The UK music industry is bursting at the seams with talent and carving your own path is no easy feat. So in this hot creative climate, what makes Adzmilli stand out from the crowd? Well, to put it simply, he is the epitome of a colourful, versatile, new-school, hit-maker. With popular releases including, “Change”, “Bag A Lot” and “By Myself” contributing to his masterful catalogue, his skills in rapping, singing and production give him the momentum required to keep elevating. But beyond the intricate beats and smart rhymes, it’s his character that really shines through. Adzmilli’s personality is as dynamic as his art, and his energy as infectious as his music.
There’s no specific recipe to his creative process – music-making is clearly in his bones. “The inspiration can come at any moment really”, he reflects, “I’m quite spontaneous with it. I might just be walking to the shop and the coldest 4-bar will just come into my head and I’ll write it on the spot, right there… I like to be quite involved in the production too. The first thing I think about is: what evokes an emotion or makes me turn my head when I hear it? What sparks a reaction?”
It’s no wonder that Adzmilli is such a natural; he grew up in a household of talented music-lovers. His dad played instruments including the drums and trumpet, and his older brothers made and released music too. “I’ve never really asked [my brothers] directly, but I think maybe they didn’t reach success as quickly as they would have wanted, so they shelfed the dream.” However, Adz took the baton from his siblings and kept running, motivated by the passion still alive within them, coupled with his own love of the craft. “They often tell me that they’re living their music dreams through me.”
Some of Adzmilli’s earliest memories of music include dancing to Mario’s “Let Me Love You” as a young child. “Every time it played, I would put shoes and a hat on and perform the whole song in the living room… That was my song… Yeah, I was very much around R&B, hip hop and soul. I listened to everything.” And his music taste has continued to evolve with time. When asked what his ideal personal festival line-up would be, Adz struggled to narrow it down:
“I would need Toosii there because he’s an inspiration for me. I’m a big Dave and Central Cee fan, so I’d have some household names like that. Then I would bring in some of my peers and friends who are also killing it – A1xJ1, JBEE, Nemzzz… there’s quite a few. I think I would have the best festival ever!”
Adz was once dancing in the living room to artists who inspired him; now he’s working alongside them.
One thing that Adzmilli feels most strongly about is not being boxed in. He intentionally traverses different genres and sounds, experimenting with alter egos and forms of self-expression. “I’m still finding my sound. There may be a phase where it’s emotional and mellow, then there might be a phase where I’m more upbeat and boastful. I’m always choosing which Adz I want to be.” His first three releases of the year all sound completely different from each other. “Tech Fleece” serves up a striking drill cut with unapologetic bars and slick flows, whereas “Toxic” is a playful track with a timeless beat reminiscent of noughties hip hop. Then we have the heartfelt vocals and vulnerable lyrics of “Trust In You”, inspired by a true story:
“So, it’s not really my proudest moment, but about 2-3 years ago I was talking to this girl – or I thought I was anyway. She had a little party at her house and I walked in on something that I shouldn’t have walked in on! I explained it to my friends and to them it was a bit of banter. But music was kind of the outlet. I went to the studio the next day and turned it into a song.”
When it comes to being in touch with his emotions, Adz has no fears. He sees power in vulnerability and uses his art to encourage listeners to do the same. “I would say music is the one place that I’m openly vulnerable… it’s just like an open space for me to say whatever… [vulnerability] becomes a superpower as opposed to something that holds me back.”
And he is deeply moved by the impact his music has on his listeners. For him, the best thing about making music is “… when people say, ‘ah, I really relate to that’. Experiencing their reactions makes me realise – wow, this is bigger than me.”
Perhaps Adzmilli’s ability to reach out and touch people was moulded by his upbringing. He was born in South West London, and grew up between Stockwell and Essex after his parents split up.
“I was between both houses – with my dad some weeks week, and then my mum other weeks. It was tough in terms of trying to find my identity because I was uprooted from one demographic and then dropped into another… One minute I was with friends who all looked like me and we all liked the same thing, then next thing I know, I’m one of five black people in the class, trying to fit in and having to code-switch. But looking back now, I’m definitely grateful for it. It means I can handle myself in many rooms… I feel like I can relate to more people with my music because I’m touching on things that maybe my South London self can relate to, as well as my Essex self, so both sides are listening.”
But getting to this point in his artistic journey was a process: his music has evolved with maturity. “When I first started, it was more fun and carefree. As I got older, life experience gave me more things to touch upon. The subject matter is more meaningful now, as opposed to just going for vibes. But I try to find a balance.”
Although music is a cherished passion for Adzmilli, the road hasn’t always been easy. He candidly acknowledges that the hardest thing is staying true to yourself amidst the noise.
“I like to be a bit of a people-pleaser, to a degree. So I might have A&R in one ear, and management in my other ear, then my friends in my ear too… they all see different things for me and I want to try and please everybody… I also had a phase where I started paying more attention to views and streams. I had to ask myself whether I was willing to compromise my music just to get views, or whether I wanted to try to build something that I actually love, regardless of the views… But ultimately, trying to please everybody can impact the music. I want to be able to say “No, I like this song and I want to go down this route.” Waiting for other peoples’ validation doesn’t get anyone anywhere. I want to focus on whatever feels natural and real to me.”
And that authenticity will certainly carry Adzmilli far. From the lessons learnt along the away, he has words of wisdom to share:
“The mark I want to leave is to tell people: be true to you. Don’t be scared to break norms. It’s not cool until it’s cool. Do what you want to do and just make people believe in you. It’s your life so you need to take charge of it. Whatever is sitting on your heart, don’t be afraid to express it. Be open, be honest, be true to yourself.”
So what’s next for Adzmilli? Well, an upcoming mixtape is due to drop next month, and we’re certain it won’t disappoint. Adzmilli is a testament to the exhilarating talent rising from the world of UK music right now, leading with talent, morals and spirit. One thing we can trust in, is that he’ll achieve great things.