Top tracks — play these first
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What Is It — This track stands out for its clever wordplay and exploration of identity within the hip-hop community, encapsulating Ace's knack for introspective storytelling.
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Who Killed Hip Hop — In this track, Masta Ace critiques the state of hip-hop, raising questions about authenticity and commercialism that resonate deeply within the genre's discourse.
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Family 1st — This song emphasizes the importance of family ties and loyalty, showcasing Ace's personal side amid his complex narratives and gritty beats.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong storytelling and production but lacks a fully cohesive flow across its length.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a strong narrative track that sets a thematic tone, followed by tracks that alternate between storytelling and party anthems.
- The production incorporates live instrumentation alongside samples, creating a rich texture that blends funk and jazz influences throughout.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo flow throughout
- introspective themes for reflection
- lyrical depth for focused listening
- soulful production for contemplation
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat party tracks
- seek instant gratification
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By 2005, Masta Ace had already established himself as a notable figure in East Coast hip-hop, building on the momentum of his previous releases. Hits U Missed Vol. 2 came after his critically acclaimed album, A Long Hot Summer, showcasing his ability to blend narrative depth with catchy hooks. This album reflects his continued evolution as an artist while maintaining his core identity in the genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Black Moon· Buckshot· J-Live
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Survival 4:30
- 2 What Am I? 3:33
- 3 Gimme Gimme Gimme 4:34
- 4 What Is It 3:37
- 5 Out Da Box 4:22
- 6 Again 3:09
- 7 Figure 8 3:54
- 8 The Call 3:57
- 9 Family 1st 3:10
- 10 Blvd Connection 4:44
- 11 We Get It Done 4:37
- 12 Get Large 5:18
- 13 Who Killed Hip Hop 4:35
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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