“The new TLC are German, pass it on,” one Twitter user said back in the early days of 2017, sharing a music video that incorporates the swagger of Missy Elliott, the honeyed sounds of Brandy, and the aesthetic of an ultimate 90s R&B classic. Young Germany kids gather, hang, and dance through the lo-fi and chill video, led by the emerging German solo artist Ace Tee for her tune “Bist du Down?” – from there, it went incredibly viral.
Fast forward to 2019 and Ace Tee is making moves. She’s working on new music that incorporates the sensibilities of the 90s with fresh productions and modern lyrical prowess, and leading a new guard of artists from both Berlin and Hamburg, where she’s now based. Now, she’s designed a t-shirt for Bershka – a simple portrait shot that recalls classic Aaliyah and Janet Jackson merch, it will be sold in select German stores. To celebrate the collaboration, Ace has curated a special playlist of boundary-pushing artists – from the gloriously weird Philadelphia rapper Tierra Whack to the smokey, sensual LA artist Bazzi, raucous earworm-maker Leikeli47 and stratospheric modern icon Billie Eilish.
Ace Tee drops the playlist before her forthcoming performance in Berlin at Musikbrauerei, as part of the of On Stage // Off Stage series, curated by Dazed and Bershka to highlight the most exciting new artists across multiple cities. Ace’s show follows Let’s Eat Grandma instore London show and Spanish rising star Nathy Peluso’s Barcelona gig.
Catch Ace Tee in Musikbrauerei, Berlin on June 6, or watch it all go down on Bershka’s Instagram live.
