Ras Kass Understandable Smooth

Initially going to be the lead single from Ras Kass's 2001 album Van Gogh. The album was dismanted due internal issues between Ras and the label. All the same its a pretty dope track. I hate it never saw the light of day. Sorry, no video footage.

[@ronmexico9956]

Sad thing is that theres a slew of people that will never know of Ras Kass greatness until the day he dies

[@reallyannoyingguyrighthere]

He is a legend. Was once one of Dr Dre's top 5 MC's

[@zatiticherry3421]

Man.....

[@Justin-pettway]

@Bud Borne krino is the greatest and he's humble enough to acknowledge other greats even though he don't get enough recognition

[@Abstract444]

Indeed true jewels

[@clrkkdd12]

@James McNally K rino, I haven't heard that name in a long time 🤔

[@kylethefloridaman]

Most underrated rapper of all time. Thanks for the top Comment

[@MC-jp4dg]

I agree

[@christophermiller7532]

+Kyle Delcambre Lyrically top 5 IMO.

[@jacobmiller6148]

maybe

[@GOAT-HRDRZ]

Tame One

[@MrCarlof]

id say hes even more underrated than az. but its hard man...hard choice az soooo underrated

[@Saved_Sinner0085]

This is one of the most underrated hip hop songs of all time.

[@Sound1one]

FR

[@gregnice25]

I REMEMBER WHEN I FIRST HEARD THIS SONG, I WAS AMAZED HOW IT WAS MIXED AND RAS DOING HIS THING ON THE TRACK....AND THAT WAS YEARS AGO. ALL THESE YEARS, I KEPT THE SONG IN MY HEAD AND NEVER FORGOT AND HERE I AM TODAY ON KZbin LISTENING TO IT AGAIN....THANK GOODNESS!!!

[@karlc2869]

This would have blown up the Billboard charts had Anita Baker cleared the sample of one of her timeless hits.

[@corymoore1530]

I said the same thing to my brother this morning. I'm sure that you get goosebumps like me when you listen to this. That Anita Baker gets me every time.

[@kkrills]

wut could have possibly moved u by this mix????

[@sksilva]

As many things as you could fit in this triangle, you get to keep MrBeast

[@jhall9602]

Fuck!!!! The feelings I get listening to this are other worldly. If you’re older then 35 you know we were spoiled y’all. These kids will never know. 90’s the era of hip hop with a soul. Lyrics had a meaning not mumbles. I’ll stick to living in the past.

[@Q.B.2.L.B.]

Met Rass at a Raekwon show...good peoples...level headed just chillin with the common folk...explained to dude duke is one of the illest east or west...mad humble cat gave me even more respect for him...word...✊

[@JGLCSW]

I just posted the same thing a few moments ago on another thread. Met him at Magic Johnson's TGI, very down to Earth fellow, despite having one hell of a catalog. Van Gogh is too damn apt of a title for this album. Decades from now some neo hipsters will "discover" his music and Ras will get the recognition he deserved, posthumously.

[@bernardtyler2835]

No doubt, one of the most lyrical mfer that ever did this rhyming shit, salute

[@zamanimlaba8501]

Metro FM - Glen Lewis he introduced me to this track in the 90's. I'm still in love with it.

[@darnellj.9812]

Rass I hope he gets this passion back ! He was super bar heavy !!!!!! To the point you couldn’t even believe where he was from ! Respect to all but he sounds like was was born with a Avirex on !

[@John-wv6ei]

For real! I miss this rass kass right here

[@thinkordie7292]

I miss the vibe like this👍🏽

[@blancopop7845]

Immaculate Conception.

[@nlightin]

"Say my name like Candyman..then I'm creeping out the cut with a gallon in hand" G shit

[@illegal-substance5904]

I love this guys lyrics and the sample is so smooth it makes ya wanna go for a cruise and bump this loud!!!

[@comb007]

this is one of the best songs i ever heard the beat is so sick

[@grant3741]

It's Aretha. All rap is borrowed.

