PFFFFFF! Yeah right! What are you? The King of Knots? You think you're the freaking King of Tying Knots??
Florida’s heat has been radiating over hip-hop for many years. From the legendary “Uncle” Luke Campbell, Trick Daddy and Trina to DJ Khaled, Flo Rida, T-Pain, Rick Ross and Plies, the sunshine state has always produced hot music. The next artist to emerge from this sizzling climate is Ace Hood, and with an ace on the top of the deck, he is guaranteed to continue Florida’s heat wave.
“I got the name Ace as a child. My family always thought that I would be the one who would succeed in whatever I did,” he explains. “I feel like I’m an army in myself. I carry my own weight and since I represent for the hood, why not attach that to my name?”
Born Antoine McColister in Broward County, Florida, Ace knew he was destined for greatness. After an injury derailed his burgeoning football career, Ace turned to his true passion, rapping. At the age of 17, Ace teamed up with the Broward-County-based entertainment label, Dollaz & Dealz, to record the hit "M.O.E." ("Money Over Everything") which sparked an immediate buzz in South Florida. Ace began to perform and network which helped him gain exposure like never before. After fine-tuning his craft on local crowds, he set his sights on performing for DJ Khaled at his annual birthday bash.
“We was outside the radio station not even trying to get a deal, just hoping to perform at his birthday bash,” he recalls. “We just figured we’d try and perform. He had a contest going on where you had to give a certain amount of reasons why you should perform at the birthday bash. So I was going to rap for him on camera and show him why I was worthy. Although he had to go to a meeting, he came out, looked at me and said I love his image. We handed him a CD and once we did that he listened to it and called my manager that night. He said I love his swag, I hear starvation in his music and I want to take a meeting with him.”
That meeting turned into Ace becoming the first artist signed to DJ Khaled’s label “We the Best” distributed by Def Jam Records. His hot new single “Cash Flow” featuring T-Pain and Rick Ross is currently blazing the radio waves everywhere. “Once I played the song for Rick Ross he loved it and he put his whole swag to it” explains Khaled. “The song was pretty much done but we felt to make it more of a hit record, get somebody like T-Pain who’s running the game right now, on the hook to make it go that much further.” The song is setting the stage for Ace’s debut album, Gutta, with guest appearances from some of rap’s elite including Trick Daddy, Flo Rida, Akon, Plies and production from Cool & Dre, The Runners, Danjahandz and J.U.S.T.C.E. League, Ace’s deck is definitely stacked.
“This album is definitely gonna be a classic,” Ace says confidently. “People are expecting a lot out of me not only because I’m on Khaled’s label, but because everyone knows that the ace is ranked as the highest.”
With an ace up your sleeve, how can you go wrong?
Promises
Ace Hood Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Uh, crowd full of loud fans, hope I don't choke
White girls going ham, they just so stoked
They just think I'm kinda dope, guess I'm pure coke
Hope they love me for my drive, only Lord knows
My daughter past couple months ago
Feel like I'm breathing but without a pulse
Promises are just equivalent to false hope
Promises and promises
You said you would be here
A promise is a promise yes
And you said you would be here
But I'm all by myself
When I need your help
Promises and promises
You said you would be here
Uh, fuck man, daddy why you such a dead beat?
While I'm 23 ye ain't never called me
Momma said you was slicker than some hair grease
You's a cheater, what's the point of giving wedding rings?
Poor man, you should be ashamed
Ever since I made it big I ain't been the same
First they love you then they hate you, it's all in the game
Kinda funny when the Malcolm people know my name
Ain't life such a bitch dog?
Took from me to get a deal now the bitch called
Fuck her once and never call get her pissed off
I ain't trippin' leave me ‘lone when the dick soft
Promises, selling promises
Fake friends leave you ‘cause they counterfeit
Mama in the kitchen cooking butter grits
Only one who stayed around when them others dipped
Promises and promises
You said you would be here
A promise is a promise yes
And you said you would be here
But I'm all by myself
When I need your help
Promises and promises
You said you would be here
Man, hothead, should've listened when they told me
God the only man that could hold me
Bad bitches, all looking for a check
And I'm a dope spitter looking for respect
Niggas say I'm hot, they just tryna flex
Ain't trippin', bring the Phantom through the projects
Young nigga gettin' dum payed
Drop top, screaming fuck ‘em on the highway
Later alligator, crocodile Dundee
Doing bout a buck-fifty on the one way
Living fast cuz I never had
Middle finger to my ex cuz you in the past
So alone with my penny pad
Keep me lifted, emotions driven, I got it bad
I ain't a killa but don't tempt me
Majority of family is so against me
Figured since I'm winning big we should all eat
I'm on 106 and now you wanna call me
Should've never left my waist side
Promises are nothing more than a great lie
Promises and promises
You said you would be here
A promise is a promise yes
And you said you would be here
But I'm all by myself
When I need your help
Promises and promises
You said you would be here
I've been waiting on you for a long long minute
When you said you're gonna be here I thought you meant it
But I'm all by myself
When I need your help
Promises and promises
You said you would be here
Be here
Be-be here
Be here
Be-be here
Be be be be
The song "Promises" by Ace Hood featuring Kevin Cossom is a powerful and emotional piece that explores themes of loss, grief, betrayal, and broken promises. In the first verse, Ace Hood talks about his struggle to perform on stage while mourning the recent death of his daughter. He feels like he's just going through the motions of breathing without really feeling alive. He reflects on the fleeting nature of promises, which can offer false hope and ultimately lead to disappointment.
