Harlem producer Austin Millz unleashes his new single “Cyclone,” the title track off his forthcoming EP. The flex-ready dance number features Philadelphia by way of Nigeria rapper Tungi Ige and follows his previous release “Limelite.”
“I knew I wanted an artist that could compliment the energy ‘Cyclone’ has,” Millz tells Billboard over e-mail. “Tunji did just that, and he took it to the next level. His cadences on the track fit right into the pockets of the beat. He was a great collaborator too because he’s not tied to one specific genre of music or a specific sound, similar to myself. It’s a mash-up of both of our styles together, 2 artists on one track doing whatever sound we feel like doing is great creatively.”
“Cyclone” also arrives with major news for Millz, who recently inked a deal with A-Trak’s independent label Fool’s Gold Records. “Fool’s Gold has always been a footprint in NYC culture and I’ve always been a fan of the work they’ve been doing,” he says of the Brooklyn-based roster. “I was working on my project, building up my name and brand, traveling to different countries doing tours, parties, playing fashion shows and etc. So when I got back to focus back on my music, I wanted to blend everything that I’ve been conceptualizing and bring it all together.”
He also notes his admiration for the Fool’s Gold boss. “I was able to create the music that I finally wanted to create and I figured who better to send the music to then someone I’ve always looked up to which is A-Trak. It was a shot in the dark by sending him an email too but sure enough he responded. He hit me back to saying that he loved the music and loved what I was doing and he is down to work with me. I didn’t know it was going to lead to me getting signed to Fool’s Gold. I mean what’s better than sending tracks to one of your favorite DJs/producers and them enjoying it so much they sign you to their label. It’s a great testament to what I’ve been doing.”
Since pushing out his instrumental-filled debut Earned in 2012, Millz’s genre-bending production has landed credits for acts like Jim Jones, Maybach Music Group, G.O.O.D. Music and Wale. He also regularly provides the soundtrack for parties in his native Harlem to cities across the country.
For his upcoming project, Millz plans to match his sound to the Cyclone title. “Cyclones move in different ways, very strong and energetic. It can take you here from one side of wherever you’re at to the total opposite side in one second. That’s where my music is taking you,” he explains. “It 100 percent correlates with the vision. Not sticking to one genre, as when I play I do different types of crowds, play different types of music and I wanted to take what I learned playing for different crowds and push the boundaries. To show people I’m not confined to just one type of music, genre or sound. I can go from dance to house to electronic to rap and blend it all perfectly.”
Cyclone is slated for a February 2017 release. Get caught up in Austin Millz’ “Cyclone” featuring Tungi Ige below: