Born and raised on the west side of Toronto, multi-talented producer Angel Milan Beats is emerging into the Toronto music scene with vengeance. Growing up in a musically inclined household, Milan began paying attention to the music industry during the Mid-2000’s and started listening to artists such as Neyo, Chris Brown, Musiq Soulchild and Michael Jackson. “My sister would bump Micheal Jackson everyday non-stop! His music was so authentic, I felt his raw emotion every single time I listened to him. I loved his lyrics, style of production and overall, I started leaning towards Rnb music”, says Angel.
He works with singer Surauchie, who adds some killer vocal parts to his beats and with a passion for energetic hip-hop and vibrant melodies, Angel set out to develop a personal and insightful approach to songwriting, creating compelling tracks that strike a chord for their balance of witty lyrics and memorable melodies. The artist’s most recent release, “Butter”, is a perfect example of his sonic vision and aesthetics. This production is balanced, direct and forward-thinking, with a sound that feels refreshingly modern, yet organic and natural like a classic from the golden age of rap, jazz, and R&B. In an industry where many musicians seem to follow the same age-old cliches, it is refreshing to come across an artist who uses music as a means of self-expression, connecting with the audience on a much deeper level. Find out more about Angel Milan Beats, and do not miss out on the artist’s most recent releases, events and activities
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1.) What elements and/or characteristics made you say to yourself that you wanted to do music for a living? Who are your influences/heroes/role models?
If I had to really think about it, I would have never thought id become a music producer! Up until I graduated high-school my mind was very focused on become a professional athlete. I played various sports from soccer, basketball, track & field ETC….Musical Composition never crossed my mind once. I was suppose to go back to high-school for a 5th year but it never happen and during the following year, I ended up just working and hanging out with friends. My friends and I would just smoke, drink, freestyle music over YouTube beats and then we started going the studio and that was when I became interested in making music. I had 2 circles of friends. One circle would bump more Trap/Rap music while the other would play more Conscious Rap and R&B. Very soon I had linked up with some older heads from my ends that had a studio and the first I went there I tried to singing and I straight up just sounded terrible lol. The second time I went, I tried rapping but i didn’t really like my tone of voice. I went a few more times specifically targeting singing and it just wasn’t working out. I was just starting out and the older heads were trying to direct me to much and tell me what beats I should go over etc and I’m not the type of person to be told what to do. I then said F*ck it and I went into my bank account savings and bought all the music equipment I needed and a crack version of Fl Studio 11 and started to learn how to do everything myself from recording, mixing, to making my own beats. At that time I linked up with a local singer named Surauchie and we would constantly make music together and she really pushed me to become a great music producer which got us to where we are today. In terms of influences and role models, I would have to say I myself and the entire world inspires me to create. My emotions mixed with everyday life are what push me to create and my biggest role model is actually Derrick Rose. He will forever be #1 in my heart and that pushes me to always be #1. Further more, I really have that “get the job done” mentality and I can accomplish anything I really my mind into. What makes me really wanna do music for a living is the fact that i am a super positive, loving caring person and I want to spread that vibration through my music all over the world.
2.) If you could compare yourself to an already established artist, who would that be and why? If you don’t like to compare yourself, then music-wise, what separates you from other musicians?
There’s not really another producer or artist I would would compare myself to. I’m really not behind the scenes studying other producers, artists, and what style or sounds there currently using. I just use sounds I like as soon as hear them. I may use sounds or bounce the way another big producer is currently but they wouldn’t be the influence for my creation process. I think that is what sets me apart from other producers is i really know how to put things together, and I have many different creation processes. I don’t know music theory , but I know how to use someone that does. I don’t play any instruments, but if I know people that do, I guarantee I know how to direct them to make a composition. Also my in studio energy is next level. Every time I’m physically in the studio with a good artist, we always make a great music cause i really bring that energy and focus to the creation process. If there recording and something sounds off, I will be that guy to make sure to make sure they do it again until its perfect. Further more, there’s a lot of big producers in game that create just ONE type of genre whether its Rap, Trap, R&B, Jazz. Im very diverse when it comes to what types of music I make. I like to mix the elements of all genres with Hip-Hop. So you might here me in the Trap community one day, the next you might hear me in the R&B community, then you’ll be really shocked when you hear me in the jazz community. Its hard for me to just stay in a box and in one lane cause I really want to do it all.
3.) Everyone in life goes through adversity of some sort. Is there anything in your life that has any influence on the kind of songs you write? What is the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure on your path to becoming a musician?
