Exclusive | Rapper ZimMill Talks Focusing on His Own Sound and Identity
“To quote Nip, ‘Demonstration speaks louder than conversation’. . So just tap in & find out”
By: Omar Cook
This week's "Who's Hot?" Artist of the week is Chicago rapper ZimMill! Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, ZimMill began his music pursuit after moving to Jacksonville, Florida at the age of 19. This artist gives a unique perspective in his music which he pulls from life’s experiences, and he’s fully unfiltered in expressing every single bit of it.
ZimMill brings a dope flow with raw lyrics that and you can hear bits of influences from Nipsey Hussle and G-Herbo in his tracks. After listening to his studio freestyles on youtube, you will have no choice but to root for him. ZimmMil is a young artist that’s definitely on the rise and should be on your radar for the future!
ZimMill - Sing About Me Freestyle (Kendrick Lamar)
We talked with ZimMill in an exclusive interview, check it out below!
How long have you been making music and how did you get started?
About 3 years. My 1st time recording was in 2017. I kinda stumbled into being an artist really. I always had a super heavy passion for music. But it was as a consumer, never from an artist standpoint. I’d be with a bunch of my homies smoking weed and them niggas would always turn on instrumentals and freestyle. I never rapped. I’d just chill and listen and hype them up. But one day, they basically forced me to hop in. I caught a vibe and fell in love with it.
Musically, who has been your biggest influence in helping you along your journey and who are your favorite musicians?
My favorite artists are Nipsey Hussle, 2Pac, G Herbo, Kendrick, Jay-Z, Meek, J Cole, Curren$y, there’s a few more I’d name too. Erykah Badu is in there for sure. I can go on and on. These are also the ones I’m most influenced by. Outside of just the music, I try to be a student of the game and learn from other people’s journeys. And I connect to all of these people’s storylines.
What artists would you like to collaborate with and why?
I don’t mean for this to come off vain or arrogant or nothing like that at all, but I’m not even concerned with collaboration right now. I’m focused on fully establishing my own sound and identity. But down the line, if life allows it, I’d like to work with Roddy Ricch & SZA. Two unique artists that I think are very versatile and great at creating a feel. My dream feature is a Hov verse though.
What do you feel is your best song/project ever released and why?
Right now I’d say my “Sing About Me” freestyle. It’s over one of Kendrick Lamar’s classic tracks. It holds a special place for me. I ain’t waste a line on that. I was fully vulnerable and pure and every single bar was a statement that I can stand on 100%.
What projects can we look forward to in the near future?
There’s a podcast called “Millionaire Mindsets” by a young couple Xavier Miller & Deanna Kent. It was named one of the top 50 podcasts for entrepreneurs. I got a project in conjunction with them that will be dropping in June. “Millionaire Mindsets EP”. I call it theme music for the ambitious. If you’re trying to get your bag right and get your mind right, lock in with this project. Other than that, I’ll continue having content release regularly on my YouTube channel.
How do you generate new ideas for your music?
I could be walking down the street and some shit will randomly pop up in my head and I jot it down. Or I might brainstorm for a while. Or I might just go in off however I’m feeling/thinking in the moment. It always varies. But honestly, most times, instrumentals guide me. I hear a beat, and that beat will send the right words or emotions to me. And I’ll go from there.
ZimMill - Studio Freestyles 5 (Meek Mill/Roddy Ricch - Letter To Nipsey)
What motivates you and how do you define success?
I’m motivated by potential. The vision of meeting my potential and changing me and my people’s lives is the heaviest motivational factor. We come from a busy city. A lot of people that we know, see death or prison at a young age. It might sound a little weird, but that’s motivational to me. Motivation to live this life to the fullest. Success is relative. I feel like we usually just define success as acquiring money or status, but I define it as meeting an objective. Bottom line. Whatever vision or target you aspire towards, whether financially or physically or spiritually or whatever. If you hit that target, that’s success. Success is fulfillment.
How do you describe your music to people and what separates you from other artists in your genre?
I call it life music. Human music. Cause I feel like it’s relatable to almost anybody. From the street nigga, to the college student, to the single mother working to make ends meet. I think that anybody can connect to it. And I’m just me and that’s what separates myself. I noticed that you don’t even have to TRY to separate yourself or stand out. Because we’re all genuinely unique already. So if you just tap into yourself, and fully embrace that truth, you’ll naturally stick out and separate yourself.
Do you believe there is a formula to being a successful artist?
Most definitely. I believe the formula boils down to being authentic, making high-quality music and building a fanbase that believes in you. And being relentless with your grind. It’ll take time and consistency but shit will eventually start to connect for you if you stick to that script. I believe in that to the fullest.
Who is your greatest inspiration?
In my personal life, it’s my two older brothers. They’ve always been respectable guys that I looked up to in many ways. As far as celebrities, Nip Hussle, Muhammad Ali and Pac. Each for their own unique reason, but I’d say those three for sure.
In your opinion who is the most influential and successful artist in your genre today and why?
Most influential: I got Drake, Young Thug, and Future. . With most rappers that you hear nowadays, you can spot some influence by one of those 3 artists in their sound. I might have a Chicago bias but I gotta mention Chief Keef too. People sleep on Sosa’s impact. Keef has a lot to do with the current sound of hip-hop being as it is. And for most successful, I can’t really say bro. Like I said earlier it’s all relative. I gotta know their exact intentions in order to know how successful they are.
Which emotion more than any other, currently dominates your music? Joy, sadness, anger or passion etc. , and why?
Passion. It may be joyful in one moment, then soulful or aggressive in another moment, but its always passionate. I’d throw optimistic in there as well, if that can count as an emotion.
ZimMill - Studio Freestyles 6 (Polo G - Go Stupid, Meek Mill - Oodles & Noodles Baby)
What sacrifices have you had to make, to make your dream a reality?
I’m doing a lot to make my vision a reality but I don’t really view any of it as a sacrifice for real. From late nights and early mornings, to constant studio investments, to losing certain relationships, to whatever. I just see it as part of the game. It’s what the mission demands. I’m not sacrificing anything because I’m doing exactly what I want to do.
What aspect of the music making process excites you most, and what aspect discourages you the most?
I wouldn’t say anything really discourages me. I embrace it all. I’m most excited by seeing the outcome though. Easy answer. I just be excited to see what I can turn out. It’s always dope to surprise myself or impress myself in the end, cause I’m my own biggest critic.
Where do you see yourself and your music in 10 years?
I see myself in a position that I’m proud of. I see myself generating millions through multiple different avenues. I see myself with an established music career, traveling the globe, and pushing a energy that connects and impacts people in a good way.
What advice would you give to other up and coming artists or people looking to break into the music industry?
Be authentic and stay patient. When you’re being authentic, you attract the people & situations that were meant for you. And that’s the top priority. You don’t want to attract shit that isn’t genuine to you, because that shit won’t be sustainable. And at the end of the day, It’s about longevity. Great things don’t happen overnight. Stay dedicated to your mission & let it play out.
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