[@FinalFlash2110]

@@grant3741It's Anita Baker.. lol The song is called "Caught up in the Rapture". Tryna be a smart ass and you didn't even know what you were talkin about.

[@kobeylocc0388]

@@FinalFlash2110nigga might as well said urethra

[@scotianslim7631]

I always loved this fkn smooth beat. Bought a DJ mix tape at the hip hop shop in Van City in '98 & fell in love lol👌💨🔥👌💨🔥👌💨🔥😊😊😊😎😎😎

[@lebronboyd1298]

Probably was dj rob 1 meets Kisha I stole that for the art and found this gem

[@mcelf168]

I gotta make the ugly face every time I hear this! Ras is definitely underrated and slept on

[@John-wv6ei]

Same thing me too! Ever since the first time i jumped up so fast when i first heard the beat and that sample and i recorded off the radio i had the mean face on i will never forget that day.

[@skemp9119]

2021!! Immaculate conception.... Dis shut so underrated....

[@JayKanella]

Ras Kass and Bis have had the same problems: no label support. I guess it's because they don't snap dance and talk about rims and jewelry. If they ever got into the right label situation, it would be a beautiful thing.

[@shanswanwaters5822]

Ras kass killed this !!!! I had the DJ play this at my sister's wedding 3 years ago and slowed danced with my friend veronica Murphy.

[@staygold9798]

everything about this song makes me feel so lucky and blessed that i fell in love with Hip Hop

[@kylehill6384]

Not listened to rap any years, except old songs, but this song will always be a favourite of mine.

[@paulsevilla9762]

Been here and still here remember hearing rass 20years plus

[@Ajzakcina]

I could listen this for decades...Just get in my car and press play.. Cruising,60 miles per hour,perfect speed for relaxing...

[@trenorman3618]

So good. Can't stay away from this even if my life depended on it. Haha.

[@genesiselijahtv]

This is one of my favorite Ras Kass tracks!

[@yasseranubis6292]

Its like im the only Egyptian that listins 2 ras kass lol! But ay atleast theres someone who knows him here , soul on ice!!!

[@ManyCrimes]

What a trip to find this in Egypt, most American dudes don't even know this. Much love brother!

[@octm1]

that biggie skit reference was incredible!!!! this song is incredible!!!!!!

[@sergiohuizar2005]

My shit is more John blaze than that

[@JM-ow8np]

Golden Age of Hip Hop!!

[@J167_v]

What a time to be alive.

[@kumartheory]

love this song!!!

[@princeekeson12]

That Anita Baker sample tho...

It's a great sample

[@MrUserpick48]

What Anita baker song

[@ChefGoldblum79]

ya dude, deadly...

[@ohjuice5867]

Chris McClellan Caught Up In The Rapture

[@SuperStarASAR]

That's Nas boi

[@ibestrokin]

threw a Ras Kass show back in the day. chilled with razzy here in the northend san berdoo after the show. real down to earth intellectual 👌

[@TheThiefery]

I remember seeing this advertised in THE SOURCE and RAP PAGES back in the day. Was waiting for this patiently and it never came out. Then it sucked to see HOME SWEET HOME get replaced and sold to the LOX for their album.

[@misterservicepro9407]

Me too

[@OrcPusher]

Oh God... how long ago.. how long i missed ..dat beat... that song... smooth sh!t... just DOPE TY for uping that song luv it

[@BlackAtticus]

Rass Kass' lyricism is the MAIN reason we kept listening...even when we didn't agree with the beats, the dude's a genius. I WISH he'd never had stooped to GAME's level and started that beef. It seems he was always ticked about not getting the props he truly deserves. i hope he keeps pushing and overlook that b.s. -- he's a huge part of why i started rhyming.

[@MrSwiftwit]

My first yr of college heard this track by stumbling into the campus radio shop...it changed my life.

