J-Mill from Fredrick is emerging onto the scene and letting the inventiveness flow. Not only is he an artist, but he has put out his own book The Official How To Rap Manual, starting his own publishing company, created a buzzing website and even his own indie label. Just when you think writing your rhymes and performing was enough, here comes an artist who is putting his words, his experiences and creativity out for the masses in an entirely different way. Is there anything the J-Mill isn't doing? It is time for more artist to step their game up not just in their lyrics but the business side of things as well. By creating more outlets then just being an artist, J-Mill has connected with another audience, his fellow artists and peers, which isn't always that simple in a day and age of ego trips. Yo! Raps checked in recently with J-Mill to find out about his many different hats he wears, and what he has in store coming up.
You are from Fredrick which is also around what they call the DMV (D.C., Maryland, Virginia) area, what is the local hip hop scene like for up and coming artists like yourself?
It's lovely. Frederick is small so it was nothing for me to build a buzz there. It was the whole DMV that I was focusing on when I started promoting J-Mill. I get recognized a lot more now so I would have to say everything is cool.
Have you done much traveling? And if so what has been some of your favorite areas to travel to and why?
Most of my shows are either in DC or Baltimore. I'm about an hour away from both areas. I've performed in North Carolina, New York, New Jersey and New Orleans. I had a blast in NO and we got big love in NC at the Mid Atlantic Music Conference. We went to Mardi Gras in NO and man, it was ridiculous. I had my first plate of Gumbo in New Orleans. I love to travel.
What sort of lyrics can people find in your music?
I try to rap about everything. I have songs that touch on struggles, females, partying, drugs, swag etc. Mini movies are what I like to call them.
Can you tell our readers about your label Streetz Certified Records and are you the only artist on the label?
Yeah, I started the label with two other people Al Paso and Big Ro. I'm the only artist for now. I'm running everything myself right now - I couldn't deal with another ego [laughs]. I'm pushing myself to the fullest so I can't really do that with someone else. Right now. But who knows only time will tell.
I notice you are your own manager, with a million and one things to handle, how come you don't have management?
Right now, I've been interviewing a few prospects but I was told a long time ago nobody is going to push you like you so I think that has a lot to do with me wanting to control my own destiny. I'm an entrepreneur I like to run my own biz. Right now I can handle the work load but I'm really going to need a business manager soon. I'm playing business and personal manager right now. But I'm learning a lot so no complaints thus far.
You have a song featured on Midnight Club LA distributed by Rockstar Games Inc, how did that come about?
Honestly, I couldn't begin to tell you. I know I sent the EP to a lot of people and the next thing I know I get an email that they want to use the song. That was a big day for me because I monetized off of my music and it was an accomplishment that a lot of artist in my position can't claim. I'm on there along side heavy hitters like Maino, Nas, and Kanye to name a few. That doesn't happen to people where I'm from. It just doesn't, so I'm really appreciative. Midnight Club LA has played a big part in taking my MySpace hits from 40k to over 300k in as little as three months.
You have a song called I Know featuring Grafh releasing, any other singles you are pushing at the moment?
Well the Grafh song is just about to be released. Right now I'm working on a mixtape and another EP. I have Like Dat and another Single called Sticky Situations that I'm pushing right now. I just signed a major ringtone distribution agreement for those two songs so make sure you all be on the look out because we on all the major carriers.
Was there a specific structure to your EP, Certified Hu$tle or did it just come together as your worked on songs one by one?
Actually, I was working on my album and at the time - I had around 12 songs done and I just picked four songs that worked well together. The response I've been getting has been great.
I want to ask you about your book, The Official How To Rap Manual. Why should people listen to your words when you are basically an up-n-comer in the industry alongside those that would be the demographic your book is geared towards?
Sure, I've been rapping for years. I've been rapping longer than a lot of the newcomers out right now. I didn't have a "study guide" when I started rapping so I made my own. I'm teaching how to rap not how to sell records. As far as rapping goes I feel like I'm a vet. Hopefully I verified that by writing the book. It was years in the making and its techniques and tips etc. that I have learned along the way. It helped me tremendously and I figured if it could help me then it could help the next MC in the same position. It's doing very well. I have members from the UK to Singapore. I ship all over the world. That's a great feeling.
How long did it take you to go from concept to final product on The Official How To Rap Manual?
It was almost 10 years before that project came into completion. I thought, "If you write it they will come" type of thing. I learned a lot about marketing and promoting online due to the book. I designed How2Rap.com as a catalyst for the book. I remember only getting 2 to 3 members a month. Now I get 3-6 a day. I've used the same techniques to promote the book that I use to promote my music.
You are also the owner and creator of How2Rap.com, what can people find there and what do you offer the masses that they can't find anywhere else?
How2Rap.com is basically a platform dedicated to the book. It has tips and tricks on how to rap. If you're a beginner you can learn to count bars and it introduces the reader to the infamous point system that is available in the book. They also get websites that I think they may be interested in and that relate to rap they can go to. But The Official How To Rap Manual was the only one of its kind when I first got on the web.
You have appeared on several mixtapes by DJ Ron G, any other DJ's given you placements on their mixtapes?
Ron G is my dude. I'm on his latest one Can't Stop Part 1. I've been on DJ Snipez mixtape. DJ's can get in touch with me at Jkw2776@aol.com.
Do you feel there is a difference in industry credibility for those artists that purchase their mixtape placements and those who are invited onto a mixtape?
Yeah, I do. But you gotta do what you gotta do until you get to that level. I mean it's cool to pay for placement. Sometimes you got to pay the cost to be the boss. It's messed up... it's that way, but maybe later on some DJ's will start paying me to get exclusives. It's a business all the way around so you either with it or not.
What will 2009 bring for you and your label?
I just started Millinnium Flow Publishing and I've started submitting music for film. Anybody looking for music holla at me. I'm looking to license more music in 2009 and just planning to continue making good music.
Appreciate the interview, can you let our readers know where they can find your music, your book and more about you?
Definitely, it was a pleasure. They can contact me on myspace/therealjmill or How2Rap.com.
- By So Sincere
