Ace pro — Artist. producer. visionary.

Ace Pro’s humility is apparent from the moment he speaks. “Very young, I wasn’t given a lot of things, a lot of opportunity or privilege, so I made the most of it when I got it,” he explains. That early awareness of life’s fragility shaped a mindset that keeps him level-headed and resilient, both in life and in music. “I never really got too high, too low on anything,” he reflects. “I just try to… stay easy, stay humble.”

Hip hop has been the lens through which Ace has viewed the world since he was six years old. “I decided I wanted to rap at six. There was no plan B,” he says, recalling his earliest moments of writing music. From experimenting with Fruity Loops in fifth grade to recording tracks at home, he honed his craft with the determination of someone who knew his voice had to be heard. Music became both his sanctuary and his form of expression — a way to process the world around him.

Maintaining his authenticity hasn’t been without its challenges. The industry, Ace notes, has always been difficult to navigate. Access to resources, mentorship, and information wasn’t readily available when he was growing up. Over time, he learned that obstacles are often just opportunities to pivot. “Depending on your creativity or your outlook on things, those are just suggestive obstacles,” he says.

Ace’s creative process is rooted in inspiration rather than pressure. “If I can’t create out of pure inspiration, more times than not, I’m not going to like it,” he admits. He takes mental breaks through basketball or immersing himself in shows, giving space for ideas to develop organically. And when those moments of inspiration strike, everything falls into place — lyrics, beats, and emotion aligning naturally.

While trends in music come and go, Ace Pro is steadfast in his approach. He rejects the need for constant output dictated by social media or industry pressure. “Nothing’s going to beat me being inspired,” he says. “Pressure myself as much as I want, but if I’m inspired, I don’t feel rushed.” His integrity and dedication ensure that every project he releases is a true reflection of himself, whether it reaches 30 listeners or 30,000.

I’ve known Ace for quite some time, and his unorthodox approach to his music has always inspired me as a creative myself. His humility creates the authentic space for him to thrive.

Would you consider yourself a hip hop artist?

Yeah, definitely. Hip hop was the catalyst for me. It opened up my world — not just music, but fashion, style, communication, even lingo. Hip hop taught me a lot about comfort in my lane and expressing myself authentically.

When did you know you wanted to pursue music seriously?

Honestly, I decided I wanted to rap at six years old. There was no plan B. I wasn’t interested in being a fireman or a lawyer — I just wanted to rap. I wrote my first rap at six, and by fifth grade, I was learning production with Fruity Loops. Music has always been serious to me, even though basketball was the one thing that made me think, “I could do something else too.”

Do you remember your first rap?

Yeah, the first line was, “I’m blasting off like rockets.” I even woke my brother up that morning to ask how to spell “rockets.” My brother’s friend was also there because he stayed over the night before,  and I recall him saying, “When you get to fifth grade, you won’t have to ask anybody how to spell words.” Funny enough, I won my 4th grade classroom spelling bee. I still remember that.

Who were your biggest musical influences growing up?

Lil Wayne really got me into music first. Also, Jay-Z, Tupac, Too Short, and even some neo-soul influences. But it wasn’t just music — it was the visuals, the style, and the way these artists thought creatively that inspired me.

How do you feel about the evolution of artists like Lil Wayne?

Wayne is still one of the greatest rappers alive. The perception changes because people’s perspectives change over time. Fans often want the artist they loved as a kid to stay the same, but people grow — and we have to accept that. Authenticity is key, even if it doesn’t always match fans’ nostalgia.