The thought of knowing you’re not supposed to be here can be a chilling thought for some people. After being the lone survivor of a deadly drive-by shooting that took the lives of some of his closest friends and younger brother three years ago, Jacksonville, FL, rapper Yungeen Ace is past the point of letting his mind play tricks on him.
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“I try to stay busy, so my mind doesn’t go [all over the place],” Ace tellsBillboard. “I keep my eyes on the prize and know my brothers are with me at all times. This has been our dream since we were little, and I have to do this for us.”
Instead of allowing his past tragedies to dictate his future, Ace has emerged as his city’s new prominent hip-hop figure. In March, he released the controversial but charming, Vanessa Carlton-sampling “Who I Smoke” record. After accruing a whopping 27 million views on YouTube, Carlton applauded Ace’s catchiness and spoke out against his detractors regarding his decision to remix her 2001 hit “A Thousand of Miles Away.”
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“To the white folks that have expressed anger/shock over my approval of A Thousand Miles’ usage in the Spinabenz, Whoppa Wit Da Choppa, Yungeen Ace, & FastMoney Goon song Who I Smoke, I invite you to ask yourself why you feel this way & then read this,” she tweeted last month.
With the support of Carlton alongside his fallen friend, King Von — who appears on his new projectLife of Betrayal 2X— Ace is ready to unleash a storm on the rap game for all of his believers and loved ones.
“I knew this year was the year to smash the gas when it came to music, and I couldn’t stop,” says Ace. “I say that because sometimes, I feel like I’m overlooked despite what I’m doing. So I have to keep my foot on everyone’s neck and not letting you guys have a chance to breathe.”
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Before the release ofLife Of Betrayal 2X, Ace spoke withBillboardabout the biggest misconceptions surrounding Jacksonville’s rap scene, his friendship with the late King Von, how his life has changed after “Who I Smoke,” and more.
When looking back at your career, how do you feel when realizing you made it, and you did so coming out of Jacksonville?
It feels good! It only motivates me to keep going because I know I’m one of the biggest [rappers] to come out of my city or at least make it this far. I also just went gold the other day. Even though I don’t show my emotions much, even when happy, I am glad to be where I’m at, and there’s a new light shining on our city.
I want to help everybody make it here in Jacksonville, so that we can eat together. Up until now, the most prominent point any rapper from Jacksonville got to was being known around the city. So from studying those guys, the art itself, and finding the right studio, I put everything together to be different from everyone else. Everything from my music and sound made me bigger than I was, and it worked.
So with that said, what is the biggest misconception about Jacksonville’s rap scene?
That there’s no talent. [Laughs.] Many people overlook our talent and don’t understand what we can do. When you’re from Jacksonville, you have a real story to tell. Everything from our environment, people, etc., fuels our storytelling and creates great talent from here. But I’m going to change that [narrative].
Leading up to the release of Life Of Betrayal 2X, there were talks about it having many features. Is that still the case?
Real talk, there were a lot of features on there, but most of them came off. But I do have [King] Von and [YFN] Lucci. Salute to Lucci and, of course, my brotha Von. This album will go crazy, and I also have “Who I Smoke” on there.
You’ve been quoted saying, “Trust is temporary; I’m into loyalty.” With that said, how have you handled your relationships in and out of the music industry?
I can’t lie, bro; I didn’t come into this game to make friends. For the most part, I try to be cool with people and leave it at that. But if you and I are locked in, and I look at you like family, that means I love you and will risk it all for you. But not everybody loves the same way as me or communicates like me, and I had to learn that.
With [King] Von, it was different. He was my guy outside of rap, and we spoke about everything involving real life. And I could also pull up to his house, and he could pull up to mine. But that doesn’t happen with everybody. At the end of the day, this is a competition. Everybody wants to compete, and I think we should focus on winning together.
One thing I’ve noticed is that you have a very committed fanbase who appears to be just as invested as you with everything you do. Can that be overwhelming at times?
Oh, no, I love it. [Laughs.]They’ve been with me every step of the way, and they know we’re a team. Heck, my fans can be more supportive than those around me, especially when it comes to buying my music. It can be up with whoever when it comes to my fans and me. I speak for them and will do everything for them. When it’s all said and done, my fans only see what I show them, and I do that on purpose. I don’t have to worry about my fans taking it too far in certain situations because of that decision and how I presented it. Not to mention, I’ll never speak about any rumors. As long as I know the truth, then I don’t care.
