A Long Hot Summer

{{About|the album|the Finnish film|A Long Hot Summer (film)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}} {{Infobox album | name = A Long Hot Summer | type = Studio | artist = [[Masta Ace]] | cover = Alonghotsummer.jpg | alt = | released = {{Start date|2004|8|3}} | recorded = 2003–04 | studio = | genre = [[Hip hop music|Hip hop]] | length = 1:03:29 | label = [[M3 Records|M3 Macmil Music]] | producer = {{hlist|Filthy Rich ([[Executive producer|exec.]])|DJ Rob (also exec.)|[[Masta Ace]] (also exec.)|[[9th Wonder]]|Dams & Sla|DJ Serious|[[DJ Spinna]]|DR Period|Dug Infinite|[[Marco Polo (producer)|Marco Polo]]|[[Khrysis]]|[[Koolade]]|Xplicit|Brian Anderson|Brutal Artistry Productions}} | prev_title = [[Disposable Arts]] | prev_year = 2001 | next_title = [[The Show (eMC album)|The Show]] | next_year = 2008 | misc = {{Singles | name = A Long Hot Summer | type = Studio | single1 = Good Ol' Love / The Ways | single1date = July 1, 2004 | single2 = Beautiful / Follow | single2date = July 29, 2004 | single3 = Da Grind / Do It Man | single3date = December 27, 2004 }} }} {{Music ratings | MC = 78/100<ref name="MC">{{Cite web |title=Critic Reviews for A Long Hot Summer - Metacritic |url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/a-long-hot-summer/masta-ace/critic-reviews |access-date=April 4, 2023 |website=[[Metacritic]] |language=en}}</ref> | rev1 = [[AllMusic]] | rev1score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Masta Ace - A Long Hot Summer Album Reviews, Songs & More {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/a-long-hot-summer-mw0000298991 |access-date=April 4, 2023 |website=[[AllMusic]] |language=en}}</ref> | rev2 = ''[[The Austin Chronicle]]'' | rev2score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="AC">{{Cite web |last=Gabriel |first=Robert |date=August 27, 2004 |title=Masta Ace: Long Hot Summer Album Review |url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/music/2004-08-27/226210/ |access-date=April 4, 2023 |website=[[Austin Chronicle]] |language=en-US}}</ref> | rev3 = [[Cokemachineglow]] | rev3score = 78%/100%<ref name="Cmg">{{Cite web |last=Betz |first=Chet |date=August 11, 2004 |title=Masta Ace: Long Hot Summer (M3; 2004) {{!}} Record Reviews @ Cokemachineglow.com |url=http://www.cokemachineglow.com/record_review/1117/masta-ace |access-date=May 13, 2012 |website=[[Cokemachineglow]] |via=[[Wayback Machine]] |archive-date=May 13, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513092217/http://www.cokemachineglow.com/record_review/1117/masta-ace |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref> | rev4 = ''[[HipHopDX]]'' | rev4score = 4.5/5<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ryce |first=Jeff |date=July 31, 2004 |title=Masta Ace - A Long Hot Summer |url=https://hiphopdx.com/reviews/id.447/title.masta-ace-a-long-hot-summer |access-date=April 4, 2023 |website=[[HipHopDX]] |language=en}}</ref> | rev5 = [[laut.de]] | rev5score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maurer |first=David |title=Der beste Sommer der Rap-Geschichte. |url=http://www.laut.de/Masta-Ace/Alben/A-Long-Hot-Summer-93091 |access-date=April 4, 2023 |website=[[laut.de]] |language=de}}</ref> | rev6 = ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' | rev6score = 7.1/10<ref name="p4k">{{Cite web |last=Warren |first=Jamin |author-link=Jamin Warren |date=August 9, 2004 |title=Masta Ace: A Long Hot Summer |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/5604-a-long-hot-summer/ |access-date=April 4, 2023 |website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |language=en-US}}</ref> | rev7 = RapReviews | rev7score = 8.5/10<ref name="RR">{{Cite web |last=Jost |first=Matt |date=August 10, 2004 |title=Masta Ace :: A Long Hot Summer :: M3/Yosumi |url=https://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2004_08_longhotsummer.html |access-date=April 4, 2023 |website=www.rapreviews.com}}</ref> | rev8 = [[Robert Christgau]] | rev8score = {{Rating-Christgau|hm2}}<ref name="Christgau">{{Cite web |last=Christgau |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Christgau |title=Robert Christgau: CG: Artist 5357 |url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?id=5357&name=Masta+Ace |access-date=April 4, 2023 |website=www.robertchristgau.com}}</ref> | rev9 = ''[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]'' | rev9score = {{Rating|4|5|full=TMT full.svg|half=TMT half.svg|empty=TMT empty.svg|rating=mark}}<ref name="VIBE">{{Cite web |last=Callahan-Bever |first=Noah |date=September 2004 |title=MASTA ACE :: A LONG HOT SUMMER :: M3 |url=http://m3hiphop.com/html/press_vibe.htm |access-date=March 13, 2007 |website=[[Vibe (magazine)|VIBE]] |page=233 |via=[[Wayback Machine]] |archive-date=March 13, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070313002718/http://m3hiphop.com/html/press_vibe.htm |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref> | rev10 = ''[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]'' | rev10score = 4/5 (XL)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cantor |first=Paul |date= |title=MASTA ACE :: A Long Hot Summer :: M3 |url=http://m3hiphop.com/html/press_xxl.htm |access-date=March 12, 2007 |website=[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]] |via=[[Wayback Machine]] |archive-date=March 12, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312210138/http://m3hiphop.com/html/press_xxl.htm |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref> }}

