At only 22, AvE is already a veteran in the game. Dropping a single on Hot 97 in 2003, AvE had his foot in the door for years now. Expect that door to be full of AvE's footprints as he kicks it open by the next decade.
Name: AvE Age: 22 Hometown: The Bronx Website: Myspace.com/Ave
There is a certain pressure to live up to when labeled as a “Bronx rapper”. The expectations are that much higher coming from the borough that introduced hip hop to the world. AvE takes your expectations and hits them with painful punchlines before stomping them out, BX style.
Growing up in Hip Hop’s golden area, Ave studied under the greats of Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick, Nas and the 3 Bigs (L, Pun, and Notorious) to name a few. Starting at a young age, Ave excelled among his peers and made older folks look like rookies. By age 17, he had a hit record, “It’s Going Down Tonight” played on Hot 97 as it also appeared as a bonus track on the radio station’s Volume 35 mixtape in 2003. Not stopping there, Ave partnered up with Midway Games and saw his song “Hammers” appear on Narc’s soundtrack. Fast forward to 2007, Ave’s anticipated mixtape “Stand And Deliver” found its way onto Hiphopdx.com , Yoraps.com as well as Mixtapekings.com .
Having rhymed for nearly a decade now, it is only a matter of time before AvE reaches the masses. The owner of a silky smooth flow that warms up to a lady on “Promise You”, Ave still manages to hold la calle down with quotables evident on “That’s Mean”. While it’s unfair for anyone to carry the weight of putting the Bronx back on the map, if there's anyone that will do it , then it's ya tu AvE.
-How does the Bronx 2008 compare to the Bronx 1998? In terms of hip hop and everything else?
In 98 we had Big Pun...who do we have now? There was so much hype in the city back in 98, hip hop was a beautiful thing back then, not that it isn't today but 98 was a year of substance and quality. The game kind of lacks that now.
-Speaking of the Bronx, why do you think it has been so long since a rapper from the BX was doing it big? Is it a lack of unity in its hip hop scene with the whole Fat Joe vs. Cuban Link/Remy Ma drama?
I think unity played a huge issue, it just wasn't the whole terror squad thing though. Nyc is a very competitive city and with the industry being so cut-throat, it's kind of hard to lend a hand when you trying to eat for yourself. Today's artists such as myself are pushing for unity not only in the Bronx but in NYC as a whole. Everybody is the best in their own mind, alot of dudes need a reality check though and now that success doesn't come easy.
-In 2003 you had your first song "Its Going Down Tonight" played on Hot 97 and last year your mixtape was featured on Hiphopdx. com. Where do you see yourself going from there?
Trying to make it in this business independently is a roller coaster ride. You have your ups and downs, But at the end of the day hard work pays off. 2003 was a good year for me I was 17 years old coming in and out of the label offices but couldn't find what I was looking for. Last year was more of a re-birth I was able to link up with Urban Music Ent. and together we accomplished in 8 months what would take some people 1-2 years to do and that was drop a successful mixtape and on the first attempt create a huge buzz over the internet and in the streets. Most artists wouldn't get that recognition on their first mixtape no matter how skilled they are, it would probably take 2 or 3 attempts to build that buzz.
-Can AvE flow on a Bachata or Reggaeton record?
I can flow on anything my dude, but I think the question is would I? lol You never know, I'm all about making hits so If it's a hot record and it makes sense why not? Don't go searching for one anytime soon though lol
-Are there any artists you are collaborating with or trying to collaborate with right now?
Right now I'm all about the music, so if you hot and your game is up to par get at me and we could work on something. Besides that I'm working on a new project featuring Mickey Factz, Shan Shizzy, Dutch NY and a few other up and comers plus a few Big surprises on there too. The project is untitled as of now but you can expect that to drop 1st quarter of '09 for now.
- Last Words -
Thanx for Interview, make sure you hit up the myspace and check out the music / Videos. Also the mixtape is still available for download all the info is there. www. myspace. com/ave
