Masta Ace- The Purist

Masta Ace is slowly becoming one of my favorite rappers of all time and I wanted to make a thread going through his entire discography, give my thoughts and hopefully educate you guys on one of the best rappers to ever live.

Idk bout y’all but I’m on hht to find and put people onto new music because I care about Hip hop and its’ culture. I could easily talk mainstream bs and recycle future vs young thug uzi vs carti tweets for interactions everyday but that’s not me. Now let’s get into the business!

Short biography: Duval Clear, better known by his stage name Masta Ace grew up in Brownsville, Brooklyn. Duval met the infamous producer, Marley Marl, in 1987 during his summer break at Rhode Island University.

After Graduating College in 1988, Masta Ace would join forces with fellow Juice Crew members Kool G Rap, Marley Marl, Big Daddy Kane and Craig G to record his first EVER verse on one of the most iconic Posse Cuts of all time “The Symphony”. This song is amazing and peak hip hop

Take a Look around (1990)

Masta Ace’s debut album, entirely produced by Marley Marl and DJ Mister Cee, this album is pretty good but it’s one of my least fav albums from him tbh. Old heads would prolly tell you different but that’s just my opinion.
Standouts: Music man, Movin on

Masta Ace Incorporated:
During the time between his debut and second album, Ace was opposed to the state commercial hip hop was at the time and expressed this in his Sophmore album, “Slaughtahouse”. This time he’s backed by his newly formed 5 person crew.

Members in Masta Ace Incorporated:
-Masta Ace
-Lord Digga
-Paula Perry
-Leschea
-Eyceurokk or Eyce

SlaughtaHouse (1993)

Masta Ace is the star of the show on this LP. Certified classic and prolly the best place to start when diving into Masta ace imo This loose concept album finds Ace taking *fake* gangsta rappers and into his slaughterhouse.

The intro track “a walk thru the valley” sends the listener into the mind of Masta Ace who lives in the hood and has to deal with murder and crime on a daily basis. Such an awesome way to start an dark and gritty album.

The second song which happens to be the title track talks about the glamorization of violence thats was trending in the early 90s. Masta Ace plays multiple characters in the beginning and the actual Ace comes in to slay all MCs who glorify violence. Such a dope track.

I could talk about this album all day but I don’t want to bore you guys. Maybe I’ll make a whole other thread just on this album. Slaughtahouse is perfect all the way through and one of the best albums from 1993!
Standouts: Jeep ass Niguh, the big East, Style Wars

Sittin on Chrome (1995)

Man oh man I absolutely LOVE this album! Sittin on chrome is one of the most unique 90s rap albums oat. His most commercially friendly album. Another great place to start. Masta Ace taps into the West Coast funk sound and made a east coast classic

Example A: “The I.N.C. Ride”

Just close your eyes and vibe out to this shit Every song is so damn enjoyable and fun. All the right vibes are displayed on this alum.

The gritty east coast sound is still on here in songs like Freestyle? He states “This ain’t off the top of the head but it’s still a freestyle for those that don’t know the meaning”. The original meaning of a freestyle was simply to rap without a real topic and it has evolved.

Disposable Arts (2001)
Masta Ace incorporated parted ways and Ace went to work on another album from 1996-1998. The label didn’t like it and shelved the album. Ace went MIA in the scene for a couple years and returned in 2001 to gave us a work of art in “Disposable Arts”

Disposable Arts is a concept album following a story of A rapper who enrolls in a hip hop school called “The Institute of Disposable Arts” after a 5 year sentence in prison. This is an extended metaphor for Ace’s comeback to the rap game after 5 years!

For all the conceptual hip hop fans run this album right away!
I will make a separate thread explaining the concept of this album and go into detail becuz there’s so much to talk about with this masterpiece!

Standouts: Acknowledge, Alphabet Soup, hold u, block episode

A Long Hot Summer (2004)

Another insane concept album! A long Hot Summer is the prequel to Disposable Arts as it follows an the same character through a “long hot summer” in Brooklyn before his prison sentence! Masta Ace is a genius
Standout tracks: Good ol love (top 20 hh)

eMC- The Show (2008)

Masta Ace said he would never make another solo album after a long hot summer and started a group called eMC featuring rappers Punchline, Wordsmith and Stricklin.

This is another conceptual album that follows a group called eMC as they go on the road to do a show.

This album is his only album that’s not on streaming which is a shame because it’s so good! Sean Price and Little brother are featured on this album. “We Alright” is

MA_DOOM: Son Yvonne (2012)

Entirely produced by MF DOOM, Masta Ace dedicates this album to mother Yvonne! It’s beautiful, the production is amazing and features Big Daddy Kane and MF DOOM on one of the songs. All special herbs beats btw.

The Falling Season (2016)

Another amazing concept album from Masta Ace. This one takes the listener through his 4 years at high school!

“Story of me” is a 7 min masterpiece! One of his best songs. Your old Droog features on this for you backpackers

“A Breukelen Story” (2018) with Marco Polo on production!

Another unique album! Masta Ace tells story’s of his hometown in Brooklyn while the skits tell a story of Marco Polo moving from Toronto to Brooklyn to pursue is production dreams! Beautifully done and insane production

Elzhi, Smif-N-Wessun, Lil Fame, Styles P, Lil Fame, Pharoahe Monch and DJ Premier feature on this album aswell

Probably his best produced album
Standout tracks: Corporal Punishment, get shot, Kings

End of thread! Hopefully you guys learned something new.

Legends like Masta Ace shouldn’t be overlooked on this app. 30 years in the game he deserves all the love.

If you’re a fan of Masta Ace already drop your favorite album from him let’s chat.

Stream Masta Ace Love y’all