On this day in 1995, Brooklyn emcee and original Juice Crew member Masta Ace and his crew, Masta Ace Incorporated, released their second and most commercially successful album, Sittin’ On Chrome. Now celebrating its 30th anniversary, the album stands as a defining moment in ’90s Hip Hop — an ambitious blend of East Coast lyricism and West Coast-inspired sonics that dared to bridge regional sounds at a time when coastal lines were firmly drawn.
Following up the underground success of SlaughtaHouse in 1993, Sittin’ On Chrome saw Ace evolve sonically and strategically. Known for his conceptual storytelling and steady lyrical precision since his days on the Juice Crew and Marley Marl’s In Control Vol. 1, Masta Ace used this album to embrace a more accessible, ride-out aesthetic without sacrificing substance. Tracks like “The I.N.C. Ride,” “Born to Roll,” and the title cut “Sittin’ On Chrome” became radio and club staples — a rare feat for an independent-minded lyricist during the golden era.
Integral to the project’s identity were the key contributions of Ace’s crew: Lord Digga and Paula Perry. Digga, who handled a bulk of the production under the Bluez Brothers moniker (alongside Witch Doctor), helped sculpt the album’s signature bass-heavy, funk-laced sound that felt tailor-made for car systems. His energetic verses and vocal interjections gave the album a raw group dynamic.
Paula Perry, one of the few prominent female voices in the crew, brought sharp wordplay and a commanding presence that balanced out the testosterone-driven tracks. Her standout appearances, particularly on songs like “Eastbound,” gave the group added depth and credibility.
Though Sittin’ On Chrome flirted with mainstream success — especially with the crossover hit “Born to Roll,” a reimagined version of “Jeep Ass Niguh” — it remained rooted in the soul of New York streets, a testament to Ace’s ability to adapt without compromise. The album was both a creative and cultural statement, showing that Hip Hop could cross coasts and still keep its core intact.
Thirty years later, Sittin’ On Chrome is remembered not just for its sound, but for its vision. It stands as a blueprint for how to evolve artistically without losing your roots. For Masta Ace, Lord Digga, and Paula Perry, this was more than just an album — it was a ride through Hip Hop’s shifting landscape, top down, system booming.