Masta Ace (born Duval Clear) is a rapper from Brooklyn, New York. Appearing… Read Full Bio ↴Masta Ace (born Duval Clear) is a rapper from Brooklyn, New York. Appearing on the classic 1988 posse cut, The Symphony, he garnered notoriety as an unsung asset to the Juice Crew posse, and is therefore, widely considered one on the roster, where he released a number of well-respected albums that were nonetheless little-heard outside purist circles. The single that has earned him the most attention has been Jeep Ass Niguh (alternatively known as "Born To Roll", essentially a remix which uses the track from Def Jam artist Original Concept's "Knowledge Me").

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.

Dear Yvette
Masta Ace Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

[Masta Ace]
Ay yo shorty I'm sayin, I knew
you since you was like yay high, y'knamean
You out here whylin' out, you really need
to cool out with all that!

[Jane Doe]
Please, you don't know me!

[Masta Ace]
Ay yo Yvette, there's a lotta rumours goin' around
About you hoein' around, you need to slow down
Ever since ya ass grew, you been movin' kinda fast boo
Don't even speak now when I pass you
Hundred Dollar bill tattoo, on yo thigh
The gleam in ya eye for the cream and the pie
Skirt ridin' high so they can see ya thong better
I'ma sit down and write you a long letter
We was little, we was friends, we rode our big wheels
Now I see you gettin' a Benz with big wheels
All these guys in the city, see is the size of your titties
And that you got hazel eyes and you're pretty
They see a girl like you and they wanna get in her
I was thinkin' we can go to a movie, maybe dinner
You turned around and told me I need to retire
If I can't "show you the money" like Jerry McGuire
I don't know

[Chorus: Jessica Harrell]
You don't really know me
Just what ya think ya see
Just what ya think ya see
You don't have to worry bout me
This chick got hopes and dreams
But I'm about this paper cause
There ain't no love for free

[Jane Doe]
I never been they type of bitch, maybe when I was younger
I craved love and thought they could satisfy my hunger
Thirsty, had a few niggas do me dirty
Slid a blade across my wrist, almost went 7:30
I spazed, now it's all about the cash
Swingin' naked on a pole, doin' tricks with my ass
You wanna be with me and let happilly ever after
Same ol' song, get more "hits" than Napster
You don't care about me, you don't really know me
My broked hearts and dreams is killin' me slowly
Get ahead bitch, walk with a switch
Lip gloss lips and 34 inch hips
Airbrushed chips and chromed out whips
I like to take trips when wife stash the whips
Fuck love 'em, solo
Raisin' my seeds for dolo
And mind-state fresh, with nothin' less than Polo

[Chorus]

[Jane Doe]
Please don't be sympathetic
Shit I don't regret it
While these hoes half-stepped it
Nigga I'm gonna rep it, till I die
And make these G's multiply
I'ma make G's cry like when Jesus died
And on the third day my G rose again
A foul type chick, quick to fuck ya best friend
And smile in ya face, niggaz stay in ya place
Catch my head at his waist, lie with a straight face

[Masta Ace]
I know my man had you in the Bricks, with a couple of chicks
Drivin' around havin' endless kicks in the Benz 6
He said the sex was (good), the head was (good)
Yo I think he would tell the whole hood if he could
You say it's all about the money, well I can tell
Cause that nigga makes Sam Cassell look like Denzel
My bad I'ma sound like a real hater
I'ma leave it on that note and holla at ya later
One

[Chorus: x2]

[Jane Doe]
You think you are the judgment
Y'all niggas don't know me
I do what I gotta do, I take care of mine
Who you think you are, you ain't no better than me

[Masta Ace]
Why you say all that?

[Jane Doe]
I'm only doin' what I gotta do

[Masta Ace]
I do what I gotta do too

[Jane Doe]
You don't know me, you don't love me

[Masta Ace]

I'm tryin' to help you, I mean you out here whylin' out
Whatever though

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Dear Yvette," performed by Masta Ace and Jane Doe, revolve around Ms. Yvette, who is rumored to be promiscuous and is judged by others for it. Masta Ace, an old friend, tries to reason with Yvette, who he believes is acting out of character. He reminds Yvette of the friendship they had as kids and how now, she is only focused on making money through her body while sacrificing her own hopes and dreams.

