5.4.2022
Video: Ace Hood – “Greatness” ft. Killer Mike
The Broward County Groundbreaker Taps Rapper-Activist Killer Mike for a Celebration of Black History Makers in Latest Video from M.I.N.D. (Memories Inside Never Die) EP
The Video:
“‘Greatness’ is a reminder as a black man, father, artist, and human that, regardless of society’s dream, we all are born with a specific greatness unique to who we are. It’s up to oneself to do the work and connect with that higher frequency.” – Ace Hood
Driven by health, spirituality, self-sovereignty, and social consciousness, Ace Hood knows that true power comes from independence. Following the example of the historic Black trailblazers who preceded him, and looking to set an example of his own, Ace shares “Greatness,” the latest video from his recent M.I.N.D. (Memories Inside Never Die) EP, available everywhere via Hood Nation / EMPIRE.
Enlisting the help of Killer Mike, the track serves as a celebration of Black excellence which finds the two artists taking stock of the many hardships they faced along their journeys before laughing at the failures of those who aimed to derail their rises, as Killer Mike raps, “A greater man, I’m greater than any hater, man/I started off serving hand-to-hand in Decatur, man.”
Directed by Alex Heider, who recently connected with Ace for the powerful “At War” and “Free” videos, “Greatness” opens with the image of Ace sitting in a home office decorated with antique furnishings, before transitioning to the interspersed portraits of Black historical figures lining the home’s mahogany walls. Those immortalized in the portraits include Mae Jemison, the first Black woman to go to space; Arthur Ashe, the first Black athlete to win many of tennis’ most prized tournaments; Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman in Congress and first Black person to run for US presidency; and Young Dolph and Nipsey Hussle, both revolutionaries of independence in hip-hop. After paying homage to the leaders that paved the way for them to achieve their own “Greatness,” the last two portraits are revealed, capturing the heroic images of Ace Hood and Killer Mike.
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 “Greatness” ft. Killer Mike: https://youtu.be/jBFDXLU8BY4
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:
linktree | instagram | twitter | facebook | youtube | spotify | tiktok | soundcloud
“Greatness” ft. Killer Mike: https://youtu.be/jBFDXLU8BY4
“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