“I’m on a journey to become one of the greatest ones.”
Millymay_Pod
The fact that millions of talented artists with immense and mind blowing capabilities roam the periphery of the underground section in music industry and waiting for the slight opportunity that could push them into the limelight seems like a common theme right now. While not much has been done to harness those talents, Sarz with the aid of his The Sarz Academy has not only helped to give them the platform to shine, but also to develop their abilities and educate them on the intricacies of the music business, both creatively and on the business.
Fresh off from his successful involvement and graduation from the The Sarz Academy, Millymay_Pod joins in as part of the new superstars brewed and forged by the reputable academy. Having notched up contribution to four tracks off the academy’s project released to highlight the rich result of the tedious works done behind the scenes, it positions him as one of the top talents graduating out of the academy this year.
We were able to meet with the vibrant and emergent act who had a lot to say and was obviously in good spirit to discuss with us on how he started making music, his time at the academy plus more interesting details on his career.
A-T: We will like to know more about Millymay_pod, share with us some of your coming-of-age experience.
MILLY: My names are Prince O. Macaulay-smith. I’m from Benin city, Edo state. I came from a family of six. I am the second child of four, I have an older sister and two younger brothers. I was born in Lagos but lived the most part of my life in Sango Ota, Ogun state. Growing up, it wasn’t really easy based on the lifestyle. My growing up was really humble one. Sometimes had to revert into that kind of trenches lifestyle.
A-T: Take us on a quick stroll on how you decided to commit yourself to music.
MILLY: Oh, well. Actually, I only preferred to be a listener of music till I became friend with a guy named Precious Tyrace. Before I met Tyrace , I never really thought music was ever going to be something I’ll do for a living. I mean, I wanted to be a Marine Engineer but everything changed when I met Tyrace. I saw him rap at a friend house and I became interested in being as fly as he was, so we became friends. He introduced me to the Hip Hop culture and also gave me my first ever instrumentals, since then, music has been my thing till now.
A-T: Since you listened to music a lot, what artists did you listen to more at a very young age?
MILLY: Growing up, I mostly listened to Olu Maintain, 9ice ,P Square, 2face. I can say, each of these great musicians I mentioned, shaped who I am today. I’ll be grateful for their influence always.
A-T: That’s a great taste. Surely, you’d also have some Nigerian projects you hold as your own personal classic.
MILLY: That will be Burna Boy’s last quartet of projects, Asake’s Mr Money With The Vibe, Wizkid’s Made in Lagos of course and Omah Lay’s Boy Alone. Funny how they’re all modern classic. I’ll like to believe my taste adjusted over time.
A-T: Traverse the time between your first commitment to music and your time at The Sarz Academy.
MILLY: I did some street rap cypher where I won some and lost some. Early last year, out of 2,000 applicants for the Quickteller Barz and Notes, God singled me out to be part of the final six contestant and subsequently the winner of the Quickteller Barz and Notes. Also, late last year out of 11,000 entries, God singled me out again to join the six artists that were chosen into The Sarz Academy.. God has been good to me, I can’t deny that.
A-T: How did The Sarz Academy help shape you?
MILLY: Ahhh, this is a question I have been expecting. The Sarz Academy did not only shape my life, it also changed my life for real. From learning firsthand from the legendary producer, Sarz and other top personalities in this music industry, it is a big blessing. The Sarz Academy opened my eye to so many things and not just only in the creative side of the music but also the business aspect too which is even as important as the the creative side and I feel really blessed to be a part of the whole experience. And by the way, YO FAM by Sarz, Skrilex & Crayon is out now. You guys should go check it out.
A-T: So, for you, it was more of a platform to learn and grow than attain visibility then?
MILLY: Yes, it was a platform for me to learn and grow.
[GET IN]: All about Millymay_pod.
A-T: You featured 4X on the academy’s project, what’s your say on this?
MILLY: Evidence dey. I am really grateful for the opportunity daily. It’s nice to work with other people on the project and I’m happy that I could contribute to the project. I love all the songs I performed in, but “DPWMH” will be my favourite.
A-T: Personally, I’d pick the “Jam One Kele”. Did a review on it when it came out. I thought you had the best performance on there too. Tell us how it came into one piece.
MILLY: Jam one kele, a beautiful song. It is actually a real story about some shawties I, Gimba and Fxrtune met at Ckay’s listening party last year and we sang about the experience.
A-T: Exactly, I taught it was too detailed to be fictional. Do you aim to do that in every track you contribute to ?
MILLY: Definitely, because I’ve always tried to remain intentional about the way my verses are written.
A-T: Millymay_Pod, so many of us don’t grab the concept behind the name yet. Care to explain in details how you arrived at that?
MILLY: Ok, I got “MILLY” from the the concept of me being one in a Million. “MAY” is my birth month, I was born on May 29 and the “POD” is an acronym for Play On Dem”. So, yeah, Millymay_Pod.
A-T: What is the best description for the music you create?
MILLY: I create good music which everyone can relate with first of all. I delve into Afroswing but most times its Afro fusion.
A-T: Which artists do you admire a lot and love to work with lin the industry?
MILLY: Asake and Burna Boy. I like both of them a lot. The list goes on, but it’s mainly both of them. On the other hand, I’ll like to work with Burna Boy, Davido, J Hus. Infact, any superstar I ever get the opportunity to meet and work with in a recording studio.
A-T: What’s next for Millymay_Pod?
MILLY: I’m on a journey to become one of the great ones. I’m actually working on a project I think I’m going to put out very soon. So let’s just anticipate.
A-T: Nice.What message will you like to drop for your fans out there?
MILLY: Thank you for supporting Millymay_pod. I promise not to take your support for granted. Lots of love from here.
[GET IN]: All about Millymay_pod.