[@Bluexhox]

And God Bless You Revolver For Loading This In The Chamber And Blasting It For The Ears To Hear. Real Hip-Hop Has To Be Supported And Maintained By Those That Understand The Definition Of The Music And What It's Supposed To Sound Like. Keep Carrying The Flag For That Real Shit...

[@BigCSmooth]

One of the all time under-rated

[@Bluexhox]

Damn Right Trooper, It's good To See Others Who Are A Ras Supporter Like Myself. I've Been A Fan Of His Since '96 And I'm Still A Fan Today. He's Still One Of The Most Lyrically Lethal, Originaly Original And Punchline Abundant MC's Out There. It's A Shame He Hasn't Gotten The Support Or Acclaim That He Deserves. Songs Like This Show That Before Rap Went To Hell This Was The Essence. Hell, This Was Cut In 1998 And It's Still Better Than 95% Of The Shit That's Out Today.

[@DIVISIONINCISION]

This a definitive masterpiece. How is this not released? This is creative genius........the flow, the instrumental......... It's amazing to me how kids like Rassy Kassy get overlooked. Maybe because he's not an EastCoast pop-star!

[@Drewisnotmyname]

They couldn’t get the sample clearance at the time…biggest song let down in west coast hip hop to me😭

[@jelanibeats]

​@andrewneskahi1902 Anita Baker was know for not wanting her music sampled! But it was the ultimate compliment for an artist to think to sample her.💯

[@TheIntrovert83]

Give this man his Flowers while he's alive So underrated!

[@yahyacooper5319]

Rass what can I say he spit with the best of them a true classic

[@Taxidermistification]

Smooth like peanut butter.

[@FromGuiriga]

Yo'!!! Rass Kassiano is a Genius for real!!! Lyrical Genius!

[@TheOne33612]

Rass Kass took his emcee name from Hallie Sallasies. Before His coronation and assuming the throne as the king of Ethiopia his name was Ras Tafari, hence Rastafari!!!👍🏿

[@Ibnbarak765]

I honestly trip out that he's from LA cause he sounds like a New York rapper to me. And he's from watts so he's surrounded by bloods but he never mentions gangs much it's down cuz he focuses on lyrics alone

[@christophermiller7532]

+belal kaderi He's actually from Carson. South and west of Watts.

[@amazighqueen5334]

+Christopher Miller he's originally from Watts

[@Taxidermistification]

I thought dude was from New York too.

[@christophermiller7532]

Trisha Love No. He's not. He says on EVERY song he's from C Arson. He was born in Georgia. Show me something with proof that he's FROM Watts.

[@DaBruizer]

He's C-Arson. Trust folk that been following the game

[@TheCooLKessONE]

Who still got this Melody and lyrics in his head in 2020?

[@SidneyMosley]

I remember when I first heard this track and didn't know who Ras Kass was... I thought it was Mos Def, but turns out this man is from LA. Straight up this man could've been Kendrick Lamar before Kendrick Lamar.

[@MrMegaManFan]

This came out on a twelve inch single long before Van Gogh was ever even on the table, but sample clearance issues was what caused it to be shelved from appearing on a Ras Kass album in the 1990's. There were at least two or three songs from John Austin that had this problem -- came out as an underground 12" but they wouldn't clear the sample for it to come out mainstream. The irony here is that he mimics The Madd Rapper on the track, and heads were hella heated that Bad Boy got a Diana Ross sample cleared when seemingly no underground rapper could.

[@foxmulder7616]

Sick of gettin the short end of the stick, so I sharpened it.. And stuck ron Goldman 😂

[@JuNalvr]

this is that fly ridin clean and fresh on a saturday night shit.. love that track

[@jacobmiller6148]

music to live by music to die by.

[@sergiohuizar2005]

Music to drive by

[@emmanuelvincentisraelletse5192]

First heard of Ras in 96 on the joint Nature of the Threat ....then as a 15 year old South African kid...I couldn't fully understand the esoteric knowledge he was spitting 🔥

[@dizzastick77]

i always loved that he used a Biggie skit and turned them into lyrics. Genius.

