Masta Ace & Marco Polo

Masta Ace & Marco Polo On 2007’s “Nostalgia”, a memorable track from Marco Polo’s debut album, Port Authority, the chemistry between Polo and guest MC Masta Ace is easily heard and felt. What was supposedly a quick one-off collab was not only a reminder of Ace’s timelessness, but also the impetus for a full length project between the Toronto instrumentalist and the legendary MC. The pair have since become a duo, resulting in two critically acclaimed LPs, A Breukelen Story and Richmond Hill. Masta Ace, has traversed hip-hop’s ever-changing landscape for nearly four decades, navigating different eras while expanding his already extensive catalogue. From his formative work with the legendary Juice Crew, to a bombastically renowned stint with Delicious Vinyl, it’s hard to find a more humble master of ceremony than Ace—even harder is finding another figure whose work is equally embraced on both coasts as well as abroad. Despite amassing 7 solo albums, 5 collaborative projects and countless features, Ace is still pushing the envelope for fans of the artform. Ace stated that: “My goal on A Breukelen Story was to do more lyrical stuff. I’ve done a lot of concept songs, and a lot of topical records, but I made a point to put a couple straight rhyming joints on here to remind dudes I can still do this.” The duo first crossed paths while a young Marco Polo was interning at Cutting Room Studios in Manhattan. The Canadian producer swiftly worked the situation to his advantage earning himself production credits alongside giants he grew up admiring, the likes of Kool G Rap, Large Professor, Scarface, Sean Price, Black Thought & Talib Kweli to name just a few. Port Authority and PA2 are living proof of Marco Bruno's ability to create a space for quality collabs with others. For example Double Barrel with Torae and 2016’s work with young MC, A-F-R-O, fittingly titled A-F-R-O Polo. Yet out of Polo’s previous collaborative efforts, he feels the first of the Masta Polo projects stands out and is a bit more special, according to Polo: “Ace does not like to write random songs, its usually conceptual and topical,” he says. “But we do have some straight spitting joints on A Breukelen Story which is what makes this album possibly the most diverse of all of my collaborative albums.” The random meeting and a beat CD resultantly birthed A Breukelen Story, a collaborative release between the venerable veteran and an incredibly detailed and prolific producer. 14 tracks with pronounced guests (Pharoahe Monch on “The Fight Song” for example) all strewn together through Ace’s signature skits and interludes that frame the music and while telling the story of Polo manifesting his vision of being an NY transplant via Toronto while pursuing his dream of being a renowned record producer. Other guests range from younger MCs like Marlon Craft to spry OGs like Lil Fame (of M.O.P.), to Smif ‘n’ Wessun, to Styles P (of the Lox) Polo’s pastiche style boom-bap is the drum-driven centerpiece that perfectly couches Masta Ace’s thoughtful stanzas and vivid storytelling for this effusive Brooklyn narrative. – David Ma