# A Long Hot Summer

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This article is about the album. For the Finnish film, see [A Long Hot Summer (film)](/source/A_Long_Hot_Summer_(film)).

2004 studio album by Masta Ace

A Long Hot Summer Studio album by Masta Ace Released August 3, 2004 (2004-08-03) Recorded 2003–04 Genre Hip hop Length 1:03:29 Label M3 Macmil Music Producer Filthy Rich (exec.) DJ Rob (also exec.) Masta Ace (also exec.) 9th Wonder Dams & Sla DJ Serious DJ Spinna DR Period Dug Infinite Marco Polo Khrysis Koolade Xplicit Brian Anderson Brutal Artistry Productions Masta Ace chronology Disposable Arts (2001) A Long Hot Summer (2004) The Show (2008) Singles from A Long Hot Summer "Good Ol' Love / The Ways" Released: July 1, 2004 "Beautiful / Follow" Released: July 29, 2004 "Da Grind / Do It Man" Released: December 27, 2004

Professional ratings Aggregate scores Source Rating Metacritic 78/100[1] Review scores Source Rating AllMusic [2] The Austin Chronicle [3] Cokemachineglow 78%/100%[4] HipHopDX 4.5/5[5] laut.de [6] Pitchfork 7.1/10[7] RapReviews 8.5/10[8] Robert Christgau [9] Vibe [10] XXL 4/5 (XL)[11]

***A Long Hot Summer*** is the third solo and fifth overall studio album by American rapper [Masta Ace](/source/Masta_Ace). It was released on August 3, 2004 via [M3 Macmil Music](/source/M3_Records). [Production](/source/Hip_hop_production) was handled by Dams & Sla, Dug Infinite, Xplicit, [9th Wonder](/source/9th_Wonder), DJ Serious, [DJ Spinna](/source/DJ_Spinna), DR Period, [Marco Polo](/source/Marco_Polo_(producer)), [Khrysis](/source/Khrysis), [Koolade](/source/Koolade), and Ace himself. It features guest appearances from [eMC](/source/EMC_(hip_hop_group)), [Leschea](/source/Leschea), Apocalypse, [Big Noyd](/source/Big_Noyd), [Ed O.G.](/source/Ed_O.G.), [Jean Grae](/source/Jean_Grae), Mr. Lee G, [The Beatnuts](/source/The_Beatnuts) and [Rahzel](/source/Rahzel).

The concept story follows Ace, an underground rapper through his "Long Hot Summer" in [Brooklyn](/source/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 critics](/source/Music_journalism). At [Metacritic](/source/Metacritic), which assigns a [normalized](/source/Standard_score) rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an [average](/source/Weighted_arithmetic_mean) score of 78, based on ten reviews.[1]

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".[8] Noah Callahan-Bever of *[Vibe](/source/Vibe_(magazine))* stated: "though his singles may not rule radio, as far as full-lengths go, this is how it should be done".[10] Chet Betz of [Cokemachineglow](/source/Cokemachineglow) found "Masta Ace's maturity informs his simplicity; experience strengthens the straightforward so that his words come methodically and sincerely".[4] [Jamin Warren](/source/Jamin_Warren) of *[Pitchfork](/source/Pitchfork_(website))* 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".[7] Robert Gabriel of *[The Austin Chronicle](/source/The_Austin_Chronicle)* resumed: "wise beyond his decades, Masta Ace stands at the altar with lyrical depth as his bride".[3] *[Urb](/source/Urb_(magazine))* reviewer wrote: "the record falters only when Ace recounts a gangster parable about shady dealings with a certain Fats Belvedere".[1]

*[Stylus Magazine](/source/Stylus_Magazine)* gave the album a mixed review: "his new album isn't quite as good as *[Disposable Arts](/source/Disposable_Arts)*, but it's similarly engaging--he is both confident and insecure, and this incongruity defines his music".[1] Veteran critic [Robert Christgau](/source/Robert_Christgau) summed it up with: "old-schooler as working stiff--craftsmanlike rhymer and plotter, much heart", highlighting songs "Da Grind" and "Bklyn Masala".[9]

