscherBackpackerRap]

Golden Era Shit will never die!

[@bobfole4781]

“CoInTelPro stickin into brothers like Velcro Fightin felony convictions , a closer shave than Norelco” 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@jinfinitewaves5293]

Classic rass kass!! 🔥

[@traviswright1920]

RAS KASS IS SO UNDERRATED ITS RIDICULOUS. THIS GUY CAN SPIT. THIS IS MY FAVORITE SONG BY HIM. I PLAYED THIS SHIT TO DEATH. IT'S STILL FIRE.

[@nicktronson2977]

what a flow

[@palexstarks5553]

I always thought this was his dopest song. the sample and the rhyme are so on point and cohesive.

[@skigh45]

I swear if this isn't in GTA VI , i don't even want it.

[@4g6XX]

This joint be having a mf having memories of a past he didn't have.

[@arcelgreer9963]

in case you are wondering, the hypnotic element of this classic, ............ is that Damn Harp!

[@HesTooOpinionated]

I remember when this first came out. Good movie and dope track. RIP Coolio

[@DMoney-mg3ti]

Man i miss the sweet old 90s

[@jamisonwheeler7925]

Most underrated track period

[@daxmoney5011]

This beat and the flow is perfect

[@Roy_Al_Blak202]

This song is the epitome of the perfect hip hop song

[@SamCurley-fu6nk]

This feels nostalgic even listening for the first time 🔥 I feel lucky to find this

[@nthisday3184]

One of my fav beats the epitome of melodic.

[@miguelcontreraslopez6819]

I dont think so. This is the type of songs that the lyrics is good and the beat is bad

[@nthisday3184]

@@miguelcontreraslopez6819 Are you crazy?????😂😂

[@malikbey2073]

My favorite song by Ras Kass

[@djalioop]

Whose listening 2019...... Ras Kass so underated this new generation will never understand.

[@originalm3233]

*I remember hearing this song for the first time at the end of "The Substitute". I was like, damn, who did this song? I watched the rest of the credits just to find out.*

[@mr.international23]

I stayed on replay during the credits lol

[@big1eight7]

Same exact experience

[@andresciahooten9598]

I didn’t even know that this song existed. I just looked up Rass Kass because they were saying that he almost had gotten signed to Rocafella records

[@solidwallofsound0371]

Facts

[@brandoncameron5494]

my favorite ras kass song.

[@kamscott4201]

Still love this song 💪🏽🔥💯

[@tauripaulus1710]

Smooth flow and beat..

[@robbybrown2313]

👍👍

[@jonmichael3280]

This beat is forever a time capsule You can practically smell Summer 96 ☀️

[@lateshiachilds3640]

I thought I heard of Ras kass I wasn’t sure. As soon as I played this it came back to me that I believe I did hear this song.

[@BronzeJfkay]

Hearing this for the first time in a long time

[@freddyvidz]

I used to bump this er'day after school

[@realmaticktv7006]

R.I.P. Coolio Mad Love for you and condolences to your family

[@xolampungose]

Favourite song of all time.....

[@gabriellucianmirmeci17]

Very underrated MC

[@dunknown1398]

Wait this guy reminds me so much of nas or nas reminds me of this guy...shiiiiiiiiiii my mind is blown...I wish I knew about this man...his flow is off the chart 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@mecontadmanboy7959]

Raskass was so underrated 😤 hé deserved a much more succesful career 😩

[@ronaldmcdonald1977]

Im 43. Remember this, fire.

[@trainelavalais6280]

This song was on The Substitute soundtrack but it was played at the end of the movie. One of my favorites movies.

[@QBKINGCOM]

R.I.P to The OG Legend Coolio 🙏🏼

[@13MSBUBBLES77]

Who else is still listening to this in 2021 🙌🏽

[@Starplatinium]

Still in my Spotify playlist. C.L.A.S.S.I.C !!!!!

