TIME STAMPS: 3:36 -- The show begins with a bar of Ace's exemplifying the kind of rhyme schemes that shaped Talib's evolution as an emcee and Ace shares how Rakim's innovation of the genre impacted him when he arrived on scene. They also discuss Ace's history with Lord Finesse as well as the story behind how, 'Crooklyn Dodgers' for the 1994 Spike Lee joint, 'Crooklyn' came together, and how the first recording of the song didn't make the cut. 8:03 -- Ace's Brownsville, Brooklyn upbringing is discussed, and his being fully immersed in the early stages of hip hop, as well as everyone involved being unaware of how pivotal those years would be for the future of popular culture. They also get into Ace going to Brooklyn's Sheepshead Bay High School, and how joining the football team got him a pass from getting chased by the bat wielding thugs terrorizing the rest of the school. 13:54 -- Ace speaks on his long-time love for football leading to his becoming a high school coach himself for 11 years and how he did his best to keep his identity as one of Brooklyn's premier emcees under wraps from all the players. They also discuss the first rap contest that Ace entered himself in, in 1986 and how he won the crowd over with his punch-lines and custom drums he had just layed down during his train ride to the event. 17:57 -- Ace is asked for his take on how the Juice Crew's iconic record, 'The Symphony' was born. They explore how Ace being Craig G's ride to the studio turned into his being asked by Marley Marl to warm up the mic for the rest of the crew, and how that landed him a spot on the song as well as a place on the Cold Chillin' roster. They go on to discuss why 1988 is the best year in hip hop, and how a young Ol' Dirty Bastard got himself kicked off the Cold Chillin' tour. 24:15 -- Ace talks about what led to his mother kicking him out of the house right before his first album was set to drop. They also get the impact of Ace's debut, 'Take A Look Around' on Talib and in retrospect, how Ace feels about that specific record and time in his career. They also touch on one of Ace's earliest conceptual songs, 'Me and the Biz' and how so many were fooled into thinking that Ace's voiced impression of Biz was actually him. 29:00 -- Ace's song, 'Jeep Ass N*gga' is discussed and how the record was inspired by his high school friend installing stereo systems and LL Cool J's 'The Boomin' System.' That song illustrating those times of cruising the streets, trying to turn heads with the loudest bass. They discuss how Ace got deeper into car culture after visiting LA, as well as how he felt after hearing how much Eminem was influenced by the 'SlaughtaHouse' album. 33:55 -- Ace is asked about his stating how, 'Sittin' On Chrome' was his "compromise album" for Delicious Records. He breaks down how he felt at the time when the executives there were pushing Ace to follow the current trends that Dre's 'The Chronic' had put in motion. They get into the mistakes made by the label that hindered it's success, the backlash from fans labelling him a sell-out, and Ace feeling his art was compromised. 37:12 -- Ace speaks on getting picked up by Big Beat Records after leaving Delicious and how the situation there seemed all-too-familiar with a label leading him in the direction of the trending R&B-laden songs of the Bad Boy-era. They also discuss Ace's being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, his keeping the condition close to the vest for 13 years, as well as the impact of what he hails as the most important album of his career, 'Disposable Arts.' 43:29 -- Ace talks about how he originally linked up with his good friend, Power, when he needed a reliable driver for the eMC tour. They discuss the eMC era of Ace's career, forming the group with an original line-up of Ace, Wordsworth, Stricklin, and Punchline. They also get into how his 2001 tour in the UK opened Ace's eyes to how many people still wanted to hear his music, leading to the penning of 'Disposable Arts.' 47:36 -- Talib speaks on how much he relates to Ace's record, 'Take A Walk' as a New Yorker dealing with gypsy cab drivers on a daily basis. They go on to explore the honesty of 'Dear Diary' as Ace is asked to break down the concept for that record and they also dig into the notable bar of, 'Say your best written sh*t and school 'em like daycare' and how it points to the evolution of where battle rap was going at the time. 51:48 -- Ace's song with Jean Grae, 'Soda & Soap' is brought up as he explains how the song was originally intended for Will Smith and breaks down the concept of that record. They go on to discuss Ace and Marco Polo's 'A Breukelen Story', that album's themes leaning into Marco's life, and also get into how the MF Doom and Masta Ace project, 'MA Doom: Son of Yvonne' came to fruition after Ace was blown away by Doom's, 'Special Herbs.' 1:00:18 -- Ace is asked to unpack his song, 'Home in America' with it's tackling of the multi-generational impact of systemic racism in America. They go on to discuss Ace's working on a hip hop musical based on his albums 'Disposable Arts,' 'Long Hot Summer,' and 'The Falling Season,' as well as Black Thought's work with Lin-Manuel Miranda on his own musical. Finally we hear what's next for Masta Ace.