## Track listing

No. Title Writer(s) Producer(s) Length 1. "The Count" 2:11 2. "Big City" Duval Clear Doug Thomas Dug Infinite 3:01 3. "Good Ol Love" (featuring Mr. Lee G and Leschea) Clear Leroy H. Griffith, Jr. Patrick Douthit 9th Wonder 3:46 4. "Fats Belvedere" 0:38 5. "Da Grind" (featuring Apocalypse) Clear Kinte Givens Christopher Tyson Khrysis 3:27 6. "H.O.O.D." Clear N. Donati Dams & Sla 3:45 7. "The Stoop" 0:53 8. "Beautiful" (featuring Wordsworth) Clear Vinson Johnson Matko Šašek Koolade 4:24 9. "F.A.Y." (featuring Strick and Punchline) Clear Stephen Stricklin Darryl Pittman DR Period 3:34 10. "Fats Crib" 0:35 11. "Soda & Soap" (featuring Jean Grae) Clear Tsidi Ibrahim Vincent Williams DJ Spinna 4:12 12. "Do It Man" (featuring Big Noyd) Clear Terance Perry Marco Bruno Marco Polo 2:56 13. "Bklyn Masala" (featuring Leschea) Clear Thomas Raic Xplicit 4:19 14. "The Proposition" 1:38 15. "Travelocity" (featuring Punchline and Wordsworth) Clear Rashaan Truell Johnson Donati Dams & Sla 3:51 16. "The Ways" Clear David Yan DJ Serious 3:28 17. "Wutuwankno" (featuring Ed O.G.) Clear Edward Anderson Thomas Dug Infinite 4:11 18. "The After Party" 1:08 19. "Oh My God" (featuring The Beatnuts and Rahzel) Clear Lester Fernandez Jerry Tineo Raic Xplicit 3:50 20. "Cellmate" 1:16 21. "Revelations" (featuring Leschea) Clear Masta Ace DJ Rob (co.) 3:50 22. Untitled 2:37 Total length: 1:03:29

2015 bonus tracks No. Title Producer(s) Length 23. "Globetrotter" (featuring AKD) Brian Anderson 4:04 24. "GMO" Brutal Artistry Productions 2:48

## Personnel

- Duval "[Masta Ace](/source/Masta_Ace)" Clear – vocals, producer (track 21), mixing, executive producer

- Leroy H. "Mr. Lee G" Griffith, Jr. – backing vocals (track 3)

- [Leschea](/source/Leschea) A. Boatwright – vocals (track 13), backing vocals (tracks: 3, 21)

- Kinte "Apocalypse" Givens – vocals (track 5)

- Vinson "[Wordsworth](/source/Wordsworth_(rapper))" Johnson – vocals (track 15), backing vocals (track 8)

- Stephen "Strick" Stricklin – vocals (track 9)

- Rashaan "[Punchline](/source/Punchline_(rapper))" Truell – vocals (track 15), backing vocals (track 9)

- Tsidi "[Jean Grae](/source/Jean_Grae)" Ibrahim – vocals (track 11)

- Tajuan "[Big Noyd](/source/Big_Noyd)" Perry – vocals (track 12)

- Edward "[Ed O.G.](/source/Ed_O.G.)" Anderson – vocals (track 17)

- Lester "[Psycho Les](/source/Psycho_Les)" Fernandez – vocals (track 19)

- Jerry "JuJu" Tineo – vocals (track 19)

- [Rozell Manely Brown](/source/Rahzel) – 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](/source/9th_Wonder)" Douthit – producer (track 3)

- Christopher "[Khrysis](/source/Khrysis)" Tyson – producer (track 5)

- Dams & Sla – producers (tracks: 6, 15)

- Matko "[Koolade](/source/Koolade)" Šašek – producer (track 8)

- Darryl "DR Period" Pittman – producer (track 9)

- Vincent "[DJ Spinna](/source/DJ_Spinna)" Williams – producer (track 11)

- Marco "[Marco Polo](/source/Marco_Polo_(producer))" 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

**Cast**

- 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](/source/Michael_Rapaport) as *Cell Mate*

## Charts

Chart (2004) Peak position US Independent Albums (Billboard)[12] 44 US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[13] 82

