Masta Ace

Brownsville and the Juice Crew

Masta Ace was born Duval Clear on December 4, 1966, in Brooklyn, New York. He grew up in the Howard Houses in Brownsville. While studying marketing at the University of Rhode Island, he won a rap contest in 1985; the prize was recording time at producer Marley Marl's studio. He recorded with Marley Marl in 1986 and 1987, and Marl played one of his demos on the radio. Ace graduated from URI with a marketing degree in 1988. That same year he appeared on "The Symphony," the Juice Crew posse cut with Kool G Rap, Craig G and Big Daddy Kane.

Cold Chillin' and Masta Ace Incorporated

His first solo single, "Together" backed with "Letter to the Better," came out in 1989. His debut album, Take a Look Around, followed in 1990 on Marley Marl's Cold Chillin' label. He then led Masta Ace Incorporated, which released SlaughtaHouse in 1993 and Sittin' on Chrome in 1995. A remix from that era, "Born to Roll," became a crossover single in 1994 and peaked at No. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100. Sittin' on Chrome is described as his most commercially successful album. Ace was also a member of the group Crooklyn Dodgers.

Concept Albums

After a gap, Ace returned with Disposable Arts (2001), a concept album set at a satirical rap school called the "Institute of Disposable Arts." A Long Hot Summer (2004) serves as a prelude to that story. In 2004 he formed the group eMC with Punchline, Wordsworth and Strick; their album The Show came out digitally in February 2008 and physically in April 2008. In his book The Way I Am, Eminem named Masta Ace as an influence and praised his "amazing storytelling skills."

Later Records

Later solo work includes MA Doom: Son of Yvonne (2012), built on production by MF Doom, and The Falling Season (2016). A Breukelen Story (2018), made with producer Marco Polo, is a Brooklyn-themed project featuring guests including Smif-N-Wessun. Over his career he has released music on Cold Chillin', Delicious Vinyl, JCOR and his own M3 imprint.