His most recent (and reportedly final) solo album, A Long Hot Summer, gained considerable acclaim in 2004. He is currently in the hip hop group eMC, with Punchline, Wordsworth and Stricklin. They have a page at http://www.myspace.com/emcthegroup.
In the early stages of his career, Masta Ace was very energetic (cf. "Jeep Ass Niguh", where, tongue-in-cheek, he taunts police officers for their knee-jerk predisposition to harass black youth on city streets.) He also recorded material with a six-member supporting entourage, Masta Ace Incorporated. In light of his newly claimed status as a veteran, he has gravitated toward an earnest, matter-of-fact plainspokenness in the new millennium. Many of the songs that have lent newfound heft to his reputation are simple, no-nonsense rumination on feelings and facts of urban American life, including "Soda and Soap", "Brooklyn Masala" (which highlights a budding romance between Ace and a lovely but reserved Pakistani Hindu immigrant), and "Beautiful".
1988-1994
Ace made his recording debut as Master Ace on the classic hip-hop posse-cut "The Symphony", along with fellow Juice Crew members Craig G, Kool G Rap, and Big Daddy Kane, released on Marley Marl's In Control album. In Control also featured two lesser known Ace tracks "Keep Your Eyes on the Prize" and "Simon Says". His first solo single, "Together" b/w "Letter to the Better", was released in 1989. He released his debut album, Take A Look Around, through Marl's Cold Chillin' label in 1990, featuring production from Marl and DJ Mister Cee. The album featured two minor hit singles in "Music Man" and "Me & The Biz", a track in which he impersonates fellow Juice Crew member Biz Markie. During the few years between his debut and his sophomore album, Ace began having bitter feelings toward the commercial state of hip hop music, feelings which ruled the content on his second release, 1993's Slaughtahouse, with the loose concept of the album seeing Ace taking the fake "gangsta emcees" to his "Slaughtahouse". The album featured Ace's new crew, Masta Ace Incorporated, which included Eyceurokk, Lord Digga, Paula Perry and R&B vocalist Leschea. The album sold moderately well, fueled by the singles "SlaughtaHouse", "Saturday Nite Live", "Style Wars" and "Jeep Ass Niguh". "Jeep" featured an unlisted remix titled "Born to Roll", which became a smash crossover single in 1994, peaking at #23 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Also in '94, Ace became a member of a temporary crew called the Crooklyn Dodgers, along with rap vet Special Ed and Black Moon's Buckshot, and recorded the title track for the soundtrack to Spike Lee's film Crooklyn. The song became Ace's second Hot 100 hit in 1994, peaking at #60 on the chart.
1995-2000
Ace furthered his mainstream appeal in 1995, with his radio-friendly Sittin' On Chrome album. This effort was also released with the Masta Ace Incorporated crew, now also known as The I.N.C. The album was Ace's most commercially successful release, breaking into the Top 20 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart. Sittin' On Chrome included "Born to Roll", as well as two other Hot 100 hit singles, "The I.N.C. Ride" and "Sittin' on Chrome". In 1996, Ace split up with the I.N.C. crew and was largely missing from the hip hop scene over the next five years, save for a number of random vinyl singles. During his vinyl days, he bounced from a number of labels, releasing his "Cars" single on Tape Kingz Records, his "Yeah Yeah Yeah" and "NFL" singles on the Union Label, his "NY Confidential" single on Replay Records, his "Express Delivery" single on Three Sixty Records, his "Spread It Out/Hellbound" single on Yosumi Records, his "Conflict" single on Mona Records, his "Ghetto Like" single on Fat Beats, his "So Now U A MC" single on Bad Magic Records, and his "Brooklyn Blocks" single on Buckshot's Duck Down Records.
