Richie "Ace High" Acevedo

Born Richie Acevedo in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on November 11, 1986, Ace High lived all over Milwaukee but later moved to the Eastside, during his adolescent years, where his grandparents owned a house. He has two sisters and one brother, he is the oldest of four children. His Mother was always present in his life and his Father wasn’t around that much. His Mother is very creative and eclectic. She is a phenomenal writer, plays the guitar, knits, and makes clothes. His Father was a Singer, something Ace found out about when he got older. Ace believes that he exhibits traits from both of his parents, but he also believes that he may have inherited some of his Mom’s creative genes. Ace lived off and on with his grandparents until he decided to join the Army.

Ace grew up listening to Rock, Rap, and R&B of the 80’s, but he fell in love with Hip-Hop in the 90’s. His stepfather had a million rap CD’s laid on the floor and in a CD tower in alphabetical order. His stepfather would always play some dope music while watching sports. Ace was seven years old when Hip-Hop Legend Nas dropped his classic album “Illmatic.” Ace says that “My early years were filled with music from the Golden Age of Hip-Hop.” Which he believes had an impact on his generation like how the Golden Age of Motown impacted the generations of the 60’s and 70’s. “I think I grew up in the best time for our culture. The foundation was laid. My influences were Nas, Hov, Biggie, Tupac, and Outkast.”

Ace says that he admires Jay-Z because “For him to do what’s he’s done as a man of color not only in the entertainment industry, but on the corporate side is amazing. Men like 50 Cent, Russ (Russell Simmons), and Puff (Sean Combs) have knocked down barriers and opened doors for people like me to step in and carry the torch. I want to be the next Bob Johnson, but not corny though. Actually, I don’t think you can be a corny Billionaire. I want to be the next Richie Acevedo. I want to combine the greatness of all the people I admire and be one. Then I want to deliver something beautiful to the world. I also want to take back control of the media.” With hard work and determination, Ace is working towards succeeding 50, Jay, Russ, Puff, the real innovators within the Hip-Hop culture. On the flip side, there were other genres that he listened to such old soulful music. Growing up in his grandparents’ home, particularly his grandfather, who was a leader in civil rights movement, helped him stay abreast on how music interacted with people.” Ace recalled in the summer of 97’ Biggie’s album, Life After Death, was released a few months prior. He had heard the pool attendant in his summer camp playing Biggie’s, “Notorious Thugs.” He had never heard anything like it before! He was amazed by Biggie’s rap skills and his ability to put so many words together in such a short amount of time. Tupac dropped the “All Eyes On Me” album a year before which also inspired Ace. Listening to music from different regions played an influential part in his music. Ace has developed the gift of cohesively putting words together and making them sonically appealing to his audience.

Ace High served in the military for 4 and a half years. The Military taught him discipline and he says “When I got out, if I could do that for the Man, I could do that for myself. I met a lot of brothers and sisters in Germany, also while on my journey as a college athlete. I lived in Chicago, Memphis, Texas, Baltimore, DC, Orlando, Miami, and Detroit. The individuals that I ran into took me under their wing and stuffed my pockets full of jewels that I use today. The biggest inspiration I’ve had was the opportunity when leaving a Jay-Z concert in Seattle. I don’t know how this works. I guess it was the law of attraction, but I had a conversation with Jay. Instead of fanning out, I told him I was coming for his spot. I’ve used that as fuel to my fire since then. I’m a man of my word. That fire that’s been lit, of course, it could of went out, but I’ve been blessed to have a large network of family who keeps me on my toes and keeps that fire lit.

Ace High wants the world to know that “This isn’t a gimmick, this is who I am. I am different, and I embrace that. I think others should embrace their differences as well. I’m unique and a lot of people fall into that mindset of being like everyone else, sounding like everyone else, and create things based on other people. I’m an originator, I’m me and I embrace that uniqueness about myself. My innovative qualities whether it’s music, digital arts, visuals or whatever medium I create on, I want it to be different. I want people to notice it’s me and notice it’s different not because I say it is but because they can really see the difference for themselves.” He doesn’t compare himself to any artist. “I’m original in what I do.” He has studied and learned the craft from many of the Greats. He has infused his music with what he has learned from the Greats to create a sound specifically tailored to Ace High. “There’s no one that sounds like Richie Acevedo or makes Ace High music. I’m a one of One.”

Ace High considers himself to be a game changer and one of the leaders of the Digital Renaissance. “It’s time to truly shake some things up. Shout out to Dough From Da Go! Shout out to Stack or Starve! Shout out to DOA Music! Shout out to those in search of light! Shout out to those passing off the wonderful light we possess! Much Love, Peace, and Blessings.”