Well, in the interest of paying homage, let’s start off the work week by taking a trip back through Masta Ace‘s highlights.

In 1990, after debuting on the classic Juice Crew “Symphony” record, Masta Ace (then going by Master Ace) released Take a Look Around through Cold Chillin’. He would go on to release a few collaborative projects, as well as a sophomore album during that decade, but it was in 2001 that the Brooklyn MC crafted his opus.

Disposable Arts is a concept album in the highest form. The LP follows Ace’s release from prison as he enters the “Institute of Disposable Arts.” In classic Ace fashion, the album flows between conceptual records and relevant skits (remember those?). The album also features a wordplay record that makes Papoose’s “Alphabetical Slaughter” look amateurish. Pay attention to the story and stream it below in its entirety:

Ace’s follow-up, 2004’s A Long Hot Summer, is another conceptual album. This prequel to Disposable Arts and finds the rapper at home in Brooklyn during, yes, a long hot summer. Ace is continuously pulled down by his friend Fats, as the two are essentially ying and yang. The album, again, is intertwined with songs and skits that ultimately end in his incarceration. You can stream it all here:

Last year we interviewed Ace for his collaborative album with MF DOOM. Read the interview here.

The post RESPECT. Your Elders: Masta Ace appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The King of Posse Cuts is back with his latest offering titled, “I Did It For My Dawgs.” DJ Khaled‘s latest single features some of the hottest emcees currently in the hip-hop game. The track produced by Beat Bully, contains some of the dopest verses heard in awhile from Rick Ross, Meek Mill, French Montana, Ace Hood and Jadakiss. The newest posse cut from Khaled‘s latest album titled, Kiss The Ring, is one to add along with The Dopest Posse Cuts of All Time like, A Tribe Called Quest‘s “Scenario”, Puff Daddy & The Family‘s “It’s All About The Benjamins”, Kanye West‘s “Monster”, Stop The Violence Movement‘s “Self Destruction”, Marley Marl‘s “The Symphony”, Craig Mack‘s, “Flava In Your Ear (Remix)”, West Coast All Stars‘ “We’re All In The Same Gang”, Master P‘s “Make Em Say Ugh” and LL‘s, “I Shot Ya (Remix).”

On DJ Khaled‘s latest offering each rapper spits their own definition of what it means to stay loyal to their closest friend (or dawg). As each emcee takes their turn over this bumping 808 beat, you get the true meaning of what it means to give your last for your homeboy, in order to gain respect from them. Yet again, DJ Khaled has himself another hit single that will get him another million selling plaque to bring home and hang on his wall.

Song Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UKZAog61DE

The post NEW MUSIC: DJ KHALED FT. RICK ROSS, MEEK MILL, FRENCH MONTANA, ACE HOOD & JADAKISS – I DID IT FOR MY DAWGS appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.