@HiPHOPx87

Жыл бұрын

Pin this 📌

@ethereal-synchronicity-444

Жыл бұрын

Wild because before Ace even walked out I recited those bars to myself!

@kylerucker6413

Жыл бұрын

Let's Go to The Legends on Da track.

@whitedapoet

Жыл бұрын

He got the best flow

Ace is one of the most slept-on as well as consistent mc's in hip-hop history!

@JBintheplacetobe

Жыл бұрын

💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯

@Funkylion13

Жыл бұрын

slept on how bro?? as long as the real ones recognize then that is enough...I get where you coming from tho peace!!

@KardiFan2000

Жыл бұрын

@@Funkylion13 That's the point...there aren't enough real ones that recognize him.

@Funkylion13

Жыл бұрын

@@KardiFan2000 damn...he is HEAVY in Africa lol...even upcoming trap rappers mention him as a influence...guess it is different for a prophet in his home

@KardiFan2000

Жыл бұрын

@@Funkylion13 Dope to hear how much love he gets in Africa. Most of these young "trappers" in America don't even know who he is.

As soon as I saw Masta Ace did an interview, I hopped on it. As a 39 year old, Masta Ace is before my time. But Disposable Arts and Long Hot Summer are two of my favorite albums of his. He does not get the credit he deserves. Super talented.

@gaylordfocker7990

Жыл бұрын

Before your time? He dropped albums in 90, 93, and 95.

@FinalFlash2110

Жыл бұрын

I'm 31 but he's my favorite.

@MrChandlerjm

Жыл бұрын

Yeah I love Masta Ace. Growing up in the my discovery of hip hop was Tupac, Biggie, Puffy Daddy, and Common. I learned about Masta Ace later and haven’t looked back. Now I’m looking at more hip hop pioneers and studying the game.

@buckroger25586

Жыл бұрын

Check out Extra Entertainment Master Ace and Edo g joint album. Dope

@Kelo7

Жыл бұрын

I've played those 2 albums tens of times over. A legend

Truly an honor to produce music for both of these musical juggernauts.

@Bymyspiritsaysthebronze

Жыл бұрын

I’m next

@jameshershberger8085

Жыл бұрын

@ayatollah beats you are a legend man. “Ms. Fat Booty” is a genius beat as is a lot of your work. I love following your channel and hearing the stuff you come up with. Your stuff is absolutely on the level of the emcees you worked with 🍾😎

@AYATOLLAHBEATS

Жыл бұрын

@@jameshershberger8085 Thank You🙏

@AmariMarvelous

Жыл бұрын

That track you did for Rakim "Cold Feeling" is 🔥. Rakim did justice on your beat. Salute and much Respect 💯

@AYATOLLAHBEATS

Жыл бұрын

@@AmariMarvelous Thank You🙏🎼

Masta Ace has one of the best catalogs in hip hop history. Hands down very underrated. Glad to see his flowers are coming finally.

Master Ace is the hardest working man in Hip Hop. Still putting out dope albums and still touring. Not too many interviews with Ace. I’m very glad to hear this. Didn’t know he had MS. Truly a hip hop legend. Dope interview.

@JbFixCorleone

Жыл бұрын

Get the song with ace and pharoaho

@brennangoldman6661

Жыл бұрын

Always on da grind

Ace is top five MC's for me. His creativity has always been on point and that joint him and Marco is a perfect album.

Disposable Arts is my ABSOLUTE GO-TO album when I'm trying to explain the power of hip-hop and the importance of lyricism

Two of my favorite artists. Ace has been doper for longer than anyone else yet has.

@daminharris3879

Жыл бұрын

YESS I say he has da best catalog 4 anybody ova 50

Great to see this legend get his flowers. One of the most consistent and (by some) underrated MCs of any generation. Salute!

@cwrichardson3

Жыл бұрын

Flowers??? I didn't see any given.

Masta Ace is such a humble dude one of my favorite songs of all time is Crooklyn with him, Special Ed and Buckshot

One of my ALL TIME Hip-Hop favorites! MASTA ACE 💐 🎤

"A Long Hot Summer" is also a classic. One of my favorite albums of all time

51:49 Jean Grae. One of the purest literal "artists" in hip hop. Name doesn't get mentioned even close to enough.

“Ace the master, even when he face disaster” 🔥guest. Kweli shining a light on real hiphop

This man is so underrated.

