IN PHOTOS: Get to know viral Pinoy rapper Ez Mil
Filipino-Caucasian rapper Ez Mil's performance on Wish USA Bus has earned more than 59 million views on YouTube.
Ez Mil performed his single "Panalo" which tackles Filipino patriotism.
Many were left dumbfounded after hearing him sing and rap live. Some even compared him to Philippine King of Rap Francis Magalona.
While many admire his talent, others would criticize Ez Mil because of the lyrics to his songs.
Nevertheless, the viral rapper is overwhelmed by the support that he received from his fans, thanking them for appreciating his music.
He said on his Facebook account, "Let me start by saying thanks to everyone for the support, I can't thank y'all enough for all the positive feedback I've been getting from each and every one of you."
Get to know more about the rising Pinoy rapper in this gallery:
Ez Mil
Ez Mil's real name is Ezekiel Miller. He was born on July 27, 1998, in Olongapo City. According to his Facebook profile, he studied Architecture at Saint Louis University in Baguio City and currently lives in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Paul Sapiera
Ez Mil's father is Paul Sapiera, the guitarist and lead singer of the popular '90s rock band, Rockstar, who came out with hits “Mahal Pa Rin Kita” and “Parting Time.”
Family
In his interview with Wish USA Music in December 2020, Ez Mil shared his artistry was greatly influenced by his parents who were then both active in the rock music scene. He said, "My family has been on the music scene where it started. Both my mom and my dad, mostly my dad. Some would say he's a legend in the rock scene in the Philippines."
Genres
Growing up, Ez Mil shared that he's been exposed to different kinds of genres, thanks to his musician parents. "I started getting interests in music when I learned about hip hop and R&B and all of those other genres that are not rock because it is not necessarily pushed onto me. It was like this is all different, like I'm gonna check it out myself," he said.
Musician
Ez Mil has been writing his own songs, some of which he released on his YouTube channel with over 297,000 subscribers as of writing. When he's not busy laying down beats, he plays the guitar and piano. He loves to dance as well.
Debut album
Ez Mil dropped his debut album titled 'Act 1' on his 22nd birthday, July 27, 2020. 'Act 1' is a 16-track album featuring acts such as Trilogy FPE, Raining Sorrow, Anji, and Di$mal, and voice actors Hazel Marin Miller (Ez Mil's mom) and Michelle Liane.
Musical influences
Ez Mil named Chris Brown and 2pac as his key influencers. In his interview with Mike Swift and Puting Kalabaw for EOW, Ez Mil described his admiration to the hip hop artists as "rebellion from overexposure" after hearing their music.
Dedication
Ez Mil admitted that he is obsessed with hip hop that he is willing to give his all to it. He uttered with conviction, "Parang na-o-obsess ako do'n sa something na inaasikaso ko o kinakahiligan ko. Mamahalin ko siya to the point na full on dedication. Nothing else matters other than this thing that I like."
Local hip hop
Ez Mil is well-aware of the status of the hip hop scene in the Philippines. However, he believes that it could rise to prominence if Pinoy rappers would produce their own beats. He said, advising aspiring rappers, "Focus and try to do as much as you can in terms of like how you want to make a song. Keep making beats, make your own beats like strive to make your own beats. If you force yourself to go on that path, you can have so much more control."
Mother
Although Ez Mil's mother's name has not come to light yet, it was reported that she has some musical background, too.
Breakout star
Breakout star Ez Mil celebrated the incredible milestone of his rap song “Panalo (Trap Cariñosa). He shared that his performance in Wish BUS USA has already amassed 25 million views.