2001-present
Ace's "Ghetto Like" single led to a misunderstanding with an underground emcee named Boogieman, who released a somewhat similar single titled "Ghetto Life" not long before. He thought that Ace was "biting" his track and released a dis song toward Ace titled "Just You Wait". The dis led to a rap battle between the two at a Lyricist Lounge event, a battle that was won by Boogieman. Ace later claimed that he delivered his rhymes off the top of his head, while Boog was rapping previously written lyrics, a topic which he discusses on his scathing retaliation track "Acknowledge", aimed at Boogieman and the underground rap group the High & Mighty. "Acknowledge" was included on his fourth full length album, Disposable Arts, released in late 2001 through JCOR Records, six long years after his successful Sittin' On Chrome album. Disposable Arts became one of the most acclaimed underground hip-hop releases of 2001, beloved for its pure hip hop style and clever album concept, which served as a fictional story, chronicling Ace's time spent at a satirical rap school named the Institute of Disposable Arts. JCOR Records folded soon after the release, leaving it out-of-print, until being re-released in 2005 on Ace's self-established M3 label. The album closer, "No Regrets", led many fans to believe that it would be Ace's final album, because of the line "I don't know if it's the end, but yo, it might be". Ace killed the rumors by returning in 2004 with his fifth album A Long Hot Summer, another highly acclaimed effort. The story concept, similar to that on his last release, served as a prelude to the story told on Disposable Arts, chronicling the "Long Hot Summer" that led to his character's incarceration at the beginning of the Disposable Arts album. Rumors once again spread about a retirement, which were again killed, when Ace announced the formation of his new rap crew named eMC, including himself, Punchline, Wordsworth and his protege Stricklin. The crew plans to release a group album sometime in 2007.
Openness to collaborations
In large part, the creative company Masta Ace keeps is comprised of underground performers with whom he has developed a personal rapport. He commonly acknowledges his fan base outside of the United States, which is considerably larger than within, as in the final seconds of his song "Good Ol' Love". He has shown an openness to working with foreign-based producers, including Koolade of Croatia and DJ Serious of Canada. He also performed a guest rap for the British Acid jazz group Young Disciples for their debut album.
In Scandinavia, he recorded "What Is It" with Norwegian veteran producer Tommy Tee in 2003, for the soundtrack to the car racing game "Midnight Club 2", which also was featured on several European mixtapes.
Within the United States, he has worked with Jean Grae, 9th Wonder of Little Brother, DJ Spinna, DJ Premier, RJD2, Pete Rock, Domingo, Ali Shaheed Muhammad of A Tribe Called Quest, and Kno of Cunninlynguists. Q-Tip enlisted him as a contributor to the original Crooklyn Dodgers track in 1992. The track spawned a follow-up in 1995, with a third projected for 2006, but neither Ace nor the other original contributors, Special Ed and the bellicose Buckshot (of Black Moon and Boot Camp Clik), were involved with them. Instead, the second Crooklyn Dodgers track was produced by DJ Premier and involved O.C., Chubb Rock and Jeru the Damaja, where the planned third installment is said to involve Mos Def, Jean Grae, and Memphis Bleek, with production courtesy of 9th Wonder.
By extending largesse to younger MCs even as he has been careful to solidify connections with the rap game's old guard, he has amassed a list of collaborators numbering over 60. The most notable of his collaborators have been Eminem (who has expressed ongoing admiration for his skills), Common (on the track "Claimin' Respect" as part of a trio called Boulevard Connection), Guru of Gang Starr, Edo G (the third member of Boulevard Connection, from Boston), Jean Grae, Saukrates, Young Zee, Big Noyd, Cella Dwellas, King Tee, Tonedeff, Rah Digga, Strick, Das Efx, Greg Nice and the Beatnuts. He devotes several lines of the track "No Regrets" to express goodwill and thanksgiving to the artists he has worked with, calling these opportunities some of the most valued blessings of his career.
Acknowledge
Masta Ace Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, one-two..
"..Acknowledge the rep" -> Nas
Uhnnh.. I don't know what you cats was thinking..
"Pay homage, respect .." -> Nas
Musta been crazy..
"..Acknowledge the rep" -> Nas
To step up on stage, at CMJ, mention my name?
[ Verse One ]
I hear these cats, but I ain't listening
A little faint dissing, a little scratch, a little paint missin'
But I still gleam and glisten, hot like a stream of piss 'n
I'm about to have ya whole team wishing
That you never got this shit started
You about to be dearly departed, you gotta be nearly retarded
To let me hear my name mention, try'na gain attention
Now I'm runnin' through this game lynchin'
And I heard a few cats tryna take shots on the low
These XFL rappers tryna fuck with a real pro
One thing; who named y'all the High and the Mighty?
