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.
Brooklyn Masala
Masta Ace Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So sexy
[Verse 1]
I met her on the corner of Gates n Bedstuy
It was only right that I approached and said "hi"
Cuz she looked like no other chick I ever saw
She was on her way coming about the cornerstore
I can tell she was new in New York, just from her tone
Cuz she wasn't that typical, rude and ignorant, teeth-sucking and
Eye-rolling tellin me to leave her alone (leave me alone)
We dipped and we yapped, we chit and we chat
About this and that and where she lived at, yeah
This may sound kinna Wu Tang Clan-ish
But this butter-pecan honey was not Spanish
She lived like 3 blocks from my man
In New York for 6 months, moved from Pakistan
Well that explains the strange accent and the strange clothes
And that cute little diamond in your nose
She said "I gotta wear this gear every Sonday, but..
You gotta see how I look on Monday" Word?!?
Mean that I can see you again? Maybe..
Give you a call... take you out on aweekend?
She winked at me and kinda laughed
Ripped a piece of the grocery bag and wrote her math
You can bet your last damn dollar
That I'mma give you a call... Brooklyn Masala
[Chorus]
Can we walk n talk, share our worlds?
I'm feelin you a whole lot more than most girls
If you give me the number I'll holla, I wanna see you again Brooklyn Masala
B to the K to the, B to the K to the
B to the K to the L to the Y to the N... Masala
[Verse 2]
On out first date knocked on the door around 8
When she came down she smelled good and looked great
She had the tight Frankie D'z on, white on white ones
A pink bubble goose and pink bubblegum, I'm like: DAMN!!!
Even pink Chanel shades, her long black hair was done up in boxbrades
She didn't had a Maybeline face that was all dead
Instead she had a red dot on her forehead
C-cup's pumpin, looking real ill
You wanna see Lord Of The Rings or Kill Bill?
She looked at me and said "Neither one
Caise there really ain't no black stars in either one."
So what you wanna do girl? She kinda blushed
And we settled on dinner for two at Justin's
The food was good, what no surprise is...
We had the barbeque shrimps as appetizers
We had the cat fish main course, a few drinks ...
Then out the front door like Main Source
We stepped out into the big city, she said
"The Times Square lights are so pretty"
We caught a cab, back to the lab
Stopped kissin long enough to pay the tab
She said "I think we got a nice future"
That night learned all about the Kama Sutra... my Masala
[Chorus]
The song "Brooklyn Masala" by Masta Ace featuring Leschea, produced by Xplicit, tells a story about a unique and beautiful woman that the singer meets on the corner of Gates and Bedstuy in Brooklyn. The woman stands out to him and he approaches her to offer to carry her bags home. They strike up a conversation and he discovers that she is new to New York, only having lived there for 6 months after moving from Pakistan. The singer is immediately drawn to her and asks her out for a date.
On their first date, the woman shows up looking stunning, wearing tight Frankie D'z, pink bubble goose, and even pink Chanel shades. They settle on dinner at Justin's and enjoy barbeque shrimps as appetizers and catfish for the main course. They chat about music and movies, and the woman surprises the singer by declining to see "Lord of the Rings" or "Kill Bill" because there are no black stars in either one. They continue their night by taking a taxi and kissing on the way to the singer's place. The woman tells him that she thinks they have a "nice future" and they explore the Kama Sutra.
The song captures the essence of a unique and promising romantic relationship that is based on mutual interest and openness. The singer is smitten by the woman's beauty and personality, and they both discover something new about themselves and each other on their first date.
Line by Line Meaning
I met her on the corner of Gates n Bedstuy
The singer met a woman on the street corner of Gates and Bedstuy.
It was only right that I approached and said "hi"
The singer felt compelled to greet the woman due to her unique appearance.
Cuz she looked like no other chick I ever saw
The woman had a distinctive style that made her stand out.
She was on her way coming about the cornerstore
The woman was walking back from the corner store.
We dipped and we yapped, we chit and we chat
The artist and the woman had a pleasant conversation.
"This may sound kinna Wu Tang Clan-ish"
The singer acknowledges that the situation sounds like a hip-hop song.
But this butter-pecan honey was not Spanish
The woman was not of Spanish descent, but had a sweet appearance.
She lived like 3 blocks from my man
The woman lived just a few blocks away from the artist's friend.
"Well that explains the strange accent and the strange clothes"
The artist realizes that the woman is from Pakistan, which accounts for her accent and attire.
You can bet your last damn dollar
The artist is confident that he will see the woman again.
"Can we walk n talk, share our worlds?"
The singer wants to continue getting to know the woman.
On out first date knocked on the door around 8
The artist arrived at the woman's home for their first date at approximately 8pm.
She had the tight Frankie D'z on, white on white ones
The woman was wearing tight Frankie D jeans and white sneakers.
Even pink Chanel shades, her long black hair was done up in boxbrades
The woman accessorized with pink Chanel sunglasses and had her hair styled in box braids.
Instead she had a red dot on her forehead
The woman had a traditional red bindi on her forehead.
We had the barbeque shrimps as appetizers
The artist and the woman ate barbeque shrimp as an appetizer during their dinner date.
She said "I think we got a nice future"
The woman expressed optimism about the potential of their relationship.
That night learned all about the Kama Sutra... my Masala
The singer and the woman were intimate and he calls her his Masala.
Contributed by Riley O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@mery1479
Got a funny story to tell to this song...well it was like 2004 or 05 that Masts Ace actually approached me to come on stage when he performed this track... But I was to shy to come on stage...well I knew it would be what a lot a girls would have done or liked...but I was to shy to come on stage.... I was still rappin the whole song along tho..just wasn't made for the stage...the crowd was cheering me up and paved the way...still didn't go...but still feelin it like I'm Bklyn Masala☺💯
@ghaziguzlonl342
Nice story, nice song.
@seifeddinnejeday9181
nothing wrong about that, amazing experience tho
@emaricarter4885
dayum girl.. what u lookin like..? lol
@DHAIVAT-ALLCAPSWHENSPELLED
So lucky! Still my dream to watch this man live.
Makes me sad that I probably never will.
He is been my favourite rapper for last 3 years!
@tragkemagencies5187
Hhahahaha no you are not! You refused to be
@summertahau1246
We on 2023 still pumping this banger. IL be banging this song 20 years from now
@nomadnomad6555
Whoa! Memories,used to blast this crazy,love from Nairobi/Kenya...
Africaaah...
@DanTheAlkebulan
Mayne the classics still the issshh bruh. 254 Nairobi plugged...
@petermurage8685
Used to be Mwafrikas jam on Yfm. Grewcupbtobthatcshit