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-MC_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-MC_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-MC_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-MC_1-3) ["Critic Reviews for A Long Hot Summer - Metacritic"](https://www.metacritic.com/music/a-long-hot-summer/masta-ace/critic-reviews). *[Metacritic](/source/Metacritic)*. Retrieved April 4, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Masta Ace - A Long Hot Summer Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic"](https://www.allmusic.com/album/a-long-hot-summer-mw0000298991). *[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic)*. Retrieved April 4, 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-AC_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-AC_3-1) Gabriel, Robert (August 27, 2004). ["Masta Ace: Long Hot Summer Album Review"](https://www.austinchronicle.com/music/2004-08-27/226210/). *[Austin Chronicle](/source/Austin_Chronicle)*. Retrieved April 4, 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Cmg_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Cmg_4-1) Betz, Chet (August 11, 2004). ["Masta Ace: Long Hot Summer (M3; 2004) | Record Reviews @ Cokemachineglow.com"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120513092217/http://www.cokemachineglow.com/record_review/1117/masta-ace). *[Cokemachineglow](/source/Cokemachineglow)*. Archived from the original on May 13, 2012. Retrieved May 13, 2012 – via [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine).{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_bot:_original_URL_status_unknown))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Ryce, Jeff (July 31, 2004). ["Masta Ace - A Long Hot Summer"](https://hiphopdx.com/reviews/id.447/title.masta-ace-a-long-hot-summer). *[HipHopDX](/source/HipHopDX)*. Retrieved April 4, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Maurer, David. ["Der beste Sommer der Rap-Geschichte"](http://www.laut.de/Masta-Ace/Alben/A-Long-Hot-Summer-93091). *[laut.de](/source/Laut.de)* (in German). Retrieved April 4, 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-p4k_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-p4k_7-1) [Warren, Jamin](/source/Jamin_Warren) (August 9, 2004). ["Masta Ace: A Long Hot Summer"](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/5604-a-long-hot-summer/). *[Pitchfork](/source/Pitchfork_(website))*. Retrieved April 4, 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-RR_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-RR_8-1) Jost, Matt (August 10, 2004). ["Masta Ace :: A Long Hot Summer :: M3/Yosumi"](https://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2004_08_longhotsummer.html). *www.rapreviews.com*. Retrieved April 4, 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Christgau_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Christgau_9-1) [Christgau, Robert](/source/Robert_Christgau). ["Robert Christgau: CG: Artist 5357"](https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?id=5357&name=Masta+Ace). *www.robertchristgau.com*. Retrieved April 4, 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-VIBE_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-VIBE_10-1) Callahan-Bever, Noah (September 2004). ["MASTA ACE :: A LONG HOT SUMMER :: M3"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070313002718/http://m3hiphop.com/html/press_vibe.htm). *[VIBE](/source/Vibe_(magazine))*. p. 233. Archived from the original on March 13, 2007. Retrieved March 13, 2007 – via [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine).{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_bot:_original_URL_status_unknown))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Cantor, Paul. ["MASTA ACE :: A Long Hot Summer :: M3"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070312210138/http://m3hiphop.com/html/press_xxl.htm). *[XXL](/source/XXL_(magazine))*. Archived from the original on March 12, 2007. Retrieved March 12, 2007 – via [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine).{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_bot:_original_URL_status_unknown))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ac_BillboardIndependent_Masta_Ace_12-0)** "[Masta Ace Chart History (Independent Albums)](https://www.billboard.com/artist/Masta-Ace/chart-history/IND)". *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved August 16, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ac_BillboardRandBHipHop_Masta_Ace_13-0)** "[Masta Ace Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)](https://www.billboard.com/artist/Masta-Ace/chart-history/BLP)". *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved August 16, 2016.

## External links

- *[Masta Ace – A Long Hot Summer](https://www.discogs.com/master/76642)* at [Discogs](/source/Discogs) (list of releases)

v t e Masta Ace Albums Take a Look Around SlaughtaHouse Sittin' on Chrome Disposable Arts A Long Hot Summer The Show Arts and Entertainment MA Doom: Son of Yvonne The Falling Season A Breukelen Story Richmond Hill Other albums The Best of Cold Chillin: Masta Ace Hits U Missed Hits U Missed Vol. 2 Grand Masta: The Remix & Rarity Collection Singles "The Symphony" "Born to Roll" "Sittin' on Chrome" "Hellbound" Related articles Discography Juice Crew Masta Ace Incorporated Crooklyn Dodgers eMC M3 Records

Authority control databases MusicBrainz release group

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [A Long Hot Summer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Long_Hot_Summer) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Long_Hot_Summer?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.