Will Rassy's ''Institutionalized'' album be a classic?

[Conan]

Hearing all these recent joints from Ras (Bars Up, Caution, No Love, Deformed Pretty Boys, etc.) has made me raise this question. In my opinion, the outlook is very good. Since coming out of jail Ras sounds incredibly focused and his flow on all of the afore-mentioned tracks is crazy. In fact, the only one of those cuts that I'm not particularly enthusiastic about is ''Caution'', and that's more to do  with the fact that I dislike the beat. Even the hooks on Ras' songs are improving - just listen to ''No Love''. Plus, bar ''Caution'' - although some may like it, the production he's working with is steadily improving. Even though I'm not a huge fan of ''Caution'' I wouldn't say that any of his new tracks are poorly produced.

Of course, his style has altered over the years in terms of subject matter and it would be difficult to compare the Ras of today to that of the man who created ''Soul On Ice'' a decade ago, but I strongly believe that ''Institutionalized'' could end up as a classic in its own right.

Maybe I'm being a little OTT by throwing the word 'classic' around since I'm a big fan of Ras, but what's everyone else think on the subject? Does ''Institutionalized'' have the potential to be a classic album?

[Leggy Hendrix]

i think this album has the potential to do a lot of things for Ras Kass...whether he drops a classic or not, i dunno, i'll support it anyway

[Don Seer]

i think this album has the potential to do a lot of things for Ras Kass...whether he drops a classic or not, i dunno, i'll support it anyway

co-sign

[Okka]

i think this album has the potential to do a lot of things for Ras Kass...whether he drops a classic or not, i dunno, i'll support it anyway

[DJ F Sharp]

classic or not he needs to distribute it everywhere and make sure all the right people get it cuz that will be the right factor

[UKnowWhatItIs: welcome to my traps....game over]

No,I highly doubt it will be a classic or a very strong CD.Keep in mind this is coming from a Ras Kass fan.His flow is nothing like what it used to be,atleast the way I hear it.His lyrics are good but as an mc I dont see any signs of evolution,instead he seems to be going backwards.Also the beats he's using are average,beat wise I only liked No Love.Why does he keeps on gettin beats that barely suit his style???I wanna hear tracks like The Golden Child (Remix).Anyways,like I said Im not hatin,hey,if his album comes out tight than I'll be just a happy fan.

[KURUPTION-81]

dont expect it to be a classic, but will get it to support him coz his has talent.

[Conan]

No,I highly doubt it will be a classic or a very strong CD.Keep in mind this is coming from a Ras Kass fan.His flow is nothing like what it used to be,atleast the way I hear it.His lyrics are good but as an mc I dont see any signs of evolution,instead he seems to be going backwards.Also the beats he's using are average,beat wise I only liked No Love.Why does he keeps on gettin beats that barely suit his style???I wanna hear tracks like The Golden Child (Remix).Anyways,like I said Im not hatin,hey,if his album comes out tight than I'll be just a happy fan.

I completely understand your opinion T. In fact, I made deliberate use of the word ''altered'' and not ''evolved'' in my original messagein reference to the 'new' Ras Kass, as I'm unsure if you can call his current stance an evolution. His flow, however, is in my opinion as strong as it has ever been. And, in reference to his use of beats, as you acknowledged - he's a different rapper now when compared to five or ten years ago. Perhaps he is selecting producers whom he feels suit his present style.

Bear in mind, I did say that this album might stand as a classic ''in its own right''. I fear that, as with most new Ras efforts, too many people will compare ''Institutionalized'' to his previous work and he might receive criticism as a result. However, had the same album came from a new or different artist I'm willing to bet that most listeners would be more than satisfied. Hey, I love ''Soul On Ice'' but that doesn't mean that I can't enjoy his newer work for what it is. We'll have to wait and see but, in regards to the forthcoming record being a 'classic', I remain hopeful.

[Juronimo]

I think Ras Kass has evolved quite a bit since Soul On Ice. When Soul on ice dropped, Ras Kass had trouble riding a beat correctly and often fell off beat. He also came accross to me as talking at his listeners instead of talking to his listeners. There's a difference, listen to Public Enemy's work in their prime and you get Chuck D talking to his listeners. When I listen to a song like "Seance" I hear a lyricist that has finally understood the difference.

Also the beats he rhymes over have improved. Soul on Ice had horrible production, Rassassination had much better production and all the unreleased tracks he's dropped before his incarceration and after his incarceration have been pure head nodders.

IMO Ras has definitely grown as an artist. He's much more versatile and to me now and he's able to relate to his listeners a bit more.