@marxman300

Жыл бұрын

Here we go that word again.underrated to who exactly

@adamquenano8563

Жыл бұрын

@@marxman300 I’m saying in general, he played a huge part in hip hop(juice crew), with a great discography and he doesn’t get his praise.

@marxman300

Жыл бұрын

@@adamquenano8563 oh ok I hear u

@rahsaanthomas7030

Жыл бұрын

​@@marxman300 People love throwing that word around..

@zg-mzga

Жыл бұрын

@@marxman300 masta ace is the epitome of underrated

I wish all musicians had the artistic integrity Ace has.

88 was the most classic year in Hip-hop

Every summer I pull out Sittin’ on Chrome. It’s a must

@blackout2430

Жыл бұрын

THEY CANT FIND ME

@sovereigncosmicwildman

Жыл бұрын

@@blackout2430 i was going to say that, that's my jam

@jacobcrumb3323

Жыл бұрын

Dam right brothers!

I used to think Ace was from the west coast. Glad to see he's still doing the hip hop thing. Been listen to him since Born to Roll.

@rahsaanthomas7030

Жыл бұрын

Sitting On Chrome definitely had a West Coast vibe, which was Ace's intention. It worked.

@King_Grizzly

Жыл бұрын

I have a friend from Queens who told me the same thing about the west coast.

I’ve been a fan of Ace’s since the Symphony. I was in high school in Nassau Bahamas. Bought Marley’s In Control on cassette, yes cassette😃at Cody’s. Memorized Keep Your Eyes on the Prize and still know it to this day. When Take A Look Around came out, I bought that on cassette too. Happy for his longevity.

The legendary Masta Ace! " Once you hear da capital A..."

Masta Ace is DEFINITELY one of my FAVORITE ALL-TIME lyricists!!! His cadence/flow was/is DOPE; one of my FAVORITE tracks being TOGETHER!! Major SALUTE to him for giving homage to RAKIM(who is The LYRICAL G.O.A.T!!!) #LEGEND

Great interview! Long Hot Summer is a timeless classic. I didn't know Ace was so into football, which explains why he made the trip to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013 when me and my crew, Keepers of the Art, Inc., brought him to Akron, OH to perform at the Keepers of the Art Music Showcase along with EPMD, Brand Nubian, Edo G., J-Live and Kid Capri.

@darklight7452

Жыл бұрын

That had to be a dope show

@jayman3915

9 ай бұрын

Hell of a line up

When this interview popped up I said, it must be my birthday!! (& it ain't even Libra season yet)! Lol Two of my favorite & most Gifted emcees chopping it up.This one here is a reminder of How much this HIPHOP culture means to me. A reason to keep carrying the torch. Masta Ace has contributed some of the most Thought provoking & banging music of any generation. I'm not quite sure what his secret is, but he is so consistently dope,his legendary emcee status is cemented in my book. Nuff Respect👊Go Brooklyn (DJ Kamakaze)🎧🐼

Talib Kweli is spot-on about 1988. I bought so many cassettes that year, and I ran through a lot of batteries on my Walkman.

Working with Masta Ace is an honor. I've been blessed with the opportunity to be around Masta Ace when he recorded the show. Respect to my brutha

Much respect to Masta Ace, one of the best to ever bless the M I C. PEACE 7

Sittin' on Chrome is my #4 favorite album of all time, behind LABCABINCALIFORNIA, Stakes is High and Midnight Marauders.

I remember being back stage with Masta Ace in Chicago when Disposable Arts dropped. Me and Sleepy. He was talking to his hype man we were in another part of the room cracking jokes and chillin'. Then we were about to leave and Ace was like "Yo, ya'll leavin already?" I'll never miss hanging out with one of my fav emcees again. Especially for work. Same thing happen when I met Special Ed. I was at work and he was checking into the hotel I worked at. The lady at the front desk didn't even know who he was. I was about to spit "Crazy" from the Revelations album, but I didn't. Just gave him a pound and went back to work. All I have to do is meet Buckshot on some random now. Lol!

Infinite flowers!!! The distinct tone of his voice was in my ears all through junior high (Hudde on Nostrand ave), high schoo (Midwood HS on Bedford)l, and still bumpin today.

I hate that Sittin on Chrome was seen as a "sellout" album for Ace. That album is dope as hell and he still gave us bars on there with fire beats.

@bernardtyler526

Жыл бұрын

Never felt like it was a sellout album. Hell no

@curtis75black

Жыл бұрын

I share the same sentiment.

@darklight7452

Жыл бұрын

Being from the east coast I did feel like it was different from my east coast palate. I definitely ain't give it a strong listen after I heard the production. But I respect him as a true artist.

