A Quick Chat with ACP

First things first: for readers discovering ACP for the first time, introduce yourself and tell us how you got into music.

Hi, I’m ACP. Rapper, freestyler, and performer. I've been doing this since my early teens, and professionally since 2019 with my vast discography/projects being on all major music platforms.

How does it feel to finally have 'That's Love' out in the world? What moment made you realise the track was something special?

I feel great! I wanted this type of track for a while, actually. Something that’s catchy and takes you on a ride through the decades, but with a modern twist.

Great question. When I heard the beat in its first 30 seconds, I was already jotting ideas. But it was definitely the 2nd studio session with Joelistics when I realised what we visioned is coming all together. He's such a talented producer and seeing him actually using instrumental… Can I say perfecto!

The track moves through a lot of different sonic eras, like '70s funk and '80s boom-bap. Was that time-machine feeling intentional from the start, or did it evolve in the studio?

I had in mind something funky before seeing Joel in the studio. We had an amazing conversation about music at the GRID Series meet and greet at Bunjil Place last year, and had ideas before even stepping in the stu. When he played the first concept version of the beat… wow! That's the magic about studio time, you can have an idea of what to do, but when it's all said and done… this project in particular, I'm still kinda speechless. It definitely evolved the more we went at it.

What was the dynamic like working with ARIA-nominated producer Joelistics on this one?

I’m still tryna understand and marinate on how thankful I am to have worked with such a talented individual. We have a lot in common when it comes to music, close to the same taste and that worked wonders when being in the studio. The guy loves what he does and that's another thing I have in common with him.

You've mentioned Prince as a huge influence on this release. What is it about his music or artistry that resonates with you the most?

Guy was an unstoppable force of musical genius. I've been a fan of his since I was a child because of my family's taste in music. If you know how many instruments he played or who he mentored in his days, or how powerful he was even as a business man and a humanitarian. I can talk about him for hours and I miss him dearly.

'That's Love' touches on perseverance and self-belief. What do those themes mean to you in your life?

I've had many delays, I feel. Surgeries, a lot of hospital appointments, all until I was 18 years old. Things had to be done to make me the person and artist I am now. I think the lyric says it for itself, 'It is what it is, go on with your bad self'. Like my close homie Mr. Congo says, 'keep pushing'. This track will continue to motivate me in this thing called life. Being a struggling artist, travelling by public transport, and not missing an important day, shows the determination of why I'm still here and why I have these opportunities now.

If you could take the 'That's Love' time machine to any musical era for a week, where are you going and who are you jamming with?

I would do the early 2000s. I'm at Paisley Park Studios in Minneapolis, at one of Prince's infamous parties. My song playing on the dancefloor, and whoever he invited is waiting for Prince to perform.