We recently connected with Milciades Cantillo and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Milciades , thanks for joining us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

I never thought I could live full-time from music. I only knew that the one thing I knew what to do in my life was music, so that’s where my journey began, despite my mother’s insistence on convincing me to pursue a stable profession. This was my first impulse, to prove to myself that I could fully dedicate myself to my craft. Immersing myself completely in the creative process allowed me to find my style, and of course, it was a process in which several of my musician friends also got involved and left their mark. Gradually, I started traveling throughout Colombia with the hope of showcasing my music, having it heard from the capital to the most hidden little town, and that’s how my first followers were born, those who started supporting my musical proposal and wanting to attend my concerts, and so on. In conclusion, I am proud to have never given up, despite the many obstacles I encountered along the way. This is a path full of trials and errors, discipline, passion, patience, and faith. As the industry changes over the years, one must stay alert to steer the helm and adapt to the changes. And here I am, grateful for my journey and increasingly attuned to my craft, to continue fulfilling my goals. And now, my ultimate goal has shifted to the United States, to conquer the hearts of Americans. Blessed be the music that has filled my life with meaning.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I initially entered the music industry as a drummer for renowned artists in Colombia. Then, wanting to have a stable income, I auditioned to be the drummer for Colombia’s largest Vallenato nightclub, and that was my turning point, as the owner of the nightclub asked me if I could sing, and that’s when my journey as a singer began. Before deciding to do Vallenato music, I had other musical tastes that I acquired thanks to my other passion as a drummer, such as salsa, ranchera, and pop. But I leaned towards Vallenato because it is a genre deeply rooted in my Colombian culture. It is characterized by beautiful lyrics full of poetry and a unique flavor of my homeland. As an artist, I knew I had different characteristics to contribute to the genre, from my singing style to adding musical ingredients I was also influenced by. Taking my Vallenato music around the world has been a beautiful experience as it is often embraced with freshness and naturalness. My discipline stems from my passion for music. Wanting to be fully involved in my creative process naturally makes me enjoy dedicating all my time to it. I am a singer, songwriter, producer, arranger, and musician.
As I mentioned before, I am a singer, actor, songwriter, producer, arranger, and musician. I am involved in the entire creation of songs and albums. I not only work for my own musical project but also compose, record, and produce for other artists.
To finish, I offer you my Vallenato that is “El Vallenato Del Espacio” (The Vallenato of Space), an authentic music filled with Colombia and another significant part filled with rhythms and sounds from around the world. It is an unimaginable fusion that takes you to different parts of the world. It is music full of purpose and meaning.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Since I began my musical journey, I have had a motto: “Music is peace.” It originated from the moment when armed groups in Colombia killed my father during the most violent period of all. I was only 8 years old at the time, and I decided to transform my pain into art, initially as a tribute to my father’s life, but later as a tribute to living life through music. So, definitely, my music carries peace, joy, love, and authenticity.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Definitely finding my identity in a genre that is very orthodox and being free within my own art (freedom to create).

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cantillomusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cantillomusic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CantilloMusic
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/CantilloMusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CantilloMusic/featured
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@cantillomusic

Image Credits
There’s no credits. I have the rights and permissions.