We recently connected with The Black Ace and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Ace thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
It’s a toss-up. Arguably, I would say the project I’m doing right now, what I consider to be my first true album. So much time and thought has been going into it and as each piece falls together, it pushes me to keep going and to not sacrifice any of my artistic integrity. I even had to push back the date, something I was determined not to do for months but even something like that has helped my mindset grow.
However, the other argument would be not for a full project but for the song “Stretch Marks (feat. boy electric)”. I was an amateur at mixing and recording music on my own and I took the time to edit the song over and over and over again; to step away and let it breathe, to come back to it and play through multiple types of audio devices. The song itself describes the struggles of having emotional “stretch marks” as well as physical ones, something I don’t think is spoken about from the male perspective enough. Through my own experience, I was able to reach into a very honest part of me and put that to pen and pad. From there, I created my first animated music video with Hannah King Bosnian and rolled out the song. The positive response I got (and sometimes still get) from the song could never be replaced because I truly was able to connect with many people in a way that I want to for my whole career.
Ace, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I like to refer to myself as a soul rapper, two words/concepts that I feel are major parts of what make up The Black Ace. I’m here to create an impact, a connection, to inspire and help the masses. In the hopes of doing so, I want people to follow my journey, to join me on it, whether they are walking with me each day or doing so in a figurative manner as they listen to my lyrics.
I’m very proud of my ability to reflect and observe. This may sound somewhat simple but these things allow me to truly make each body of work it’s own. I don’t try to be different, I just try to be me and there are so many facets to what makes a person who they are. Being able to sit with yourself and dissect not only what you believe but what you think that you believe goes a long way, especially when we live in an age of where the information we consume is in abundance.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
In oversimplified terms, I want to be the person that the young me needed in order to get through each day. The world is full of people who can have their whole perspective changed from just a few words. In music, even the non-verbal components can convey a message or feeling. You can feel hope, you can feel sadness, you can feel inspired. While I have a few other key goals, this is the thing that pushed me forward to begin my journey as The Black Ace.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
Don’t listen to react, listen to understand.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/TheBlackAce
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblackace24/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBlackAce24/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/theblackace24
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbVMiRraFehfyMCkAXakW7w
- Other: TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@theblackace24
Image Credits
Nicole S.; Johnny T.; TeAiris Majors