This is a big one, because this week we were truly honoured to speak with a rap legend – Masta Ace stepped in the house to talk all things hip hop! The former member of The Juice Crew sat in the hot seat for a deep dive into his career, and along the way we touched on…
? Working on a hip hop musical, with characters from his last 3 albums (02:36)
????? Writing ‘Disposable Arts’ in the gym and breaking down his songwriting process (06:40)
? Why disco deserves more praise in early hip hop (8:30)
? How winning a rap contest launched his career (13:45)
? Coming up with the name ‘Masta Ace’ (20:50)
? Featuring on ‘The Symphony’ and joining The Juice Crew (22:08)
? Making ‘Crooklyn’ with A Tribe Called Quest and Spike Lee (26:19)
? Names his favourite Spike Lee films (28:46)
? Is there a Juice Crew movie coming? (30:50)
? How ODB dissed New Jersey IN New Jersey on Cold Chillin’ promo tour (33:35)
? How he made ‘SlaughtaHouse’ as reaction to hardcore rap (35:40)
?? Influencing Eminem and working with Will Smith (40:25)
? Knowing people said he sold out, and why ‘Sittin’ on Chrome’ is a compromise record (44:18)
? How ’Disposable Arts’ sparked a new legacy and lead to ‘A Long Hot Summer’ (54:50)
? His love for Drake and views on ghostwriting (1:00:30)
? Collabing with MF DOOM for ‘Son of Yvonne’ (1:06:25)
?? Career highlight: Performing in UK with Public Enemy (1:11:15)
? Learning from DJ Premier (1:14:03)
? Wanting to sit in a Dre session (1:15:55)
? Why Elzhi and Busta make his favourite five MCs (1:16:45)
? Why New York needs its own sound (1:21:35)
? Why ‘10 Bricks’ is his Slept-On Wu-Tang Banger (1:24:30)
? How his daughter put him onto YBN Cordae (1:26:15)
Speak On It!