At Dammtor Station w/h Ace Tee

Fame overnight - that doesn't happen to many artists. But Hamburg musician Ace Tee did: her song "Bist du down?" became a viral hit in 2017. And not just in Germany: US media celebrated her as a new R&B hopeful. "Never before has a German hip-hop or R&B track taken off in the motherland of these two genres," writes Der Spiegel. Collaborations with international fashion brands, interviews with US Vogue and many other projects followed.

Six years later, Ace Tee has still kept her feet on the ground despite all the fuss. She sings at festivals and concerts and still works a lot with rapper Kwam.E, whom she also featured in her first hit.

Ace Tee was born in Berlin in 1993 and grew up in Hamburg. And she still lives here. We meet the singer at hvv switch point Bahnhof Dammtor at the beginning of October. It's raining cats and dogs. Ace Tee is wearing open sandals, the legs of her jeans are soaked with water. Although she is freezing, she carries out the photo shoot in a good mood and is interested in the people she meets. "It would actually be best to shoot on the S-Bahn. Like Bomfunk MCs - remember that legendary video from the 90s? So nice!"

You grew up in Hamburg Jenfeld. What bothered you about it, you read in interviews: The poor public transport connections?

Yes, you always had to take the bus for ages to get to the S-Bahn. And the bus was always full, sometimes you couldn't get on at all. But there was this one bus driver who I always loved: Always in a good mood. He always made funny announcements and greeted everyone warmly. I think everyone in Jenfeld knew him. Just like Uli from Wandsbek...

Who's that?

He was a homeless man who I don't think is alive today. He danced in the railway, a Wandsbek legend!

What was it like growing up in Hamburg?

Good. Jenfeld is very mixed. A large African community, but also many other cultures. That was very formative for me and I'm grateful because it made me very cosmopolitan. Important places for me were the Glashaus, where many of our Ghanaian community celebrations took place, and the Hammer Church.

Did you go to church a lot?

Yes, that also shaped me. I think you can take a lot of things from the Bible for your life. And I used to sing in the gospel choir. My love of music certainly has something to do with that.

Why do we meet here?

If I have to go somewhere by train, for example to Berlin for a concert, I meet my manager here - it's the centre for both of us.

Do you still use public transport a lot these days?

Not as often as I used to, because I tend to travel shorter distances these days and there are many more alternatives. I usually ride my e-scooter. Otherwise I prefer the Moia - and of course I still take the bus from time to time.

Do you have a favourite place in Hamburg?

I really like this pavilion in the city park, where weddings and things like that are celebrated. And in summer I like to be on the Alster, preferably on the side arms. It's usually nice and quiet there, we chill out a lot.

You released a new song in the summer. What else did your professional year look like, and what projects are you currently working on?

I've played at twelve festivals and I'm currently in the studio a lot. I want to create a new sound - influenced by various trends from England, the USA and France. Releases are planned for next year.

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