To piggyback off the topic of the fans, you’ve become a success when it comes to YouTube and it’s not only with the music videos. What made you value that platform so much?
The fact everybody is on YouTube and you could find answers to anything on there [laughs]. There are different audiences on YouTube, and some people know me more from there than music, to be honest. Besides releasing my music videos and vlogs from studio sessions, I also have a channel with my girlfriend. Please believe me when I say YouTube has my full support.
Like your fellow artists, you had to make music throughout this pandemic. How did it impact you, especially with a new album on your schedule?
You know what’s so crazy? Even during this pandemic, I remained in the studio every day. It didn’t matter what I was doing. Whether it was recording music or shooting videos, I was in there working and then going outside to continue working. No matter what was in my way, I couldn’t stop, and that’s no disrespect to anybody who was slowed down by this pandemic. Sure, I missed out on shows and appearances, but that can’t mess with my work ethic. Music is my life, and I put it all on the line for it. I told you, I couldn’t slow down.
FAQs
What city does Yungeen Ace live in? ›
Born Keyanta Bullard in 1998, Yungeen Ace spent his early years in Chicago but relocated with his family to Florida in early childhood. Living in Jacksonville, Bullard experienced daily struggles with abject poverty and a desperate environment, surrounded by danger and street crime as he entered his teenage years.
How much did Yungeen Ace signed for? ›| Net Worth: | $5 Million |
|---|---|
| Salary: | $0.3 Million + |
| Monthly Income: | $25,000 + |
| Date of Birth: | February 12, 1998 |
| Gender: | Male |
Does Yungeen Ace have a son? No, the rapper does not have children as of now.
How old is Yungeen Ace? › Where does Yungeen live? ›During his career he has released 7 mixtapes, he was born in Chicago, Illinois but during early childhood moved to Jacksonville with his family, and he represents Jacksonville, Florida and is considered a Duval rapper.
What rappers live in Jacksonville Florida? ›- Baby Soulja. ...
- KaMillion. ...
- Jdot Breezy. ...
- Trap Beckham. ...
- Foolio. ...
- Nardo Wick. ...
- SpotemGottem. ...
- Tokyo Jetz.
Lil Durk Flexes $40M Label Deal As New Album Heads For No.
How much Chief Keef got signed for? ›10 years ago today, Chief Keef signed with Interscope Records for a reported $6 Million — the biggest record deal for any rapper at that point. The deal also included a headphone line w/ Beats By Dre, his own record label, a publishing deal w/ Dr. Dre & a biopic movie.
How much money did NBA YoungBoy get signed for? ›Earlier this month, YoungBoy Never Broke Again did reveal that he signed a $60 million deal on Instagram in a post promoting his fourth studio album, The Last Slimeto, but never specified who gave him the offer.
Which rapper has 17 kids? ›Relationships and children
DMX was the father of 17 children from 11 different women. He married his childhood friend Tashera Simmons in 1999 and they were married for 11 years. They had four children together: Xavier (born 1992), Tacoma (born 1999), Sean (born 2002), and Praise Mary Ella (born 2005).
Does Lil Durk have a kid? ›
Who is Yungeen Ace signed with? › Who is the oldest rapper in the game? ›
Ice-T is currently considered the oldest popular hip hop rapper who is still in the game and going strong. Born Tracy Lauren Marrow, he is the founder of Rhyme $yndicate Records and the co-founder of Body Count, a heavy metal band that features Ice-T as their frontman.
How old is Yung Durk? ›Born on 19th October 1992, the American Rapper and Singer Durk Derrick Banks, also known as Lil Durk, is 30 years old as of 2022. Durk is one of the most successful rappers from Chicago and is an excellent inspiration for the youth. He has shared motivational quotes with his fans, such as “Stay working.
What city does King Lil G live in? ›Alex Gonzalez , better known as King Lil G, is an American rapper of Mexican descent from South Los Angeles, Los Angeles.
Where in Atlanta is thug from? ›He is from Sylvan Hills, a neighborhood in Atlanta (Zone 3), and grew up in the Jonesboro South projects. Other rappers from the neighborhood include Waka Flocka Flame, 2 Chainz, Ludacris and Williams's childhood friend PeeWee Longway, from whom Williams lived four doors down.
