Exclusive Premiere: Watch Ace’s Assertive New Video for ‘Second To None’

Last month, Mumbai hip-hop artist Ace released his 10-track debut solo album, Second To None, exclusively on Apple Music. The rapper — who is the founder of the hip-hop crew Mumbai’s Finest — has been one of the spearheads in promoting the genre in India for over a decade. Ace is now out with an emphatic new music video for the title track off his new record.

In the slickly shot clip, Ace is seen spitting bars about his hard-won success and why there is no one quite like him in the hip-hop community. He is also accompanied by Mumbai-based break-dancer Arif Chaudhary aka Flying Machine. “We’ve always supported the Bboys and the entire community; I don’t think other rappers do that,” says Ace.

The rapper — who was featured on the cover of Rolling Stone India in August 2016 — tells us that the phrase ”second to none” resonates with him and that the thought first came to him in 2012 when he released a video for the track, “You Gotta Run,” featuring rappers Invincible P and Divine (who was then part of Mumbai’s Finest.) “The concept had been stuck in my head and when I heard this beat by [Mumbai producer] Crazy Vibe, I knew that this was what I had to do,” he says.

Ask Ace why it has taken him this long to release a solo record and he says, “My identity has always been with the crew; I’ve always put Mumbai’s Finest first.” He explains that the record on the whole is an ode to what he has worked for throughout his career. And even though the video integrates a popular apparel and shoe brand, Ace maintains that he will never allow anybody any creative control over his music. “I choose to be independent, I’ve rejected deals just because I know I can make it, I want to be my own boss, build my own empire without any kind of labels or anyone,” he says.

The seasoned hip-hopper’s fiery 2015 track “HGMKH (Har Gham Mein Khushi Hai)” is set to feature in the upcoming Bollywood film, Gully Boy, starring actor and Rolling Stone India’s December 2017 cover star Ranveer Singh. Ace will also make a cameo in the film, playing himself. He says, “I realized that every song I do is an investment for my future, so I’m working harder now.”

Incidentally, Mumbai’s Finest crew members Nasty Ninja and Diefferent are also both going to release their respective solo records in the not-so-distant future. But Ace says that is no cause for concern — the hip-hop crew will start working on new material very soon. “I will probably drop another [solo] album this year too.” The hip-hop artist is currently performing shows across the country to promote Second To None.

Watch the music video for “Second To None” below: