Antoine McColister (born May 11, 1988), better known by his stage name Ace Hood, is an American rapper. He was born in Port St. Lucie, Florida and raised in Deerfield Beach, Florida. In 2008, he graduated from Deerfield Beach High School in Deerfield Beach, Florida. He is signed to DJ Khaled's label We the Best Music Group and Cash Money Records, and was formerly signed to Def Jam Recordings.

His song "Top of the World", from his debut studio album Gutta, was featured in the basketball simulation game, NBA 2K10. Ace Hood was born in Port St.

Lucie, Florida, on May 11, 1988 and was raised by his mother and younger cousin Ty Barton, Jr. in Deerfield Beach, part of Broward County.

He attended Deerfield Beach High School. Following a football injury in the 10th grade, and after realizing he wouldn't be able to go pro, the Broward County native began to seriously consider rapping as a career.

So Hood teamed up with a local group called Dollaz & Dealz and released a single titled "M. O.

E. " in 2006.

He also began promoting himself via open mic events and talent shows around town.