# Wanna Be (feat. Marlon Craft)

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqsT_ZiwjCs
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/sqsT_ZiwjCs
Generated: 2025-07-21T19:34:54.33+00:00

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## Quick Overview

Masta Ace and Marco Polo's "Wanna Be" critiques the superficial aspirations prevalent in the music industry, where artists chase fame, wealth, and trending personas rather than focusing on authentic artistry. The song highlights the pitfalls of emulating others and succumbing to industry pressures, ultimately advocating for self-identity and genuine expression over fleeting trends.

**Key Points:**
- Masta Ace critiques artists who prioritize superficial gains like wealth and luxury cars over genuine artistic integrity.
- The song highlights the desire to emulate popular figures and chase fleeting trends, such as social media fame and 'yes men' entourages.
- Marlon Craft's verse acknowledges the allure of fame and money but challenges critics, admitting to using fame to numb personal pain.
- The track criticizes the lack of originality and the prevalence of 'hit-chasing' in the music industry.
- Masta Ace reflects on how different generations fall for similar industry traps, emphasizing that the 'game is still dirty.'
- The artists ultimately assert their desire to remain authentic and true to themselves, despite external pressures to conform.
- The outro reveals the song's context as Masta Ace introducing producer Marco Polo's talent to industry contacts.

![Screenshot at 00:00: The black and white album cover for 'Masta Ace & Marco Polo - A Breukelen Story' featuring old buildings and cars on a street.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/sqsT_ZiwjCs/00-00-00.png)

**Context:** The song "Wanna Be" is a track from the 2018 album "A Breukelen Story" by veteran Brooklyn rapper Masta Ace and Canadian producer Marco Polo. The album is a conceptual narrative exploring themes of authenticity, aspiration, and the challenges of navigating the music industry and life in general. This particular song features rapper Marlon Craft and serves as a direct commentary on the superficial desires and trends prevalent in hip-hop culture, contrasting them with the artists' commitment to genuine self-expression.

## Detailed Analysis

Masta Ace and Marco Polo's track "Wanna Be" serves as a sharp critique of the contemporary music landscape, particularly within hip-hop, addressing the pervasive desire among artists to emulate successful personas rather than cultivating genuine identity. Masta Ace opens by satirizing the pursuit of a 'hardcore' image, quick wealth through illicit means, and superficial markers of success like luxury cars and hit songs, questioning the need for traditional employment when 'trap' music promises fortunes. He further mocks the desire to mimic popular artists like Lil Wayne ('Weezy') and Young Jeezy ('Jeezy'), and the superficiality of online interactions and 'yes men' in an artist's circle. Marlon Craft's verse acknowledges the allure of money and fame, but challenges critics who judge his pursuit of success, admitting to chasing fame for the 'numb' it provides from pain. He critiques hit-chasing and the lack of originality, asserting his desire to simply 'be me,' a path he notes is often not part of the industry's 'game.' The song's outro features Masta Ace reflecting on generational differences, observing that while stages of life and learning differ, many still fall for the same industry traps and superficial trends, emphasizing the importance of genuine connection and purpose over fleeting material gains. He concludes by introducing the song's producer, Marco Polo, highlighting his talent and the authenticity of his work.

### Critique of Superficial Aspirations

- Masta Ace satirizes the desire to be 'hardcore' and achieve quick wealth through illicit means, questioning the need for traditional jobs when 'trap' music promises fortunes
- He mocks the pursuit of luxury cars, instant hit songs, and emulating popular artists like Lil Wayne and Young Jeezy
- The song highlights the superficiality of online interactions, chasing Instagram models, and surrounding oneself with 'yes men' rather than genuine friends.

### The Artist's Struggle for Authenticity

- Marlon Craft acknowledges the allure of money and fame, but challenges critics who judge his path, admitting to chasing fame for the 'numb' it provides from pain
- He critiques the industry's focus on hit-chasing and the prevalence of unoriginal content, asserting his desire to simply 'be me' despite industry pressures.

### Generational Traps and Industry Realities

- Masta Ace reflects on how different generations navigate the music industry, noting that despite varying experiences, many still fall for similar traps and superficial trends
- He warns against the dangers of dealing with strangers and realizing too late that one has fallen for a 'hoax' or a deceptive industry facade
- The song emphasizes that the 'game is still dirty,' and many artists end up disappointed despite their efforts.

### The Importance of Genuine Connection

- Masta Ace highlights the value of finding purpose and genuine connection, contrasting it with the emptiness of chasing external validation and material gains
- He suggests that true fulfillment comes from within and from authentic relationships, rather than from superficial success.

### Album Context and Introduction

- The outro reveals the song's meta-context, with Masta Ace leaving a message for 'Strict' and 'Words' about a young producer from Toronto, Marco Polo
- Masta Ace praises Marco Polo's talent and specifically recommends this particular track, setting the stage for the album 'A Breukelen Story'.

![Screenshot at 00:10: Album cover with Masta Ace & Marco Polo 'A Breukelen Story' title, as Masta Ace begins his critique of wanting to be 'hardcore'.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/sqsT_ZiwjCs/00-00-10.png)
![Screenshot at 00:30: Album cover, as Masta Ace questions the desire to be 'Weezy' and make it look 'so easy'.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/sqsT_ZiwjCs/00-00-30.png)
![Screenshot at 01:00: Album cover, as Masta Ace discusses meeting 'best friends' last month and the superficiality of relationships.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/sqsT_ZiwjCs/00-01-00.png)
![Screenshot at 01:30: Album cover, as Marlon Craft begins his verse, acknowledging the desire for money and challenging critics.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/sqsT_ZiwjCs/00-01-30.png)
![Screenshot at 02:00: Album cover, as Marlon Craft discusses hit-chasing and the need for fame to numb pain.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/sqsT_ZiwjCs/00-02-00.png)
![Screenshot at 02:30: Album cover, as the chorus repeats the phrase 'They wanna be'.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/sqsT_ZiwjCs/00-02-30.png)
![Screenshot at 03:00: Album cover, as Masta Ace reflects on different generations reading from different pages in the 'same book'.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/sqsT_ZiwjCs/00-03-00.png)
![Screenshot at 03:30: Album cover, as Masta Ace describes getting 'heated' over repeated mistakes and falling for the 'biz'.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/sqsT_ZiwjCs/00-03-30.png)
![Screenshot at 04:00: Album cover, as Masta Ace leaves a voice message introducing Marco Polo and his music.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/sqsT_ZiwjCs/00-04-00.png)