Michael Millions, Richmond’s Own
Michael Millions is an American rapper, producer and songwriter from Richmond, Virginia. He is the co-founder of Purple Republic Music Group and has collaborated with fellow Richmond natives Nickelus F and Skillz. We sit down with Michael to learn more about his journey through rap, where he’s been, and where he’s going.
Gulie Carrington: Thank you for taking the time to talk today! What led you to the music industry and pursuing the music industry, can you speak to that?
Michael Millions: I was pretty young when I first got into music. It started with my parents giving me a boombox and a few cassette tapes, one of which was Mary J. Blige’s What’s the 411 and it sent me down the path. I was drawn to it. I haven’t been the same since. I started studying music and absorbing as much of it as I could, it was a natural thing. As a kid, I would sit close to the speakers, and even now, I’m still sitting close to the speakers.
GC: Nothing’s changed!
Tell me more about your creative process. What’s your environment like when you’re recording. What does it take to get you into the headspace to create?
MM: I think it’s more of a feeling. Obviously, I have to have something that is inspiring to me, a good track of course. I have my own studio, and once I get in my zone, it just happens. I don’t really have a process. It starts with the first line and it goes from there, it’s very organic. If there are records I like, I’ll play it on repeat and then the day after i’ll record. I’ve been doing it for so long that it becomes a part of my routine of life.
GC: I love to ask this: Give me your top 5 favorite producers dead or alive.
MM: Wow. Obviously, I have to say Timbaland and Pharrell. This is tough. Kanye West too. Dr. Dre…. and Quincy Jones. My producer favorites are centered around the greats. I’m also a studio engineer and i’m responsible for thousands of records. I work like Quincy, always collaborating or coordinating a release. I look up to him and his career path.
GC: Yes, Quincy is amazing. Back to your writing, do you experience writer’s block? How do you overcome it?
MM: I don’t believe in writer’s block. If you can’t produce naturally, switch the beat. If you’re a journalist or author, switch the topic. Move on until you feel inspired. That’s the key to being an artist, staying inspired.
GC: That’s heavy. I’ve never thought about that before. Before, we were talking about being in a mental space to create. How have you been during the pandemic, and what’s next as we’re coming out of it?
MM: I was transitioning at the beginning of the pandemic, I actually just built my new house. Everyone around me has been good, which I’m grateful for. I’ve been doing music, I’m a very public artist, so having the space now to create has been kind of a relief for me. Being out in the public has an impact on a person’s anxiety, i’ve discovered. There are pieces of being an artist that people don’t consider. There is impact to people with music. I can’t imagine how Chris Brown and Trey Songz must feel, but the little things definitely do have an impact. You have to think about being recognized and people will wait.. there’s more respect now. That’s a benefit. There’s a better balance now. I appreciate having some distance.
GC: The pandemic made me realize that a lot of things aren’t accessible, actually are. I’ve been able to connect with so many people all over where before I thought they were so far out of my reach.
MM: You have to ask! People in this industry are pretty regular. You’ll never know unless you ask.
GC: “Closed mouths don’t get fed” x 1,000,000. I’m thankful I learned that!
What industry advice to you have for producers? Tough lessons you’ve learned or something you’d like up and comers to know?
What’s next for you?
MM: Advice is endless in this game. Some of it is useful and some of it is not. The most useful piece of information is that you have to believe in yourself. There’s no other advice. All the advice in the world could be summed up into being in your own corner and rooting for yourself. Visualize what it is you want to become. That’s the most important thing. It’s the one thing every star has in common. Do your plan A, don’t focus on plan B.
I’m working on a new LP, it’s on the way out. I have several projects ready to be released between touring and everything. We’re getting back in gear, getting ready to release new content. I’ve got to finish up touring out west and Florida, too!
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