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What Had Happened Was: Saafir

Mar 10, 2009

Oakland MC, Saafir, explains why the Saafir, Xzibit, Ras Kass dream team never came true.

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Ras Kass

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Name: John Austin IV

Reppin': Carson, CA

Breakthrough: A rap fan from an early age, Ras Kass’s first album, Soul on Ice (Priority), was released in 1996 when he was 22. Taking his title from a famous book by Black Panther Eldridge Cleaver, Ras Kass wrote lyrics that addressed race relations and black solidarity. His follow-up, Rasassination (Priority, 1998) continued in the same vein and featured the lead single “Ghetto Fabulous,” which included Dr. Dre and Mack 10, and put Ras on the path towards stardom. However, after Priority Records merged with Capitol Records, his third album, Van Gogh, and fourth album, Goldyn Child, were both delayed and eventually shelved altogether.

Now You Know: Ras Kass was arrested on DUI charges for the third time in 2003 and served 19 months in prison.