Album: http://rapidshare.com/files/91526849/Masta_Ace-A_Long_Hot_Summer.rar
Link: http://boards.ign.com/Message.aspx?topic=167604225&brd=5296&start=167604825
Background: Masta Ace
Ace is really considered a veteran in the hip-hop game. At 42 years old, he was around for the very beginning of hip-hop, and got his start with the legendary Juice Crew. However, his career really began to take off with the release of Slaughterhouse, where he expressed his anti-gangsta sentiments. Interestingly enough, Eminem found great inspiration in this album, and he eventually remade one of the tracks off it recently (There are also rumors that Eminem got some of his style from Ace, which I don't buy, personally). However, the album(s) I've decided to discuss today are intricately linked, and some of his later material.
The Track: Beautiful, from the A Long Hot Summer album
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YE-HLYGVIQ
Also check out: Slaughterhouse (Album), Disposable Arts (album), The Show (Group album with eMC)
Alright, I wanna discuss the concept of the two albums (Disposable Arts, and A Long Hot Summer). ALHS serves as the prelude, of sorts, discussing Ace's character and, fittingly, a long hot summer spent with the sinister Fats Belvedere (a criminal). It is a highly well executed concept, as each track is either preceded by a skit to explain it, or flows seamlessly overall. Easily one of my favorite concept albums (3030, by Deltron 3030 is probably the best). Now, Disposable Arts continues that story, as by the end of ALHS, Ace is locked up in jail. When he gets out, he goes to the Institute of Disposable Arts, which is like college for rappers.
Sadly, Ace will no longer record as a solo artist, apparently. That being said, please enjoy this track! (And go get a copy of The Show!)
The Breakdown:
Lyrics
Best flow in the biz? You know what it is
Positive over negative, see the Ace a Masta
Even when I face disaster (that's right)
I rise up above
See, people still showin' me love
Get the respect without droppin' a check
This hip hop thing might stop in a sec
So this brand new ish, you can pop in the deck
It's beautiful
I selected this part of the song to highlight, because it really encapsulates the spirit of the track. Ace acknowledges that "this hip-hop thing might stop in a sec" (a theme that he flirts with at the end of ALHS), and instead, is writing, on his stoop about the beautiful things he sees. Interestingly enough, many of the things are NOT material (Yankees, 10 nothing, killing the Sox, for example), proving that he is a rapper that needs not the bling or cash.
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