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Ez Mil

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Ez Mil
Birth nameEzekiel Miller Sapiera
Born (1998-07-27) July 27, 1998 (age 26)
Olongapo, Philippines
GenresHip hop
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • producer
Years active2012–present
Labels
Websitewww.ezmil.com

Ezekiel Miller Sapiera (born July 27 1998), known by his stage name Ez Mil (/ˌiːzi ˈmɪl/ EE-zee MIL), is a Filipino rapper, singer, songwriter and producer. He rose to prominence after his song "Panalo" gained public attention.[1] At age 25, he became the first Filipino artist (and the third rapper after 50 Cent and Stat Quo) to have a direct joint deal with Shady Records, Aftermath Entertainment, and Interscope Records.[2][3]

Early life

[edit]

Ezekiel Miller was born in Olongapo to a musician father, Paul Sapiera of the band RockStar whose hits in the early '90s include "Mahal Pa Rin Kita" (English translation: "I Still Love You") and "Parting Time", and to a mother who is also active in the music industry.[4] He also grew up with a younger sister, Raynn formerly known as Raining Sorrow.[5]

Miller grew up in Urdaneta, Pangasinan and Olongapo where he was bullied for being tisoy.[6] At a young age he was exposed to different genres of music such as rock, hip-hop, and R&B, and learned to produce and record his own music.[3] He then started his own YouTube channel where he uploaded deathcore covers and deathcore guitar tutorials under the name Slashmouth.[3] He studied architecture at Saint Louis University in Baguio before dropping out after a year and a half and moving to the United States.[7] At first he lived in Seattle, then Los Angeles, before settling down in Las Vegas.[7]

Career

[edit]

2017–2020: Beginnings, Act I and Resonances

[edit]

Once Miller moved to the United States, he decided to take music seriously.[7] At first he wanted to continue making heavy metal and deathcore. He then decided to transition to rap.[3] He recorded his music in his bedroom alongside his sister and shot his own music videos. During this time, he also worked at Burger King.[7]

In 2020, Miller released his first album, Act I and Resonances, an EP.[8][9] Act I contains the singles "Panalo", “Easy-Going Millions”, and “Far Away From Home”, while Resonances contains "Into it All".[4][3] That year, he also participated in the 24 Bars Mark Beats Challenge, created by Filipino DJ Mark Beats. His entry helped him gain a following among Filipinos.[3]

2021–2022: Breakout years, Virgin Music, and DU4LI7Y

[edit]

On January 29, 2021, a video of Miller performing "Panalo" on the Wish Bus USA was uploaded on YouTube. The performance went viral, gaining 10 million views in three days.[4] However, this brought attention to the inaccuracies in the song, which claim that national hero Lapulapu was beheaded. The controversy even reached the point that the mayor of Lapu-Lapu City, Junard Chan, called on him to apologize and change the lyrics.[10] While he has apologized for the lyrics, he has stated that he has no plans to release a different version with more accurate lyrics.[6][11]

The success of "Panalo" led to more opportunities for Miller. On March 7, Miller made his live TV debut on ASAP Natin 'To alongside 1500 or Nothin'.[12][13] He then made his first appearance on a US hip-hop radio station when he performed a freestyle about Nipsey Hussle and YG on Power 106.[13] On June 9, 2021, it was announced that Miller had signed with Virgin Music. To celebrate the occasion, a music video for "Panalo" was released featuring boxer Manny Pacquiao.[1]

On April 15, 2022, Miller released his first single of the year, "Dalawampu’t Dalawang Oo".[14] He also returned to the Philippines that year for a nationwide tour, the EZ Mil: Panalo Homecoming Tour.[5] During the tour, he got to perform alongside Gloc-9 at the New Frontier Theater.[15] He also made another appearance on ASAP Natin 'To this time performing with Gigi de Lana, performed "Panalo" with Jeremy G on the season finale of Pinoy Big Brother: Kumunity Season 10, and performed on the Wish Bus, this time with his sister Raynn.[16][17][18]

While on tour, Miller released "27 Bodies", a reworking of his entry in the 24 Bars Beats Challenge.[19] On July 27, 2022, he released his second album DU4LI7Y.[20] He then performed in London for the 1MX Filipino music festival.[21] However, he had to cancel the Olongapo stop on his homecoming tour as the tour producer backed out.[22] On September 27, he released a music video for the single "Will You".[23] He closed out the year by performing at halftime of the LA Clippers' Filipino Heritage Night at Crypto Arena.[24]

