Ace Hood talks Finances with Forbes

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

In 2007, the economy began to fail and most Americans found themselves in a tight spot. However, Ace Hood was signed to Def Jam in 2007, so his economy received a major boost. Fresh out of high school, Ace Hood began living the millionaire lifestyle.

Ace Hood leased a 2007 Cadillac Escalade and put 26-inch rims on it, he also began renting a high-rise condo at $3,000 a month. In 2008, Ace released Gutta, his debut album. From there, the shopping sprees and trips began.

While he was spending money, left and right, Ace Hood's records were not doing so well. After the release of Ruthless, Ace Hood went on a hiatus because his records were not selling. With his back against the wall, things were looking grim, and Ace Hood asked DJ Khaled for a loan.

Nearly losing everything, DJ Khaled told Ace Hood to go back to what made him successful in the first place, hit records. Ace Hood recorded "Hustle Hard" and Rick Ross and Lil Wayne jumped on the remix, which propelled his comeback album, Blood, Sweat, & Tears. Ace Hood is now one of the more popular rappers in the game, with more new music on the way.

Older and wiser, Ace Hood says he spends his money more-wisely. The excessive spending early in his career is a thing of the past.

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Does Ace Hood have Longevity?

By Hardcore Critic
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

This summer, Ace Hood turned heads with a triumphant comeback. His hit single, "Hustle Hard," helped place him back on radio stations and on music video channels. While Ace Hood is relevant again, will he remain relevant a year from now?

Three years ago, Ace Hood introduced himself to the world. Ace Hood was the first artist signed to DJ Khaled's We The Best Music Group. The young rapper was immediately signed and placed in the studio. Ace Hood released his debut album, Gutta, in 2008.

Following his single, "Cash Flow," Ace Hood was virtually forgotten by most casual fans. Ace Hood's next album, Ruthless, released less than a year later, had almost no buzz. After two low-selling albums, Ace Hood contemplated quitting rap to focus on things more realistic.

Early this year, Ace Hood made the comeback, but can he keep the wave going? All the other rappers from the We The Best movement have proven their longevity. Plies had a successful string of releases from 2007 until 2010. Rick Ross debuted in 2006 and has experienced tremendous success in the time since then, with his fifth album currently in the works. Lil Wayne's career took off as he was working with DJ Khaled. As a protege of DJ Khaled, can Ace Hood rise to the same proportions.

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Album Review: Ace Hood - "Blood, Sweat, & Tears"

By Hardcore Critic
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

The third album from Ace Hood is hands-down the most emotionally-driven album of his career. During the time between Gutta and his latest album, Ace Hood nearly lost everything. It was then when he questioned even staying in the rap game.

Following a conversation with DJ Khaled, late in 2010, Ace Hood decided it was time to re-enter the game. Early in 2011, Ace Hood proclaimed he was the Derek Jeter of hip hop. Many scoffed at those claims, but no one is mocking Mr. Hood now.

Ace Hood officially returned in February of this year with "Hustle Hard." The song quickly became a minor hit, but the "Hustle Hard (remix)" with Rick Ross and Lil Wayne went on to become one of the biggest anthems of the year. Fans were eagerly waiting for Blood, Sweat, & Tears. The album is full of twelve, very entertaining tracks.

The downfall of Blood, Sweat, & Tears is the "Go N Get It" single. The song is definitely a good song, but it is a cheap imitation of "Hustle Hard." Given the music Ace Hood has delivered in the past, he is much better than that. Still, the album is very entertaining, as Ace Hood did not forget his softer side with such songs on the album, such as "Body 2 Body," "Letter to My Ex's," "Beautiful," and "Spoke to My Momma."

While it is not the best album of the year, Ace Hood's Blood, Sweat, & Tears is far from the worst album of the year. More than anything, the album shows Ace Hood's growth, as a man, as opposed to his growth as a lyricist. Given the profile of his singles, this album is expected to fare better, commercially, than his previous albums.

Hip Hop Vibe's Rating: 6/10

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Ace Hood pulls off comeback with "Hustle Hard"

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

DJ Khaled finally made it big for Miami in 2007. He posted a major hit with "We Takin' Over" and did not look back. The DJ quickly landed a deal with Def Jam to take over the Southern extension of the label. Along with the CEO deal, Khaled also launched his We The Best Music Group.

While DJ Khaled was making it big in 2007, Ace Hood was just trying to get noticed. During the fall of 2007, Ace got his big break and DJ Khaled took him under his wing. When he landed his vanity label, Khaled made Ace Hood the face of both his record label and the revived Def Jam South.

During the summer of 2008, Ace Hood exploded onto the scene with his "Cash Flow" single and his Gutta album. However, things slowly declined for Ace Hood from then on. His popularity waned and his follow-up album, Ruthless, did horrible numbers. Ace Hood acknowledged this and he openly discussed it.

Early last month, Ace Hood said he was going to get his career back on track. Within weeks, he released his current hit single, "Hustle Hard." The song has become an anthem for all of those who are trying to make it to the next level. Ace Hood received a major boost when heavyweights Rick Ross and Lil Wayne jumped on the remix to his hit single. Now, with his third album, Blood, Sweat, & Tears, will be released on the heels of his biggest hit so far and is said to be full of even more anthems.

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Ace Hood proclaims his Superstar Status

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

In late 2007, DJ Khaled launched We The Best Music and entered a partnership with Def Jam. The result of this partnership was the return of Def Jam South. DJ Khaled had the job of rebuilding the record label by finding Southern rappers. The first artist signed was Ace Hood, at the time only nineteen years old.

During the spring of 2008, DJ Khaled released the first single from the young rapper. His single, "Cash Flow," which T-Pain and Rick Ross became a hit early in the summer. The video was also very popular, due to star-studded guest appearances. When his album followed, released in the fall, it seemed as if Ace Hood was on the fast track.

Following the release of Gutta, Ace Hood was practically forgotten, despite releasing Ruthless less than a year later. Many have forgotten about Ace Hood. Recently, the Ft. Lauderdale rapper made noise when he compared himself to Derek Jeter. He was clowned by most hip hop sites because he was only a minor star at the peak of his career.

Recently, Ace Hood explained that he meant he could possibly build his career into something bigger. DJ Khaled also defended his comments, saying Ace Hood is only 21 now, so his future is very bright. Right now, the rapper is the only artist signed to Def Jam South. Once his contract expires, he will join Khaled at the packed Cash Money Records. Starting on his third album, Blood, Sweat, and Tears, Ace Hood will begin working close with the family, so DJ Khaled and Ace Hood warned to expect big things.

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