NFL
By: Joe Cardoso
A lot of people get into good debates about what year was the BEST in hip-hop. 1995 is always a contender and one of the reasons why is the album that was dropped by our next featured artist. Coming from Brooklyn’s own Master Ace who dropped Sittin’ On Chrome ahead of that summer it was a solid album that helped him become the household name he is today among fans of the golden era. Ace was from that tree of Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane, and other NYC greats. He has an amazing ability to tell stories and paint some dope images with his words along with clever wordplay. He debuted on the classic posse cut “The Symphony” Like a lot of emcees the follow-up is what everyone wanted to see and he delivered and then some. Joining up with talented artists to form Master Ace Incorporated.
Master Ace Your Favorite Rappers, Favorite Rapper:
I would say that Ace is one of the most underrated emcees ever and if you ask around real ones know. When Master Ace Incorporated dropped “Slaughta House” it was unlike other music out at the time, as it talked about the takeover of the gangsta rap era. The project is DOPE and showcased his lyrical skills to the fullest. Joints like Jeep Ass Ni**ga had steady play in any car back in the day then he flipped it with a West Coast-sounding “Born To Roll” I know every word to this song like it is my job. Then came Sittin’ On Chrome which is certified fire he took a break for a long time but what he came back with was awesome. Now many will discredit him because he wasn’t at the top of the charts, but if you follow his career that is NOT what he is or ever has been about, he makes music for the people who love the art. In 2001 one of my friends put me on to “Disposable Arts” which was a concept album, the story of a man from Brooklyn who is released from prison. The young man then enrolls into a hip-hop school named Disposable Arts, and songs like “Take A Walk” or “Block Episode” Alphabet Soup where he YES uses every word in the alphabet just to name a few. It also has one of the best songs in music no one talks about “Dear Diary” in which he disses himself in the 3rd person, you have to hear it to get it. So good on so many levels it showcases all the things that make him one of the best.
One Of The Best To Do It:
Around 2000 he found out he had Multiple Sclerosis and the fight began and he did it as only he could. Dropping the song “Fight Song” with Pharoahe Monch it has inspired many to push through tough times. Monch plays the role of the disease on the track and Ace is the man fighting him this type of song takes hip-hop tp a whole new level and continues to put him on the top of the list with his ideas and concepts. He has so many awesome collab albums that are all worth you checking out and giving a listen to name a few of my favorites are:
MA-Doom: Son of Yvonne
The Falling Season
Arts & Entertainment
All the Marco Polo Colabs
A Long Hot Summer
EMC Projects
People like Eminem, Jay Z, and more owe a TON to Master Ace who showed you what it means to be a true emcee with wordplay, multiple deliveries, beat selection, and showmanship. That is why at the age of 57 he is still giving the people what they want and even this new generation is finding his work and enjoying it the same way I did back in the day and still do now. Anyone who doesn’t include him in their top 10/20 rappers list needs to check the stats. Ace is a legend and deserves all his due.