'''''A Long Hot Summer''''' is the third solo and fifth overall studio album by American rapper [[Masta Ace]]. It was released on August 3, 2004 via [[M3 Records|M3 Macmil Music]]. [[Hip hop production|Production]] was handled by Dams & Sla, Dug Infinite, Xplicit, [[9th Wonder]], DJ Serious, [[DJ Spinna]], DR Period, [[Marco Polo (producer)|Marco Polo]], [[Khrysis]], [[Koolade]], and Ace himself. It features guest appearances from [[eMC (hip hop group)|eMC]], [[Leschea]], Apocalypse, [[Big Noyd]], [[Ed O.G.]], [[Jean Grae]], Mr. Lee G, [[The Beatnuts]] and [[Rahzel]].

The concept story follows Ace, an underground rapper through his "Long Hot Summer" in [[Brooklyn]], accompanied by buddy Fats Belvedere. Ace ventures through the Brooklyn streets and goes out on tour with Fats as his unofficial manager.

==Critical reception== ''A Long Hot Summer'' was met with generally favorable reviews from [[Music journalism|music critics]]. At [[Metacritic]], which assigns a [[Standard score|normalized]] rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an [[Weighted arithmetic mean|average]] score of 78, based on ten reviews.<ref name="MC" />

Matt Jost of RapReviews.com wrote: "shorter than its predecessor, it is also a more cohesive and even effort, making Ace and Brooklyn the focal points of this hour plus narrative told in the now trademark laid-back manner".<ref name="RR" /> Noah Callahan-Bever of ''[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]'' stated: "though his singles may not rule radio, as far as full-lengths go, this is how it should be done".<ref name="VIBE" /> Chet Betz of [[Cokemachineglow]] found "Masta Ace's maturity informs his simplicity; experience strengthens the straightforward so that his words come methodically and sincerely".<ref name="Cmg" /> [[Jamin Warren]] of ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' recommended: "unfortunately, ''A Long Hot Summer'' starts slowly. In fact, when you cop this album, do yourself a favor and skip the first five tracks".<ref name="p4k" /> Robert Gabriel of ''[[The Austin Chronicle]]'' resumed: "wise beyond his decades, Masta Ace stands at the altar with lyrical depth as his bride".<ref name="AC" /> ''[[Urb (magazine)|Urb]]'' reviewer wrote: "the record falters only when Ace recounts a gangster parable about shady dealings with a certain Fats Belvedere".<ref name="MC" />