Jane Doe then chimes in, sharing her perspective that she has been judged in the same way as Yvette but has no regrets because she is taking care of herself and her children. Towards the end of the song, Masta Ace and Yvette continue their conversation, where he tells her that he is trying to help her and she insists that she is only doing what she has to.

The song is an honest and straightforward take on the double standards and stigmas that women face when they are open about their sexuality or use it as a means to make a living. It highlights how some men feel it's okay to judge women based on their appearance and behavior, and how some women have to make difficult choices in order to survive.

Line by Line Meaning

Ay yo shorty I'm sayin, I knew you since you was like yay high, y'knamean You out here whylin' out, you really need to cool out with all that!
I've known you since you were a child and I can see that you are going through some rough times. You need to calm down and take it easy.

Please, you don't know me!
You don't have any idea what I've been through and what I'm going through right now. You can't judge me without knowing me.

Ay yo Yvette, there's a lotta rumours goin' around About you hoein' around, you need to slow down Ever since ya ass grew, you been movin' kinda fast boo Don't even speak now when I pass you
Yvette, people are talking bad about you and saying that you are being promiscuous. You need to slow down and not engage in such activities. I try to ignore you when I see you now.

Hundred Dollar bill tattoo, on yo thigh The gleam in ya eye for the cream and the pie Skirt ridin' high so they can see ya thong better I'ma sit down and write you a long letter
I can see that you are interested in money and materialistic things as well as attention from men. I want to take the time to write you a detailed letter to express my concerns and offer some advice.

We was little, we was friends, we rode our big wheels Now I see you gettin' a Benz with big wheels All these guys in the city, see is the size of your titties And that you got hazel eyes and you're pretty They see a girl like you and they wanna get in her I was thinkin' we can go to a movie, maybe dinner
We used to be friends when we were kids but now I see you driving around in a fancy car and attracting a lot of male attention due to your physical appearance. I thought we could hang out and maybe have a platonic dinner or watch a movie together.

You turned around and told me I need to retire If I can't "show you the money" like Jerry McGuire I don't know
You brushed me off and told me that I am not worth your time if I can't offer you money like in the movie Jerry Maguire. I'm not sure what to do now.

You don't really know me Just what ya think ya see Just what ya think ya see You don't have to worry bout me This chick got hopes and dreams But I'm about this paper cause There ain't no love for free
You only see what I allow you to see and what you want to see. Don't worry about me because I am focused on achieving my goals and making money as there is no such thing as love for free.

I never been they type of bitch, maybe when I was younger I craved love and thought they could satisfy my hunger Thirsty, had a few niggas do me dirty Slid a blade across my wrist, almost went 7:30 I spazed, now it's all about the cash Swingin' naked on a pole, doin' tricks with my ass
I wasn't always like this. When I was younger, I craved love and attention but was mistreated by a few men which led me to almost take my own life. Now I am all about making money even if it means performing inappropriately.

You wanna be with me and let happilly ever after Same ol' song, get more "hits" than Napster You don't care about me, you don't really know me My broked hearts and dreams is killin' me slowly
You think that we could be happy together and live happily ever after but it's just a cliche and unrealistic idea. You don't really care about me as you don't know me well enough. My broken heart and shattered dreams are destroying me from the inside.

Get ahead bitch, walk with a switch Lip gloss lips and 34 inch hips Airbrushed chips and chromed out whips I like to take trips when wife stash the whips
I am all about making progress and not letting anyone stop me. I have a confident walk and wear lip gloss to accentuate my lips and show off my curvy hips. I like to travel when I can and when my partner allows me to use their car.

Fuck love 'em, solo Raisin' my seeds for dolo And mind-state fresh, with nothin' less than Polo
I don't believe in love and I'm raising my kids alone. I always keep a fresh mindset and dress well in Polo clothing.

Please don't be sympathetic Shit I don't regret it While these hoes half-stepped it Nigga I'm gonna rep it, till I die And make these G's multiply
Please don't pity me or feel sorry for me. I don't regret my choices and actions even though others may judge me harshly for them. I'm proud of who I am and I will continue to make money and increase my wealth.

