On May 21, Miles Braxton gave a speech at the Hippodrome Theatre to 20 students who
On May 21, Miles Braxton gave a speech at the Hippodrome Theatre to 20 students who were each awarded $40,000 to four-years in college as part of the Altria College Opportunity Fund Scholarship. He is a rising sophomore studying Electrical Engineering at the University of Virginia, and sat in the same seat as the 2015 Altria Scholars, just one year ago where he was awarded that same scholarship.
Braxton has accomplished a lot in the last year, including releasing The Ascent in April, a mixtape, under the name Milo Case.
“The Ascent is a collection of memories and dreams,” said Milo Case.”It’s my first official step [in the rap game] saying ‘I’m’ here.”
The Ascent is an experiment in storytelling. From the heart-breaking story of losing a friend, to an ode to the classic beauty and undisputed talent of Janelle Monae, to impressive freestyles, the 17-track mixtape lets the listener see all sides of this young rapper looking to break into the Richmond hip-hop scene. The mixtape is hosted and presented by Atlanta-based Twenty-Two Recordings, an independent label.
Named after the legendary Jazz musician, Miles Davis, it’s no surprise the18 year-old has been in love with music from a very young age. Case credits his father for his early musical influences.
“We would listen to classical music in the car and that really inspired me to become a musician,” said Case.
“In college [my dad] was in a rap group,” he said. “He was very proud that he was able to pass that down. I actually started rapping without knowing that he used to be a rapper. He is definitely an inspiration. He’s actually my manager, but he doesn’t contribute to the music at all apart from a few suggestions here and there.”
Apart from rapping, Milo Case is trained to play the tenor saxophone, tuba, trombone, clarinet and many other instruments. What drew him to hip-hop, to rapping in general, was a mix of two key elements. The first being that he grew up listening to rap and it is familiar to him. Case also knows very well what speaks to the audience that he wants to reach out to, the people who he wants to connect with.
“In the city, people look up to people who can lyrically portray what they want to say,” said Miles Braxton. “You don’t see a lot of people looking up to saxophone players. In order to get my message across, to positively impact the youth of my city, I would have to rap and I really enjoy it.”
Community impact is a huge theme throughout the mixtape. The Ascent is a metaphor for one’s ability to help the community, to be a part of something bigger.
“There is this proverb that says, ‘Lift as you climb’.” he said. “What it means is that no matter how big or how successful you become, there is always an opportunity to help people that were in your situation.”. No matter how far I climb I am always going to have a foot in Richmond, helping out as much as I can.”
The young rapper uses music as an escape from stress and everyday pressures of being a college student. After a life of marching band all throughout high school, Miles Braxton found himself without a musical outlet for the first time. Milos Case became that outlet.
“He is a different persona. Miles Braxton is the guy who goes to school and plays sports,” Case said. “Milo Case is the music guy. As soon as he comes out, it’s time for business, it’s time to record and make music.”
As Milo Case prepares for his first show, this Friday at Club Infuzion, the young rapper is full of nothing but excitement at the opportunity to prove himself to the city he calls home. The young artist is already thinking about his next project that is completely inspired by this city.
“I’m working on this new mixtape and all of it’s inspiration comes from what I see in Richmond,” he said. “Everything that goes on [is inspiring]: the good and the bad, what happens and what doesn’t.”
Milo Case will be performing at Club Infuzion at 6:30pm on Fri., June 26. Tickets are $12.
