EOTC: What’s good with you Ace?
Ace Da Vinci: Everything, right now my dude. Currently e-mailing a few blogs that wanted to feature one of my songs & working on this beat. & yourself?
EOTC: Just steady working to get EOTC on the map.

EOTC: Let the people out there know a little bit about you, name, where you from, what you do, you know.
Ace Da Vinci: Well, I’m a part-time producer/full-time mc hailing from Chitown. I’m like you, trying to get SmartMouf Ent., my label, on the map. So I know how the hustle is.

EOTC: When did you first stumble upon your love for music?
Ace Da Vinci: I grew up in an eclectic household. My dad listened to Cameo, Marvin Gaye, Peter Gabriel & the Red Hot Chili Peppers all in one night. & my mom would blast Nirvana, Tool, U2 & Lauryn Hill in my other ear lol. I had to find Hip-Hop myself.

EOTC: What influenced you to start rapping?
Ace Da Vinci: I had a crush on my 3rd grade teacher lol. & she majored in English so I wanted to impress her by writing HELLA poems. I guess the more she gassed my head up when I showed her “Ur so Pretty part 8” pretty much sealed the deal.

EOTC: When did you realize that this was definitely something you wanted to do?
Ace Da Vinci: Well, the first song I ever recorded was this joint called “Just Listen”. I was 15 when I wrote it & 16 when I recorded it, so I sound like I don’t know what the hell I’m doing, right? Well, I remember getting a Myspace message from this chick I barely knew tellin’ me how that song “cured her writer’s block” & inspired her again. I think the moment I saw my words had a positive impact on people is when I decided to pursue this music joint head on.

EOTC: Did you ever get any hassle for doing this, in pursuing this, rather than hunting for a normal 9-5?
Ace Da Vinci: Well, I get the “Oh, you rap too? Surprise surprise.” vibe from people who first meet me. They usually give in once they hear some of my material though lol. I strongly believe in the music speaking for itself.

EOTC: What does music mean to you?
Ace Da Vinci: Music is life, no cliche intended. You gotta think about how alive music is- it captures the artist’s thoughts & emotions forever. It can’t be unheard, unfelt. Every word is a testament. There are songs out there that will withstand the tides of time way beyond this interview, & thats beautiful to me. When I’m long gone, my voice can still be felt centuries from now.

EOTC: Everyone has their own views on the current state of hip-hop and the direction its going. What are your views on that?
Ace Da Vinci: Hip-Hop is becoming worldly. She’s bouncin from location to location, taking something from everywhere She lays Her head at. Each coast, region, & geographical location brings something new to the table, & if Hip-Hop is really the “culture” & “way of life” everyone says She is, then they need to accept the fact that everybody is bringing their OWN sense of style & culture into the genre. Thats what its all about.

EOTC: What is the creation process like for you? What is the most stressing part of this passion?
Ace Da Vinci: I guess its getting it off on the right foot. For example, producing can be a bitch if you don’t “feel” everything while making it. People don’t understand that every single sound you hear in a beat is there to appeal. The wrong “snare” could ruin an otherwise perfect beat. So trying to find the right sounds that mesh well is rather strenous, for me.

EOTC: On average how long does is take to drop a track/full project?
Ace Da Vinci: A track is a few days. A project can take over a month. I usually get the groundwork done within a week.

EOTC: Who are some current artists in the game that you would love to work with?
Ace Da Vinci: Eminem, Lupe, Kanye, anyone out the Rhymesayers camp, Madlib… I think a joint with alternative bands like The Used & AFI would be dope.

EOTC: What do you like to do in your free time other than making music?
Ace Da Vinci: I’m either working, smoking, writing, vibing, recording, performing or playing video games. I read here & there, too lol.

EOTC: Last but not least, do you have any shout outs?
Ace Da Vinci: Its all love & respect to EOTC for this interview, primarily. Boom/Pusha/Lady, AJ, Jay Adams, all my fans & supporters. Be sure to grab The TumblTape if you haven’t, already. People are already demanding a Part 2 so be on the lookout for that. Ace da Vinci is only gettin’ started, world. SmartMouf!

Well that was our interview with the homie Ace Da Vinci. Thanks for tuning in, and if you haven’t already, get his mix entitled “The TumbleTape”

Click HERE to download mixtape
You can find Ace Da Vinci on Tumblr HERE

Big Shout out to Ace Da Vinci for taking the time out to do this Interview. And thank you all for tuning in!

peace,

(Tre & Marz)