Miles Ave, a DC musician, is a diverse rapper with different sounds and a knack for being a wordsmith. He currently resides in Bushwick, New York, and began rapping at the age of eight (so for 10 years now). He grew up in a single-parent home with his mother, who frequently played soul and neo-soul music.
Miles writes songs based on his experiences. He composes songs based on his distinct life experiences. “Being in DC, you see the contradiction of high rise condominiums being erected next to individuals who need help,” he adds.
“Those life juxtapositions influence my music.”
‘cc:deux,’ his favourite and most current effort, focuses on his interactions with others, notably his family. He has described the album as “Black, psychedelic, and formless.” In a Broke Magazine interview with Miles, we uncover his bubbly persona, music-making talents and everything in between!
Tell me a bit about yourself? Where are you from, and your journey to being the music artist you are today?
I’m Miles ave from Washington, D.C & I’ve been rapping for over 10 years now.
Can you explain the inspiration behind your music?
As of recently a lot of my music has been inspired by colours and sentiments. The moments that conjure up a spirit that can be anxious, lonely, or romantic. Because sometimes everything comes down to one moment even if you’ve been dealing with a situation for an extended period you could be in the car on the way from a party or watching a film and your whole sphere shifts because there is a colour, sound, phrase, motion that recalls something in you which makes it all the more intense.
Is the music scene in America what you expected?
I’m constantly inspired by others. Whether it be attempting open cosmic sound barriers like Sun Ra where music and life become meshed. Or someone like Mos Def, being poetic and complex while maintaining accessible language so your words are received roundly. More importantly, I’m inspired by those around me the majority of my close friends are artists so my close relationship with their process is a constant inspiration for me.
You are described as an eclectic rapper with many sounds and a wizard with words, what do you think about this comment? Do you agree and why?
I think in general my cadences & beat choices are automatically left of centre & sometimes I attempt to make them even more left of centre as a challenge to myself. So I can see the word eclectic being gathered from what I make. Moreover, I am honoured that people denote me as a wizard with words. Since I was young – beginning with essays & poetry I’ve always had a close relationship with language. Over the years I’ve been trying to carve out my voice more thoroughly – and that means to me saying things only I would say in a way only I could say them.
You recently said your favourite project is ‘cc:deux’ – is that still the case?
cc:deux will be my favourite project of mine for a while I presume; because of its sonic content but also because of the really personal relationship I have with its formation and the lyrics. When I made it I was 19, experimenting, and realizing a lot of things about my past that I had overlooked or not reviewed in a way where I could connect it to my contemporary situations. I love cc:deux deeply. I was changed through making it and I believe it will only become more distinctive as time moves on.
Can you let us into the upcoming music you have coming out?
I just released my first project of the year (In Moments of) Transitional Doubt which is 808 focused. My next project will be in the realm of R&B and Pop featuring more singing and subtle production.
How do you want people to feel when listening to the anticipated singles?
I just want them to jam. You could dance to it and I think that’s pretty cool.
What are some key rules you follow when creating your music?
There’s a certain coolness and nonchalant introspection “Miles ave” has and anytime I’m rapping I try to capture that. On a production note, I just want to reach as left field as possible until it circles to feel like home. Sounds that are warm but chops that are disjointed and wrong.
I love the way you incorporate lots of different sounds from a range of genres in your music, do you think it’s important to be fluid as an artist & why?
I do believe that it’s important to be fluid or at least experiment. It’s understandable to stay in a realm that is comfortable and not always transition between sounds but you must experiment to inform your own.
Walk us through the production process behind your music, how long does it usually take to create a single etc?
Songs can take a range of time. It could be 20 minutes, it could be two days. I’ve had songs from its inception to being put out take over a year.
Where do you see yourself and your music in 5 years?
In 5 years I see myself having unlimited ability to explore and create — without financial and social restrictions. I’d like to be painting and start writing films by that point.
Miles ave is the definition of Alchemy