2023–present: Signing with Eminem and Dr. Dre

[edit]

In February 2023, Miller released the music video for his single "Up Down (Step & Walk)".[25] A month later, Eminem heard the song.[26] Impressed, he reached out to Miller. Initially, Miller thought it was a joke.[27] Once Virgin Records confirmed it was from Eminem,[27] Miller then drove from Vegas to Los Angeles, where he got to meet Eminem and Dr. Dre. On July 27, 2023, it was announced that Miller had signed with Shady Records, Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records.[26] At age 25, he became the first Filipino artist and the third rapper (after 50 Cent and Stat Quo) to be signed to all three labels.[2][3] Also announced was DU4LI7Y: REDUX, the deluxe version of his 2022 LP.[26] This would be the final release of Miller under Virgin Records.[28]

On August 4, 2023, "Realest", a collaboration between Miller and Eminem, was released. It debuted at no. 3 on the on both the Rap Digital Song Sales and R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales charts.[29] A week later, on August 11, DU4LI7Y: REDUX dropped.[30] A month after the album dropped, he dropped the music video for one of the new singles of the deluxe album "Podium".[31] In November of that year, he partnered with Spotify Stages for a concert at Hudson Square.[32]

In May 2024, Mil was recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30 for his notable contributions and achievements.[33] He also featured on Eminem's album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce) on the song "Head Honcho", in which he got to rap part of his verse in Filipino.[34] Billboard called his feature "a coming-out party for EZ Mil".[35] In December, he returned to the Philippines as a featured artist at Akon’s “V1BE Manila” festival.[36]

Artistry

[edit]

Influences

[edit]

Chris Brown is one of Miller's biggest influences, with his vocals and dance moves.[1] Other rapping influences include Tupac,[37] Eminem,[38] ASAP Rocky,[38] Kendrick Lamar,[38] Royce da 5'9",[38] Anderson .Paak,[39] Nipsey Hussle,[39] Tech N9ne,[39] and Hopsin.[39] Filipino rapper Gloc-9 is also a key infleunce, specifically his song "Hari ng Tondo".[4] The dance troupe Jabbawockeez also inspired him to learn more dance styles such as krump, b-boy, and many others.[1]

Musical style

[edit]

Miller has ventured into the genres rap, hip-hop, and R&B.[3] He is known for mixing traditional Filipino beats with modern rap beats. He also is known for his thought-provoking lyrics, rapid-fire delivery, intricate wordplay, and seamless flow.[2] Aside from rapping in English and Tagalog, he can also rap in Ilocano.[38]

Aside from rapping, Miller can also play the guitar and piano.[37] Before becoming a rapper, he made deathcore music with an alter ego known as Slashmouth.[3]

Personal life

[edit]

Miller has a girlfriend.[40] He currently lives in Las Vegas, Nevada.[37] His other talents include illustrative art and skateboarding.[38] He is also the co-owner of the C3 Seafood & Bar at Shanghai Plaza in Chinatown, Las Vegas.[41]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Key
† Indicates non-competitive categories
Star Awards for Music 2023 "Re-up" Rap Artist of the Year Won [42]
The Outstanding Filipinos of America Award (TOFA) 2021 Himself Youth † Won [43]
Wish 107.5 Music Awards 2022 "Panalo" Wishclusive Hip-Hop Performance of the Year Nominated [44]
Himself Wishclusive Elite Circle † Gold
2023 "Re-up" Wishclusive Hip-Hop Song of the Year Nominated [45]

Listicles

[edit]
Name of publisher, name of listicle, year(s) listed, and placement result
Publisher Listicle Year(s) Result Ref.
Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 2024 Included [33]

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
List of studio albums by Ez Mil
Title Album details
Act 1[46][47]
Resonances[48]
  • Released: October 25, 2020
  • Label: FFP
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
DU4LI7Y[49]
  • Released: July 27, 2022
  • Label: FFP, Virgin
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming
DU4LI7Y: REDUX[50]
  • Released: August 11, 2023
  • Label: FFP, Virgin, Shady, Aftermath
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming, CD