@michaelallen8112

Жыл бұрын

Y'all have to recognize timeframe that was during West Coast Siege. It's was dope album but in NY where Ace was at. He was vilified for it. No questions it was classic.

@curtis75black

Жыл бұрын

@@michaelallen8112 Of course that’s done.

Masta Ace one of the all-time greats! He is the definition of consistent. I got to see him live once and his energy and performance were next level!

Masta Ace was always one of my favorites. Talib is the best podcast host in hop hop, period. The guy is respectful, very articulate, intelligent and a hip hop head. Love the show, no gimmicks, very informative and naturally flowing.

Great interview! Props to Kweli for getting Ace on here.....Luv this guy, true professional and a gentleman, also one of the best story tellers in hip-hop!

OMG! Such a great interview. Shout to the People's Party. Brother Talib. You did your thing. Im such a huge fan of Masta Ace. I'm so happy to hear that Ace and Polo are dropping another album this year. I played Brooklyn Story religiously. Salute!!!!

One of the greatest rappers of all time. Thanks for this interview!

Ace spits like he is sitting next to you effortless living legend 👏🏽👏🏽

Saw Masta Ace live last weekend in Germany. Great show, great talent!

Ace is incredible one of the most great I’ve rappers I’ve heard in my life

Legendary MC. Ace looking younger each year. Stay heathy Son of Ivonne and keep dropping those truly deep gems. "No regrets" has a completely different meaning now that I found out about the fact that you're dealing with MS. Stay strong!

There is nobody better at this than Talib. Saluted

The essence of Hip Hop… Thank you for this interview! Can’t wait to add the next album to my collection and hoping to see him perform here in NYC.

Wow I been going back to ace music these past weeks now we get a new interview.💯 Every album had strong beats and great songs

My favored rapper of all time.. love to see this man on this show. It's the lyrics, the passion, the love for the art and the people that shines through all his work. Can't wait for more Ace the more you make the more I'll appreciate. Can't wait for next album from you and MP!

One of the greatest ever!!! Masta ace is not just your rhymesayer for the sake of putting words together man really paints pictures make movies all of his albums should be motion picture movies

Great interview! Thank you. ✌🏽❤️

Wow look at the divine timing!! @38:52 it's National Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month!! Such a powerful story I'm sending this to my sister and all the MS Warriors 🧡🧡 love to the Peoples Party Team!

Masta Ace is real hop-hop since back in a days

@amuroray3823

Жыл бұрын

With Polo it’s 🤩

This is where it's at! Talib and Eris S. have always been an inspiration since i was about 19 years of age. 2009

Masta ace! One of my all time favorites

Loved this! I grew up on both Ace and Kweli and also wondered about them getting together, so was so excited to see this as an adult!

Masta Ace definitely needs his flowers, he always kept it consistent with his music, never sold out for nothing, one of the best who ever did it

I saw kweli and saw Masta Ace... It was over. I'm so glad this channel found me! 🔥

One of the best MCs and Lyricist to touch the mic. Rap would not be what it is if not for MastaAce.

I met ace a few months back. At a concert in a bowline alley in Portland Maine. Had a picture with him. Love how he still does the small concerts. ❤

First of all, I love the interview. Almost forgot how long Ace is in the game. But one album was not part of the discussion which I think is also a very very good contribution to hip-hop and that is Arts and Entertainment with Edo. G. Timeless Masterpiece

For some reason I didn’t enjoy rap concerts anymore. Even R.A. and Paz weren’t so exciting. And then I went to Masta Ace for 14th time anticipating the same dissatisfaction, but this Guy brought me back into Hip-Hop

Thank you for having Masta Ace on! My fav MCs chopping it up!🤎

Masta Ace has always been one of the top MCs period. As authentic as they come. Pharoahe Monch also and was so glad to hear them both on Fight Song!

Thank u 4 this .masta ace posting high song still bumps

1988 and 1994 the best years in Hip-hop

@anthonysylvester4486

Жыл бұрын

facts

Just finished the Questlove interview with Speech and Masta Ace came up in the feed--brilliant interview 💜. So happy you have maintained in spite the MS diagnosis, very touched to hear that especially when those years you have given so many classics to us. Your work with Edo G, you put Strick, the legendary MC from Milwaukee on F.A.Y and both your Tiny Desk and Breukelen Story is just flat out dope music with full immersion into everything great and possible with Hiphop. You are the reason I do not rank Emcees, the experience you provide is priceless so therefore I continue to buy and share your brilliance. Will definitely be at the theater when your play comes out 👍🏾

That's so dope they mention steady pace . 1 of the most humble dudes ever!!! If you see this steady.... love from 129th. Your words and wisdom meant the world to me

Disposable Arts is his best album IMO and whats crazy is it came well over 10 years in to his career.... He got better and better, one of the few who did that from the Golden Era.

