Ras Kass Is Free At Last! Finally Released From Capitol Records!

[Nima - Dubcnn.com]

www.dubcnn.com



New York, NY - After several years of litigation, West Coast MC John Austin aka Ras Kass and recording label Capitol Records / EMI have entered into a settlement agreement, the exact terms of which have not been disclosed. While details of the agreement are not known, Ras Kass is now legally able to seek out new recording agreements and can seek out new deals with new labels.

Ras Kass originally signed with Priority Records through a deal with Patchwerk Records where he released 1996's critically acclaimed "Soul on Ice" and 1998's "Rassassination". Ras Kass then re-signed directly with Priority and was set to drop "Van Gogh" in 2001 but that label's merger with Capitol, which was taking place at that time, affected the promotion of that project and after being pushed back twice, the project was permanently shelved by the label. The album had however been leaked on the internet and had been very well received by Ras' fan base.

A replacement album was planned entitled "Goldyn Chyld" featuring new material and tracks from the shelved "Van Gogh", with an intended 2002 release date. That project too was shelved following bitter disputes between Ras Kass and Capitol. Ras' subsequent incarceration that year, and the growing animosity between he and the label made future projects unlikely.

May 2004 saw the filing of a lawsuit by Austin in California which contained causes of action for Declatory Relief re: Labor Code Sec. 2855(b); Breach of Contract; Breach of Implied Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing; Interference with Prospective Economic Advantages and Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress. Shortly thereafter, a lawsuit was filed in New York federal court by Capitol / EMI in August 2004 alleging Federal Copyright Infringement due to Ras' release of a mixtape entitled "Re-Up" for which Capitol / EMI obtained a default judgement against the MC. In the California lawsuit, Capitol / EMI filed a Motion for Summary Judgement, which was granted, and obtained a judgement against Ras Kass in the Fall of 2006; that judgement was appealed. "Re-Up" received a XXL rating in XXL magazine and was highly acclaimed on MTV's Mixtape Monday's and nationwide.

October 2007 sees a final and legal end to all of these disputes. Ras' managment team Asti Management (Styles P, DJ Kid Capri) is anxious to begin shopping the MC for a new deal and Ras himself is very satisfied with the final resolution. "I am just relieved and thankful to my management team, my attorney Nyanza Shaw, OGPR and all of the music press that showed me love and support these past few years. Now I am anxious to finally be able to pursue my passion, spread my wings and remind the world why Ras Kass is one of the greatest MC's of all time; dead or alive!" he says.

Fans can see Ras Kass on the Cypher Segment of this year's BET Hip Hop Awards this Saturday, October 13, 2007.

[StevenQBosell]

Now that's some good news.

Hopefully he gets one album out on Koch, then a major will come calling... but then again, he may wanna go independant, and make more cheese... although who knows how much his legal fees have added up to

[Snoopafly-1986]

Ras Kass got lyrics but his flow is off beat sometimes anybody remember that track Ice Age that he did with Kurupt?

[thisoneguy360]

Best of luck to him

[BigG]

man it doesnt even matter no more.

I really dont think rass kass can make music like he use to.

He kind of reminds of brother lynch hung now.  How there new music just isnt the same as it use to be. 
They try to keep that dark westcoast sound.

Hopefully im wrong.

[Episcop Cruel Cvrle]

Razzy gonna make some noize again, its one of those dudes that never falls off....hope dude goes major.

[Hatesrats™]

 
Good shit!!
Congrat's to Ras Kass

[smegma]

Razzy gonna make some noize again, its one of those dudes that never falls off....hope dude goes major.

He'll never blow up mainstream, so for the people who like Ras Kass it's probably better if he goes (or stays) independant. That way eh can release more albums and we can hear more music from him

[Episcop Cruel Cvrle]

Razzy gonna make some noize again, its one of those dudes that never falls off....hope dude goes major.

He'll never blow up mainstream, so for the people who like Ras Kass it's probably better if he goes (or stays) independant. That way eh can release more albums and we can hear more music from him

i can agree with u on dat one...we will def see more material from him now that he is a free agent finally...REEE UPP

[GATMAN]

PROPS...Cant wait for his to drop a new joint

[Starksfu]

Have you guys heard about "Chinese Graffiti?" It's a new album from Ras Kass, Namebrand and Jay 211.  It's a UK release, so it's been getting little-to-no run in the US...but it's a nice album if you can get your hands on it.  Check the snippets on iTunes! 

[LongBeachsFinest]

Have you guys heard about "Chinese Graffiti?" It's a new album from Ras Kass, Namebrand and Jay 211.  It's a UK release, so it's been getting little-to-no run in the US...but it's a nice album if you can get your hands on it.  Check the snippets on iTunes! 

i would prefer to eat a piece of shit

[MontrealCity's Most]

Best of luck to him

[MIAMI4LIFE]

Ras Kass got lyrics but his flow is off beat sometimes anybody remember that track Ice Age that he did with Kurupt?

where is this from, Horsemen track? was it on one of Rass albums?

[Tha Chemist]

Razzy gonna make some noize again, its one of those dudes that never falls off....hope dude goes major.

ya his songs off Chinese Graffiti is crazy