Last year, when DJ Khaled released the first single “We Takin’ Over” from his We The Best album, who would have thought that song would foresee today’s reality? Over the past year, Florida-grown artists like Rick Ross, T-Pain, Plies, Flo Rida and Khaled himself have shifted the balance of power in rap music to the Gunshine State. So, when Khaled screams, “WE THE BEST,” he has a right to sound cocky.
perform at Khaled’s birthday party. Khaled has an annual birthday bash [“The Temple”] every year, and every local artist wants to perform there. I was just trying to get put on. Khaled’s known for bringing every big artist to his birthday bash, and I just wanted to be a part of that. But, I mean, with the blessings of God it end up being something bigger than that. Khaled tells people when he saw me, [he says,] “There was just something about him,” in which I had star presence. When he heard my music he felt that I had potential. But, of course with every great artist, they wanna hear you on a bigger record to make sure. He wanted to see if I could hang with the big dogs. He sent the “I’m So Hood” record over and I ripped it down. Next thing you know, we’re in that office [signing the deal].
Now, after dominating charts, radio, clubs, and most importantly the streets, the 305 DJ is introducing his own imprint, We The Best Music—a label distributed by Def Jam—and the label’s first artist, Ace Hood. You may have heard the 20-year-old rapper from Broward County (JUST NORTH OF Miami), “knock-knock, bang-bangin’” on his debut single “Cash Flow.” The song, featuring Rick Ross and T-Pain, quickly became a hit, and Khaled’s preamble put all bets on Ace to be the future of Florida’s rap movement.
What was your whole thought process when you got the “I’m So Hood” beat, knowing it was a test from Khaled? I gotta put it all on the line, you know? This is the biggest DJ in the game who’s finna listen to this. I gotta go in like I never went in. I felt like I had to get into a zone that I’d never been in, feel me? I was actually stressin’ over the situation cause I wanted to go so hard. I wrote a couple verses. I had like four, five verses on deck cause I felt like neither one of the verses were worthy enough. I always felt like I could go harder. I went wit’ the best option; I knew it had to be incredible. [The verse] had to catch him in the first bars, cause if not, it’s no good. I feel like you’ve gotta sell yourself in the first couple seconds of the song. If you can’t do that, they’re gonna skip the record. I did that, and we sent it to him. He called my manager back and scheduled a meeting. That’s when he said he really wanted to sign Ace Hood to We The Best Music. Ever since then, it’s been history.
A year after meeting Khaled at radio station 99 Jamz in Miami, Ace Hood’s debut album, Gutta, will soon be in stores. But even with the biggest DJ in the game in his corner yelling “we the best” and an album on the horizon, Khaled’s Ace in the hole still feels he has much to prove. All secondhand cosigns aside, it’s time to listennn to what Ace Hood has to say for himself. When did you meet DJ Khaled? I met Khaled late last year, around November. I wasn’t even looking for a deal when I met up with Khaled. It was a random phone call, just chillin’. I didn’t even want to go the station [99 Jamz], to be honest. My manager dragged me. He was like, “Come on, let’s do it.” All I wanted to do was 50 // OZONE MAG
You’ve been with Khaled for a while now. Plus, you’re the first artist on his label. What’s your relationship like with him now? The relationship is good. We bonded; the relationship has a brotherly bond. Khaled got me no matter what. I’m definitely proud and appreciate him for putting all his money and his hard work and effort into me as an artist. Our relationship is strong. We built a relationship that’s unbreakable. Ever since then it’s been progress, man. We’ve been working real hard, living it up to the day we’re ready to drop. Your career is moving quickly compared to artists that have been waiting for years and years to put out an album. What do you think is different about your situation? My situation is no different than no other artist. I would just say this music thing was meant to be. How many people tried to pull the same stunt I did and got turned down? Me and Khaled had to be meant to be. It had to be my destiny in order for me to be the rap star I am today. I don’t want nobody to think my situation is any different. ‘Cause the same way niggas are out there grindin’ and tryin’ to put on for their city, tryin’ to hold it down