Hip-hop veterans Masta Ace and Marco Polo once again team up, captivating fans with the visually stirring video for their single “PPE,” a highlight from their much-acclaimed joint release, Richmond Hill. The video, masterfully directed by Ezru Gonzalez, not only spotlights the iconic Brooklyn streets but also pays homage to Masta Ace’s roots, featuring an appearance by the storied stoop seen on the cover of his revered 2004 solo album, A Long Hot Summer.
“PPE,” which stands for “poor people everywhere,” is more than just a song; it’s a poignant social commentary wrapped in rhythm and rhyme. Masta Ace’s sharp lyricism vividly paints the grim realities faced by the underprivileged, set against the backdrop of Marco Polo’s atmospheric beats, echoing with empathy and urgency through the soulful, sampled refrain.
Related: The Ultimate Comeback: Masta Ace & Marco Polo’s New Era
Imbued with raw authenticity and narrative depth, Ace and Polo’s 18-track opus is described as “A cinematic journey that explores how the past echoes through the present.” The album itself is a who’s who of hip-hop greatness, featuring luminaries such as Inspectah Deck of Wu-Tang Clan fame, Coast Contra, the soulful Blu, Che Noir, and Speech from Arrested Development, each bringing their unique fire to the mix.
Not to be outdone, Masta Ace’s trusted co-creators, Stricklin and Wordsworth, lend their voices, enriching the album’s tapestry. With Marco Polo at the helm as producer, Richmond Hill serves as a natural sequel to their prior collaboration, A Bruekelen Story. This time around, the narrative draws from Marco Polo’s formative years in Richmond Hill, Ontario—a suburb that contrasts with the bustling Brooklyn backdrop, yet equally informs the essence of the project.
Peep the video and immerse yourself in an experience that is part visual time capsule, part anthem for the overlooked masses. Masta Ace and Marco Polo are not just rapping; they’re narrating life—one beat, one verse, one video at a time.
