Sound Up! Lady Ace Boogie

Linda Tellis is known as Lady Ace Boogie in west Michigan’s hip hop scene. She is a community activist and is trying to change what she calls the “broken” world of hip hop.

This Grand Rapids, MI-based MC serves up rapid-fire rhymes over smooth production on her latest album titled That’s All For Now. Recognized by fans as “passionate and upbeat,” the album is spearheaded by the potent single “Free,” which promotes individuality. As an African-American pansexual, Ace’s album is inundated with honest lyrics that rally behind societal, racial, and LGBTQ issues.

Topics discussed on the album range from sexuality to family. One of the most poignant songs featured on That’s All For Now is “Fight for Your Life,” an uplifting track that honors her late father’s legacy. Vulnerability has been a top priority in Ace’s six-year music career. Her straightforwardness comes through loud and clear throughout the album.

“It’s time to stop thinking just about ourselves and really give the people something more, take that same platform and do something positive with it,” Lady Ace told the press.

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Off the track, Tellis is actively trying to make the world a better place. She says a lot of anger in young adults stems from not being able to articulate themselves. She is now developing a curriculum that teaches presentation, emotional intelligence, and creative problem-solving.

In response to the systemic racism, Tellis previously organized an event in Grand Rapids to open up the conversation and bring the community and police together. She attended a series of community conversations after a police officer pulled a taser out after addressing a group of young African Americans in her hometown.

That’s All For Now is Lady Ace Boogie’s final album for the foreseeable future.

“The title says it all really,” she said. “No gimmicks. One of the things that the pandemic did for me was allow me to slow down and truly reevaluate my life and what’s important. It gave me an opportunity to reflect on what I’ve done musically over the past six years—what I enjoy and what I don’t enjoy, what’s working and not working.”

Check out the music video to the track “Free” featuring Steven Malcolm!