I'ma make G's cry like when Jesus died And on the third day my G rose again A foul type chick, quick to fuck ya best friend And smile in ya face, niggaz stay in ya place Catch my head at his waist, lie with a straight face
I will make my male rivals cry and suffer just like when Jesus died. I will then rise up and be powerful again. I am willing to do whatever it takes to succeed and that includes betraying my friends and lying to their faces. Men need to know their place and stay in it or else face my wrath.

I know my man had you in the Bricks, with a couple of chicks Drivin' around havin' endless kicks in the Benz 6 He said the sex was (good), the head was (good) Yo I think he would tell the whole hood if he could
I know that my friend had sex with you and a few other women in the neighborhood while cruising around in his fancy car. He claims that it was a good experience and would tell everyone if he could.

I'm tryin' to help you, I mean you out here whylin' out Whatever though
I am really trying to offer you some sincere help and advice as I am concerned about you and your behavior but it seems like you are not interested in my help. Whatever then.

You think you are the judgment Y'all niggas don't know me I do what I gotta do, I take care of mine Who you think you are, you ain't no better than me
You think that you are better than me and are trying to judge me but you and others don't really know me or what I have to do to survive and take care of my family. You are no better than me.

Lyrics © JELLYBEAN MUSIC GROUP

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Eftle

MA] Ay yo shorty I'm sayin, I knew
You since you was like yay high, y'knamean
You out here whylin' out, you really need
To cool out with all that!
[JD] Please, you don't know me!

[Masta Ace]
Ay yo Yvette, there's a lotta rumours goin' around
About you hoein' around, you need to slow down
Eversince ya ass grew, you been movin' kinda fast boo
Don't even speak now when I pass you
Hundred Dollar bill tattoo, on yo thigh
The gleam in ya eye for the cream and the pie
Skirt ridin' high so they can see ya thong better
I'mma sit down and write you a long letter
We was little, we was friends, we rode our big wheels
Now I see you gettin' a Benz with big wheels
All these guys in the city, see is the size of your titties
And that you got hazel eyes and you're pretty
They see a girl like you and they wanna get in her
I was thinkin' we can go to a movie, maybe dinner
You turned around and told me I need to retire
If I can't "show you the money" like Jerry McGuire
I don't know

[Hook Jessica Harrell]
You don't really know me
Just what ya think ya see
Just what ya think ya see
You don't have to worry 'bout me
This chick got hopes and dreams
But I'm about this paper cuz
There ain't no love for free

[Jane Doe]
I never been they type of bitch, maybe when I was younger
I craved love and thought they could satisfy my hunger
Thirsty, had a few niggas do me dirty
Slid a blade across my wrist, almost went 7:30
I spazed, now it's all about the cash
Swingin' naked on a pole, doin' tricks with my ass
You wanna be with me and let happilly ever after
Same ol' song, get more "hits" than Napster
You don't care about me, you don't really know me
My broked hearts and dreams is killin' me slowly
Get ahead bitch, walk with a switch
Lip gloss lips and 34 inch hips
Airbrushed chips and chromed out whips
I like to take trips when wife stash the whips
Fuck love 'em, solo
Raisin' my seeds for dolo
And mindstate fresh, with nothin' less than Polo

[Hook]

[Jane Doe]
Please don't be sympathetic
Shit I don't regret it
While these hoes half-stepped it
Nigga I'm gonna rep it, til' I die
And make these G's multiply
I'mma make G's cry like when Jesus died
And on the third day my G rose again
A foul type chick, quick to fuck ya best friend
And smile in ya face, niggas stay in ya place
Catch my head at his waist, lie with a straight face

[Masta Ace]
I know my man had you in the Bricks, with a couple of chicks
Drivin' around havin' endless kicks in the Benz 6
He said the sex was (good), the head was (good)
Yo I think he would tell the whole hood if he could
You say it's all about the money, well I can tell
Cuz that nigga makes Sam Cassell look like Denzel
My bad I'mma sound like a real hater
I'mma leave it on that note and holla at ya later
One

[2x Hook]

[Masta Ace & Jane Doe talking over Hook]
[JD] You think you are the judgement
Y'all niggas don't know me
I do what I gotta do, I take care of mine
Who you think you are, you ain't no better than me
[MA] Why you say all that?
[JD] I'm only doin' what I gotta do
[MA] I do what I gotta do too
[JD] You don't know me, you don't love me
[MA] I'm tryin' to help you, I mean you out here whylin' out
Whatever though