To me, ya'll just sound like a couple of High Whities
You had to be on mad coke and XTC,
To think for a second, you can stand next to me
Look, don't ever again mention my name in ya freestyles
Or I cut off ya transmission faster than Lee Miles
And I heard ya album, this must be something you're new at
'Cause I rather hear a Lil' Wayne/Lil' Zane duet
My cellphone stay ringin', like a slap in the ear
So I hope y'all don't plan on making rap a career
Cause ever since Heav' was in Vernon I been burnin'
Next year, y'all be up in Rawkus, interning
And I shoulda let it known what your government names are
To make sure you +Take It Personal+ like Gang Starr, motherfuckers
"I got one lyric, pointed at your head for start
Another one, is pointed at your weak ass heart" -> Guru
And that go for any other so called rapcats, in the game
"Pay homage, respect" -> Nas
"Acknowledge the rep" -> Nas
"Another fake jack I slay with my spectac' rap display" -> Guru
And believe me, I ain't forget about him, naw
"Pay homage, respect" -> Nas
Nope.. "Acknowledge the rep" -> Nas
Just you wait..
"Acknowledge the rep" -> Nas
[ Verse Two ]
Yo, yeah I heard of the Boogiemann when I was a youth, scary
And I found out that he was as fake as a tooth-fairy
Since my last mission this nigga's been ass-kissing
I took a minute, I gave your single a fast listen
Tell me this, no pot to piss in? How you dissin'
You group holmes are about to report that you missing
And I don't know who was worse, the track or the verse
I'ma get to your producer, but I'm smacking you first
See I couldn't even find one nigga that heard of you
I did find a few cats that wanted to murder you
But I told 'em "Chill", I let 'em know you was my son
And I promise I can pay support to you twenty-one
Consider me the clothes on your back and a warm meal
Who knows, this might just get you a deal
And the day that your album go on sale for the first hour
Just remember like Nas nigga, +I Gave You Power+
I figured I give ya some help, cause you need lots
I make your producer change his name to Speed Nottz
Tell him I say "Fuck him!" for doing the tracks
Matter of fact, fuck Fat Beats, for doing the wax
I'ma diss you via e-mail and then through a fax
I'ma diss you by two-way, I ain't gon' never relax
I'ma diss you over fast, slow track or no track
If your shit wasn't so wack, I dissed you to yo' track
You that little fish that I catch and I throw back
And by the way, give 50 Cent his flow back
You that cat in the club that get hit with a bottle
Fuckin' with me? You better off trying to hit lotto
And don't answer back, this is hard shit to follow
And you can't spit nigga, so you obviously must swollow, motherfucker..
The song Acknowledge by Masta Ace is a response to other rappers who tried to diss him in their tracks. The song opens with a voice clip of Nas asking others to pay homage and acknowledge Masta Ace's reputation. Masta Ace then proceeds to deliver two long verses in which he vents his frustration against the rappers who tried to bring him down. He claims that despite various attempts to diss him, he continues to shine and outshine his opponents. He also states that he has no respect for people who try to gain attention by mentioning his name in their freestyles. By the end of the song, he issues various condemnations against his opponents, telling them that they don't stand a chance in the rap game.
Line by Line Meaning
Pay homage, respect ..
Acknowledging and showing reverence to Nas
Acknowledge the rep
Giving due respect to Nas's reputation
Pay homage, respect ..
Expressing disbelief at those who would dare to mention Nas's name onstage
Musta been crazy..
Questioning the sanity of those who try to gain attention by dissing Nas
Acknowledge the rep
Emphasizing the importance of acknowledging Nas's legacy and impact on hip hop
I hear these cats, but I ain't listening
Ignoring the attempts of other rappers to diss him
A little faint dissing, a little scratch, a little paint missin'
Acknowledging the weak attempts of others to criticize him
But I still gleam and glisten, hot like a stream of piss 'n
Asserting his own talent and power as a rapper
I'm about to have ya whole team wishing
Implying that his skill is so strong that it will make others regret ever trying to diss him
That you never got this shit started
Suggesting that those who diss him are starting something they can't finish
You gotta be nearly retarded
Insulting the intelligence of those who think they can take him on
To let me hear my name mention, try'na gain attention
Disapproving of those who use his name to try to get noticed
And I heard a few cats tryna take shots on the low
Aware of other rappers subtly dissing him
These XFL rappers tryna fuck with a real pro
Insulting the talent of other rappers who try to challenge him
One thing; who named y'all the High and the Mighty?
