Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Morgan
Hi Chris, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Music has always been in my DNA. I grew up surrounded by classic rock bands like The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd were the soundtrack of my childhood. Even though I’m known as a hip-hop producer today, my journey started with rock. My dad was a working musician for over 25 years, and his passion for music gave me a deep appreciation for the art and craft of being a musician.
I started playing drums in 8th grade, and at my core, I’ve always been a drummer. Rhythm has always been the first thing I notice in any genre of music, and it’s something that continues to shape the way I create. But then, in high school, I discovered hip-hop. It was through artists like Logic – who would make references to legends like Nas and Jay-Z, that I started to dive deeper into rap culture. Every lyric was a breadcrumb, leading me down a path to discover the roots of the genre. I like to think of myself as a well-rounded hip-hop head now, always digging into the history and evolution of the music.
As I got more immersed in rap, I felt the urge to try my hand at producing. Hip-hop production was so much of what drew me to the genre in the first place, so I bought my first MIDI keyboard and started recreating the beats I loved. That was just the beginning. As I explored producers like Kanye West and J Dilla, I became fascinated by the art of sampling. That’s when I got an MPD218, which I still use today, and began chopping samples, experimenting with sound, and creating my own beats.
After high school, I moved back to Florida to attend Full Sail University, where I earned my degree in Music Production. Being back in Florida felt like a homecoming for me. I was born in Clearwater, and though I had moved to South Carolina when I was younger, I’ve always known I’d return here.
It was during Full Sail’s Hall of Fame Week that I connected with Koastal and Fabio from the TMC Orlando team. They invited me to their weekly Content Nights, and that became a game-changer. I started attending regularly, where I met other producers, artists, and engineers, and began building a network that’s been invaluable to my growth. It was a space where I could learn, collaborate, and keep pushing my craft.
Through all of this, I kept working on my beats, and it eventually led to my first album, which is almost done. It’s a project I’m really proud of. I’ve got 18 tracks currently, and I’m executive producing the entire thing. I wanted to approach it the way Metro Boomin does with his projects, bringing in incredible artists to complement my production. I’m excited to see where it all goes, and I’m just getting started.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s been a relatively smooth road for me and my career so far. I hope I didn’t jinx it by saying that. A big part of why it’s been smooth was my upbringing. I’ve been very fortunate to have parents who not only understood but fully supported my dream of becoming a music producer. When I got deeper into hip-hop, they might not have been huge fans onf the genre, but even through that, they still saw the value in it and me wanting to become a producer in mainly genre and the music industry. Because of that, I never had to fight to prove that it was a ‘real job’. I recognize how lucky I am, as that’s not always the case for everyone. I can say that I’ve never been great with change, but looking back, the shifts in my career and life have always ended up being positive ones. Sure, there have been bumps along the way, but those challenges have been rememberable and they’ve taught me lessons that continue to shape my growth as an artist.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m Ace Akai, a music producer with a focus on creating unique, dynamic sounds. Some of my notable accomplishments are working with artists like Hyperion The Rapper, ConnorrrMac, and JMars. I’m very happy and proud of those, but what I’m most excited about right now is my upcoming album. I’m fully producing it and collaborating with some incredibly talented artists, and it’s shaping up to be something special. I think it will prove to be an impressive milestone in my music career.
What sets me apart from other producers is my distinct approach to sample chopping and sound selection. I love taking soulful, jazzy samples and flipping them in unexpected ways. My beats are all about balance—songs you can vibe to and get hyped about, but also smooth enough for a conscious lyricist like J. Cole to drop some deep, relatable bars on.
Another area I’ve been focusing on is songwriting. I’ve been helping some artists refine their lyrics, editing and revising lines to help them express their vision more clearly. I also write a lot of my own songs and lines just for fun, which at first felt like random ideas, but now I’m starting to see the perfect places to use them in my projects.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
One thing that I love about Orlando, especially as a musician, is the vibrant music scene. There’s always something happening, with endless opportunities to discover new artists and connect with other creatives. Whether I’m looking for professional collaborations or just exploring as a music fan, Orlando offers a perfect mix. I enjoy checking out local venues, seeing who’s performing, and jumping in the car to check out a show. It’s that kind of energy that makes the city feel alive.
On the flip side, one thing I don’t love about Orlando is the constant construction. It seems like there’s always something being built or renovated. There’s one spot near downtown that’s been under construction for over a year now. I swear, it feels like it’ll never get done!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.aceakai.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aceakaionthebeat/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064552496427
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-morgan-7142004/
- Twitter: https://x.com/itsaceakai
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@itzaceakai
- Other: https://www.aceakai.com/music-links