[@krazielos]

This song was supposed to be on his second album and it was released on white label in 98.

[@steeltownbrown52]

I was pretty disappointed finding out that this wasn't on Rasassination (still a good album).

[@coldlamp5499]

He got Jon blaze shit and they was not unnep-a-respinizing!!! RIP my man Tom aka yoyerwack who first put me on this track back in 99 or whenever the pre release was... miss you tommy!

[@Ajzakcina]

I cant explain to ya all how this classic calms me down... Ras Kass 4 life ...!

[@YoshiEaterX]

Because they're not around... I feel ya bro, music just isn't the same as it was during the 90's and early 2000's... I feel ya bro.

[@kakeboy07]

I always loved van gogh... The nature of the threat always put off most of the folks I grew up with, but Ras Kass is an amazing lyricist, and his music is poetry, even if you didn't agree with everything he was saying.

[@yourfriendlybeatmaker4520]

There must be 32 tekashi fans that listened to this classic joint and gave it thumbs down

[@cronistadigable7951]

Best song of all times! ras kass in my headphones 4 eva!!

[@octm1]

2:10-2:20 is the one of the greatest lyrics ever!! Rass Kass is the Goat

[@tfromcali89]

That’s actually from Biggie’s Kick in the Door, the skit that happens before the song.

[@Theory52]

@@tfromcali89 this here, reflects the depths of Hip Hop knowledge in one’s psyche. Every time I hear this line in this track, I think of dude at the beginning of the track on Big’s album. One must be well rounded in order to connect the dots linked in Hip Hop music. Can’t do that in all the other genres.

[@aharris82]

I used to have this song back in the day, it's still pretty tight even today

[@tyruskam]

Just awesome....beat is really chilling

[@laodicea100]

i first heard this track in 99 or 2000 i dont remenber, it was playing in this local station down here in boston mass. 88.9 and thought pretty dope song it has a summer feel to it.

[@TreyGoose]

My first time hearin this😣🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@liamaries]

G.O.A.T !!! Still spitting them flames 🔥🔥🔥 LEGENDARY

[@vincenzototaro7461]

Great song real mc ras kass this is real hip hop frome the 90s

[@JONTEE206]

One week away from 2021 still bangn em. 🔥🔥🔥🥂

[@FlyRich72]

i want this track in my ipod.. its the best track Ras Kass has ever made IMHO

[@trentyates418]

The waterproof MC is the 🐐 MC, no question

[@kingkoopa3000]

Love this track. "Now if i ever fall off?/ then take picture trick/ but i'm a play dennis rodman and kick you in the damn"

[@djmsup]

One of my favourite rappers ever

[@dashady2003]

2021 still bumping this

[@antoinewright4184]

my favorite rapper

[@AsataShakur]

Brooo I am gonna remake this beat..but on some Westcoast EBK , DRAKEO, Oakland type ish..and imma take my time so I can do it justice..it deserves nothing but luv

[@KSATica]

Instrumental is so smooth :)

[@hassanburton669]

Sick of getting The short end of the stick, so I Sharpened it and stuck Ron Goldman.....Vicious.

[@LifeOfAnOutlaw]

I agree with you Soul on Ice and The 7th day theory are both 96 classics.

[@WildKillerFox]

yea man, ya gotta with two rappers like that. neither are my favorite but i bump them both and got mad respect

[@PaulRichard2]

Such a good track. Tragic it wasn't released sooner.

[@talaliscool]

i wish i had lived through the 90's and growing up with good music instead of the garbage on the radio now a days.

[@chasesunlight]

Nature of the threat is one of the best songs ever.. And of course NY state of mind.. I never got too into common but i'm convinced by your top 3 to scope him out more

[@yardblah5161]

Heard this when I was about 12 on the radio. Caught the anita hook and then commercials cut it off.. been wondering for 20yrs on and off who it was...