''[[Stylus Magazine]]'' gave the album a mixed review: "his new album isn't quite as good as ''[[Disposable Arts]]'', but it's similarly engaging--he is both confident and insecure, and this incongruity defines his music".<ref name="MC" /> Veteran critic [[Robert Christgau]] summed it up with: "old-schooler as working stiff--craftsmanlike rhymer and plotter, much heart", highlighting songs "Da Grind" and "Bklyn Masala".<ref name="Christgau" />

==Track listing== {{Track listing | all_writing = | extra_column = Producer(s) | title1 = The Count | length1 = 2:11 | title2 = Big City | writer2 = {{hlist|[[Masta Ace|Duval Clear]]|Doug Thomas}} | extra2 = Dug Infinite | length2 = 3:01 | title3 = Good Ol Love | note3 = featuring Mr. Lee G and [[Leschea]] | writer3 = {{hlist|Clear|Leroy H. Griffith, Jr.|[[9th Wonder|Patrick Douthit]]}} | extra3 = [[9th Wonder]] | length3 = 3:46 | title4 = Fats Belvedere | length4 = 0:38 | title5 = Da Grind | note5 = featuring Apocalypse | writer5 = {{hlist|Clear|Kinte Givens|[[Khrysis|Christopher Tyson]]}} | extra5 = [[Khrysis]] | length5 = 3:27 | title6 = H.O.O.D. | writer6 = {{hlist|Clear|N. Donati}} | extra6 = Dams & Sla | length6 = 3:45 | title7 = The Stoop | length7 = 0:53 | title8 = Beautiful | note8 = featuring [[Wordsworth (rapper)|Wordsworth]] | writer8 = {{hlist|Clear|[[Wordsworth (rapper)|Vinson Johnson]]|[[Koolade|Matko Šašek]]}} | extra8 = [[Koolade]] | length8 = 4:24 | title9 = F.A.Y. | note9 = featuring Strick and Punchline | writer9 = {{hlist|Clear|Stephen Stricklin|Darryl Pittman}} | extra9 = DR Period | length9 = 3:34 | title10 = Fats Crib | length10 = 0:35 | title11 = Soda & Soap | note11 = featuring [[Jean Grae]] | writer11 = {{hlist|Clear|[[Jean Grae|Tsidi Ibrahim]]|[[DJ Spinna|Vincent Williams]]}} | extra11 = [[DJ Spinna]] | length11 = 4:12 | title12 = Do It Man | note12 = featuring [[Big Noyd]] | writer12 = {{hlist|Clear|[[Big Noyd|Terance Perry]]|[[Marco Polo (producer)|Marco Bruno]]}} | extra12 = [[Marco Polo (producer)|Marco Polo]] | length12 = 2:56 | title13 = Bklyn Masala | note13 = featuring Leschea | writer13 = {{hlist|Clear|Thomas Raic}} | extra13 = Xplicit | length13 = 4:19 | title14 = The Proposition | length14 = 1:38 | title15 = Travelocity | note15 = featuring Punchline and Wordsworth | writer15 = {{hlist|Clear|[[Punchline (rapper)|Rashaan Truell]]|Johnson|Donati}} | extra15 = Dams & Sla | length15 = 3:51 | title16 = The Ways | writer16 = {{hlist|Clear|David Yan}} | extra16 = DJ Serious | length16 = 3:28 | title17 = Wutuwankno | note17 = featuring [[Ed O.G.]] | writer17 = {{hlist|Clear|[[Ed O.G.|Edward Anderson]]|Thomas}} | extra17 = Dug Infinite | length17 = 4:11 | title18 = The After Party | length18 = 1:08 | title19 = Oh My God | note19 = featuring [[The Beatnuts]] and [[Rahzel]] | writer19 = {{hlist|Clear|[[Psycho Les|Lester Fernandez]]|Jerry Tineo|Raic}} | extra19 = Xplicit | length19 = 3:50 | title20 = Cellmate | length20 = 1:16 | title21 = Revelations | note21 = featuring Leschea | writer21 = Clear | extra21 = {{hlist|[[Masta Ace]]|DJ Rob ({{abbr|co.|co-producer}})}} | length21 = 3:50 | title22 = | length22 = 2:37 | total_length = 1:03:29 }}{{Track listing | headline = 2015 bonus tracks | all_writing = | extra_column = Producer(s) | title23 = Globetrotter | note23 = featuring AKD | writer23 = | extra23 = Brian Anderson | length23 = 4:04 | title24 = GMO | writer24 = | extra24 = Brutal Artistry Productions | length24 = 2:48 | total_length = }}

