Masta Ace

• Genre: East Coast Rap/Hip-Hop
• Hometown: Brooklyn

About

A skilled emcee out of Brooklyn, Masta Ace got his start with Marley Marl and the Juice Crew in the late '80s. Marley produced his first single, "Simon Says" (b/w "Eyes On the Prize"), as well as the posse-cut classic "The Symphony," which featured Ace alongside Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap, and Craig G. His first LP was Take A Look Around (1991), but it was his '93 follow-up, Slaughtahouse, that really blew up with the hits "Born To Roll" and "Jeep Ass Niguh." In '95 he dropped Sittin' On Chrome and collaborated with Buckshot (of Black Moon) and Special Ed for the Crooklyn Dodgers project. After laying low for a minute, Masta Ace came back hard, putting out new singles and working with Eminem, Saukrates, and Guru. He also had an underground hit with the Simpsons-flavored single "Spread It Out" off the Game Over (2000) compilation. 2001 saw the release of his first LP in six years, an exceptional concept album called Disposable Arts. In addition to his skills on the mic, Ace is also a respected graf artist and video game champion.

- Brolin Winning