Masta Ace has always managed to remain current and totally classic in the exact same breath. In his 1988 lyrical debut, he took a stand along side Big Daddy Kane, Kool G. Rap and Craig G on hip hop's most important posse cut, ‘The Symphony'. His first full length album, the Marley Marl produced Take A Look Around (1990), established the rookie emcee as a sophisticated voice from the ghetto.

Slaughtahouse (1993) was an ingenious conversation with hip hop, as Ace and his incorporated crew took on the entire gangsta rap genre. In 1995, his Sittin' On Chrome LP unified American car culture as a celebration of rims and rides and rap music. Then after a 6 year hiatus, Ace caught the world off guard with the epic

Disposable Arts (2001). This classic theme album, complete with plot, main characters and score, played like a feature film on wax. A Long Hot Summer, (2004), was the prequel to Disposable Arts. These two “flicks”, were connected, and although Ace was the only actual recurring character, the storylines blended together in a well thought out arrangement.

In 2004 he announced that “…Summer” would be his fifth and final solo album. It seems that he was planning a unique and different way to continue making contributions to Hip Hop. Ace has teamed up with Wordsworth, Punchline and Stricklin to form the new group EMC. All three were featured heavily on his last two releases and the chemistry that resulted was undeniable. The album, "The Show" will be released this summer on M3 Records, an upstart independent label formed by Ace and his partners “Filthy Rich” and “DJ Rob”.

Dutty Divine (AKA Dutty or Dutty D) is an emcee from the 401 that's made a quiet uprising in the local hip hop scene during recent years. After debuting as a feature on a track with Bigg Juicy AKA Chuck Reeves, he then started attending the local open mics to get shape his live performances. Taking the moniker of Dutty Mutha Fuckin' Divine, he and Bigg Juicy formed The DopeMen and began doing shows throughout Rhode Island and Mass before releasing their debut mixtape, Dope.Music.(The Pifftape). Closing out 2010 with opening performances for artists such as R.A. The RuggedMan, Hopsin, and Potluck they slowed down on music to focus on personal business, but still being sure to keep their faces familiar by playing opening slots for CES CRU, Mr. Muthafuckin Exquire, Action Bronson, Sean Price, and even main stage at the Worcester Palladium for Twiztid.

Dutty has been doing solo sets recently in preparation for his first solo release The "Ol' Dutty Bastard EP." Which will eventually be followed up by a full length LP. His voice is now heard over the airwaves on 90.3WRIU every Friday from 3-6pm spreading the word about the best local and underground Hiphop out. Be on the lookout for upcoming releases and shows! 

Ask any musician where their passion for music came from and 99% of them will begin by talking about their parents music collection. This is not the case for Rhode Island based  producer A.D. (Artful Dodger). Raised by a hearing impaired father, music did not play a major role in his upbringing. In fact, it was the foreign nature of it that drew him to it in his early years. Starting with classic pop acts like The Beatles, The Doors, and Michael Jackson; he eventually gravitated toward hip-hop. It wasn't long before he was making his own mixes and mash-ups using free computer software. Learning more about hip-hop and production he found himself influenced by both legendary producers like Dj Premier, Pete Rock, & J Dilla; as well as underground innovators like Stoupe, DangerMouse, RJD2, & El-p. He has spent the better part of a decade honing his craft, while networking and paying dues in the local hip hop scene. Now, with production credits on charting indie singles, and multiple projects in the works, it looks like A.D. is finally ready to leave his own stamp on hip-hop music. 

Hit me Up For Beats @ http://adbeats.bandcamp.com  feel free to tell me what you like or hate about my tracks too!


Sheezac is following