J-MILL - Living The Script: Pristine Condition
By: GLOK a.k.a Frank Black
So while The SOURCE (the so called Bible Of Hip-Hop Music) gets thinner (and insists on being Hip-Hop's most boring Hip-Hop magazine), Mafioso Media is getting bigger (and insists on always showcasing the indie-grounds best of the best).. Making ROCKSTAR moves and Best Seller "How To's" I bring you Maryland's finest a.k.a J-Mill.. J-Mill not only mastered the art of RAP (noooo sir).. This indie phenom actually wrote the book.. A hustla in true form and DMV hood certified, J-Mill cocked the GLOK this issue and aimed right between the eyes of truth.. Words Of Wisdom Pg.1 (Catch Up)!!
GLOK: MD 20/20 vision ya digg.. GLOK'O got the homie J-Mill on deck with that Maryland money music.. What's poppin witcha my dude?
J-MILL: I can't call it Glok.. Things are going real good for the boy (definitely can't complain).
GLOK: Never to be confused with that other rapper Jae Millz (i know you hate that).. Before we bust a clip at em' let the world know who you are exactly, where you reppin from, and why you do what you do.
J-MILL: My name is J Hyphen Mill (Jamaal Makin It Livin Large).. Streetz Certified Records official Represent'a.. I'm from Maryland aka The DMV.. I do this for the Moolah, but I love what I do.
GLOK: Give me a quick (but real) glimpse into your life.. Tell me about your childhood and what life was like for you growing up.
J-MILL: It wasn't bad.. I played ball (and was dat dude on the court).. I came up low to mid class.. Not to different from anybody else.. I had my family probs just like everybody else I suppose.. Dealt with shit that I really can't dive into right now, but I don't have any regrets because the lessons life gave me made me who I am today.. I always had a thing for music as far as I can remember.
GLOK: Who made you say, "damn I want to be a MC/Rapper"?.. When did you fall in love with Hip-Hop?
J-MILL: I always loved Hip Hop.. I fell in love with it in it's early form (when it was raw, new and fresh).. When Bad Boy came on the Scene and I first heard B.I.G. (from there) I knew I wanted to pursue this shit as a career.. I was waiting for a label to come and scoop me up (like 80% of the artist out here right now are doing).. Shootin up top, knockin on doors trying to be heard.. I was really ready to sign my life away and give my soul to the devil.
GLOK: I gotta keep it 100 with you (I can't name one rapper other than you from Frederick, Maryland).. How would you describe the Hip-Hop scene there?.. and help update the world on the power of this DMV movement.
J-MILL: Well it's cool.. We got some heads who do their thing locally.. Frederick is actually 45 minutes from DC and Baltimore so we're right in the middle.. Most of my shows are in DC-Baltimore-and VA.. The DMV movement is crazy right now.. It's the biggest it has ever been and cats are starting to get Major Radio Play out here.. I'm one of the only artists from Fred who's creating a huge buzz for himself.. We just had a cat on BET's Freestyle Friday (White Cat B. Dawson).. He lost, but hey how many people can say they blessed BET (smell me)?.. The DMV got Wale, Tabi Bonney, Bossman, Test Me, Smash, Frayz, Top Dawg, Oy Boyz and so many more.. It's growing.
GLOK: Have you ever felt like pursuing a music career in Maryland is a disadvantage for you?
J-MILL: Not really because I knew if I could get my name bangin out here then when and if they (the labels) do start lookin out here, they would definitely have to come holla at US for that HOT shit.. Shit is going so good I'm feelin like damn I may not need a MAJOR for me to live (eat).
GLOK: Let's talk about this book you put out "The Official How To Rap Manual" www.how2rap.com.. What made you take it upon yourself to pen such a neccesary manual?
J-MILL: Basically, because it was a need that I didn't have when I started rapping.. So I just filled the void and it's been taking off.. The bigger J-Mill and Streetz Certified Records gets, the more copies of the book I seem to sell (lol).. Go figure.. I got members from the UK to Canada (it's a good thing).
GLOK: This is a great idea.. Kind of like a cookbook for rappers.. Do you have any before and after stories of how you helped turn a non-lyrical frog into "prince beast on the mic"?
J-MILL: Actually NO.. I mean I get love all the time (like "Thanks so much".. "Your the best" or "I've learned so much from your book".. That in itself makes me feel like the book has served it's purpose.. Keep the love coming. www.how2rap.com
GLOK: How many copies have you sold thus far YTD?.. and where can it be purchased (on or offline)?
J-MILL: I've sold over 450 copies independently from a two bedroom apartment.. No help from celebs or anybody.. All Mill.. You can find it on Amazon, www.lulu.com and www.How2rap.com.
GLOK: What sets J-Mill apart from other rappers?
J-MILL: I get asked that often (especially on the road trying to get in the door).. I feel it's only two things that seperate me from other "Rappers".. and it absolutely has nothing to do with RAP.. The two things are my HEART-and my MIND (that's it).
GLOK: Looking at your resume (opening up for artists such as Trina, Ludacris, Shyne, Black Rob, etc. & performing with Trey Songz, Shawty Lo, and Lil Webbie just to name a few) it's pretty damn clear your all about power moves.. What do you classify as your greatest accomplishment so far in your career?
J-MILL: I would say (to date) the completion of my EP "Certified Hu$tle" (available on iTunes, Rhapsody, Amazon.. etc).. I always said I was doing an album but nothing ever got done.. This is the one, my first official album release is my greatest accomplishment.. It set everything in motion.. The Rockstar Games deal transpired from the EP (so yeah that's the one).
