Episode 120: Masta Ace

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Duval “Masta Ace” Clear is a rap legend whose career dates back to his time with the Juice Crew in the late 1980s. That historic rap collective, led by producer Marley Marl, included stars like Big Daddy Kane, Biz Markie, Roxanne Shante, and Kool G. Rap.

Ace made his recording debut on what is arguably hip-hop’s greatest posse cut, Marley Marl’s “The Symphony.” The success of that song led to Ace’s debut album, 1990’s Take A Look Around, which featured the comic hit “Me and the Biz.”

After leaving Marley’s orbit, Ace successfully reinvented himself with critically beloved albums like SlaughtaHouse and Sittin’ on Chrome - the latter of which, with its West Coast-sounding beats and songs about car culture, got him in a little bit of trouble with a few of his fellow New Yorkers.

After several years of career ups and downs, Ace reinvigorated his career with the 2001 album Disposable Arts. The success of that album, and the renewed audience it brought to his live performances, led to a career upswing that has continued to this day. Ace has released numerous solo, duo, and group albums in the ensuing decade and a half, and tours heavily by himself and with his group EMC. His latest album, with eMC, is called The Tonite Show.

Tracks featured in this episode:

1. Marley Marl, Big Daddy Kane, Masta Ace, Craig G. & Kool G. Rap- The Symphony @ Central Park, NYC
2. Movie Trailer - The Vapors - Juice Crew
3. Marley Marl f/Masta Ace, Craig G, Kool G. Rap, & Big Daddy Kane, “The Symphony”
4. Ace & Action, “Letter to the Better”
5. Masta Ace, “Brooklyn Battles”
6. Masta Ace, “Four Minus Three”
7. Masta Ace, “The Other Side of Town”
8. Masta Ace, “I Got Ta”
9. Masta Ace, “Take A Look Around”
10. Masta Ace Incorporated, “A Walk Thru The Valley”
11. Masta Ace Incorporated, “Intro”
12. Gil Scott-Heron, “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised”
13. Masta Ace, “Can I Get A Dollar”
14. Masta Ace, “Hell Up In Harlem”
15. Masta Ace Incorporated, “SlaughtaHouse ‘Diggadome’ (Intro)”
16. Masta Ace Incorporated, “SlaughtaHouse - Murder Mix”
17. Masta Ace Incorporated, “Boom Bashin’”
18. Masta Ace Incorporated, “Saturday Nite Live - Horny Mix”
19. Masta Ace Incorporated, “The Mad Wunz”
20. Masta Ace Incorporated, “Born To Roll”
21. Original Concept, “Knowledge Me”
22. (August 3, 1995) - Suge Knight Disses Puff Daddy [The Source Awards]
23. 50 Cent f/Tony Yayo, “Like My Style”
24. Masta Ace Incorporated, “Rollin’ Wit Umdada”
25. Big Daddy Kane & Jay-Z Birthday Party Freestyle
26. Masta Ace Incorporated, “Rollin’ Wit Umdada”
27. Masta Ace Incorporated, “Jeep Ass Niguh”
28. Masta Ace Incorporated, “Freestyle?”
29. Masta Ace Incorporated, “The B-Side”
30. Da Brat f/The Notorious B.I.G., “Da B Side (Squeaky Clean)”
31. Masta Ace, “The Release”
32. The Cipher Episode 92 - Lisa Cortés
33. Paula Perry, “Paula’s Jam”
34. Masta Ace f/Strick, “Unfriendly Game”
35. Masta Ace, “Alphabet Soup”
36. Masta Ace, “Dear Diary”
37. Masta Ace Vs. Boogieman - Freestyle Battle
38. Masta Ace, “Acknowledge”
39. Masta Ace ft. Marsha of Floetry, “Soda & Soap (Original Touch Of Jazz Version)”
40. Masta Ace f/Jean Grae, “Soda & Soap”
41. Will Smith, “Uuhhh”
42. DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, “Summertime”
43. Eric B. & Rakim, “Move The Crowd”
44. Masta Ace & Edo. G f/Marsha Ambrosius, “A’s & E’s”
45. Masta Ace & Edo. G f/KRS-One, “Pass The Mic”
46. True Hip-Hop Stories: Masta Ace
47. MC Shan’s True Stories Vol. I not staged at all
48. this video is not staged like marley said

Show notes:

1. “SlaughtaHouse” music video
2. “Sleeping Snakes” short story