What city does Yung Gravy live in? ›Yung Gravy was born on March 19, 1996, in Rochester, Minnesota, U.S., into a Swiss-American family. His father, the late Dr. Peter Johannes Hauri, was an insomnia psychologist, while his mother, Dr. Cynthia Cleveland Hauri, is a psychiatrist.
Who is the wealthiest in Jacksonville FL? ›Wayne Weaver, former Jaguars owner, richest resident in Jacksonville, Forbes says. Forbes Magazine has posted its latest list of the richest people in the 50 largest cities in the United States and former Jacksonville Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver made the rankings.
Where do millionaires live in Jacksonville FL? ›Deerwood. Deerwood is on the southeast side of Jacksonville and is one of the most affluent neighborhoods in the city. The area is known for its luxury homes, golf courses, and country club living.
Who gave Durk $40 million? ›Lil Durk claims he's secured a sizable bag from his record label, Alamo Records, which was acquired by Sony Music Entertainment last year. On Sunday (March 13), the Chicago rapper hopped on Twitter to boast about his alleged major come up. "My label gave me 40million let's talk bout it," he tweeted.
How much does Lil Durk charge for a verse? ›
Lil Durk Feature Price
Lil Durk has a different pricing scheme than most artists. Lil Durk explained his system on the Full Send Podcast. In it, he said that he charges $350,000 for a verse. But there's a caveat—that's the price if he doesn't know the other artist.
Lil Durk's Label Gave Him $40 Million After The Success Of '7220' And He Wants To Talk About It. The release of Chicago rapper Lil Durk's seventh studio album 7220 was no casual affair.
What does Sosa mean slang? ›The slang term "Sosa" is a term that is used to referer to the rapper Chief Keef. The Chicago rapper Chief Keef is often known as Sosa. In 2012, Chief Keef released his very popular single Love Sosa off his debut album Finally Rich. Sosa is Chief Keef's Nickname.
How much did Uzi signed for? ›Trippie Redd Validates Lil Uzi Vert Claim With $30M Record Deal | HipHopDX.
How much is Gotti worth? ›Yo Gotti net worth 2022: $16 million.
Has NBA YoungBoy ever paid for a feature? ›NBA YoungBoy charges $300k for a feature. He's one of the few artists who may be worth a big fee.
What rapper has 10 baby mamas? ›A one-hour special was set to premiere in the spring of 2013, although the special was shelved less than a month after its announcement. The special starred rapper Shawty Lo, in which he showcased his lifestyle as the father of 11 children fathered by 10 different women.
What celebrity has the most kids? ›Mia Farrow is mom to 14 children. She has four biological kids—twins Matthew and Sascha and son Fletcher with ex-husband André Previn, plus Ronan with ex Woody Allen—as well as those she has adopted: Lark, Summer and Soon-Yi Previn, along with Moses, Dylan, Tam, Thaddeus, Quincy, Frankie-Minh, and Isaiah Farrow.
Who has the most kids in the world? ›It is claimed that Barbara Stratzmann (c. 1448 – 1503) of Bönnigheim, Germany, gave birth to 53 children (38 sons and 15 daughters) in a total of 29 births by 1498. She had one set of septuplets, one set of sextuplets, four sets of triplets and five sets of twins.
What rapper has six kids? ›Run of Run-DMC has six children, as seen in his VH1 TV show Run's House back in 2005.
How many kids does Moneybagg have? ›
Personal life. Moneybagg Yo has eight children, four sons and four daughters. He is known for indulging in luxurious items and experiences, not only for himself, but also for his children, often gifting them with high-end jewelry and other expensive items.
Does Lil Durk have a wife? ›As of 2020, Durk has six children. He was engaged to his longtime girlfriend, India Royale. On May 31, 2014, Durk's cousin, rapper McArthur "OTF Nunu" Swindle, was murdered. Then, on March 27, 2015, Uchenna "OTF Chino Dolla" Agina, Durk's friend and manager, was also shot dead.
Who is signed under Moneybagg yo? › Who is Shiesty signed to? › Who is 32 Dugg signed to? ›He is jointly signed to rappers Lil Baby and Yo Gotti's respective labels 4 Pockets Full (4PF) and Collective Music Group (CMG), in conjunction with Interscope Records. He is a fan of the Detroit Lions, stating in his song "We Paid" with rapper Lil Baby that he's "rocking with the Lions".
Who is the richest rapper? ›News Across the U.S.