Truly unappreciated. He's one of the few old schoolers that has kept releasing relevant music to this day. Most old school rappers live off their older shit, even the so called goats.

Peace King. THIS was the interview I've been waiting to see! Masta Ace was the first major artist I opened up for, & I never forgot that. My ONLY regret was he wanted to sign me but I didn't wanna dump my group. I should've took his offer but nonetheless, I love & respect @mastaace #period. 👊🏿💯✌️

I can count on one hand the number of emcees whose work I must always check for; Ace is one of them.

Thank you for this interview

I can honestly say DISPOSABLE ARTS from what I have Listened to; is the most Underrated album of all times.. this man a Personal Fav Mic Wrecker who ever done it

Seen you both on several concerts. Amazing to see you both in this. Thank you

The energies match on this. Love the album breakdowns.

This was a great show! I like that he gave credit to where credit was do and was humble. Time to go bump some Masta Ace

Great show guys 🙂. Thanks!

Man what a podcast. Hearing things like "lyricist lounge" "punch" "words"... The reason I fell in love with Hip Hop and Talib Kweli. Nice to hear the stories...

Masta Ace is bonfafide hip hop legend. I remember copping Take A Look Around the first day it came out.

Masta Ace is my hero. All todays prominent lyricists are his sons. Please let Ace know there's someone literally on the other side of the globe worshipping his 21st century albums, knowing all the biggest tracks by heart, bumpin it all in my Toyota every summer in the heart of Siberia

What I Love about Ace is because he is intelligent. Disposable Arts is a great concept record . It's like a film or TV show with the sequencing

@rahsaanthomas7030

Жыл бұрын

Notice the album cover with Ace sitting in the seat of his stripped-down vehicle. It implied his Sitting On Chrome days were over. The last song, No Regrets, was him signing off.

Much respect to Masta Ace a super dope emcee clarity, vivid story lines and very clever rhyme schemes. I only wish talib asked him about the track "acknowledge" 0n disposable arts would have been interesting to hear.

It's great to see how Hip-Hop is carried on the shoulders of the legends. Ace can look back and be proud of those he has influenced. I am lucky to have grown up around the golden age of Hip-Hop! '88 was a great year!

Ace is in my top 10. Why? He’s realer to me than any MC. He knows why! 😎We chat open..

Keep your eyes on the prize, my favorite song by Ace, I know it word for word.

Ace is one of greatest, most sincere and talented MCs/artists of all time. Always a good and inspiring listen

i definitely respect the fact he graduated first and then pursued the rap game because he turned that later on in life to being a coach much respect to masta ace man

What a great interview with a great dude!

Super dope interview ✊🏿 Ace always gets respect

Word I'm feeling this one Kweli ....peace to Masta Ace a God in his own Right for a long time

Born to roll, and sitting on chome, that’s top tier song making

Of all the music theme podcast this is the best one! ✊🏽💯💯💯 What was so dope about this episode was it took me 3 and a half hrs. Too watch I had to go back and listen to some of the records! That’s why I believe their should be a easy listening section in hip hop for those artists that are older and still making dope hip hop for grown folks! Talib maybe you could start this. ✊🏽

Man look....Bless up and Salute to the Music Man, Master Ace....His music was a part of my life during a certain period of time with a certain group of people. Thank you for giving us insight on his life and thoughts! Dope Session !

This was so GOOD - thanks Talib - Master Ace doesn't get the respect he deserves!

Masta Ace is one of the most consistent MCs in Hip Hop history. I'll add this; the quality of his albums is always exemplary. Long Hot Summer is such a timeless banger. His album with Marco Polo deserved a Grammy. Go peep his collaboration album with Edo g. I wish Talib touched on that.

Born to Roll is one of my favorite songs of all time. It's such a car cruising music blasting song.

One of my all time favorites.

Without any doubt *ℹ GOT TA* listen 🎧👂listen to this interview…..

Masta Ace is 1 of my favourite mc's and Talib also! This interview is nice!

Masta Ace never misses lyrically and something that's not mentioned often his beat selection is always on point. Disposable arts, long hot summer, brueklen story and more albums.

Simon Says and Postin' High two of my favourites by Master Ace!

Dope Interview Masta Ace is one of my favorites 🔥🔥🔥🔥

Damn!!! 1988 was crazy... I had all of those albums that he named... Wow!!