When discussing the pioneering figures in Hip-Hop, there is perhaps no artist who exemplifies longevity more than Masta Ace. For over thirty years, Masta Ace has released a steady stream of solo albums and collaboration projects that have solidified his status as one of the most talented and consistent artists in the genre. With well over a dozen releases to his name, perhaps no album in his discography is more well-known and revered than his 1995 release Sittin’ On Chrome.

Released in the midst of the East Coast/West Coast rivalry, Sittin’ On Chrome was highly influential in the West Coast Hip-Hop scene of the mid-'90s. Influencing everything from music, fashion trends, to celebrating car culture, popular on the West Coast as well. The album is notable for performing particularly well in California, especially with Chicano/Mexican-American communities in L.A. and all throughout the Southwest. The album also spawned three popular singles: 'Sittin’ On Chrome’, ‘The I.N.C. Ride’, and ‘Born to Roll’, and to date, the album remains Masta Ace’s most commercially successful album.

To celebrate the album’s 30th anniversary, we had the chance to talk with Masta Ace and discuss how Masta Ace came to be signed to Delicious Vinyl out in L.A., the origins of Masta Ace Incorporated, the recording process of Sittin’ On Chrome’, and why the project was the last for Masta Ace Incorporated. As well as Ace’s decision to go independent following the album’s release, and his reflections on his highest charting album and its legacy thirty years later.