On The Grind : J-Mill – Author Of The How To Rap Manual

Where Hip Hop top names like Russell Simmons and Master P made their marks by carving out niches through clothes, poetry, hood movies and Nickelodeon, J-Mill stepped up and came up with his own unique entryway teaching others how to rap.

HHL just had a brief conversation, Get to know him.

HipHopLEAD: Introduce yourself to those who don’t know much about you.
J-Mill: My name is J-Mill with Streetz Certified Records. I’m a rapper out of Maryland. Some people know me from being on the video game Midnight Club Los Angeles.

I’m also author of The Official How To Rap Manual and owner of How2rap.com

HipHopLEAD: Is there anything we should know about your name?
J-Mill: It used to be J-Millinnium when I was signed to a Indie Label in Bmore…everybody called me Mill so I just shortened to stand for Jamaal Makin It Livin Large.

HipHopLEAD: For how long have you been rapping?
J-Mill: I’ve been rappin for over 15 yearss.

HipHopLEAD: How do you describe your style?
J-Mill: I try not to put myself in any category because I pride my self in being able to rap over any beat and touch on any subject. I like to keep it gangsta but I also like touchy subjects like teen pregnancy or spousal abuse. So I just stay in my own lane.

HipHopLEAD: What can people expect from your live shows?
J-Mill: They can expect to feel the energy up close and personal. I like to interact with the crowd at all of my shows. I usually feed off the crowd not to animated but definitely they’ll appreciate the performance.

HipHopLEAD: What artist in the game at the moment makes you say WOW, when you here a track they did and makes you want to step your game up?
J-Mill: Hov, Weezy, TI and Jeezy are a few artist that I’m feelin right now. But I run across talented underground artist all the time…I invested in my own studio so if I get a spark of creativity…its nothing to hop in the booth at 3-4 in the morinin.

HipHopLEAD: What are your future plans and moves?
J-Mill: We’re looking to push radio out here in Maryland and hopefully get some Top 40 spins, also more mixtapes and singles on the way. We just want to keep building our buzz and putting out good music. We just broke 1200 units sold on Itunes and we really want that number to continue to rise.

HipHopLEAD: Is there any secret or process that gets you more creative when making music?
J-Mill: Not really… I’ve been making music for so long..it seems easy but it eases my spirit and keeps me sane. I just like to hear the beat first and write to the beat…I try and complete the hook before anything and construct my verse around that. But just give me a beat, pen and pad (or my g1) and let me do me.

HipHopLEAD: Give us the title of one of your favourite tracks done and why is that special to you?

J-Mill: Well Like Dat is one that jumps out right off the top because that song got me my first “Industry Check” through the video game Midnight Club Los Angeles and to this day it continues to stay steady. Plus it came at a time when I was going through some troubled times in my life. So yea, Like Dat..shots out to Maz who produced that track. Hes out of the UK.

HipHopLEAD: Where and how can you be reached?
J-Mill: Hit me up at J-Mill.com or myspace.com/therealjmill  or email us at jmilliscr@gmail.com

HipHopLEAD: Anything else to share with the audience?
J-Mill: Just keep a ear out for ya boy and Streetz Certified Records. And Def thanks to HIPHOPLEAD for the luv.