What went down at Ace Tee’s Bershka show

Ace Tee – the honey-voiced artist leading Germany’s R&B new wave – made the crowd at the intimate Musikbrauerei in Berlin get down. The wavey night was in celebration of the musician’s Bershka collaboration, where the German-Ghanaian artist performed with the swagger of Aaliyah and the poise of Brandy, recalling pretty much every member of TLC. Yet, though she’s heavily influenced by those 90s mainstays, Ace Tee compels us as an effervescent artist of a future-confronting R&B generation.

Ace Tee wore a head-to-toe, custom-designed Bershka outfit; an all black, leather three piece, vibing with the 90s era that was obsessed with futurism and birthed avant-garde sci-fi music videos like Janet Jackson’s “Scream” and the lewks of TLC in “No Scrubs”. 

“My environment reflects my lifestyle,” she told Dazed before the show. “My heritage, my musical inspiration from the 90s, and today’s music like 2step and even UK grime.” As well as being reflective in her aesthetics and creative vision, those expansive influences are all over the exclusive playlist she made of recommended artists to celebrate her Bershka collab merch – it jumps from Philadelphia rapper Tierra Whack, to the vivid, urgent music of Leikeli47, and pop-innovator Billie Eilish.

Promising and delivering on some “positive vibes” at the Berlin show, Ace Tee’s night began with an intimate and anticipating crowd gathering in the basement of Musikbrauerei, a lauded capital spot and stark industrial venue that’s known for hosting the rawest contemporary local talent and international artists alike. The audience gravitated towards DJ Inan Batman’s decks as he warmed up for Ace, setting the crowd off on a wave of nostalgia-driven bangers. 

While they danced, punters could check out the musician’s special merch designed with Bershka – an effortlessly cool, 90s-esque portrait shot on a simple black t-shirt.

As the beats from the pumping DJ set wound down, Ace Tee emerged with self-assured power, chained sunglasses wrapping around her face, sporting an of-the-moment mullet. Her set hit all the sweet spots we’ve come to expect from the rising artist – slow and syrupy but future-facing ballads, and 90s-tinged, body-wining club bangers. “Hamburg City Life” shouts out her thriving hometown over soaring productions, while viral hit “Bist du Down” galvanised the rowdy onlookers in one amorphous get down. Across an eight-tune set, Ace Tee commanded the stage with the prowess of classic R&B divas, and the energy of a rising contemporary star.

Ace Tee’s show is the third of six live events at venues across six cities, as part of On Stage // Off Stage, curated by Dazed and Bershka in a special partnership. It follows gigs by Argentina-born, Spain-based artist Nathy Peluso in Barcelona, and avant-popmakers Let’s Eat Grandma in London. While you wait for her stunning new original music to drop, you can listen to a playlist curated by Ace Tee below.