In terms of life influences that help me create, I would have to just say my family. Making it for my family and being able to break that cycle of poverty is a really big thing to me. That generational curse of being poor, I absolutely plan on breaking that for the future for my family and I definitely wont ever stop the grind until I accomplish what i need to accomplish. The most difficult thing I have had to endure on this path of becoming of musician is knowing who to trust in the music industry. My team and I have been burnt so many times and mislead by the wrong people and it really makes you understand that you have to keep a small circle in this game and not everyone is looking out for your best interest. A lot of people are just money hungry and do not understand growth and vision.
4.) How do you prepare yourself to write certain songs? What is your song-writing and recording process?
My creation process is actually very simple. I just wake up, analyze how I really feel, find a sound that compliments that emotion and i just go with the flow and start making hits!
5.) Unfortunately the music industry is full of talented individuals who just don’t get any recognition for their talent and/or hard work. What do you plan to do to make sure you stand out and get noticed? Would you rather be on a major label or would you rather stay independent? Why or why not? In regards to the music industry itself, do you think that the traditional music industry model as we know it is dead?
As a producer, we all know getting your recognition and credit is a big problem in the industry. Producers get left out of the picture when it comes to the music and one reason why I feel its that way is because we refer to ourselves as “Behind The Scenes” guys when we are in fact 50% the cause of all music. I think more producers especially the ones that end up landing big placements need to brand themselves to be more than just the “Behind The Scenes Guy” and put themselves in front of the battlefield as much as artist do. I plan on standing out simply by taking my own advice and building my brand as a producer with a impeccable image. Its all about finding your purpose in the community and shifting it. In terms of working with major labels or being independent. I think you need a mixture of both because its VERY IMPORTANT to build first as an independent artist so you have something a major label wants. Leverage is everything.
6.) Are you able to make a living with your music? If so, how were you able to attain a career doing what you love? If not, what do you do in order to fund your music career? What advice would give to someone who’s interested in pursuing a career in music?
I started my music career in 2015 when i was 18 years old and prior to that I was hustling hard working jobs, selling weed, and honesty scamming people. I grew up in poverty here in Toronto’s West-end living with my mom, grandma, and sister and my dad wasn’t much help so I had to do what I had to. By 18 I had saved about $10,000 in a secret savings account and use a small portion of that purchase a computer, mic, headphones and whatever i needed to start my music career. From 2015 on wards, I would put $10,000 into music and studio time for Surauchie and I then go back to zero, save up another $10,000 and go back to zero. I just kept repeating that cycle until things popped off. We grew a small fan base for our music that pays us through streaming, and in 2018 we even got a record with Universal Music. That deal is whole other conversation I will get into in the future, but I can say the financial department as an independent collective is still a struggle. My advice to up and coming artist is to take your money and invest in your self but at the same time don’t worry about competing with others. Do not buy nice chains and nice things to keep up with the culture because fans don’t care about that stuff. Make good music and show your personality and that will take you so far!!!!!!!
7.) How do you think the internet and social media affected the music industry and how musicians are able to market themselves? Social media is obviously an extremely important element in today’s world, especially when it comes to business, branding, marketing, etc. With that being said, do you think an artist will be able to survive in today’s music industry if they’re not social media savvy?
Social media is definitely a key tool to the music industry and how artist can brand themselves. Unfortunately the world revolves around social status and people are heavily influenced by what goes on the internet, but you can really use that to your advantage to build a brand and market yourself. Even if your not that social media savvy there are ways to make it work. I see a lot of popular artist that don’t really use there social media a lot but have very large fan bases, so i would say its better to be social media savvy but if your not you can also just let your talent speak for itself.
8.) Artists who try to make music for the general public and make more money are usually seen as “sell-outs.” Do you see it that way and if so, what do you plan to do to make sure your music stays true to your brand and make a good living at the same time without having to “sell out”?
As of right now I’m fully in control of my operation and my brand. My Birthdays December 18th, I’m a Sagittarius so people telling me what to do or what to create or tell me who I need to be will 100% not nor ever work for me. I plan on always being my own boss, always creating music off how I feel, and always putting my pure vibration into it. Pure human beings can never be sell out! As Drake and his team would say “KNOW YOUR SELF!”
9.) Professionally, where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
In 5 years I see myself being one of the greatest producers to come out of Toronto. I plan on having my own production team, many platinum and gold plaques, known for not only working with great artist but actually giving birth to them, and super wealthy. I plan to make a few other business moves outside of the music industry but I’m going to keep that info to myself and just do it so no one can wish bad energy upon those moves. I once ran into a psychic downtown Toronto who told me in 2016 the reason I’m not progressing in life is because I tell to many people my goals and what I’m doing. Ever since I learned to shut up I have been moving up levels lol.