Exclusive Interview with Rebel ACA

August 04, 2023

MusicWeek Staff: Who are your biggest musical influences? In what way did they influence you?

Rebel ACA: Big Pun - for his flow

Eminem - for his lyrics

Jimmy Page - for his songwriting

Hendrix - for his crazy talent.

MusicWeek Staff: What story behind the song "MYGRAINE”?

Rebel ACA: I (rebel aca) get alot of migraines.

They have been a big part of my life

Felt we could do with a doing a song about them.

I wrote the song originally with my friends Lil Rossco and Pierre Duplan who wrote the music with me.

I had a verse for it, then Spragga Benz and me were making some music and he added the chorus

Then Rodney P heard that and added his bars, which I adjusted around.

MusicWeek Staff: How did you describe your process of creating "MYGRAINE" compared to your other song?

Rebel ACA: Its a collaboration - so you really riff off each other. One things leads to the next. This song was actually written over a long period - which is different - as the original music and idea was done almost a year before the actual song.

MusicWeek Staff: With every project comes a challenge, Can you tell us a time were you faces obstacles when creating this music video? How did you handle it?

Rebel ACA: The music video - honestly was the amazing work of Ben Bro. Who put together such a complex and amazing video to convey the “migraine” throughout the song. The intensity, and funkiness of the headache, and imaging all the metaphorical representations of what’s going on in your head

The video was filmed in November… it was freezing… in this old beat up abandoned place in south London - that has since been demolished. There were people spinning nun chucks and bikes all around us, water pouring from the ceiling (it was cold, and wet!). Honestly it was madness the whole thing… But Ben Bro just absolutely smashed it.

MusicWeek Staff: Name a time when your patience in making your video tested.

Rebel ACA: Ben must have lost the plot. But for us as performers, he was so on it and well organised - it was fine.

But look - the glamour of the music industry - the reality is its always lots of waiting around, lots of cold boring moments… then action and you have to do something the opposite of looking bored and tired. I have to say I am terrible at remembering lyrics, so that’s always my battle - remembering to learn them. Not sure if its the dyslexia, hell maybe its the migraines… but remembering lyrics is like my biggest challenge… I write so many songs constantly… its pretty hard to remember them all … in the cold, on the spot…

MusicWeek Staff: In your experience, what is the key to developing a good team?

Rebel ACA: A clear objective.

Clear roles.

Being grateful and humble, on all sides.

No dick heads.

MusicWeek Staff: Do you think you could get any better as an artist? And if so, how would you achieve that?

Rebel ACA: Oh gosh - I am still at the start of this journey as an artists, as a rapper, let alone as a singer which I do sometimes. Forever I need to get better as a rapper. Just by always trying to go beyond my comfort zone

Working with Spragga Benz and Rodney P - both absolute legends in their game - revered for there skills - raises your game.

MusicWeek Staff: Your song "MYGRAINE", did you wis you had done something differently? Or have you changed as a person and would change styles/lyrics now?

Rebel ACA: Not really. I mean I was thinking the other day there should be a verse with advice in it. What to do. Find your triggers. But it was too much fun rapping about the feeling, the pain, and the way you manage it.

MusicWeek Staff: If you could pass on a nugget of wisdom t the next musical generation, what would it be?

Rebel ACA: Don’t be a dick head. There are alot of people in this for the fame. That is a narcissism… and that means you only care about you, and think you are the one with all the talent. That is BS. Noone ever gets anywhere without an amazing team around them. Talent is everywhere. The team need to feel valued, and that they are working for someone who is brilliant. And not a dick head. So don’t be one. Be kind, be humble, be open, appreciate all the people who have to do the hard work around you… and work your balls off. And if you lucky - maybe you get a chance to fly.