Questioning the validity of the other rappers' stage names
To me, ya'll just sound like a couple of High Whities
Making a racist joke at the expense of the other rappers
You had to be on mad coke and XTC,
Suggesting that the other rappers must be on drugs to think they can compete with him
To think for a second, you can stand next to me
Asserting that he is a superior rapper who cannot be matched
Look, don't ever again mention my name in ya freestyles
Commanding the other rappers to never use his name again in their music
Or I cut off ya transmission faster than Lee Miles
Threatening to end the other rappers' careers if they mention his name again
And I heard ya album, this must be something you're new at
Criticizing the quality of the other rappers' music
'Cause I rather hear a Lil' Wayne/Lil' Zane duet
Saying that he would rather listen to any other music than that of the other rappers
My cellphone stay ringin', like a slap in the ear
Implying that he is constantly in demand as a rapper
So I hope y'all don't plan on making rap a career
Anticipating that the other rappers will not last long in the music industry
'Cause ever since Heav' was in Vernon I been burnin'
Claiming that he has been a superior rapper for a long time
Next year, y'all be up in Rawkus, interning
Predicting that the other rappers' careers will not go far
And I shoulda let it known what your government names are
Threatening to reveal personal information about the other rappers as revenge
To make sure you +Take It Personal+ like Gang Starr, motherfuckers
Comparing himself to the legendary rap group Gang Starr and sending a warning to the other rappers
I got one lyric, pointed at your head for start
Quoting rapper Guru to suggest that he is ready to take on anyone who challenges him
Another one, is pointed at your weak ass heart
Continuing to quote Guru to emphasize his own strength against his opponents
And that go for any other so called rapcats, in the game
Extending his challenge to all other rappers in the industry
Another fake jack I slay with my spectac' rap display
Describing how he will defeat his opponents with his impressive rapping skills
And believe me, I ain't forget about him, naw
Reiterating that he has not forgotten about his enemies
Just you wait..
Imploring his enemies to watch out for his retaliation
Yo, yeah I heard of the Boogiemann when I was a youth, scary
Recalling a childhood fear and relating it to his enemies
And I found out that he was as fake as a tooth-fairy
Comparing the childhood fear to his enemies' lack of real talent
Since my last mission this nigga's been ass-kissing
Insinuating that his enemies are trying to win him over
I took a minute, I gave your single a fast listen
Implying that he gave the other rappers a chance, but did not like their music
Tell me this, no pot to piss in? How you dissin'
Asking how his poor opponents can dare to criticize him
You group holmes are about to report that you missing
Threatening violence against the other rappers
And I don't know who was worse, the track or the verse
Insulting both the production and lyrics of the other rappers' music
I'ma get to your producer, but I'm smacking you first
Planning to confront the other rappers' producer and then the rappers themselves
See I couldn't even find one nigga that heard of you
Asserting that the other rappers are not well-known or respected
I did find a few cats that wanted to murder you
Using violent imagery to emphasize how despised the other rappers are
But I told 'em "Chill", I let 'em know you was my son
Imagining that he could be seen as a mentor to the other rappers
And I promise I can pay support to you twenty-one
Offering to financially support the other rappers
Consider me the clothes on your back and a warm meal
Offering himself as a father figure to the other rappers
Who knows, this might just get you a deal
Suggesting that he could help the other rappers get signed to a record label
And the day that your album go on sale for the first hour
Anticipating the lack of success the other rappers will have when their album is released
Just remember like Nas nigga, +I Gave You Power+
Referencing a song by Nas to remind the other rappers of his power over them
I figured I give ya some help, cause you need lots
Acknowledging the lack of talent and success of the other rappers
I make your producer change his name to Speed Nottz
Threatening the other rappers' producer with a name change
Tell him I say "Fuck him!" for doing the tracks
Insulting the other rappers' producer and blaming him for their lack of success
Matter of fact, fuck Fat Beats, for doing the wax
Insulting the record store that carries the other rappers' music
I'ma diss you via e-mail and then through a fax
Threatening to attack the other rappers in various ways
I'ma diss you by two-way, I ain't gon' never relax
Continuing to threaten the other rappers with his skill
I'ma diss you over fast, slow track or no track
Asserting that he is capable of defeating the other rappers in any circumstances
If your shit wasn't so wack, I dissed you to yo' track
Implying that he can only diss the other rappers on their own music because it is so bad
You that little fish that I catch and I throw back
Comparing the other rappers to small, insignificant prey
And by the way, give 50 Cent his flow back
Insinuating that the other rappers are copying rapper 50 Cent's style
You that cat in the club that get hit with a bottle
Mocking the other rappers' lack of reputation and status
Fuckin' with me? You better off trying to hit lotto
Suggesting that the other rappers have no chance of defeating him
And don't answer back, this is hard shit to follow
Challenging the other rappers to try to respond to his lyrics
And you can't spit nigga, so you obviously must swollow, motherfucker..
