Music legend Masta Ace: hip-hop, MS and getting creative

Photo: MS Society / Ben Noble

In February 2019, Masta Ace visited the UK to promote his new album Breukelen Story. The UK MS society met up with the legendary rapper to discuss his new album, diagnosis, and life with MS.

Masta Ace was diagnosed with MS in 2000. Initially the artist kept his diagnosis private but in 2013 he spoke about it publicly for the first time. Masta Ace:

‘[People] were inspired by my openness and willing to talk about what I was dealing with.’

Partnering with celebrities like Masta Ace has helped the UK MS society connect the public to MS.

Lee Dainty, the UK MS Society’s Celebrity and VIP Supporter Manager, says:

‘Our high profile supporters are from diverse backgrounds and professions, from actors to athletes to musicians, and their shared experience of MS helps the public understand that anyone can be affected.’

‘We receive many positive comments from our community about those in the public eye who help us raise awareness of MS in the media, and videos featuring our high profile supporters are some of the most viewed on our YouTube channel.’

‘Celebrities can also help spread a message of hope. Masta Ace says getting diagnosed with MS has positively changed his outlook in life. ‘Getting diagnosed with MS opened up my mind to things that I might have been closed to in the past.’

The rapper also says that getting diagnosed with MS made him more creative.

‘Without a doubt my best albums were written after the diagnosis’.

One of the most notable songs on Masta Ace’s new album is a track called ‘the fight song’. The song is set up like a rap battle where the opponent is MS. Masta Ace created this song about life with MS to make music that inspires people.

You can listen to the song here.

Lee Dainty from the UK MS Society says:

‘We’re incredibly grateful to Masta Ace and all those in the public eye who volunteer their time to support our work and share their stories. We have long-term relationships with a group of committed high profile supporters who have a close personal connection to MS. By sharing their experiences of MS in the media they help us connect with a much wider audience than we would otherwise be able to reach.’

You can watch the full interview here: