Two of the West Coast’s most cerebral and uncompromising voices converge as Hip-Hop legend Ras Kass unveils the official music video for “Latency,” featuring acclaimed rapper Ab-Soul. Debuted today (9/8/2026) via YouTube, the visual transforms one of the most metaphysical moments from Ras Kass’ latest album, Leopard Eats Face, into a cinematic journey through locales in Los Angeles and Las Vegas.
“Latency” is a philosophical spiral that exists somewhere between consciousness, perception, and the unknown— an ideal canvas for two MCs whose careers have been defined by challenging listeners to look beyond the surface. Ras Kass, one of the West Coast’s most revered lyricists, brings his trademark density and intellectual rigor to the track, while Ab-Soul adds his own distinctive brand of introspection and existential wordplay. Singer/songwriter Dina Rae provides the hypnotic hook, adding a soulful dimension to the track’s otherworldly atmosphere.
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Directed, filmed, and edited by Gifted Glitch, the “Latency” music video unfolds across three dramatically different environments. The video was shot at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), an undisclosed LA location featuring a pyramid structure, and in Las Vegas, with each setting contributing to the song’s dreamlike, esoteric quality. Rather than simply illustrating the lyrics, the visual extends the track’s themes into an immersive world where architecture, geography, and symbolism become part of the narrative.
This collaboration represents a natural intersection between two generations of West Coast Hip-Hop. The pairing of Ras Kass and Ab-Soul on “Latency” feels less like a conventional feature and more like a meeting of minds. With the two MCs joining forces for this song and music video, we see a particularly compelling snapshot of the continuum between the West Coast’s foundational underground lyricism and its modern renaissance.
“Latency” is featured on Leopard Eats Face, Ras Kass’ first new album in five years. Released earlier this year, the project marks the latest evolution of an artist whose influence extends far beyond any single era, reaffirming his commitment to lyricism that demands and rewards close attention. The title Leopard Eats Face is a provocation, pointing directly to real-world consequences of voting for the current administration— from aggressive and violent ICE and Border Patrol tactics to the erosion of civil liberties. Across the project, Ras interrogates power, complicity, and survival, reminding listeners that none of this is accidental—or surprising. The album features cross-generational guest verses from Inspectah Deck, Coast Contra, Onyx, and more. Singles include “42” with Smif-N-Wessun; “Scar Tissue” with Treach of Naughty By Nature, and Wais P; “Miss Me Yet?” with Timothy Bloom; and the bonus “Mapongo Lions“, as heard in Dave Chappelle‘s latest Netflix special The Unstoppable.