Insulting the other rappers' lack of talent and mocking them for attempting to diss him
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jeromel23
Acknowledge Lyrics
[Hook]
Pay homage, respect
Yeah, one-two
Acknowledge the rep
I don't know what you cats was thinking
Pay homage, respect
Must've been crazy
Acknowledge the rep
To step up on stage, at CMJ, mention my name
[Verse 1]
I hear these cats, but I ain't listening
A little faint dissing, a little scratch, a little paint missing
But I still gleam and glisten, hot like a stream of piss and
I'm about to have your whole team wishing
That you never got this shit started
You about to be dearly departed
You gotta be nearly retarded
To let me hear my name mentioned, tryna gain attention
Now I'm running through this game lynching
And I heard a few cats tryna take shots on the low
These XFL rappers tryna fuck with a real pro
One thing; who named y'all the High and the Mighty
To me, y'all just sound like a couple of high whities
You had to be on mad coke and ecstasy
To think for a second, you can stand next to me
Look don't ever again mention my name in your freestyles
Or I'll cut off your transmission faster than Lee Myles
And I heard your album, this must be something you're new at
Cause I'd rather hear a Lil' Wayne/Lil' Zane duet
My cellphone stay ringing like a slap in the ear
So I hope y'all don't plan on making rap a career
Cause ever since Heav' was in Vernon I been burning
Next year, y'all be up in Rawkus, interning
And I should've let it known what your government names are
To make sure you Take It Personal like Gang Starr, motherfuckers
@jeromel23
[Hook]
I got one lyric, pointed at your head for start
Another one, is pointed at your weak ass heart
And that go for any other so called rap cats, in the game
Pay homage, respect
Acknowledge the rep
Another fake jack I slay with my spectac' rap display
And believe me, I ain't forget about him, naw
Pay homage, respect
Nope, acknowledge the rep
Just you wait
Acknowledge the rep
[Verse 2]
Yeah I heard of the Boogiemann when I was a youth, scary
And I found out that he was as fake as a tooth-fairy
Since my last mission this nigga's been ass-kissing
I took a minute, I gave your single a fast listen
Tell me this, with no pot to piss in, how you dissing
Your group homes are about to be reporting you missing
And I don't know what was worse, the track or the verse
I'ma get to your producer, but I'm smacking you first
See I couldn't even find one nigga that heard of you
I did find a few cats that wanted to murder you
But I told 'em chill, I let 'em know you was my son
And I promise I can pay support til' you twenty-one
Consider me the clothes on your back and a warm meal
Who knows, this might just get you a deal
And the day that your album go on sale for the first hour
Just remember like Nas nigga, I Gave You Power
I figured I give ya some help, cause you need lots
I make your producer change his name to Speed Nottz
Tell him I say fuck him for doing the tracks
Matter of fact, fuck Fat Beats, for doing the wax
I'ma diss you via e-mail and then through a fax
I'ma diss you by two-way, I ain't gon' never relax
I'ma diss you over fast, slow track or no track
If your shit wasn't so whack, I'd diss you to your track
You that little fish that I catch and I throw back
And by the way, give 50 Cent his flow back
You that cat in the club that get hit with a bottle
Fuckin' with me, you better off tryin' to hit lotto
And don't answer back, this is hard shit to follow
And you can't spit nigga, so you obviously must swallow
Motherfucker
@jamaljenkins153
Ace is one of the most lyrical and highly underrated emcees. Fron the 80's to now.
@brothajamessd1670
Dude is definitely nice wit it!
@TheBassman0327
This is still killing by far one of the top 50 tracks in hiphop history
@user-jm7zk6cz8s
2023 anyone's still bumpin this 🔥
@chucktaylor525
2024 🎤💯
@MonkeyMujo
STILL!
@renelima6743
This is still one of my favorite tracks of all time.
@krxwnvxk3432
One of the best disses ever, but it’ll never be mentioned among most people seeing as he’s not widely known, or known at all to most rap fans under 30. Ace embodies everything a MC should be. Oh and M.A. totally destroyed any dreams that Boogeyman had of being a musician/rap artist. And the crazy part is I don’t even think Ace was even trying much.
@Spect3r.
DIsposable Arts is till this day one of my favorite albuns, shit is certified 5 stars classic
@wadewilson6098
Classic song, on a classic album.