Jamil "Millz" Turner is moving weight. Not the euphemism for large quantities of narcotics that is so overly abused by some of today's most popular MCs, but rather the weight of real life issues and struggles, all the while remaining focused towards his final goal, which is to put Richmond Hip-Hop on the map. The Northside, Richmond representative carries the burden of several different responsibilities on his shoulders: Aspiring Hip-Hop artist. Record label entrepreneur. College Student. The list continues, yet Millz remains undeterred, resilient, and determined to create relatable, timeless music. Millz and his close circle of friends took their mutual passion for music and established their bourgeoning record label, 2AM (All About Music) and are using this vehicle, with Millz in the driver seat, to push their quality product past the unfortunate glass ceiling that is associated with Richmond Hip-Hop.

With his debut album, Mic Check, set to drop in early 2010, Millz took the time out to step into the Cypher and chop it up about growing up a student of Hip-Hop, the importance of unity amongst Richmond artists, and what the new year holds in store for the talented lyricist.

Rap fiends, come get your fix.

 

33: Who is Jamil "Millz" Turner?

JM:  Well, the true answer to that question, I feel, rests wit the public at the end of the day. But as for my personal opinion, Jamil "Millz" Turner is just a nigga trying to be the best Jamil "Millz" Turner he can possibly be. And I think I found my niche with this rap shit. I'm just a squirrel, a squirrel with a sick ass flow! [Laughs]. [My album] "Mic Check" coming soon, by the way.

33: What is your earliest memory with Hip-Hop? What moment made you realize that this was the calling that you would pursue for the rest of your life?

JM: Shit, my earliest memory of Hip-Hop has to be.... Kris Kross'  "Jump, Jump" [Laughs]. Yeah, I wore the backward pants, did the little lean-back pose with  the arms out and the one leg up in all my pictures and all that shit. Yeah, it was real. But I didn't reach that "moment" til '06: [Friend and Co-Founder of 2 AM Records] J.R. basically told me, "Nigga, you nice as a bitch, so let's get off our asses and make something happen with this shit!" And from then to now that's what its been, simple and plain. 2AM, homie.

33:  Who are some of your biggest musical influences and why?

JM: Hands down, the great Tupac Amaru Shakur, simply because of his diversity and his ability to move any crowd. In my opinion he's the best to ever do it. But other than that, I love Lauryn Hill; my favorite female artist of all time. She's the best. Presently, I think the illest nigga in the game happens to be Lupe Fiasco. Yeah, salutes [to him]. And of course, [The Notorious]  B.I.G. Everyone of them: Jay, Eminem, Wayne, Kanye, 50, T.I., UGK, Scarface. I was a big Project Pat fan in middle school. Outkast... it's so many, man. So, yeah, sweet ass rappers influence me, man [laughs]. Just good music period. I love music!

33: Tell me about your crew, 2 AM (All About Music) and how you all came together. What was the motivation behind the movement and what are you aiming to accomplish?

JM:  Ah man, the infamous 2AM crew [Laughs]. I like to think of us as a group of young, intelligent, resourceful, funny, entertaining, reckless, irresponsible, well-rounded, respected, hated on, powerful, genius, talented, stupid, beloved, great kids with a calling, man. Yeah, that's us, man, all the above. I love them niggas. JR, Killa Cam, Stacks, Corleone', Strong,  and myself. You know we are All About Music. We came together like...me and J.R.was getting our shit together. I met [friend and 2 AM Co-Founder] Stacks at school, Virginia State University, who knew [Camden Moran, Manager and Co-Founder of 2 AM Records] at VCU, who had a little studio and what not. So niggas linked up like that. I was chillin' with  [2 AM MC] Strong, who also could rap, so one day I took him with me and that was that. [Long-time friend and 2 AM manager] Corleone is my nigga, so of course he had to squeeze into the picture some how. And we just been moving ever since. With the motivation being the music and the people. And when that is your motivation, then you can only be aiming for greatness!

33: You are a student at Virginia State University. Is it hard to balance both the student and aspiring MC roles, or do they complement one another?

JM: Not at all, man. Music is my life. I just go to school to kill time until my next studio session, performance, interview, or photo shoot. Stay in school! [Laughs] I mean, I don't move weight, I don't like working for anybody, couldn't just sit at home after high school, but school is cool though. [This] shit sound like a 2AM PSA: Millz says, "School is cool, kids!" [Laughs].

33: You recently just opened up for Wiz Khalifa and Curren$y at the Higher Learning Concert at Rendezvous in Richmond. How was that experience, being a local artist blessing the stage before two major label acts?

JM:  The experience was fucking great! Anytime I get to perform and display my talent is a great experience for me. But that was by far the biggest show i've done up to this point. Didn't get to meet [Wiz Khalifa or Curren$y]  but, all in all, the show was a success and the crowd recieved everybody, you know? Shouts to everyone involved wit the Higher Learning show!. Big, big shout out to [VCU's Student Hip-Hop Organization] SHHO, our extended family, man. And to all the artist who showed up and performed. Yeah, we put on a great show.

33: Why do you feel Richmond isn't on the Hip-Hop "map" yet, when there is so much talent and culture here?

JM: Shit, man, Richmond is my home and I love it. But it's a lot of hate in Richmond, man. Like, over all, Richmond doesn't support Richmond. Now don't get it twisted; everybody here is not a hating ass nigga, [for example] me, but it's just so crazy trying to get on in Richmond, man. It's so divided. Like, if niggas can just unify and get on some "Richmond Movement" type shit, we would be in Hip-Hop in no time!  They love a Virginia nigga, man. You always hear [other rappers] mention V-A in they raps. But nobody can rep V-A like V-A,  so we just need to put the bullshit aside and make this music and make this money! For real, man.

33: Do you feel there is a strong unity between Richmond artists? Does Richmond radio play it's part, or are they neglecting their own? What needs to be done to change this?

JM: Like I said just a second ago, niggas gotta come together. We gotta make 'em feel us, feel our struggle, our pain, our joy, all that shit, man. They gotta be like, "Man, Richmond got some heat coming from down there!" And in order to do that, we need the radio stations to back niggas that's out here trying. Play us, man! We right here in the city, man, play our shit and let us start to build this empire. Niggas need to get with it. We need city wide showcases, endorsements, nothing major, but something. Goddamn, man [Laughs]. Salute to [fellow Richmond artist] Red Rum! I  see you out there, man. My fingers crossed for you, brah. I hope you strike gold so the niggas can finally see what they been missing down here!

33: What does Millz have lined up for us for 2010?

JM: For 2010, I got Mic Check, the album, definitely some mixtapes. Hopefully this tour happens; we in the works with it right now. Plenty of performances, so check for me, man. Visit the site, too: www.thesecondhour.com. Follow me:  "@MoneyMillz" on Twitter. Facebook me: Jamil Millz Turner. Myspace: northsidehannibal. Yeah, man, 2010 looks to be pretty productive for me, and I can't wait!

33: Any last words or shout outs?

JM: Anybody that's out here doing they thing, man. Don't stop. If you believe in it, well, goddamn it, it's gonna happen. Fuck what a hater think, let alone what they say. Shout out to my 2AM fam, SHHO, Prolific, the 804, the whole city of Richmond, G, Poke, Tony, Veed, Pedie Pedie, when you see me take it easy. All my niggas, man. R.I.P. Marqueis Tyrone Burgess. "Queis", I miss you and I love you, brah. Hope the Lord forgive me, gave my Jesus-piece a facelift!  Hi, mom [Laughs].

33: Describe Hip-Hop in one word.

JM: POWERFUL.

 

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