The Rundown: Ace Hood, Trials and Tribulations
A track-by-track review of the rapper's fiery third LP.
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The Rundown: Ace Hood, Trials & Tribulations - For his last three LPs, Ace Hood has been grinding hard to position himself as a top representative of hood pain and anguish. However, the social blues of the hip hop masses hadn't been so concentrated for a young lyricist to come and articulate a collective angst. But now we have the Supreme Court gutting the voting rights act, increased incidents of racial insensitivity and Trayvon Martin. With his latest LP, Trials & Tribulations, Ace invokes Tupac's Thug Life mantra to shout down the issues. And he's set for the world to take notice. Here's a track-by-track look at his latest. (Photo: Cash Money Records)
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"Testimony" - The Florida-raised MC is no stranger to invoking the name of Jesus on a cut. And for this opener, Ace uses a Baptist sermon (replete with organ accompaniment) as a means of adding a spiritual nature to this LP's theme of redemption (i.e. getting pi-zaid by all means necessary) after suffering. (Photo: Cindy Ord/Getty Images)
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"Trials and Tribulations" - Like any MC looking to capture the Thug Life mantle of Tupac, Ace is quick to shout out his life's pain.... Which he does on the LP's first cut. "Why my granny passed away/ Why my daughter didn't stay," he loudly ponders, "Wish they both was here today/Oh Lord, in Jesus name." (Photo: WENN)
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"Another Statistic" - Ace has his finger on the painful traps that beset urban youth, mentioning one famous name who's fallen at the center of America's current debate on race and justice. "God bless Trayvon Martin, I'm in my hoodie," he rhymes. "Another innocent young man who met a bully." The creeping, march-tempo rhythm only adds to the power of this extremely powerful statement. (Photo: John Ricard/Getty Images for BET)
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"Before the Rollie" featuring Meek Mill - What would a thug testimony be without saying, in so many words, I haven't forgotten the struggle and friends that have brought me to fame, riches and becoming a voice of the hood. Hence, this collabo with Meek Mill over a traditional, rolling gangsta rhythm. (Photos from left: John Ricard / BET, Rick Diamond/Getty Images for BET)
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"We Outchea" Featuring Lil Wayne - As a hood rep who speaks "on behalf of the people," Ace does the obligatory (and celebatory) anthem about being on top and enjoying that good life. And no better MC to accompany Ace on this hedonistic brag-fest than Lil' Wayne, who, of course, adds his eccentric and surrealistic twist.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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"We Them N----s" - Twinkling synth chords and a rolling tinny snare colors this track where Ace bigs-up his crew who, of course, are the realest of n----s. This is especially the case up in the club where middle fingers are in the air. Point blank, a tune to help you say it's your posse against the world.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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"The Come Up" featuring Anthony Hamilton - Soul music vet Anthony Hamilton and churchish piano flourishes put the emotional edge on this cut, acknowledging Ace's rise. "They said I wouldn't and I did it/ God intended/ From being labeled as a menace to counting millions/ My daughter smiling every minute," Ace spits. Simply put, a street rep bares his hip hopped soul.(Photos from left: John Ricard / BET, D Dipasupil/Getty Images for BET)
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"Rider" Featuring Chris Brown - With C. Breezy belting the chorus, Ace passionately describes the perfect accessory to any rider: the ride-or-die chick. Being an ode to that special lady, this melody-laden track is less menacing hip hop and more borderline pop R&B (without losing its heart).(Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
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"Hope" - The title says it all. Over punchy 808s and inspirational piano work, Ace offers words for a brighter tomorrow to his ghetto constituency.(Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for BMI)
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"Pray for Me" - .... And with success comes — you guessed it — haters. With paranoia setting in on this bouncy surreal track, Ace cries for someone to send a good word to the lawd so he can deal with his enemies. (Photo: JLN Photography/wenn)
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"Bugatti" featuring Future and Rick Ross - If you include Future and, especially, Rozay on a track, best believe the topic will be about crushing you with their wealth. Which is exactly what Ace does on this booming sizzurp-ish cut. "I WOKE UP IN A BUGATTI!" shouts the chorus. And we'll all bow down. (Photos from left: John Ricard / BET, Theo Wargo/Getty Images for BET's Rip The Runway, Rick Diamond/Getty Images for BET)
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"How I'm Raised" - On "How I'm Raised," Ace runs down his street pedigree with a cascading rhyme. What is it you need to know? He never snitched and never been took. The streets? He runs them.(photo: John Ricard / BET).
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"My Bible" - Ace invokes some East Coast boom bap and samples of gospel shouts and pounding piano for this spiritual cut. The Floridian rhyme star passionately seeks redemption from God for his unholy and painful life. Listening to the cadence, it's evident that Jay-Z's influence looms in the rhyme style.(Photo: John Ricard / BET)
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"Mama" featuring Betty Wright - Call this Ace's answer to Tupac's "Dear Mama," where he celebrates the life of his matriarch and asks for her forgiveness. Soul vet and singer of the classic "Clean Up Woman" Betty Wright sings the chorus.
Photo By Photos from left: John Ricard / BET
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"Bugatti (Remix)" featuring Wiz Khalifa, T.I., Meek Mill and French Montana - Same song. But this time Ace added a few new voices. You have a choice of which one you will like best.(Photo: Cash Money Records)
Photo By Photo: Cash Money Records
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"F--k da World" - Armed with insight and emotion, Ace decries the world's evils and corruption. "F---k the word. The government too," he blasts. "I'm keeping it real. Them killers are still in political suits." A refreshing sound in these troubling times. (photo: John Ricard / BET).