Here's where the top five richest rappers stood in 2022, according to a report from former Forbes editor Zack O'Malley Greenburg: Jay-Z: $1.5 billion (October 2022) Diddy: $1 billion (October 2022) Ye: $500 million (October 2022)
Born Kurtis Walker in 1959, Blow, who turns 60 on Aug. 9, was the first rapper to sign with a major label and the first to become a mainstream star.
Who was the first white rapper? ›While Vanilla Ice may have been the first white rapper to achieve mainstream success, it was the Beastie Boys who helped to lay the foundation for white rappers to follow.
Who is the youngest female rapper? ›Lil Baby earns his 100th hit on the Billboard Hot 100 becoming the youngest artist to reach this milestone (27).
Who is the most popular rapper ever? ›
Jay-Z. Considered by many to be the greatest rapper of all time, Jay-Z is naturally one of the best selling of all time too. Releasing more than a dozen albums during his career, Jay-Z got started in 1996 with Reasonable Doubt that sold 1.5 million copies.
What 63rd means? ›King Von, a famous rap artist, single-handedly popularized the use of the term “63rd.” In his songs, he described the 63rd as an unpleasant, nasty, and crooked place since it was his rival block back in Chicago.
Is Lil Durk a billionaire? ›Is Lil Durk a billionaire? Lil Durk is not a billionaire.
How much is Nicki Minaj worth? ›Rapper and singer-songwriter Nicki Minaj — worth an estimated $100 million, according to CelebrityNetWorth.com — admits she wasn't always so careful with her spending.
What town does Yung Gravy live in? ›Yung Gravy is often associated with the SoundCloud rapper era and fellow artists bbno$ and Chief Keef. He has collaborated with artists including Lil Baby, Juicy J, T-Pain and Lil Wayne, as well as TV-personality Martha Stewart. Rochester, Minnesota, U.S.
What city does ScHoolboy Q live in? ›South Los Angeles, California, U.S. In 2008, Hanley released his first full-length project, a mixtape titled ScHoolboy Turned Hustla.
What town does Kidd G live in? ›Kidd G is an American model, singer, and TikTok star from Columbus, Georgia. He's known for his unique flow, upbeat energy and creative take on hip hop.
How much does Yung Gravy make a year? ›...
Yung Gravy Net Worth.
| Name | Yung Gravy |
|---|---|
| Net Worth (2023) | $3 Million |
| Profession | American rapper |
| Monthly Income And Salary | $20,000 + |
| Yearly Income And Salary | $0.2 Million + |
The “Betty (Get Money)” singer – whose real name is Matthew Raymond Hauri, 26, and TikTok star, 42, attended the awards show nearly two months after her husband, Monty Lopez, 46, was accused of having an affair.
What Neighbourhood is Yung Tory from? ›Early life. Tory was born in Toronto, Canada, and spent most of his childhood in Atlanta or Toronto. He is of Jamaican descent and is one of the few artists to combine the rap and the rasta lifestyle.
Who is Yung Gravy best friend? ›
Yung Gravy has released three albums, seven EPs, and one mixtape. His newest release is his album Gasanova and Baby Gravy 2, which features his best friend bbno$, a Canadian singer.
What city is Jay Rock from? ›Rock was raised in Watts, a neighborhood in Los Angeles, California, in the Nickerson Gardens projects.
Where is school boy from? ›Quincy Matthew Hanley (born October 26, 1986), better known by his stage name Schoolboy Q (stylized as ScHoolboy Q), is an American rapper from South Central Los Angeles, California.
What happened to ScHoolboy Q? ›Since the release of his last album, 2019's 'CrasH Talk', the TDE rapper has been heavily involved in the sport, and more recently he's been enjoying his time as a player in the 2022 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in California.
Why did Kidd G go to jail? ›Rapper Kidd Creole, who was a founding member of Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five, was sentenced Wednesday to 16 years in prison for stabbing a homeless man to death on a New York City street.
Where did Lil Baby live as a kid? ›Rapper Lil Baby grew up in Atlanta hanging with friends like Pee, leaning more toward a life of petty crime and street hustling while his friends went on to thrive in the music industry. In 2015, at age 19, Lil Baby went to prison for two years for a probation violation.
What country singer's first car was a white truck? ›Back in 2011 when Scotty McCreery turned 18, he got his first car and you better believe it was a truck!