I was pleasantly surprised to see a message in my inbox from Ace Grand inviting me to check out his latest track “North Linden” - off his upcoming “Thirteen Sixteen EP” available 2.2.17 – and I was even more surprised by the quality of the track. Everyone knows your inbox can be spammed with piss poor soundcloud links, but this was far from that, and I now cannot wait for February. Ace Grand spews meaningful bars as he tells what sounds like a personal story, which is beautifully conducted. And the damn hook ties it all together and really completes the track.

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This encouraged me to delve deeper, listening to HELL, PART TWO, PART THREE and PART FOUR, where Ace’s growth in confidence and ability is evident in every verse. I really like this style of release, linking each track like a path, the destination being “Thirteen Sixteen EP”. And the journey is just as important as the destination, so I highly recommend checking out these tracks as well as listening to North Linden and the upcoming EP.

Here is my interview with Ace Grand:

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What is the theme that will run throughout “Thirteen Sixteen”?

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The whole theme of the project is growth. Spiritual growth, my growth as a artist and maturing into a man. I feel like the timing of everything is perfect. Im 22 years old now. Ill be 23 the day of the release. The EP is full of my thoughts and views along with stories that shaped me to be the man I am today. All these things took place from the time I was 17 to last year. I grew alot.

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Where is your favourite place in Columbus?

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My favorite place in Columbus is The Ohio State University campus area. Its really a good place for me to walk around and see different things. Its a great get away. I go down there for alot of reasons. Im either going to bars, playing basketball at the cages, or just walking around when im there. They got alot of dope food spots too.

 

Do you feel it’s harder to be successful/accepted as a white rapper?

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Im glad you asked me this. Im actually biracial. My mom is white and my dad is black. People see the light brown hair, blue and green eyes and think im 100 percent white. I dont really think me being white makes it difficult to be succesful though. Hip-Hop has changed alot. Theres so many new white rappers that are succesful and personally I think they are great lyricists. Shoutout to Eminem for making a change. He's one of the greats.

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What do you mean in your bio “one of the few thats left”?

 

It means a lot of things. These days you dont really see a lot of genuine people you know? Im one of those people. Also not a lot of artists respect the Hip-Hop culture and they do it for the money and have no love for it forreal. You hear so much medicore shit these days and you can tell not a lot of artists really sit down and think about the content they put in their music. I do.

 

When did you first starting writing/rapping?

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I recorded my first rap when I was no older than 8 years old. I remember being in my uncles room with my cousin. we recorded on a tape and let my uncle hear it. I remember him saying it was trash. I started really writing and taking it serious when I was 16 and havent stopped since. Its always been therapy for me. I had NFL dreams and wasnt really the best athlete on the field so I decided I would do something else. I needed to write. I was going through a lot at that age. My Aunt, Cousin, and two friends passed away and I had a lot of anger built up in me. I didnt like school cause I didnt fit in with none of the kids there. I kinda feel like I wasnt accepted by most students cause I didnt come from the same place as them. I just wrote raps to get away from all the downs.

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Any fears about 2017?

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2017 is going to be a huge year for me. I cant really say I have any fears but I do often think about the pressure that could come with what im about to do. Sometimes I wonder if ill be able to handle it.

 

When did you think of the idea to link your tracks in parts?

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After I made "Hell". That song was just me reminising on old times. Then I figured I would make individual tracks about my battles. Part Two was all about my social anxiety and being uncomfortable where I was in life. Part Three was all about me spending time alone to ground myself and get closer to God. I was really fighting demons bro. I had hatred for a lot of people resting in my heart. Part Four is my life now. Im comfortable, I make good money, I care less about the scars people gave me. Im just all around in a whole different place. A lot can change in a year.

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Relationship status?

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Im single. Ladies, link up!

 

Do you make your own album artwork?

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I made the artwork for Hell, Part Three, North Linden, and Thirteen Sixteen. The art for Part Three was put together by my homie Caleb. His art stands out and I admire that. My mom painted the art for Part Four. I see that painting and I think "happy". It just fit the song perfect.

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What is a typical Ace Grand outfit?

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I dont dress flashy at all. I like to rock joggers and vans. I still rock white tee's.

 

Favourite alcohol?

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I like to drink beer if anything. I used to drink hard liquor but I always regret it when I do. It creeps up on you. Im not cool with that.

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Favourite artists of 2016?

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Man, 2016 was a crazy year for Hip-Hop. I like what Kendrick, Cole, Ab-Soul, Chance, and Gambino did in 2016.

 

What track are you most proud of?

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Im most proud of the EP. From the production to the song structure and content. It blows my mind how good it is compared to previous releases but, North Linden has gotten great feedback so if were talking just one song that would be it.

 

Are you religious?

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I cant say im the most religious person. I was raised on Christian beliefs and I still believe everything I learned back when I was a kid. Im more spiritual honestly. I feel like religion just divides us. Were all a manifestation from the source. The higher power. That higher power just wants us to love each other. I see way too many people expressing hate towards other people just because their religion.

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How long do you plan to live in Columbus?

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I plan on building a house here for when I come to visit family and stuff. I wanna build like 3 houses in different states. Ive travelled a lot and theres way too much to see out there so why stay here forever you know?

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Tell me about the cover art for “Thirteen Sixteen”, your childhood home?

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Yes. 1316 Genessee Ave. My grandma got that house in '99. She just moved out cause the neighborhood was getting worse and worse. Its always been bad but, it gets worse as the years pass. I love it though. I learned a lot out there that helps me survive on a daily basis. I wanted the house to be the cover cause the project is about growth. So why not put the house I grew up in on the cover you know?

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Introvert and Extrovert?

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Im definitely a introverted person. I accept it though. It makes other people uncomfortable sometimes but I love it. Thats how my music comes. I can be in a party full of people and be the only one in the corner just observing everything and writing about what I see.

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Any goals/plans/dreams you want to/wish you could achieve?

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I just wanna be one of the greatest to ever do this.

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its clear to see ace grand knows exactly how he wants 2017 to go down. its just down to us to take this journey with him. Check out his first track of the upcoming ep "thirteen sixteen" dropping 2.2.17. and the rest of ace's releases using the links provided. THANK YOU FOR READING.

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ace grand - mid DECEMBER 2016

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