With a new album in the works and his latest track that remixes Solange’s “Cranes in the Sky”, RVA hip hop artist Michael Millions is gearing up for his busy months to come at the start of the year.
With a new album in the works and his latest track that remixes Solange’s “Cranes in the Sky”, RVA hip hop artist Michael Millions is gearing up for his busy months to come at the start of the year.
You might remember Millions from his album Ghost of 20 Dollar Bills or his latest album release and short film, Beautiful from last year. The 32-year-old began his music career at the age of 10 writing lyrics and at the age of 14, began the start of his recording.
Millions signed to the independent record label Don Lynn Entertainment at the age of 18 and later began his own label Purple Republic Music Group in late 2009. Since then, Millions has released five different projects independently and become one of the major players in the local hip hop scene.
Although Millions was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina, he calls Richmond his home.
“At the time when I was building my independent career, Richmond just started evolving and blooming really quickly as far as the art and music culture,” said Millions. “People were virtually beautifying the city, and it kind of makes it hard to leave. There’s no place like home.”
With a sense of authenticity and dedication in his music, Millions features more than just a DJ to his live set. He also includes a drummer as well as a bassist, trying to blend the aesthetic of Richmond to his own.
“Richmond is such a grass root type of city,” he said. “People like organic and homegrown, not necessarily the glitz glamour type of stuff. That’s what I love about Richmond, and I try to translate that into my music as well.”
The newest track, “Cranes in the Sky”, is a remix of Solange’s song off the singer’s A Seat At The Table album which dropped this year. Millions never initially intended to put out this track to the public.
“These songs are like my fun things on top of building my own record. It let me put my perspective on someone else’s art” Millions said.
Previously he’s has recorded songs which feature himself on mostly R&B tracks including Erykah Badu and Rihanna, always just sending them out to a few friends. This song, however got a heavy response.
“I had everyone telling me to put it out. Before I knew it, I had cover art and everything,” Millions said.
“Cranes in the Sky” is an independent release from the new album Millions is working on now tentatively titled Bella.
“This album is delving more into some personal issues and personal perspectives that I don’t think I’ve ever touched on in my life,” said Millions.
After getting laid off from his job of nine years, Millions has taken the opportunity to turn it into something positive.
“It was a blessing because it pushed me in the direction to become a better artist on a regular basis where I didn’t have to worry about dealing with the hustle and bustle of a double life really,” he said. “For the last year and a half, I’ve been focused on music.”
The turn of events has caused Millions to rely solely on his music which created almost a sense of urgency.
“What I’ve learned is I’ve grown exponentially in regards to my craft,” he said. “I’m more motivated because this how my revenue comes in and how I make ends meet. That urgency has inspired other raw emotions that can be placed in music.”
Besides solo efforts, the local artist has had his hands in a multitude of projects around Richmond, including his own music and has tirelessly put his entire being into creating in the moment.
In July, Millions collaborated with Radio B on a project called TENTHSNDHRS, a 12-track album.
As an evolving artist, Millions is incredibly self-aware and has learned to take away something from every project he has created.
“I was a caterpillar at one point and I went into my cocoon. And I came out as a butterfly. And I’m just realizing that I have all of these colors and I can fly, and do all of these different things. And it’s just me adjusting to living my butterfly life” Millions said.
Millions is planning to release his album at the beginning of next year and will begin rolling out new content in December.
You can catch him performing at the third annual Flag on the Moon event at the Broadberry featuring Nickelus F and Radio B on December 3rd. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. and you can order your early bird tickets for $3 here.
