Ace da Vinci

Let me take the time out to introduce you to Ace da Vinci. This here is the first artist to be featured on The Unsigned Buzz! He's quite worthy of the title as the first of many greats to come. This young man isn't your typical emcee. Mixing old school sound with a new school unorthodox flow, he's a force to come across. Birthed in Memphis, developed in Chicago, he holds his midwest roots firm. Drawing inspiration from artist such as Lupe Fiasco, Eminem, Common, Median and so forth - he's created his own original sound that you couldn't mistake for anyone else. Many would call Ace da Vinci far ahead of his time, but he feels as if he's just where he needs to be. Self proclaimed as "the coolest", arguably he's presented himself as such. With a calm and composed delivery, he seeks to seduce your mind before he pleases your ear. As versatile as he is, you can still tie his music back to things that goes on in his life and around him in the lives of those he loves. One the date of April 1st he dropped Sweet Dreams, the prelude to his double disc album Rude Awakening. Today is the official launch date of Rude Awakening. Before you dive into the project, take the time out to read this fresh interview with Ace da Vinci, conducted by yours truly.



The Unsigned Buzz: So, Ace - what's up?

Ace da Vinci: Everything, my dude. Just released the album today, so I'm feeling great right now.

TUB: Ah, word. Yea, I got my advanced copy and everything! Word, exclusive, right? I'll have a review up on the site for it. On a more "get to know you" note; I understand that your full name is Ace da Vinci. How did that come about? Any particular meaning behind it?

AdV: Actually, yes. I've begun my career on my own. Given, I was part of a group beforehand, but I branched off because I always felt my mind was in a different place. Hence, the name Ace, the solitaire, came along. I treat my music like art, so da Vinci came shortly thereafter.

TUB: That's deep. As an unsigned solo artist, what challenges do you find come across more often than others?

AdV: I had to learn really quick that no one is there to pick up the slack when you're a solo artist. With a group you can throw ideas around, fall back a little bit & let your people pick up where you left off. I write my own music, produce, & even record myself. Given, I have labelmates like Slitta Boy, who I grew up, blessing me with features & beats, but each idea, song, & topic of discussion is my own.

TUB: Is there any advice that you can give to artist like yourself for overcoming those obsticles?

AdV: Stay true to yourself, & pace yourself. Just as Rome wasn't built in a day, a classic album or mixtape wasn't birthed overnight. At the same time, make sure you balance staying true to yourself with staying appealing to your audience. At the end of the day, if you do what you love how you love it, the music will all be worth it.

TUB: Word, that makes perfect sense, really. It seems like new artist are trying to fit the mold instead of making the mold. Being an artist that makes his own mold, where do you draw your inspiration from?

AdV: I draw my inspiration from my past experiences, along with experiences my loved ones went through. I'm a very observant person, so I take what I see & turn it into how I feel. It's a weird mixture. Aside from that, its comical, cause I don't listen to alot of today's rap. I get more inspiration from alt-rock bands, reggae, etc. Music is universal. Other than that, just books. Ha.

TUB: Ah, word. I've noticed that you draw a lot of old school melodies and samples. How do you know when to draw the line between the importing the old school and keeping it fresh?

AdV: Well, I like the idea of flipping an old track & turning it into something new & fresh. It's like closing a gap between generations. At the same time, I also like the idea of making something epic from the ground up. So I play both roles accordingly. Thats the reason why the album, Rude Awakening: Prospect for the Blind, is divided into two discs. One is the sample side, the other is the original composition.

TUB: Ah, well unfortunately I haven't made it to the second disc yet. HA! I'm getting there, though. I'm loving this though. Moving on. I hear you yell out SmartMouf on a few songs. What is that and were does it come from?

AdV: Ah! SmartMouf Entertainment is the prospective label. Right now it's just me(Go figure, eh?), but with the right moves I'll pick a few new acts. I'm looking for singers, especially.

TUB: Singers! You hear that? Get with this man, quick! You're only 19 years old. At times do you feel like you're ahead of your time?

AdV: Of course- don't we all? Especially since some of the verses & beat ideas on this album was done & over with back when I was 16. "Just Listen", & "Keep Ya head Up" was done when I was 16 & 17 respectively.

