Masta Ace, real name Duval Clear, was born in 1966 in Brooklyn, NY. He got his start in the 1980s with the Juice Crew and Marley Mar’s Cold Chillin label. In 1995 he released Sittin’ On Chrome, his most popular and commercially accessible album. 2001’s Disposable Arts later became something of an underground classic.
Many credit Ace with influencing artists like Eminem and others. He’s an innovator as an artist-producer that works hands-on behind the scenes. He’s worked with Marco Polo, DJ Premier, and Large Professor. His style is hardcore hip hop.