[@Diggy22]

I was watching The Substitute last night on Tubi, and I had to come and see this vid. I remember seeing this on Rap City back in the day. It was my joint 😎

[@TheMelancholicTigah]

Maaaaan the first time I saw this Classick Masterpiece Material during high school, I had to get the track. And when I did, it really yet literally help to think about Countless....Countless things. I must say Coolio(Rest In Power) did made sure he was on deck indeedy. #LEGENDSNEVERDIE

[@Supastackman]

Classic golden Hip Hop Ras kass underrated.

[@Useyno]

This was a great song and great video and for some reason this reminds me of Grand Theft Auto Vice City, I've been waiting to say that for years.

[@ebonylover4104]

Remind me of Dexter series, now I'm watching the second season

[@spindeep23]

This song should a Milly hits. This song pumps me on my ninja rolling 160+ and zipping in and out traffic. Wheelie hell yea, this song makes blood flow

[@willsmith9822]

I promise it this in my Top 100 best songs in Hip hop History. its 2020 and im like let me play some Ras kas Miami nights beats & lyrics = beautiful grimmeyness

[@zeusdazzy945]

Been looking for this song for awhile, grateful to finally come across this classic. Rest in peace Coolio.

[@MrTitanSword]

Ras looked YOUNG back in the day! Always bangers though 😊

[@trueg7741]

Everyone looked young back in the day lol

[@DeenoverDunya215]

Rass Kass is definitely the Golden child

[@asssassyn]

This one's a classic.

[@Blaksmif2014]

Classic Material. The R-a-s K Double a s.

[@dejuanoneal1902]

BRINGS BACK MEMORIES!

[@h90bjc18]

the production and flow both on point, def one of my favorite tracks

[@WillCastro-od3qx]

I hope like hell They put this Classic rap song in GTA 6 it will be perfect

[@miketthomas3995]

The Best rapper I ever had with metaphorical and anolog!!!!!

[@SilentMovements305]

Walk these streets wit more Heat than Alonzo Mourning 🔥🔥🔥 3️⃣0️⃣5️⃣

[@UndergroundRap4eva]

Coolio handed Ras Kass the torch and after 20 years Ras handed the torch to Coast Contra. Only the worthy ones keep real hip-hop alive.

[@zigman3105]

Thats a stretch

[@sanzrich9887]

This is one of my favorite songs and I just realized he's saying "F the Po lice (Police)..lol😂 Word. Shout out to Rass Kass and Coolio (Rip), RassKassAssassination is a classic. I had to buy it at least twice..Respect

[@ChipWhitingtonIII]

"I'm launchin' rockets and scuds at Crockett and Tubbs"...... millennials won't know.

[@ZerqeeKrushy661]

Isn't that Miami vice

[@ChipWhitingtonIII]

@@ZerqeeKrushy661 Ding Ding Ding....

[@jhj22]

Miami Vice...Miami Life... I wonder if anyone recognises the old Pablo in the lyrics...

[@daniel-andybecu2804]

born 2005 my G

[@daniel-andybecu2804]

That's where my dad comes in

[@johncarle7807]

I had an industry promo version of Van Gogh with this jam on it in like 7th grade. Shit still hits straight to my heart till this day.

[@9876155]

The Substitute Sdtk. 💪🍻🍻🍻

[@robbybrown2313]

I was tryin guess dat movie!! Preciate ya!!

[@AlexOros]

Love this song

[@weedleweedle]

This beat is heavenly!!

[@kbtitan2464]

Gotta bump this in the Summer with the windows down

[@stevekeenan9673]

Still slapping this

[@les907]

Love this song for who knows how long but zero years old when I discovered there was a video for it.

[@robbybrown2313]

Rap City dayz!!

[@nicollas8299]

1996....✨ The best time was the 90's ✨✨✨

[@lavahot518]

Summer 1996 rap city used to play this all the time ❤

[@jamesgeorge3041]

Cause life's a beach and I forever be wearin' my bathin' suit Classic line

[@74luc94]

Some of the dopest shit I heard.... This is definitely a classic....!