BY JAKE PAINE • OCTOBER 2, 2018

Twenty-eight years ago, Masta Ace released his debut album, Take A Look Around. From that title onward, the gifted MC has always made Brooklyn, New York an essential muse in his art. The neighborhoods, people, and landmarks have been more than just a backdrop too. Ace was in the founding lineup of the Crooklyn Dodgers. On his own, he has chronicled “Brooklyn Battles,” invited listeners to “Take A Walk” through his hood, and retraced his steps growing up on 2016’s The Falling Season. Even when the MC specialized in more West Coast-tinged tracks, the party never strayed from being a 7-1-8 affair.

Ace keeps B.K. in focus for his next album. However, this one is a collaborative affair. A Breukelen Story (November 9) finds the Juice Crew member and co-founder of Masta Ace Incorporated and The eMC teaming up with longtime collaborator Marco Polo. While the former Rawkus Records and Duck Down Music producer/DJ is a Canadian export, he too, has made Brooklyn his home.

On debut single “Brooklyn,” Ace and Polo team up with Smif-n-Wessun for a proper Bucktown salute. While in the late ’80s and early ’90s, many BK anthems were about stick-up kids (or “originoo gun-clappaz”) taking do-or-die chances, this is a mature homage to an evolving place. Ace, Tek, and General Steele honor the families, the workers, and the enduring spirit that makes this section of New York City just so legendary. Meanwhile, Marco laces a pensive piano cut that is the perfect backdrop to spread love (the Brooklyn way) over. The visual complements the message, with sequences of diners, strolls across the Brooklyn Bridge, and shout-outs to some of the most important Rap stars from “The Planet.”

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