Even if you’re not a hip-hop head, there’s a chance you’ve found yourself spun up in Nex Millen’s aural orbit. The hip-hop producer, DJ, master of ceremonies + philanthropist spins records and curates sounds weekly, most recently for the Blind Pig Supper Club’s Yo MTV Raps ticketed supper.
We sat down with Nex to chat about his work. Keep reading to discover the causes he works to support, his favorite local spots, and the album he’d bring along if he were stranded on a desert island.
Where are you from originally? How did you wind up in Asheville?
I grew up in Philly, and music was always around me. My grandfather was a DJ in the 1970s, and was also part of a band The Zodiacs in the ’60s. Music was something I was always exposed to and felt drawn to. I started doing shows here in 2009, and that’s when I discovered the power of the mountains. I settled down here permanently in 2014.
Who are some local musicians you follow?
Everyone in my circle of musicians is incredible: Mike Martinez, DJ Otto-Maddox, Freedom the 9th Wonder.
What are some of your favorite places to go in town?
The Noir Collective, a co-op of Black business artists. I also love that new Japanese smokehouse Ukiah. And Daddy Mac’s Down Home Dive is also great. Get the Cobb salad with BBQ fried chicken.
You’ve worked with folks ranging from Mos Def to Digable Planets. When it comes to hip- hop, what would you say Asheville brings to the table?
Asheville brings the nature, the natural element. It’s full of all kinds of different artists, so there’s no pressure to be, say, a hip-hop artist. You can just be an artist. There are so many artists here, it’s a higher category than a particular genre. It’s different here than from a big city. There’s no hustle and bustle, so I can do things here that I couldn’t do in the city. I can hone the skills I need to help the Black community here. I can say that I am living my best life here in Asheville.
Tell us about your work.
I can break my schedule up into days and nights. Every Friday night, I’m with Rotations DJs at The Double Crown. Once a month, I host a Zodiac Party. During the day, I work on the board of the YMI Cultural Center. Its capital campaign is going on now. It’s turning 129 years old on February 12.
I also work with OpenDoors of Asheville on summer programming based on music, recording, and expression through song lyrics. I teach a DJ class through LEAF Global Arts, and I offer financial literacy classes through various nonprofits teaching kids how to deal with their finances.
And for the last year, I’ve hosted Music for the Movement, a radio show on WBMU Jamz, the first Black station in Asheville. It airs Saturday nights at 7 p.m., and new episodes drop April 22. We play a music block, play retro commercials, and discuss everything from environmental issues to veganism to Black education.
Who are some local movers + shakers you keep up with?
Roy Harris, my elder mentor. He hosts the interview series, Black Asheville Storytelling Experience. He understands the connection between the youth, Generation X, and the elders. The elders have the wisdom, Gen X has the knowledge, and the youth have the strength. As Gen Xers, we translate what the young folks are saying to the older generations, and vice versa.
If you were stranded on a desert island and could only listen to one album, what would it be?
Well, that would change by the day. If it were today, and I had to grab one on the way, it would be Malibu by Anderson .Paak.
