Exposed Vocals Interviews Milo

Exposed Vocals: How did you hear about Exposed Vocals? What made you decide to sign up?

Milo: I was just looking for outlets to get my name out. Y’all expose new artists so I just decided to jump in.

Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?

Milo: I grew up in North Philly. I didn’t really listen current music coming up. My dad and I used to go to my Uncle CJ’s house (RIP) and they would bump 80’s and 90’s tracks all through the house. I remember when I was 7 and my mom asked me and my siblings what we wanted to be in the future, and I said a singer. That’s pretty much how it all started. I moved to Texas in 5th grade and started making beats around 7th grade. I took it seriously in 9th grade because a lot of people started fucking with my beats, then a little after that I started rapping seriously.

Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?

Milo: It used to be “Computo Fresh”, because I make beats on the computer and they’re fresh. Then I went to “Mizzy Dollaz” when I started rapping. Then my homie Sohza called me “Milofer” one day, some shit he heard from his grandpa. I just took the Milo part and stuck with it.

Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?

Milo: It’s the future. CD’s aren’t staying. The world is going digital so you can either maneuver or get lost in the past. Most of my music is going to be free until I’m at the level where I can drop an album or something.

Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?

Milo: I’ve only performed twice, so far. The first show was weak because I wanted to be a cool kid and get under the influence before the performance. I’m never doing that again. I have to be at the top of my game.

Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?

Milo: Not touring yet, but I plan on growing my brand and gaining enough momentum to get to that point.

Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?

Milo: I make beats most of the time so the concept isn’t really there until later. I just think of dope lines to say and make the song from that. I come up with most of my lines when I’m out just living life.

Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?

Milo: Right now I’m mainly on Twitter and Instagram. You can follow me @milomafioso. I’m just now starting to use Instagram though. I post all my music on SoundCloud, just look up Milo Mafioso. Check out “2026”. That one is doing numbers right now.

Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?

Milo: They’re more interesting than embarrassing. I listen to a lot of old music like Blues and Jazz. That’s where I get most of my samples. People always peep my phone and go “what the hell is that?”. Y’all need to wake up.

Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?

Milo: Probably invest in stocks or start a company. I want the millions. I’m not taking any days off.

Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?

Milo: I have a studio in my attic. Two Macs and some KRK speakers. I might get some keyboards or an MPC but I’m not sure yet.

Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?

Milo: Right now I just use Twitter to promote. I also just get my music to new people through word of mouth or with the help of my friends. Having many good relationships is very beneficial. All you have to do is be cool and have as much respect for someone as you want them to have for you, and just build from there. I probably wouldn’t have as many plays as I do today without the people I’ve met and built friendships with.

Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?

Milo: I would perform in Madison Square Garden with Jay Z, ASAP Rocky, and Kanye. They’re my favorites and they always please the crowd, so that’s who I want to learn from.

Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

Milo: I’m gonna drop a couple EPs in the next month and I’m working on a tape called +bank+. It’s going to be some next level shit. I could be done with it already but there’s so much innovation in the hip hop scene right now, and I need to make sure that I can make it to the forefront.

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?

Milo: If I wasn’t making music, I’d probably be playing football or running track. I took music more seriously because my mom pulled me out of sports for having a C, but I’m thankful for it because this rap shit is what I’ve always wanted to do.

Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?

Milo: My first album was actually Chris Brown’s first album. That album is forever classic. I can sing almost every song on it. I used to sing that album to females back in elementary. It’ll probably always be a favorite of mine.

Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?

Milo: I have a job to keep my money up, but as far as school goes, I really don’t care. I’m in the generation that finds out information from the internet, other sources that school can’t keep up with. My grades are straight but the music shit comes first.

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?

Milo: A lot of music. Milo is flooding the internet in 2016. I’m working on a tape right now it’s called +bank+. I don’t have an official date for it. It’s gonna be some next level shit. I plan on hitting SXSW as well. I don’t have a slot but I’ll find a way to finesse.