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Masta Ace
Masta Ace

Birth name

Duval A. Clear

Born

December 4, 1966 (1966-12-04) (age 57)

Origin

Brooklyn, New York, U.S.

Genre

Hip hop

Years active

1988-present

Label

Cold Chillin' (1987-1990)
JCOR (2001)
M3 Macmil Music (2004-present)

Associated acts

Crooklyn Dodgers, Edo.G, eMC, Juice Crew, Marco Polo, Marley Marl, Masta Ace Incorporated, MF DOOM, R.A. the Rugged Man

Duval A. Clear (born December 4, 1966), better known by his stage name Masta Ace, is an American rapper from Brownsville, Brooklyn. He began his career as a member of the Juice Crew, after meeting Marley Marl in 1987, and made his recording debut on the posse cut "The Symphony". His debut album, Take a Look Around, was released in 1990.

After leaving the Juice Crew, he formed the group Masta Ace Incorporated, with whom he released two albums. His popularity increased when he became a member of the Crooklyn Dodgers alongside Special Ed and Buckshot for the Spike Lee film Crooklyn. However, he disappeared from the hip hop scene for five years after Masta Ace Incorporated broke up in 1995.

Masta Ace made a comeback in 2001 with the album Disposable Arts, which became one of the most acclaimed underground hip hop releases of that year due to its pure hip hop style and clever album concept that served as a fictional story chronicling Ace's time spent at a satirical rap school. He formed the group eMC, whose debut album The Show was released in 2008. Masta Ace's latest solo album, The Falling Season, was released in 2016.

In the early stages of his career, Masta Ace was known for his energetic style of rapping, although he now utilises an earnest, matter-of-fact plainspokenness. He is noted for his high level of rapping skill and for influencing other MCs, such as Eminem.

Discography[]

Studio albums[]

Collaborative albums[]

  • 2009: Arts & Entertainment (with Edo G)
  • 2018: A Breukelen Story (with Marco Polo)
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