GLOK: You have a song featured on a video game correct (ROCKSTAR's Midnight Club Los Angeles)?.. What's the name of the track?.. and how did you hook that up?
J-MILL: The track is called "Like Dat" and I don't know how they found me but I woke up one day to a email saying that they wanted to use my song and of course I was thrilled for the opportunity.
GLOK: Normally what can we find in your CD deck/iPod?.. Do you drive to your own music?
J-MILL: On the real I listen to my stuff after I record it a few times then I put it to the side.. I'm really that R&B dude when I vibe to music.. If it's not that (R&B) then I'm riding around listening to beats or the radio.
GLOK: Are you feeling any of the Hip-Hop on the radio nowadays?
J-MILL: It's all starting to sound the same.. I'm diggin where hip hop is right now.. It's like you go to the playground and see a rack of niggaz playin ball and you know you can take'm (you know you got what it takes to put it to'em).. The weaker the competition the easier it is (that's how I see it).. But Hey!?!
GLOK: Do you consider yourself a Gangsta Rapper?.. Trust me I have defended the term "Gangster" for a while, but with the overflow of youngins claiming their oh so G it's hard to really tell who is who these days.. Give me the J-Millipedia definition of what exactly a Gangsta Rapper is.
J-MILL: I make Gangsta Music.. Not saying I'm out here poppin off shots or robbing n^^^as for their goods.. My music consists of those type of substances, but you can't just classify me in that category because I make music for anybody.. My peeps hustled, my pops drank, my family members are off the alcohol, heroin, dope etc.. I've been in love.. I've played love games.. I've cheated.. etc.. All those types of things are in my music, and whoever been through the same thing or has that same element in their life will be able to relate to my music.
GLOK: Major propz for "not just" catering to the Gangsta side of rap.. You keep a broad range of subject matter with your music and actually try and connect with the listeners.. What topics do you think need to be touched on more in todays Hip-Hop/Rap/Music?
J-MILL: I mean.. I just think it don't need to always be about gettin money.. What about the lil youngin who 15 and bout to be a father?.. Teach him to be there for his son.. Anybody can be a daddy, but it take a man to be a father.. -or-.. What about the youngin who thinking shit like this thing called life is to much and I don't feel like living no more?.. Who's gonna be the one to tell him just hold on dawg give that wound a chance to heal?.. It ain't the end of the world pimpin-you can survive it-learn from it and keep it movin-the next experience is right around the corner and it's gonna be even better than the last one-give it a minute.. Ya feel me?
GLOK: Did Obama's win (position of power) influence a change in your music in any way?
J-MILL: I mean, it was a very emotional experience for a lot of people.. It felt good for it to happen here in DC.. I mentioned Obama's name in a few lines that's about it.. I'm just sticking to the script, still spittin the same flavor I've been spittin since I started rapping (staying in my own lane).. So nah, I can't really say he changed my music, but I'm a fan and supporter of OBAMA!!!!.. I think Hip Hop played a big hand in his outcome (of becoming our 1st Black President).. Hip Hop played and continues to play a huge part in WORLD HISTORY.. Yall do your research.
GLOK: What's your favorite Gangster Movie?
J-MILL: Menace II Society.. New Jack City, Scarface, City Of God, Boyz N The Hood, Harlem Nights, and American Gangster are a few other good ones in the collection.
GLOK: This new EP you got out "Certified Hu$tle" not only defines your drive, but from what I've heard the shit is HOT (no question).. What did you aim to deliver with this project?.. What other CD's or mixtapes can we find you on?.. and when is that classic J-Mill full album dropping?
J-MILL: Yea its created/creating a nice outcome/income for me.. I can finally say I'm making a lil change off my music.. I just wanted to put something out.. I wanted to give people the option to kiss or diss it so to speak.. It wasn't really no point of putting it out other than for me to see if I could sell my music.. It was a gamble (that was it).. Either it's gonna sell -or- it's just gonna sit on the shelf.. I've built a buzz.. The people f^^^n with it and (yeah) its' a good feeling.. I got fans in other countries, other nationalities showin love.. I'm getting noticed around the way.. shout outs in the clubs.. and ladies (lol) OH the laaaaadies.. but real talk, its humbling because a n^^^a grinded it out by himself.. We about to drop our first official Mixtape "Watch Me", hopefully by the end of April that should be done (so mos def look for that).. Also the NEW EP is coming right behind that and Then the Full length album which is nearly completed now.. I'm gonna continue doing shows.. and after that (I'm going on vacation dawg).. MIAMI maybe?!?
GLOK: How can people contact you to listen to or purchase your music/for collabs/shows?.. and what is currently on the agenda for your label Streetz Certified Records?
J-MILL: They can hit me on the space (myspace.com/therealjmill).. www.j-mill.com, www.how2rap.com, (email) jmilliscr@gmail.com or just call me 240.422.3938 and leave a message.. For collabs we doing a hundred + for anybody serious.. I ain't lookin out for free no more with these 16's dawg.. If a dude ain't got a yard to spend for an artist like J-Mill then I really can't work wit'em.. Their whole perspective is wack (and keep it moving).. That's like wholesale on some work and you gonna turn it down (lol)?.. Nah but for shows holla at me..We can perform anywhere as long as we're compensated for the food and travel.. Hit me jmilliscr@gmail.com.
GLOK: From one businessman to another.. You literally do it all and your NETWORK game is sick fam.. I'm sure you won't stop until The Game Is Yours.. Thanks for the cigar.
J-MILL: Vice Versa family.. I respect a n^^^a grind and hustle, so it's nothing.. Much love and support from Mill and the whole SCR. www.myspace.com/therealjmill
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