Soul On Ice (book)

Soul On Ice is a memoir and collection of essays by Eldridge Cleaver. Originally written in Folsom State Prison in 1965, and published three years later in 1968, it is Cleaver's best known writing and remains a seminal work in African-American literature. The treatises were first printed in the nationally-circulated monthly Ramparts and became widely read (even praised by Norman Mailer) for their illustration and commentary on "Black America." Throughout his narrative, Cleaver describes not only his transformation from a marijuana dealer and serial rapist into a convinced Malcolm X adherent and Marxist revolutionary, but also his analogous relationship to the politics of America.

Background

Eldridge Cleaver was born in Wabbaseka, Arkansas, in 1935, amidst the severe and unrepentant racism of the South. In 1946, his family moved to Watts, California, where, although the racial climate was not as acute, the young Cleaver began delving into petty crime. After a series of arrests throughout his adolescence, in 1954, he was sent to Soledad State Prison for possession of marijuana. Though he was released within two years, later in 1957, he was convicted of sexual assault with intent to murder and was subsequently sent to San Quentin and then onto Folsom.

Soul on Ice

Soul on Ice can refer to:

Literature

Music

Soul on Ice (album)

Soul On Ice is the critically acclaimed debut album by West Coast emcee Ras Kass, released on October 1, 1996, under Priority Records. The album was produced by Ras Kass, as well as DJ Battlecat, Vooodu, Bird, Michael Barber, Michael Schlesinger, and Reno Delajuan. Fellow West Coast rapper Coolio makes the only guest appearance on the album on the song "Drama." The album's title is a reference to Black Panther member Eldridge Cleaver's 1968 book Soul On Ice.

Two charting singles were released from the album, "Anything Goes" and "Soul on Ice."

It has been praised for its complex lyricism and lush production.

The Source magazine noted in 1996, that Ras Kass was "the West Coast's answer to Nas".

Track listing

Samples

Anything Goes

Reelishymn

Drama

Soul on Ice (song)

"Soul on Ice" was the second single released from Ras Kass' debut album, Soul on Ice. Produced by Bird, "Soul on Ice" became Ras Kass' most successful single chartwise, gaining the most success on the Hot Rap Singles chart, where it peaked at 22. Diamond D of D.I.T.C. remixed the song.

Single track listing

Charts

References