D Millz Interview

D Millz is one of the hottest up and coming UK rappers from outside of London! We caught up with him!

How did you first start rapping?

I was about 13 years old when I first wrote a rhyme.  It was absolute nonsense though, I can't lie 
and say that I was goin' in from young, haha.  I just kept at it and kept at it, practice makes perfect 
right?  I was too involved in other things to fully focus on it though, so for years writing just 
stayed a hobby I did whenever I had the spare time.

The first recording I did was on an old karoake machine my boy used to have in his bedroom.  I'd 
record instrumentals from CD onto a tape, then put a blank tape in the other slot and we'd spit 
for hours. We took that thing everywhere with us!

I started to take it serious when I was about 19, did a few recordings, mainly freestyles, I'd 
post them on the internet, on various forums, MySpace, etc. I went by the name of X-Calibur then.  
Caught the ear of Iron Shiek, a Wu-Tang affiliate who was Cappadonna's and Shyheim's (Wu-Tang) 
manager, and also Infamous Mobb's manager at the time.  In the end nothing became of it as I 
just wasn't focused at all, I wasn't putting the work in.  I started fuckin' with Icadon (f/k/a Icarus,
Redman's protege) and his Black Flagz movement, but again, it didn't work out as I was too busy 
runnin' around doing stupid shit instead of being about the music.  Shout-out to them man though, 
they still movin' and gave me a lot of insight into this industry.

Who were your main influences when you were first starting doing music?

When I first started I would say it was definitely Wu-Tang that influenced me. Heavily.  I used 
to work on one of their websites from being young.  I'd type up their lyrics for 'em, put 'em on 
the net, when they had new material to promote, I'd call 'em up and we'd do interviews for the blogs 
and all that.  But growing up I only ever really listened to Wu-Tang. A little DMX, Biggie, Nas, 
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony mixed in there.  I was very selective.  I've always been a fan of lyrics.
I loved the wordplay, the metaphors, the rhyme-schemes.  Oh, and Eminem's Slim Shady and Marshall 
Mathers albums too, I fucked with those.  Other than that, life in general influenced me. From being 
a young eteen, I'd seen and done a lot, and needed a way to express myself.  I was always good with 
words, my teachers thought I'd be an author.  I guess they're partly right!

Who do you listen to, and who do you respect in the rap game today?

Right now there's not too much variation in what I listen to.  Without being biased, majority of my 
playlist is made up of my London boys, Eurogang (S.A.S, Bigz, Skrilla Kid Villain, Haze).  I listen 
to Fabolous, Maino, Jeezy, Cam'Ron, Ghostface, Method Man & Redman, Joe Budden, Jadakiss, Styles.  
But mainly just Eurogang, cuz I can relate more to what they saying.

As far as who I respect in the game, I respect anybody making good music.  Anybody making money out 
of it. I respect artists like Blade, Giggs, Pak-Man, Wretch32, Scorcher, my boy Kayo aka Kidderachi, 
my guy Paralasis there's a lot doing it right now, I could be here all day naming names.  I also 
respect man who have pushed it to another level, such as Tinchy, N-Dubz, etc. I might not like all 
of the songs that they do, but I respect their hustle. The song "Memo to the Scene" on my EP might 
be perceived as me taking shots at them, but it's all in jest.  It ain't nothing serious, it's just bars.

What projects have you had out in the past?

None!  I just dropped my debut EP, "Up North Thoughts", featuring S.A.S, Bigz, Skrilla Kid Villain, Kayo 
aka Kidderachi, MackDice, and Kayos from NY.  (Download for FREE here: http://bit.ly/bfe8eC)

All original production from my German family, Benno and Froze.

Although I know a certain Chicago DJ who I used to send my recordings to when I was around 14, 15, compiled 
a CD called "The Anthology" that he was slingin on eBay about 8 years ago! Haha.  That wasn't 
official though.

What are you working on now?

Right now I'm working on the follow up to "Up North Thoughts", titled "PaperWork".  First single off that 
gonna feature Lazee, from Sweden (Google him if you don't know already!) and it's really gonna have the 
same features as my current EP. It's not that I don't want to collaborate with anybody else, more like 
not everybody is as humble as man I've worked with and they might air man when I contact 'em, or they 
just ain't heard of me, whatever. But that'll change in time, trust me!

Also got a collaboration mixtape I'm about to start working on with my man Paralasis. He's originally 
from SW London, but now stays in New Jersey.  We got some other projects lined up too, such as t-shirt 
lines, and some other stuff but I don't wanna give too much away just yet!

If you could work with anybody in the game, who would it be and why?

Hmmm tough question.  As far as artists, it might come as a surprise, but I'd love to work with John Legend, 
no homo. If I could get him on a track, it'd be a smash hit, trust me!  Other than that, Cam'Ron, Fabolous, 
The Clipse, Jeezy, Jadakiss, Joe Budden, Meth & Red, Ghostface, the usual suspects, man.  why?  Coz I feel 
their music, All of those I mentioned been grinding for a long time and are still relevant today.  Not too 
many man can say that.  Oh, and Drake too, I fucks with Drake's music.

Where can we get at you on the net?

Twitter:  @UpNorthMillz or www.twitter.com/UpNorthMillz
YouTube: www.youtube.com/DMillzTV
MySpace: www.myspace.com/UpNorthMillz
Facebook: www.facebook.com/UpNorthMillz
E-Mail: cheechdawildkard@gmail.com

Where would you like to be in Five years?

In five years I'd like to be living comfortably. And I'd like for my kids, my family, and all those around 
me to be living comfortably.  No more struggling.  Still making good music, and be respected by my peers.

Do you have any shout outs, or last words?

It's a lotta shout-outs!  

First off, shout out my man CK for holdin' me down whilst I was growing up. If it wasn't for him, I probably 
wouldn't even be here today.  Shout out my boy Lee, for always providing man with that peng! Haha, makes 
my music possible!

On a music tip, shoutout to Mayhem (S.A.S), he's looked out for man, and give me plenty of good advice.  
So has Skrilla Kid Villain and Paralasis, so big up them man too.  Shoutout Mega (S.A.S), Bigz, ZaZa, Haze, 
Kayo aka Kidderachi, J Money, Benno for being patient with me, providing those sick beats, and mixing down 
my shit! Froze, FunnyTummy, MackDice, Lazee, HarlemDaDon for pushin my shit over in the States, Kayos, SNKX, 
Gords aka DJ Star Status, too many people to mention.

Oh, and shoutout MediaMassacre.net for supporting me, putting my songs and my video on the site, shoutout 
Making Movez TV (www.allgrime.com and www.wegoingin.com) for shooting my first hood video down in London, 
shoutout Sauceoreli from Road Starz TV, we gonna link up soon.

Just shoutout everybody who fucks with me, everybody whos given me a push, everybody whos downloaded my EP, 
watched my video, and re-tweeted 'em on Twitter, or put the links on their Facebook and whatever.  I 
appreciate all of that greatly.

And shoutout to you, HeaviestHookUps for giving me the opportunity to speak out!

Tags: D Millz, Eurogang, S.A.S.