TUB: Wow, that's wild. Have you ever felt like being ahead of your time is a curse? The younger you start, the younger you end?

AdV: Not really. I feel like since I started young, I got alot of songs "out of my system" that would've made fans look at me sideways had I been famous at that time. I used to call myself a "gangster rapper", shooting this, selling that. You know, typical rap. After awhile, I dug into myself & found the type of music I am most comfortable with making, & that which reflects me the most. So, I'm happy with where I'm at now. I'm content.

TUB: Word up. Shouts out to all of the young "gangster rappers" out there. Can't wait until you find yourselves and stop being so typical. You've stated that you produce and write your own music. Which part do you enjoy the most? The production side or the lyrical side?

AdV: The lyrical side. Ha. Mainly because I'm more comfortable with that side, it's how I started off. However, once I get better equipment, I think I'm going to fall in love with tweaking my voice & such on the production side. Right now I'm working out of a Compaq laptop & an old 26-bit Roland multi-track mixer. Great futures spawn from humble beginnings.

TUB: Wow, so you're pretty much thuggin' it out right now? Big ups to everyone out there that's still making it without the proper resources. So, tell me where the idea from Rude Awakening comes from. You know, starting back with the whole Sweet Dreams concept.

AdV: Sweet Dreams was the prelude. The story of a young man who does what everyone does at some point of their life- dream. He dreams of being the best that ever did it in "Sweet Dreamin", & his aspirations quickly turn into something fear-worthy by the time "Bittersweet Dreamin" comes on. It gets to the point that he wants to be better than Jesus; he wants to be your messiah. When it all comes down to it, though...he's still dreaming. & eventually, any & everyone wakes up out of their dreams. Whether its with a smile on your face or in a cold sweat. In this case, my music is the proverbial cold sweat.

TUB: From a blasphemous dream to reality, you've taken your listens on a hell of a twist. I'm impressed. Are there any rituals that you take when putting together a project?

AdV: I used to do the Black&Mild thing, but I'm starting to grow out of it. I enjoy having a voicebox. Ha. So, lately...I've been diving in the studio in the am. It's something about writing music with the sun rising that inspires me. Like one of my favorite emcees Median said, "Sometimes the son rise, way before the sunrise".

TUB: Haaa! Man, you and me both. I need to put these Blacks down. Eh, honestly I want to spark a wine one right now. Yah'undadiggg?! Word, though. Speaking of your favorite emcees, care to name a few?

AdV: Wine is the best ones, son. Ha. But, um...Lupe Fiasco, Eminem, Common, Median, Jay-Z, Slug from Atmosphere, um...not alot more. I dig Travis from Gym Class Heroes. Other than that, they come & go.

TUB: Word... As a friend of yours, I do know that you're into a lot of other genres of music. Other an Hip-Hop, what else do you vibe to?

AdV: Well, like stated earlier, I listen to alot of alt-rock. My mom is a modern day flower-child, so I listen to alot of old school rock. On my own, I found The Used, MCR, AFI, Say Anything, Tool, A Perfect Circle, a few others.

TUB: Word up. Well, it's been real. I don't want to hold you up any longer than I have to. Anything else that you want to touch on?

AdV: Well, lets see. I want everyone to blaze up the myspace! Make a new friend. www.myspace.com/teamguttacrew . Download the album & we'll keep it moving from there. Also, be on the look out for The Science Project, feat. Ace da Vinci & ChiZe Capone, release date TBA! Rock Steady.

TUB: The best to ever drop and we ain't got a fuckin' date... WORD TO US.


As you can see, Ace is a well spoken young man. At the age of 19, he holds himself with the composure of wise old head. The maturity of Ace is portrayed in his music. Now, this is where you get to hear exactly what I've been talking about. I've finally made it through both discs of the album and it's held as classic in my ears. With only one song that I'm not a fan of(Bring the Noize) album still holds it's weight. The song Bring the Noize has a great message, but the delivery is off to me. Other than that song, the album is classiccc! But as they say, "to his own".

Listen for yourself.

DISC 1


DISC 2