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What's up Ace how you doing man?

I am doing well. Enjoying life.

Hey man you been into the hip hop game for awhile now what's the evolution for you been like?

Its been an interesting journey. So many songs, albums and artists have come and gone. So much classic material. The music that has shaped the landscape of today. I have tried to evolve with the times.

So what you been keeping yourself busy with of late?

Lately I have been listening to a stack of beat cds from various producers, trying to put my next album together.

What label you rolling with lately?

I am not currently signed with any label. My plan is to complete the album then see who is the most interested in joining forces with me. The days of traditional labels is over for me.

Man I was just listening to that sitting on chrome shit the other day still banging man how long ago was that and what would you say is your best album?

Sittin on Chrome came in 1995 so its been a minute. I honestly feel my best album so far is 'Disposable Arts' which dropped in 2001

Disposable arts wasn't released that long ago what inspired the come back?  I think a lot of guys forgot about the Ace man?

The nature of hip hop fans is to forget you once they don't hear from you in a while. Now a days 'a while' may only be 6 months. I took 5 years off. But, I did a small tour in Europe back in 2000 and after seeing the reaction of the fans over there at my shows and the great turnouts, I decide to do one more album. I realized there were still people that wanted to hear music from me.

I been reading on your site that you a big football fan ever thought of coming to South Africa to mingle with a little game of rugby?

Rugby is ruff bizness. No equipment. You lose teeth and get broken noses playing that. There was a time in my life maybe 8 years ago when I would've said "hell yes. I'm down". I used to play tackle football on concrete when I was younger. very dumb. But these days I wanna preserve my body, take better care of it. I still have a ruff aggressive side to me but it usually only comes out when I am on stage performing. Besides, I don't understand the rules.

You were telling me the other day DJ Spinna was out in South Africa and he told you peeps in South Africa know bout you what was your response like?

Actually it was DJ Avee touring with Jazzy Jeff. I was like "WORD?" cats out there heard my stuff? I couldn't believe it. I mean Africa is a place I want to visit in my lifetime for sure. And to think that there are parts of Africa where my music is known is unbelievalbe, I never thought of my music being so far reaching I guess.

Musically what artist are you feeling right now cos I mean on every damn corner you get a mcee so who does it for you?

I like different artists for different reasons...example I like 50cent because of his strange sense of humor and his willingness to go at Ja Rule and Murda Inc, I like JayZ for his song making ability and lyrical wit, I like Eminem for his lyricism and ability to weave words together like no one else, I like Juice (unsigned Midwest Rapper) for being one of the best 'Off the head' I have ever heard (his writtens are pretty nice too), I like Nas for being lyrical and meaningful at the same time, I like Busta for being a style innovator and chance taker musically, I like Mobb Deep for being gutta and having hard ass beats under beautiful loops, I like Gangstarr for epitomizing what is and should be REAL HIP HOP. The list goes on.

You got any new singles on the pipeline and when can we expect them on the shelves?

I have a single coming outta France called "H.O.O.D." with Get Large Productions b/w "All Bizness" feat. Apocalypse and House. The A side will also be on my album. I also am featured on a new Punchline (Punch&Words) single called "Family First" also feat. Apocalypse and on Get Large Prod. More to come later this year.

Before we sign off this interview I would like to ask you what direction you see hip hop going is it for good or for bad?

At times I am optimistic about the direction and think it will all change again soon and another cycle will begin, paving the way for more talented artists to come thru and do their thing. Then I listen to the radio and I hear yet more R&B/Rap songs and feel that it won't ever end. The fusion has reached a point where radio won't play a rap joint without a singing hook, and the problem is you don't necessarily need talent to make those songs. Look at Billboard and tell me how many rap songs are on ther charts by cats with real talent. Not many.

Any last word from you for your fans in South Africa?

I hope to visit you all soon. Do a show. Tear things down on stage. I look forward to the journey continuing....

Hit up Masta Ace's site on http://www.mastaace.com

Interview done by Rushay

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