Flawless Hustle.com Exclusive: The 10 Question(s) Q&A Session Series: Masta Ace

Interview by Dub MD
www.twitter.com/dubmd84

The word legend is thrown around all over the place these days, but in this weeks session of the 10 Question(s) Q&A Series we catch up with a true hip hop legend, Masta Ace. Not many artists can say they’ve been active in the game for 20+ years and still be doing it at the highest level. We first heard him on the classic posse cut “The Symphony” with the Juice Crew, which then stemmed five studio albums, a group album, and countless classic hip hop anthems. All leading up his newest release, a collaboration album with his long time friend Edo. G called “A&E (aka Arts & Entertainment)“. The Brooklyn born Masta Ace takes time out of his schedule to talk about his new project with Edo, his thoughts on Hip Hop today, and what sets him apart for everyone else!

Dub MD: Masta Ace, what’s good fam? its been a minute since our last Q&A session, and you’ve done a lot since then, for those who have been under a rock, what are some of the things you’ve done over the past year or so?

Masta Ace: Over the past year i released a group album with Wordsworth, Punchline and Stricklin calling ourselves EMC. The album was called “The Show” and came out March of 2008. I have also just completed an album with Edo. G due out in October 2009 and begun writing a book that is loosely based on the storyline from my last two solo albums.

Dub MD: Coming from Brooklyn, how did living in the BK shape your attitude to the music/culture? and what do you think of the New York music scene right now?

Masta Ace: Growing up in Brooklyn made me a warrior. I was forced to have the spirit of a fighter, if you were rapping in the early 80′s, you had to be willing to prove yourself on the streets. There were no free passes and if you didn’t have what it took, people let you know it. In todays music scene, you can have little to no talent and have a hit record and sell millions of records.

Dub MD: It’s been several years since your solo album, do you have plans to release a new album? and how do you think you’ve changed as an emcee from your last solo LP “A Long Hot Summer”?

Masta Ace: The new solo project I release will be a DVD about my life and career over the last 20+ years. I will package together with that DVD, a CD of new music that will the score for the DVD.

Dub MD: Your currently in the studio working on a new group project with Edo. G called “A&E”, whats the concept behind that? and what artists and producers are you connecting with on the album?

Masta Ace: The album is done and features Large Professor, KRS-1, Pos from De La Soul, Doitall from Lords Of The Underground, Akrobatik, Mr. Life, Marsha Ambrosious, Chester French and the Bundies. Production by DJ Spinna, M-Phazes, Supreme One, Double-0 and others.

The album is called “Arts & Entertainment” we have been working on it for the past 2 years off and on, between touring schedules. It’s another one of these “special projects” that i wanna do to keep myself active.

Dub MD: What do you think of the commercialisation of Hip Hop right now, do you think its showing respect to its pioneers? and do you feel you get proper respect for what you’ve done and are still doing the game now?

Masta Ace: The younger generation of hip hoppers don’t have a connection with music 20 to 30 years ago. They know what is the music of their era, i can’t criticize them too much because they don’t know much about it. Some people think they should study and know their history. I imagine that if Hip-Hop had begun in 1958, my generation would be getting criticized for the same thing.

As far as me getting my proper respect, i don’t dwell on it, i just keep trying to crack out quality music that is timeless. Where ever in history the hip hop nation decides i belong, is where i must belong.

Dub MD: Last year you released a critically acclaimed album with your supergroup EMC, now that its public property, are you happy with how that release went? and what do you think of the other supergroups that have formed recently?

Masta Ace: I was very disappointed with the album getting leaked a few days after we serviced it to press. I also think we could have toured more but the second EMC album is on the way!

Dub MD: What do you think is your most defining and unique characteristic that sets you apart from every other emcee out there? and how would you describe your style to those who still haven’t heard your music?

Masta Ace: What sets me apart are a few things. My voice for one. While most artists find something that works musically and stick with that formula, my approach is ever changing. I don’t like feeling like i am doing something i have done before.

I try to push the envelope with different lyrical techniques and really have fun with the words and phrases. I look for different rhyme combinations, i am my own worst critic and i ask a lot of myself, while most cats think everything they spit is hot.

Dub MD: Where do you get the inspiration to write the type of material you do? what is the writing process like when it comes to working on your projects? and why do you think mc’s that keep integrity in their music, never make a real mark on soundscan anymore?

Masta Ace: Integrity isn’t important anymore and it’s not just in music. Money is the driving force behind most artists these days, I want to make a living at this but it’s not what drives into the studio. I am inspired by other artists good and bad, life experiences, family, politics, sports and so many other things!

Lately it’s been hearing the beat/music first and driving with it, as i drive lives just come to me. I write best when i’m not trying to write. If i sit with a pen and a blank piece of paper i will struggle to write, I hate doing that! Gimmie a beat and a road to drive on, by the time i get to the destination i will have a song done.

Dub MD: You’ve rocked a stage in hundreds of different countries, If I’m coming to a Masta Ace show. What am I going to experience, that I won’t experience from just listening to your material on CD?

Masta Ace: You get to me in full energy mode, i may seem mild mannered on my albums but on stage my movement and my is constant. I don’t just do songs, i like having routines in my show, i also like setting up songs before i do them. You won’t hear me tell the DJ, “Yo throw on the next joint sunn’n” everything is well planned, thought out and deliberate.

Dub MD: What is on tap for Masta Ace for the rest of 2009 and beyond? do you have anything to say to the fans? anything you wanna get off your chest? any shout outs?

Masta Ace: Look for the A&E album coming in October, EMC will be back in the studio in the coming months too. Also look out for my DVD/Album coming [soon] Shouts to Stricklin, Wordsworth, Punchline, Edo. G, Filthy Rich, DJ Rob, CC and everybody else helping the process along.