We recently connected with Milli Banks and have shared our conversation below.
Milli, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
I first feel in love with music when I first experience Sunday funday with a low rider crew in my hometown Los Angeles, it was a Sunday evening and we drove from Crenshaw to Long Beach and down to Pacific Coast Highway. Everyone always says it seems like I had an old soul because they could catch me playing Chi- Lites “I wanna pay you back”, Dorthy Moore “Misty Blue”, and many more at the age fifteen. I enjoyed the way music made me feel then and today I could say it is where I find myself free, feeling free that is. In a world where your mind can be trapped, I found joy in not only being an artist, but giving others the same freedom got through my music. I decided to pursue music professionally in 2021 when I recorded my song “Rich Off Pain” I had never heard my voice is such soft yet warming tone. It brought tears to my eyes because I had not only discovered a new part of me, but I had steps outside my comfort zone and begin to tell my story. Being someone who once suffered tremendously from Anxiety music gave strength, understanding and healing that I could not find where until I reached inside myself. I learned to express my pain to myself and give m problems to God! I begin to make records I knew would be hits such as my song “Famous” followed by “Giants” Life is bigger than pain, and you do it by standing on top of the Giant not under. I know that sharing my story through music it will not only heal me but heal many around the world. I can recall allowing people to hear my music and no matter where I went, it could be a different group, but I’m always compared to Nipsey Hussle and to be compared to the great, I MUST BE GREAT!
Doing music professionally is bigger than fame, its bigger than me, it’s for the PEOPLE!
Milli, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
It’s a dope climate to be a woman in today’s rap music industry. But it’s important to remember that a major record deal with a label, or even the “Queen of Rap” title, are not the only end goals for Black women who have chosen music as one of their creative outlets. In fact, there is a huge gray area inhabited by people like Milli Banks. The multi-talented Los Angeles native has an enormous vision and is flexing her muscles as a rapper, creative and visionary. A bona fide jane-of-all-trades, Milli understands there are many routes to “making it.” If nothing else, she ‘s out to prove that for independent female artists, that there are levels to this sh*t. Born the youngest of 15, says her LA roots by the way of her experiences on the East Coast played a major role in her vision for herself. At a young age, Milli knew rap was what she aspired to do. Having spent the majority of her formative years moving around a lot, music became her first language. Milli details her sites as an adolescent: “When I was at Crenshaw, I remember we would get in trouble for making beats with our pencil on the desks, and I used to beatbox, it was fun and disruptive. I wrote poetry and poetry is a form of art so I naturally dove into music.” Milli has everything from upbeat energy to style and has plans to change things up, showing versatility to broaden her market and fan base. Although Milli will have many critics, there is one thing they will all agree on, and that is through her music, her bigger than life, bigger than fame, personality, and unbelievable live performances, this young lady is destined for greatness.
Projects
“What’s The Problem” Details being exactly a PROBLEM, going in any room and having people hate you for no reason, yet you worked all your life to live the best. Milli understands she is not a threat but thee threat. Trying to work with male producers and they simply think with the wrong head, What’s the Problem!
“Most Hated” Details being the youngest and most hated in the family, but still being the boss of all bosses. A famous line “Stretch you out like some pussy” lips is what keeps this record spinning.
“For the Streets” Details being taken advantage of by a man in jail, who was held down, got out, and turned into a snake. Milli becomes a more powerful boss through her pain.
I’m most proud of myself for being someone who kept going, when I was on my own, I had to figure thing out, how to feed myself, how to get to school, and sadly how to get away from the man who trafficked me, that is another chapter. I was human trafficked at the age sixteen, I never made it to prom, never went to my high school graduation, there is lost time I can’t ever get back, but luckily God got me out of that situation and my story can and will be used to save others.
What I want fans to know about me is, I started from absolutely nothing, but there is a reason why I’m still growing. Standing on my knuckles I like to say. I’m bring a verity of music to the industry; you can hear me rapping to some real west coasts beat and still get down to a jersey type beat. I have always been the one to become the best at anything I do, so now that I’m doing music professionally, I challenge anything that comes my way. I’m inspired by other great Artist and leaders like 50 cent, Meek Mill, Biggie, Tupac, Joyner Lucas, TLC, Glorilla, Nipsey Hussel; motivational speakers such as Les Brown , Tony Robbins, Robert Kiyosaki, Eric Thomas and more!
I’m also inspired my Tyler Perry and the strength in Denzel Washington
What inspires me to keep going is knowing what I stand for, My real name is “Alexzandria” Greek for “Defender of Mankind! I will leave a mark on earth, people will know I was here, and I will make a difference for others.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
Alot will ask about the force behind me that’s driving my journey. One could say many things, but in my book of life I want to make sure I use everything God has given me. I know I still have a lot to learn in this industry, but one thing I for sure of is my goals. The other day during an interview Out the Trunk Podcast, I was asked if I were to sign a label deal today what would I do with the money. It’s not about what I would do with the money, but what the money would do for me. I also no that no amount could do everything, but I could touch the lives of many. I would like to first open boys and girl readiness buildings and homes. I would like to have a place where adolescents could come for food, shelter, clothing, learn life skills such as; How to build and the importance or credit, preparing for a interview, getting a job and saving, starting a business and more. I want to also open my own studio where I can teach others how to turn painful thoughts into beautiful melodies.
I also grew up in a broken home, my mother had to take care of me on her own until I left home around the age 14 and decided to hustle to feed and clothe myself. Yet this lead me to the street and into the hands of the wrong people, I’m simply trying to be the person I needed when I was younger, because I have lives many lives with the trails I had to face. I want to be remembered as a person who told her story and created change while healing all. To this day anyone could play any one of my songs and be moved spiritual, and if they needed to still turn up hey I got that too!
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding part of being an artist is having something no one can take away from you, being able to create something that is almost a seed to the world and with the right mixtures you can grow. I love the fact that I have learned to write when I go through tuff times vs calling multiple people and venting on deaf ears. I love venting to my fans because they can relate; they are really listening. I have also written more than music; I have two poetry books currently on amazon, being an artist does not stop at music. I hope my music is rewarding no matter the age group that listens…
Contact Info:
- Instagram: instagram.com/itsmillibanks
- Facebook: facebook.com/itsmillibanks
- Twitter: twitter.com/itsmillibanks
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU_eddllA37EM6w6iFpETFw
Image Credits
photo credit “Steven Fellheimer” Photography