For AC Lightnin, creativity has always been part of the DNA. Growing up in New York, he was the kind of kid who could get lost in Marvel storylines or Star Wars sagas, and before long, he started writing his own. Fan-fiction was the gateway. But as he hit his teenage years, that same passion for storytelling shifted gears—turning into rap verses, poetry, and even filmmaking.
It wasn’t long before he found his way into Urban Word NYC, sharpening his skills at their workshops and serving on the youth board in 2016–2017. Those years weren’t just about learning; they were about stepping into the New York open mic scene, testing his voice in front of strangers, and realizing this was more than a hobby. This was a calling.
Mixing Faith with Wordplay
AC’s work doesn’t sit neatly in one box. It’s Hip-Hop. It’s spoken word. It’s Christian rap. It’s all of the above, filtered through the perspective of a young Black man navigating faith, love, and the world around him. His pen is sharp—witty wordplay balanced with raw honesty.
He’s already put out two EPs—Rehabilitation in 2020 and Believe in 2022—alongside a string of singles that showcase his evolving style. And he’s taken that sound beyond New York, performing everywhere from Maryland to Pennsylvania to Jersey.
On Stages Big and Small
AC has seen his words carry him to unexpected places: Off-Broadway stages like the Marjorie S. Deane Little Theater and The Triad Theater, the legendary SOB’s for Poetry Me, Please, and even onto local TV through Manhattan Neighborhood Network’s The Spotlight and CynCity Live. Each step is another reminder that his art has weight—and reach.
What Drives Him
Ask AC what keeps him moving and he’ll tell you straight: it’s about painting a picture of reality. His own, and the one he sees around him. As he puts it, “if you experiment and keep trying, one day it’ll work out.” That mix of perseverance and faith is the backbone of everything he creates.
The Road Ahead
Next up for AC Lightnin is his first solo show this November at The Delancey in New York City and his first mixtape, a project that promises to stretch his artistry even further. For him, it’s not just about music or poetry—it’s about leaving behind something that sparks thought, conversation, and maybe even change.
Because at the end of the day, AC isn’t just performing for applause. He’s trying to light the way.
🔗 Instagram: @theaclightnin_
🎶 Music: Listen Here
