Ascend for the Win- AD brings us on FLIGHT.

Mystical. Messenger. Mentor. Those are the first 3 words that come to mind during my chat with Adrian “AD1111” Martin. The well spoken, cultured, enlightened MC gives you a natural feeling of “higher vibes”. From the mannerisms to the music…you can tell that AD is on a non-stop itinerary to “elevate to GREAT”…let’s hop aboard.

Born and raised in north St. Louis, Adrian Martin aka “AD1111” (pronounced “84”) grew up knowing he wanted to make music “I believe since the day I was born”, he says. “I loved all kind of music. Rap was therapeutic to me.”, continues the Beamont High graduate. “It was an outlet. It gave me the opportunity to express my feelings. People would listen to it like, “Oh that’s tight!”, and not knowing that I was actually going through something.”

Martin’s love for expression greatly shaped his selection of favorite artists. “It’s too many, but Tupac is definitely my favorite.”, he says. “He had music to appeal to the club, but he also had a message. That’s really what my music is.” The 39 yr. old MC says his personal style of music is merely “speaking from the soul.” “I would describe it as love, spiritual, and everything in between gangster.”, he explains. “I also like to build a relationship with the beat before I write.” AD credits his inspiration to his late grandfather. “My grandfather was the hardest working and strongest man I ever saw. Walked everywhere, never complained; his work ethic is what propelled me to what I do now.”

AD1111’s music can be described as an urban “cool-aid of consciousness.” In April 2023, AD dropped his first single, “Winners Win” on streaming platforms. “It’s talking about how really; we take no losses. If you take the lessons out of everything and move forward…its victory.” In October 2023, he followed up with singles, “Richer Prior”, and “Age of Aquarius”.

The rapper is currently working on his debut album, “Summer of ’84”, due to be released soon. He is also working on a mixtape entitled, “AKOMA: A Love Letter to the Moon”. “I was dating a girl who inspired me so much. We’re not together anymore, but her soul just did something to me. She inspired so much music”, he shares. “She would call me “Addae”, and I would call her “Mwezi”. In Swahili, it means “sun” and “moon.”

Adrian is the owner/designer of his clothing line, Born Elite. He is also an active member of Black Men Build, a non-profit organization dedicated to community outreach in St. Louis, MO. His ultimate goal with his music is to build his fanbase globally. “I just want to be able to travel this world and display my art to different walks of life, like a painter does. Put my music out, let it have its impact…and I’ll disappear into the royalties.” As it looks from here, we’ll be seeing AD in the skyline…on his way to the headlines and beyond.

“You will never lose yourself by being yourself. ” -AD1111

IG: @a.d_1111_