On the cover of his first LP, 1996's Soul On Ice, super emcee Ras Kass ominously appears reclining in the belly of the beast - behind jail bars.

Even back then, Ras' artistic efforts were pushed back a number of times despite the million dollar price tag, pre-album acclaim and hype.

Nevertheless, through all of the red tape, die hard fans have continued to support Ras as one of the best, albeit under recognized, that hip-hop ever offered.

In January 2003, his continued woes with Priority boiled over and the matter was exacerbated when Ras collected a third DUI conviction.

A 9-month sentence turned into a flight from the State of California when he failed to turn himself in an effort to protest his "slave" deal with Priority.

Amid the conviction, his anticipated Goldyn Chyld CD was pushed back again - never too see a release. Previously, his masterwork Van Gogh suffered a similar fate at the hands of rampant internet bootlegging.

Now, Ras has settled into a Cali prison and took time to reflect his life and the 23-hour lockdown he experiences daily.

AllHipHop.com: When can we expect you out of jail?

Ras Kass: Mid to Late 2004/early 2005.

AllHipHop: How are you being treated in jail?

Ras Kass: I'm good, getting' a lot of support inside and outside of these prison walls.

AllHipHop: Is anybody supporting you within the music industry and have any or your associates visited you while you are in jail?

Ras Kass: From what I've heard I've gotten enormous support. I've spoken to Xzibit often, Canibus wrote me. KRS-1 and Kurupt gave me words of encouragement. Eminem said, "Free Ras Kass" in a new song. The visiting process is more complicated. You nee pre-approval that takes 1-2 months. Mos Def & Howie McDuffy said they wanna visit, Tyson Beckford too.

AllHipHop: Are your children maintaining and what do you tell them?

Ras Kass: I don't think children should be traumatized; they should enjoy their childhood. I'm "on tour" as far as they're concerned.

AllHipHop: Do you regret any of your career decisions?

Ras Kass: Of course, but obviously this was God's plan so I'ma ride it out. There must be a purpose. I think God is preparing me for my turn to apply all this sh*t I've learned. I won't make the same mistakes again. I am fortunate too. These things happen to a lot of artists and nobody cares, industry wise, and they never recover.

AllHipHop: Once out of jail you will sign with Open Bar (Xzibit's imprint)?

Ras Kass: No.

AllHipHop: Are you off Priority, who would you like to sign with?

Ras Kass: Ask my lawyer (if I am off)! I'd like to be anywhere where my talent is recognized, appreciated and cultivated. I'd like to go to Shady/Aftermath, or Def Jam through Roc-A-Fella would be cool.

AllHipHop: Could the deal with Priority ever have worked?

Ras Kass: No, the problem with Priority isn't the street team, or art department. I mean to say that there were a lot of great people at Priority who gave 110% to me and every other project. Like Tom Reid, Robert Redd, Julio Trejo, Dawn ect...sorry if I didn't mention all y'all. The problem with Priority is its management.

AllHipHop: Is the reason for your silencing at Priority due to your lyrical content about white supremacy?

Ras Kass: I don't know.

AllHipHop: What projects are on the way from you and what is the new label situation?

Ras Kass: The album (which was recorded while he was a fugitive) formerly catchmeifucan is in negotiations. Re-Up Entertainment is my fledgling label. We just startin' from the underground! What up 6 and Scipio!

AllHipHop: What artists and producers do you want to work with?

Ras Kass: My dream song is- well, actually 2 songs, produced by Dr. Dre and D.J. Premiere. Ras Kass, featuring Jay-Z, Nas, Eminem, and Rakim. A concept song and I straight spit off. I'm such a fan of so many rappers, singers and producers I could go on forever about who I'd like to work with. Outkast, Bilal, Scarface, Redman, GZA, The Clipse, Neptunes, Kanye West etc.......

AllHipHop: Will Van Gogh or Goldyn Child or ever get released?

Ras Kass: Maybe not officially but I'm sure bootlegs will hit streets soon.

AllHipHop: Can you give advice to anybody about what to look for on a contract?

Ras Kass: Only that you should always be looking for guaranteed release dates, specific sums of money to be used as the artist sees fit for outside promotions (creative marketing), and a guarantee of 2 videos per album. Also, stipulations that say you're free to leave the contract if any of the terms are breached. Very clear and concise stipulations. Have a great lawyer. Your entire career depends on whether you have a lawyer who truly cares about you or if you have a lawyer who on the low, is working with (and for) the record company. It's illegal but it happens all the time.

AllHipHop: Do you still got beef with Alchemist and Jadakiss?

Ras Kass: I never had beef with Jadakiss. I'm not mad at Alchemist anymore either. I just don't respect him so therefore whenever I feel like it, I'ma diss him. Because I can. It's not Jada's fault. He just bought a hot beat. The shoe could have been on the other foot and Alchemist could have sold it to me after he sold it to Jada, feel me. Either way, Alchemist broke the code of producers in hip-hop: "Don't play a beat anymore if it's sold."

AllHipHop: Would you rather have timeless material or a platinum record?

Ras Kass: I want both.

AllHipHop: Off the topic, what do you think about Canibus joining the U.S. Military? And what's the status of the Horsemen (the unreleased project with Ras, Canibus, Killah Priest and Kurupt)?

Ras Kass: I don't have an opinion about Canibus joining the military. The status of the HRSMN (Horsemen)..... (doesn't finish)

AllHipHop: What other words would you like to add or tell your fans awaiting your return?

Ras Kass: Thank you for every positive word, letter and thought I've received through my entire career. Hope I can finally get knee deep into what I love doing - recording hip-hop records, and I hope I can positively affect others with those records.

Oh one last thing, fans, homies etc... can write me at raskassfans@yahoo.com my team will get it to me. Peace!

Cheers for posting that, good read, just waiting for Dubccn's to be posted now.

^ and someone claimed X-Raided was in the same one too.

dubcnn will ask

Ras Kass: My dream song is- well, actually 2 songs, produced by Dr. Dre and D.J. Premiere. Ras Kass, featuring Jay-Z, Nas, Eminem, and Rakim. A concept song and I straight spit off.

Like LL said - imagine that  

Nice !

Thanks for posting that up...interesting interview...

...hehe i think he may give a helping hand to get goldyn child etc out on the streets from the way it was said

good interview

AllHipHop: Are you off Priority, who would you like to sign with?

Ras Kass: Ask my lawyer (if I am off)! I'd like to be anywhere where my talent is recognized, appreciated and cultivated. I'd like to go to Shady/Aftermath, or Def Jam through Roc-A-Fella would be cool.

AllHipHop: What artists and producers do you want to work with?

Ras Kass: My dream song is- well, actually 2 songs, produced by Dr. Dre and D.J. Premiere. Ras Kass, featuring Jay-Z, Nas, Eminem, and Rakim. A concept song and I straight spit off. I'm such a fan of so many rappers, singers and producers I could go on forever about who I'd like to work with. Outkast, Bilal, Scarface, Redman, GZA, The Clipse, Neptunes, Kanye West etc.......

AllHipHop: Will Van Gogh or Goldyn Child or ever get released?

Ras Kass: Maybe not officially but I'm sure bootlegs will hit streets soon.

Interesting..  

...hehe i think he may give a helping hand to get goldyn child etc out on the streets from the way it was said

Yeah, it sounds like he wants it out there..
If he can't release it officially... might as well give it out free to create a big buzz.