4.14.2022
Video: Ace Hood – “At War”
Ace Hood Plays the Role of Preacher, Protector, and Revolutionary in Potent New Video from M.I.N.D. (Memories Inside Never Die) EP
The Video:
“There’s a war happening outside of us and within us. A waging war on our mental, emotional and physical being. A constant battle of balance & alignment, light and darkness but yet when we embrace our selves as we are we uncover our true power. Pray for Haiti is a metaphor. It’s a reminder when we are in some of our deepest/darkest moments it takes courage and self-awareness to pull yourself out of any feeling of discomfort or feeling of unworthiness.” – Ace Hood
Since reclaiming his independence and setting out on a new path, Ace Hood’s story is best described as one of spiritual, mental, artistic, and physical growth. Today, Ace returns to transform hearts and minds in revolutionary fashion, sharing the poignant new video for “At War,” the standout track of self-discovery amidst social injustice from his recent M.I.N.D. (Memories Inside Never Die) EP, available everywhere via Hood Nation / EMPIRE.
The Alex Heider-directed “At War” video depicts a version of Ace in stark contrast to the Broward County turn-up trailblazer of old, as he steps into the role of a revolutionary who shepherds his people onto the righteous path. Enhanced by the expressive movement of dancer Vernisa Allen, the video for “At War” sees a black-clad Ace Hood in a church painted with the stained-glass sunlight of the outside world as he stands before a masked militia of armed men and women. The video, like the track itself, invites listeners to stand with Ace at the intersection of personal and generational trauma, compounded by the ongoing oppression of Black people–in America and in Ace’s ancestral Haiti– throughout history. Facing these seemingly insurmountable obstacles, Ace’s unyielding introspection, ceaseless faith, and remarkable commitment to righteousness comprise the arsenal of weapons that ultimately triumph over his adversity, allowing him to lead the way for others, rapping, “If I’m not aligning with my purpose, I’m not truly happy/I get this s*** here from a source and you can’t mirror match it/Ain’t nothing realer than me healing up this mental damage.”
Featuring recent singles like the boldly aspirational, “Glory,” and the glowingly self-assured, “Little Light,” M.I.N.D. marked a fresh, new start for Ace. Enlisting fellow independent veteran and outspoken activist Killer Mike for the project’s sole feature, the project is animated by a clear social message that dissects the mentality required to triumph over personal and generational trauma. Whether he’s celebrating the spoils of his hard-earned self-sovereignty as an artist on tracks like “Living Legend,” or grappling with long-standing structures which serve to deny him that autonomy as a black man on songs like “Free,” M.I.N.D. serves as Ace’s testament to the universal truths found only by looking inward.
“Knowledge is power,” asserts Ace Hood. “The key is to work together to further each other. I speak on a human level because at some point I, or a loved one, have been affected by the issues I speak about in my rhymes. I believe people need a fearless representation of what these issues look like.”
Stay tuned for much more music and mindfulness from Ace Hood in 2022.
Watch “At War”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cLpWCv_CZ4
Buy/Stream M.I.N.D. (Memories Inside Never Die): https://music.empi.re/mind
M.I.N.D. (Memories Inside Never Die) tracklist:
- Memories Inside Never Die
- At War
- Glory
- Demonstration
- Love Liberates
- Free
- Little Light
- Greatness ft. Killer Mike
- Exit 41
- Wisdom
Please contact Michelle or Myles for more info.
The Background:
Amid a career highlighted by gold and platinum plaques, Top 10 albums, and A-list collaborations, Ace Hood solidified his legend as the first rapper from Broward County, FL, to reach national prominence, paving the way for artists like Kodak Black, YNW Melly (about whom Ace Hood narrated a podcast with Complex and Spotify), and more. This new path was not easily forged for Ace, who made immense personal sacrifices to invest in himself while reinventing his artistry. Ace’s journey to inhabit his new self began with his physical and mental health–he devoted himself to training (he started a supplement brand called Ace Blend to help people realize their gains), meditation, family time, and self-love. Though there were some bumps on his road to self-reliance, Ace always knew he was on the right track. “I am in a space where I’m creating the best music of my life,” says Ace. The success of his 2020 album, Mr. Hood, and its hit single, “We Ball” (75 million streams), have proven that statement, and this year, he’s on a mission to sustain, even grow, his independent empire.
Links:
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“At War”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cLpWCv_CZ4
M.I.N.D. (Memories Inside Never Die): https://music.empi.re/mind
“Free”: https://youtu.be/Y_f39gA0paY
M.I.N.D. (Memories Inside Never Die) Trailer: https://youtu.be/3toqr2tXn2E
“Glory”: https://music.empi.re/glory