[@diasporaman5419]

Antia Baker never let the rights go for the sample.....this was yanked off the shelfs....classic album in limited numbers.....anyone with the cd holla at ya boy...ill cop it for top dolla.

[@MACKTV82KINGS]

yessir

[@jonmoss7603]

Hey you still looking? I got it on vinyl!

[@BIGTAZ7]

@@jonmoss7603 how much for that vinyl?

[@jonmoss7603]

I sold it on ebay weeks ago, sorry man :(

[@AQUAPHREESH193]

Here's da vinyl lol i think some are selling it www.discogs.com/Ras-Kass-Understandable-Smooth/release/633467

[@jyoungdc11]

if u want a history lesson, check out Nature of the Threat. every single verse is a historical fact!

[@maxwellsommer1731]

Not exactly, it's a great song and it's great for challenging traditional historical narratives, but it's not 100% factual

[@zatiticherry3421]

Word, illest track ever if you ask me!!

[@gwiltl]

@@maxwellsommer1731 Even Ras Kass says that. He made it to make people find out for themselves whether what he researched was true

[@superdavelane4]

easily the most beautiful rap song i've ever heard.

[@doodiemac100]

Cube is the Godfather of the West Coast on a MAINSTREAM level because nearly everyone knows and acknowledges him. Ras beats him out in reality as well as every other rap artist past, present and deceased despite being underrated. In my book, its Ras Kass first, then Cube, then Pac and so on.

[@larrymoore8520]

im from louisiana an i love his lyrics big rass fan.

[@trooperjoe73]

It's too bad Ras Kass has had all those problems with the label. Ras Kass has been the man for a long time, and if some people don't hear it on the radio, they just wont hear it! Ras Kass & Canibus are the greatest!

[@TheDude613]

Classic, 2001 still holding down the 90s style. What a beat!

[@steeltownbrown52]

This originally dropped in 98' (prior to Rasassination).

[@greencane84]

ras kass best rapper from the west coast period! nobody else comes close

[@smgcustoms]

Mind Blown. Got to be one of Rass K's best flows. "You know it's off the hook when 031 is gang bangin in Brooklyn." Whoa in 98 that was totally unexpected on the East Coast.

[@smgcustoms]

Kim Martin I know I was referring to the bar Kass said referring to the Blood gang (031) causing havoc in Brooklyn. That all started in 96+ When I left in NYC in 98 Bloods and Crips had begun to take over the juvenile gang activity in NYC. It was crazy to see a West Coast form of "gang bangin' " in the East Coast. Yeah classic hip hop died in 2002.

[@tyheempinkney842]

RAS KASS ONE OF THE BEST MC'S OF ALL TIME 💯💯💯 WAKE THE FUCKED UP PEOPLE 💯💯💯

[@marselus88]

straight dope sample, same was used on Camp Lo's Bubblin.. dope shit!

[@zerozebra]

this is a masterpiece. Sample Anita Baker = epicness, ras kass kills this bad.

[@NetxEnigma]

Perfect FLOW Perfect Blend......

[@comb007]

this song is so relaxing man real talk it really is smooth

[@jamaalhorton2343]

Dope!! Anita Baker is one of my favorite singers!

[@oblivion_007]

She refused to clear the sample. She destroyed Rass kass' career.

[@Shinitkun]

The beat is on point. Beautiful. Ahhhh!

[@thompkinsbilal2]

I AGREE RASKASS HAS BEEN REALLY DOPE FOR A LONG TIME HES IN THE CIRCLE OF THE UNDERGROUND MC HIP HOP CLASSIC CYPHA MCS LIKE NAS CANIBUS RAKIM IMMORTAL TECHNIQUE

[@THollins]

This is why Ras Kass is still the Golden Boy!!

[@steeltownbrown52]

First heard this on a radio show (Live N Direct CFMU 93.3 FM Hamilton) late Summer 1998, a few weeks before Rasassination dropped. Was pretty disappointed to find out that this wasn't on that LP (but still a good album).