He walked in the room wearing all black clothes and a black Treated crown. During part I of our interview we chopped it up, laughed, and he shared three exclusive tracks off his upcoming mixtape, Glory, for the entire Elevator team. He was happy, he was personable, he was introspective, he was humble… he is Saint Millie.  Here is part two of the interview I conducted with one of Chicago’s most promising young MC’s.

Briggie: When did you start rapping?

Millie: I’ve always been rapping, probably since grammar school. But it got really serious last year and definitely this year.

Briggie: How did that transition happen when you realized that this is what you wanted to do?

Millie: Well, the guys at Jugrnaut started listening to my music and started encouraging me a lot. They thought I had something special and that I didn’t sound like anything that anybody was listening to.

Briggie: How did you break into the industry from there?

Millie: I started off promoting for Kid These Days. Those dudes were really the people that kicked it off for younger, independent Chicago artists. From there I got a chance to meet and work with a lot of people like Chance  [The Rapper] and Lili K. Everybody was doing their thing, so I knew if I was going to do it I had to take it serious.

Briggie: Around that time is when you met [Executive Producer] The Gift?

Millie: Yeah, I met him and he was like “Yo, you got something.” He helped a lot with my whole situation; just getting to be around someone who has done so much great work and is still so humble – I really respect what he does as my producer and I appreciate him for being my mentor.

Briggie: I’m sure you two have worked a lot with crafting a signature sound and style – where do you think you get your inspiration and sound?

Millie: I grew up listening to Al Green and James Brown with my grandmother. I remember listening to College Dropout Ye, Late Registration Ye and getting chills… you know before he got his heart broken and started dated strippers. I’m a huge Roc-A-Fella and Dipset fan and The Rolling Stones. You know, Dilla and Slum Village. Not just hip-hop. I want to make music for the ears and for the soul. I would rather you feel me when you’re reflecting and looking back on your life – I want my music to make you feel better. I want people to feel it, but really feel it.

Briggie: Tell me about your first mixtape, No Religion But Up – that’s an interesting title.

Millie: When I was growing up, my grandma was heavy into church and is still a really spiritual individual. Which is actually where I got the name from – Saint Millie. But anyways, you know, religion separates people across the world. People die over this one thing that’s supposed to bring people together. Where I’m at in my life right now, I know I believe in a higher power but I can’t identify with one religion. I’m just with everybody and I’m really spiritual.

Briggie: So you can appreciate and recognize that there’s something higher up that put you in this spot you’re in?

Millie: Exactly! And I realized, I’m all about progression and getting myself to the next level. That’s my religion – progression, UP.

Briggie: How long did the production take? Being your first project, was it difficult?

Millie: Because it was my introduction to the hip-hop industry I took it serious – almost too serious. I did a lot of thinking versus a lot feeling, which is why I think Glory is so different because this time I was more about: how does this feel to me? Looking back, I appreciate the process of making No Religion But Up more – I put everything I had into that and there are some real gems on there.

Briggie: I noticed a big storytelling aspect on No Religon But Up, especially on “Dear Moms.” Are you taking more from your personal life and experiences for the making of Glory?

Millie: Yeah, that’s definitely helped mold me as an artist. Being able to capitalize on my struggle and success by telling stories about what I have been through. You know, sharing relatable experiences.

Briggie: So you’re trying to be a man amongst men!

Millie: HA! That is exactly my goal for Glory – to be more relatable. I was talking to Mano [Kanye West’s DJ] and he told me that I’m the person at the podium and the spotlight is on me and the people need to know what I stand for. That really stuck with me because I want [actually I need] people to identify with my work and know what I stand for because it all resonates with something they’ve been through. I know who I am, I know what I stand for… hopefully these people can rock with me.

Briggie: I love it. So Glory is dropping…?

Millie: Sooner than later, G. But when you drop this interview, I got y’all with an exclusive track preview.

As promised, here is an exclusive track off Saint Millie’s highly anticipated mixtape Glory, titled“No Damn” produced by Von Vuai.

LISTEN: “No Damn”

Briggie Smalls is a freelance contributor for Elevator Mag – follow her on Twitter.