Singles

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List of singles, showing year released, selected chart positions, and associated albums
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
Bub.
[51] 		CAN
[52] 		NZ
Hot
[53] 		UK
Down.
[54]
"Hyperthermia" 2017 — — — — Non-album singles
"Till' You're Dead" 2018 — — — —
"Runnin'" 2019 — — — —
"Lackland" — — — —
"Freeze" 2020 — — — —
"Cultura" — — — —
"Far Away from Home" — — — — Act 1
"Easy-Going Millions" — — — —
"Panalo" — — — —
"Idk" — — — —
"Panalo (Pacquiao Version)" 2021 — — — — Non-album singles
"Victorious" — — — —
"1st & Last" — — — — Resonances
"Re-up" 2022 — — — — Duality
"Dalawampu't Dalawang Oo (2200)" — — — —
"27 Bodies" — — — —
"Ridin' with the Moonlight" — — — —
"Realest" (with Eminem)[55] 2023 25 95 3 27 DU4LI7Y: REDUX

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "Fil-Am artist Ez Mil signs up with Virgin Music, releases Pacquiao version of 'Panalo'". Manila Bulletin. June 10, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c "Filipino rapper EZ Mil signs with Eminem and Dr. Dre". The Manila Times. July 27, 2023. Archived from the original on July 28, 2023. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Serdenia, Mycah (November 1, 2023). "Rapper Ez Mil Proves Why He's the 'Realest' - Character Media". Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d Mangubat, Lio (February 1, 2021). "Who is Ez Mil, the rapper with 10 million views on YouTube?". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
  5. ^ a b Garcia, Leony (May 1, 2022). "BREAKOUT | Fil-Am rap artist Ez Mil headlines first homecoming tour | Leony Garcia". BusinessMirror. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  6. ^ a b Llemit, Kathleen A. (February 2, 2021). "Rapper EZ Mil apologizes for twisting truth about Lapu-Lapu in viral song". Philstar.com. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  7. ^ a b c d Sy, Stan (June 27, 2022). "Ez Mil: The Filipino rapper reintroduces himself after the viral whirlwind of 'Panalo'". NME. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  8. ^ Godinez, Bong. "Rapper Ez Mil joins Virgin Music Label and Artist Services". GMA Entertainment. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
  9. ^ Saeed, Saeed (August 9, 2023). "Filipino-American rapper Ez Mil's albums and EP ranked | The National". web.archive.org. Archived from the original on August 9, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  10. ^ Mangubat, Lio (February 8, 2021). "Lapu-Lapu mayor blasts Ez Mil over Lapu-Lapu lyrics". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  11. ^ Dumaual, Mario (February 9, 2021). "Ez Mil reiterates apology for historical error in lyrics of 'Panalo' but will still not alter lines of viral hit". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  12. ^ Singh, Surej (March 4, 2021). "'Panalo' rapper Ez Mil to perform on 'ASAP Natin To' this weekend". NME. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  13. ^ a b "Filipino rapper Ez Mil Drops Freestyles Dedicated To Nipsey Hussle & YG". AllHipHop. March 15, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  14. ^ Ng, Scott (April 15, 2022). "Ez Mil releases Tagalog single 'Dalawampu't Dalawang Oo' ahead of first-ever Philippines tour". NME. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  15. ^ Severo, Jan Milo (May 3, 2022). "EZ Mil turns emotional performing with idol Gloc-9". Philstar.com. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  16. ^ "Ez Mil, live sa ASAP Natin 'To". Philstar.com. May 1, 2022. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  17. ^ "Big Night: EZ Mil and Jeremy G team up to sing "Panalo" for the Big 5 | PBB Kumunity". ABS-CBN News. May 29, 2022. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  18. ^ Ng, Scott (May 4, 2022). "Watch Ez Mil join Raynn for a performance of 'Storm' on the Wish 107.5 Bus". NME. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  19. ^ Rafid, Sabiq (June 24, 2022). "Ez Mil drops '27 Bodies', the third single off his upcoming album 'DU4LI7Y'". NME. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  20. ^ Salterio, Leah C. (July 30, 2022). "EZ Mil launches sophomore album 'DU4LI7Y'". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  21. ^ Singh, Surej (June 21, 2022). "KZ Tandingan, Ez Mil, Darren Espanto and more to perform for 1MX in London this July". NME. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  22. ^ Ng, Scott (August 8, 2022). "Ez Mil cancels 'Panalo' tour homecoming concert after tour producer withdraws". NME. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  23. ^ Ng, Scott (September 28, 2022). "Ez Mil releases new ballad 'Will You' alongside romantic music video". NME. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  24. ^ Ju, Shirley (November 29, 2022). "Ez Mil, Guapdad 4000, Manila Grey And Yeek Take Over LA Clippers Filipino Night at Crypto Arena". AllHipHop. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  25. ^ "Sometimes life goes 'Up Down' for Ez Mil". liftedasia.com. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  26. ^ a b c "Controversial Pinoy rapper Ez Mil signs with Eminem, Dr. Dre". www.philstar.com. July 27, 2023. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  27. ^ a b "Ez Mil Thought Invitation to Meet Eminem Was Joke | Eminem.Pro - the biggest and most trusted source of Eminem". August 10, 2023. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  28. ^ Eggertsen, Chris (August 1, 2023). "'One Margarita' Singer's Giant Label Deal & More Music Artist Signings". web.archive.org. Archived from the original on December 6, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  29. ^ Severo, Jan Milo (August 18, 2023). "Pinoy rapper EZ Mil, Eminem collab song debuts at no. 3 in global Billboard". Philstar.com. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  30. ^ "Eminem Responds to Melle Mel on Shady Records Signee's Tr..." Complex. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  31. ^ "Ez Mil Incorporates Some Iconic Eminem Imagery in His New Music Video "Podium" | Eminem.Pro - the biggest and most trusted source of Eminem". September 13, 2023. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  32. ^ Tagala, Don (November 6, 2023). "Fil-Am rapper Ez Mil partners with Spotify for NYC show". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  33. ^ a b Balaoing, Benise (May 16, 2024). "Ez Mil, 'Lumpia Queen,' 5 other Pinoys make it to Forbes Asia '30 Under 30' list". ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  34. ^ Purnell, Kristofer. "Filipino-American rapper Ez Mil features on new Eminem album". Philstar.com. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  35. ^ Saponara, Michael (July 12, 2024). "Eminem's 'The Death of Slim Shady' Album: Songs Ranked Worst to Best". Billboard. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  36. ^ "SB19's Pablo to join Akon, EzMil, Gloc-9, and more at V1BE Manila in December". GMA News Online. September 28, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  37. ^ a b c Ramos, Jansen (February 1, 2021). "IN PHOTOS: Get to know viral Pinoy rapper Ez Mil". www.gmanetwork.com. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  38. ^ a b c d e f Ju, Shirley (February 2, 2021). "Ez Mil Goes Viral Internationally, Rapping in 3 Languages in "Panalo" (Win)". AllHipHop. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  39. ^ a b c d Creekmur, Chuck (August 31, 2023). "Ez Mil Gives His Top 5, Talks Reppin' The Philippines & The Violence He Endured". AllHipHop. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  40. ^ "Ez Mil, ipinakilala ang nobya sa 'Magandang Buhay'". ABS-CBN News. June 23, 2022. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  41. ^ Llorente, Bev (August 16, 2024). "New song, new business: EZ Mil now restaurant co-owner in Las Vegas". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  42. ^ Mallorca, Hannah (April 28, 2024). "SB19 dominates 14th and 15th PMPC Star Awards for Music". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  43. ^ Diaz, Rasmin (October 12, 2021). "Fil-Am achievers share personal stories at TOFA awards night". INQUIRER.net USA. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  44. ^ "7th Wish Music Awards: Complete List of Winners". www.wish1075.com. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  45. ^ "8th Wish Music Awards Winners, Highlights, and More". www.wish1075.com. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  46. ^ Act 1, July 7, 2020, retrieved April 18, 2022
  47. ^ Act 1 by Ez Mil, July 7, 2020, retrieved April 18, 2022
  48. ^ "Resonances by Ez Mil". October 25, 2020. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  49. ^ "DU4LI7Y by Ez Mil". October 25, 2020. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  50. ^ "DU4LI7Y REDUX by Ez Mil". August 11, 2023.
  51. ^ devops (January 2, 2013). "Bubbling Under Hot 100 Week of August 19, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  52. ^ tolsen (January 2, 2013). "Billboard Canadian Hot 100 Week of August 19, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  53. ^ Peaks on the NZ Hot Singles Chart:
  54. ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart". Official Charts. August 11, 2023. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  55. ^ "EZ MIL SIGNS TO SHADY RECORDS/AFTERMATH ENTERTAINMENT/INTERSCOPE RECORDS". Shady Records. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
[edit]
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