The second verse delves deeper into Ace Hood's personal life and upbringing. He expresses his frustration and anger towards his absent father, who never reached out to him even after he became successful. He also talks about how fame and success can change people's attitudes towards you and how it's important to have a few real friends that stick by you no matter what. The chorus repeats the phrase "promises and promises" which highlights the central theme of the song and emphasizes the sense of betrayal that Ace Hood feels.
Overall, "Promises" is a poignant reminder that words are just words unless they are backed up by actions. It's a song about the pain of loss and the importance of staying true to your word and being there for the people that matter to you.
Line by Line Meaning
Uh, crowd full of loud fans, hope I don't choke
I hope I perform well tonight in front of a rowdy crowd of fans.
White girls going ham, they just so stoked
The white girls in the crowd are super excited and enthusiastic.
They just think I'm kinda dope, guess I'm pure coke
The crowd thinks I'm pretty cool, akin to pure cocaine.
Hope they love me for my drive, only Lord knows
I hope the fans appreciate my ambition and hard work, but only the Lord truly knows.
My daughter past couple months ago
My daughter passed away just a few months ago.
Feel like I'm breathing but without a pulse
I feel empty inside even though I am still alive.
Nothing like losing what you love most
There is nothing worse than losing the person or thing you love the most.
Promises are just equivalent to false hope
Promises only offer false hope and ultimately let you down.
Uh, fuck man, daddy why you such a dead beat?
I'm frustrated with my father who has always been absent.
While I'm 23 ye ain't never called me
My father has never once called me, even though I am now 23 years old.
Momma said you was slicker than some hair grease
My mother warned me that my father was sly and deceitful.
You's a cheater, what's the point of giving wedding rings?
You cheated on my mother, so why bother getting married in the first place?
Poor man, you should be ashamed
My father, who is poor both financially and emotionally, should feel ashamed for his actions.
Ever since I made it big I ain't been the same
My success has changed me, for better or for worse.
First they love you then they hate you, it's all in the game
People's attitudes towards me have changed since I became famous; it's just the way the game works.
Kinda funny when the Malcolm people know my name
It's amusing that even the more political and socially conscious people know who I am.
Ain't life such a bitch dog?
Life can be harsh and unforgiving at times.
Took from me to get a deal now the bitch called
Now that I am successful, all the people who ignored me before suddenly want to be my friend.
Fuck her once and never call get her pissed off
I don't want to deal with these fake friends or their drama.
Promises, selling promises
People are always selling empty promises.
Fake friends leave you ‘cause they counterfeit
Fake friends will leave you because they are not genuine or authentic.
Mama in the kitchen cooking butter grits
My mom is in the kitchen cooking a classic southern dish.
Only one who stayed around when them others dipped
My mom is the only one who has stuck around when others have left or betrayed me.
Man, hothead, should've listened when they told me
I am a hot-headed person who should have listened to the advice of others.
God the only man that could hold me
God is the only one who can truly control and guide me.
Bad bitches, all looking for a check
There are many women who are only interested in me because of my money.
And I'm a dope spitter looking for respect
I am a talented rapper searching for respect and recognition from my peers.
Niggas say I'm hot, they just tryna flex
People say I am popular and successful, but they are just trying to show off.
Ain't trippin', bring the Phantom through the projects
I am not worried about showing off my expensive car in a low-income neighborhood.
Young nigga gettin' dum payed
I am a young man who is making a lot of money.
Drop top, screaming fuck ‘em on the highway
I am driving fast with the top down, shouting profanities at those who doubted me.
Later alligator, crocodile Dundee
I am leaving now, like the famous line from a classic movie.
Doing bout a buck-fifty on the one way
I am driving around 150 miles per hour on a one-way road.
Living fast cuz I never had
I am living life to the fullest because I have never had much before.
Middle finger to my ex cuz you in the past
I am flipping off my ex-girlfriend because she is no longer relevant in my life.
So alone with my penny pad
I am by myself, writing in my notebook.
Keep me lifted, emotions driven, I got it bad
I use drugs to cope with my emotions and have become addicted.
I ain't a killa but don't tempt me
I am not a murderer, but I have the potential to become violent.
Majority of family is so against me
Most of my family is not supportive of me.
Figured since I'm winning big we should all eat
I think now that I am successful, my family should benefit from my success.
I'm on 106 and now you wanna call me
Now that I am famous and appeared on a TV show, my family suddenly wants to talk to me.
Should've never left my waist side
I should have stayed true to myself and not let fame change me.
I've been waiting on you for a long long minute
I have been waiting for you to come through for a long time.
When you said you're gonna be here I thought you meant it
When you made a promise to be here, I believed you would actually show up.
Be here
I expected you to be here.
Be-be here
I wanted you to be here more than anything.
Be be be be
I am disappointed and frustrated that you never came through.
Contributed by Max R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.