Following on from a string of impactful offerings these last few years, Australian artist Milkah is back once again with her energetic new single 'Crazy Star'.
Bringing back more of that rap-infused pop aesthetic she is known for, 'Crazy Star' makes for a vibrant return to form for her. With its bold and bouncing production perfectly set to her infectious flow throughout, she continues to shine as one of the more exciting names on the rise right now.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with her to find out more about her origins and what has been inspiring her most lately.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
The first instrument I fell in love with was probably the guitar. I remember when I used to work in pubs in the town I grew up in, my sister's Dad would be the hired muso for the night at a lot of the venues. So I would be working in the bar serving usually older men beer after beer, while he was over somewhere singing old- school rock n roll or pop covers on acoustic guitar. I remember "Reckless" by Australian crawl was my favourite cover he did.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
It really started with Mariah Carey, The Pussycat Dolls and Hilary Duff. I wasn't really allowed to listen to anything too "vulgar" so I would sneak around as a pre teen to watch "Rage" in the mornings or "The Search to Become the Next PussyCat Doll" at night. As I became a teenager I remember getting into more conscious hip-hop, Kendrick Lamar, J Cole and I knew every lyric to all of Eminem's greatest songs.
What was the first album you remember owning?
Damn. I think it was Mariah Carey "The Emancipation of Mimi." She was so stylish and fancy but I honestly remember the way she almost spat bars in "Shake it Off" I was in awe.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
"Baby One More Time" written by Max Martin and performed by Britney Spears. Not for the money but because have you ever seriously heard such a fun and unique song? There's a reason why it is a hit.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I used to source the instrumentals and write to them but lately I have been giving production styles to producers and having them made up for me. I'm loving this because I am creating my own sound. I make music that I genuinely love listening to. Recently I sourced a beat from Miami and got an Australian producer to add more of a 2000's r&b feel to a mellow hip-hop beat with guitar samples. With my singing and rapping, somehow the song now sounds like Country Rap... Crazy.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Tbh I've had my debut project on repeat because I'm in the final stage of mastering and getting the track list perfect for release. But apart from that the past year I've had Vory and Melii on repeat. Oh and Britney Spears, her Blackout Album, actually all of her albums are big inspirations to me.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Eminem or Britney Spears.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Honestly just having an outlet to create is so important to me. I don't feel like I can live a regular life, I would probably go crazy. I feel like creating is essential for me. Songwriting, art, fashion, content, music. Everything. I have to be in the centre of all that.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Probably the first couple of years where you really believe in yourself deep down but life just keeps throwing you challenge, after challenge. It's funny how the obstacles actually make you better at your craft in the end, I wish people don't give up.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Probably to get your own mic and set up at home instead of paying for studio time everytime you want to record at the start. Oh and to hold on tight to the people in your life who are real friends, because after you blow up it will be hard to know.
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Milkah's new single 'Crazy Star' is out now. Check it out in the player below.