The Symphony

The ever evolving Masta Ace is the living embodiment of reinvention. Starting with the Juice Crew on the classic posse cut "The Symphony" from Marley Marl's 1988 compilation In Control Vol.1 Ace (at this time spelled Master Ace) showed promise and versatility out of the gate. He set off "The Symphony" with a dope verse that stood strong alongside Craig G, Kool G. Rap and Big Daddy Kane. "Simon Says " and "Keep You Eyes On The Prize" showed early that Ace was far from a one dimensional MC. 1989's "Letter To The Better"/"Together" further solidified Ace as one to check for, and Take A Look Around, released the next year squashed any doubt that Masta Ace would be a flash in the pan artist. His delivery, clever wordplay and variety of subject matter made Ace an underground favorite at the turn of the (90's) decade.

Jeep Ass Niguh

In 1993, Master Ace returned with a new label — Delicious Vinyl — and new name - Masta Ace Incorporated. With his clique, which was also known as The INC, Paula Perry, Eycurock, Lord Digga and R&B vocalist Leschaea (his now wife) dropped SlaughtaHouse.

SlaughtaHouse was essentially a parody that mocked some of the more exaggerated aspects of the "Gangsta Rap" that was prevalent at the time. The lead single from SlaughtaHouse was "Jeep Ass Niguh," an ode to loud sound systems and the Jeep's that they were installed in. Sonically, "Jeep Ass Niguh" followed the standard east coast, boom bap, upright bass heavy production that was extremely popular in the early 90's.

With rebellious energy, Ace chanted, "Black boy, Black boy turned that shit down/you know that America don't wanna hear the sound/of the bass drum jungle music go back to Africa/ni**a I'll arrest you if you're holdin' up traffic."

Born To Roll

In 1995, Masta Ace Incorporated released Sittin' On Chrome, their final album as a group. The lead single from the car culture concept project was "Born To Roll," which was a synthesizer-heavy track that contained the same lyrics as "Jeep Ass Niguh."

"Born To Roll" and Sittin' On Chrome introduced Ace to a new audience and expand his reach beyond the east coast fanbase that comprised much of his core audience. The irony of "Born To Roll" lies in the track, a sample of "Knowledge Me" by Long Island group Original Concept. Doctor Dre of Yo! MTV Raps, a member of Original Concept, produced "Knowledge Me" which was released on Def Jam Records in 1986 and was very much an underground east coast record at the time of its release.

With only a few added sound effects and a vocal snippet of The Ohio Players "Funky Worm," Ace turned a New York classic into a west coast anthem. The video for "Born To Roll" was an ode to Cali car culture and along with the song catapulted Sittin' On Chrome to #19 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.