==Personnel== {{div col}} *Duval "[[Masta Ace]]" Clear – vocals, producer (track 21), mixing, executive producer *Leroy H. "Mr. Lee G" Griffith, Jr. – backing vocals (track 3) *[[Leschea]] A. Boatwright – vocals (track 13), backing vocals (tracks: 3, 21) *Kinte "Apocalypse" Givens – vocals (track 5) *Vinson "[[Wordsworth (rapper)|Wordsworth]]" Johnson – vocals (track 15), backing vocals (track 8) *Stephen "Strick" Stricklin – vocals (track 9) *Rashaan "[[Punchline (rapper)|Punchline]]" Truell – vocals (track 15), backing vocals (track 9) *Tsidi "[[Jean Grae]]" Ibrahim – vocals (track 11) *Tajuan "[[Big Noyd]]" Perry – vocals (track 12) *Edward "[[Ed O.G.]]" Anderson – vocals (track 17) *Lester "[[Psycho Les]]" Fernandez – vocals (track 19) *Jerry "JuJu" Tineo – vocals (track 19) *[[Rahzel|Rozell Manely Brown]] – vocals (track 19) *William "DJ JS-1" Tramontozzi – scratches (tracks: 5, 13, 19) *DJ Ody-Roc – scratches (track 16) *Jay "J-Zone" Mumford – soundbite (track 19) *Shawn Lucas – keyboards (track 21) *Anthony Lucas – bass (track 21) *Doug "Dug Infinite" Thomas – producer (tracks: 2, 17) *Patrick "[[9th Wonder]]" Douthit – producer (track 3) *Christopher "[[Khrysis]]" Tyson – producer (track 5) *Dams & Sla – producers (tracks: 6, 15) *Matko "[[Koolade]]" Šašek – producer (track 8) *Darryl "DR Period" Pittman – producer (track 9) *Vincent "[[DJ Spinna]]" Williams – producer (track 11) *Marco "[[Marco Polo (producer)|Marco Polo]]" Bruno – producer (track 12) *Thomas "Xplicit" Raic – producer (tracks: 13, 19) *David "DJ Serious" Yan – producer (track 16) *Robert "DJ Rob" Alphonse – co-producer (track 21), recording, mixing, executive producer *Richard "Filthy Rich" Ahee – recording, mixing, executive producer *Stephen Dent – recording

;<big>Cast</big> *Duval Clear as ''Masta Ace'' *Fatz Belvedere as himself *Frankie Aikens as ''E'' *Franklyn Grant, Jr. as ''Hotel Maintenance Guy'' *Steve Dent as ''Promoter'' *[[Michael Rapaport]] as ''Cell Mate'' {{div col end}}

==Charts== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |- ! scope="col"| Chart (2004) ! scope="col"| Peak position |- {{album chart|BillboardIndependent|44|artist=Masta Ace|rowheader=true|accessdate=August 16, 2016}} |- {{album chart|BillboardRandBHipHop|82|artist=Masta Ace|rowheader=true|accessdate=August 16, 2016}} |}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *{{Discogs master|76642|Masta Ace – A Long Hot Summer}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Long Hot Summer}} [[Category:2004 albums]] [[Category:Masta Ace albums]] [[Category:Albums produced by Khrysis]] [[Category:Albums produced by DJ Spinna]] [[Category:Albums produced by 9th Wonder]] [[Category:Albums produced by Marco Polo]]