We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Maxx Millanova. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Maxx below.
Maxx, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
Thank you for the opportunity to share about myself and my insights, and about my music.
I believe resilience is our nature. Never underestimate the will to survive and the hope for a better quality of life, allegience to purpose, and the connection you have to your heart. The human Spirit is unbreakable and eternal, so if you can tap into it; that’s what you hold onto. Giving yourself grace and forgiving the bad days is also necessary.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a Hip Hop artist; Emcee/Musician, originally from Rhode Island, currently living in Miami, FL. I play keys. Piano has always been a part of my life since I was very young. I grew up with music as my company, my love, and my escape. When the day came for me to know hip-hop, it soon became my best friend.
I released my first single titled “Death at my Door” back in 2014, followed by the album I released in 2016 called “Darkness to Light”. In 2021 I released my mixtape titled “AcuRap” a modernized approach to acient medical texts and esoteric tradition over dope beats, which was a product of my journey in getting my masters in Oriental Medicine.
For those who don’t know my story; I’ve struggled with chronic health issues most my life, in 2009 I experienced a rapid decline. The world of eastern medicine modalities and acupuncture played a big part in stabilizing my health. At the time I was in need of treatments more than I could receive from a practitioner, so I learned some of the basics of acupuncture to treat myslef. In 2021/2022 I completed my masters in Oriental Medicine and now I’m in the process of taking board exams in pursuit of my license as an acupuncture physician.
Natural medicine and the natural world are a huge part of who I am. I’m also very much an advocate for justice, human rights and peace. As you hear more from me musically you will see that. Overall, I’m not your typical rap experience. I go into my performances setting the intention that the experience is about the crowd and what they’ll take away from it. The intent is to open the connection, give what I can, and empower those on the receiving end.
As a woman, on and off the mic, I say what I want to say; do what I want to do. I tend to startle a lot of folks who aren’t expecting to hear what they’re hearing come out of a tiny 5’0 woman; sonically and intellectually. That’s actually one of my favorite things ever though. I have a new single titled “MAXXINE” that I’m hoping to release at the beginning of 2024. It’s a twist on Chaka Demus’ & Pliers’ “Murder She Wrote”, the story of Maxxine told from her own perspective instead of the stories men tell about her.
To get your free download when she drops visit my website to subscribe to my email list at www.maxxmillanova.com
I’d love for you to also check out my demo version of “Who We Gonna Call”: an anti-war-inspired song from my next project here: https://www.sonicbids.com/band/maxxmillanova/ , it’s also currently streaming on all platforms.
I have a GoFundMe to help support me during this transition time between passing board exams and being able to license to practice medicine, as the process has not been easy and my health has taken many dips throughout. The GoFundMe is also to help fund my next two music projects to present them in the most impactful and meaningful way possible. If you’re reading this and feel inspired by my story, and would like to lend a hand check it out. You’ll find more on my story and more about the drive behind the projects. All support is greatly appreciated.
*My GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/MaxxMillanova
*For more about me and my music please visit: maxxmillanova.com
*For Booking, email: [email protected]
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
1. Patience: admittedly I’m not always very good at this! But it’s important. When the journey is inch by inch you have no choice. Know that everything has its time; that is the way.
2. Courage: you have to be brave, and you have to be bold. For sure in the music world, but mostly in life. You stand for something and you see it through. People will judge you for anything and everything, just because it’s not the way they would do it. And that’s because most folks dont believe in themselves and self hate is rampant. I can honestly and thankfully say that my journey has taken me to a point now where I can wake up tomorrow with the whole world hating me and I won’t care. I’ll pour myself a cup of tea and get on with it. There’s freedom in courage, and you get there by developing discernment on when to have tough skin and when to lead with a soft heart.
3. Resilience: never fold. Know when to rest, know when to scream and cry, and know when to get back up. Find what feeds you. You can’t break a Spirit driven by purpose.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
The Giver, by Lois Lowry written in 1993 was one of the few books I enjoyed as a kid. It’s always stuck with me. The story takes place in a dystopian society where the Receiver of Memory remembers what it’s like to feel and be connected to the world for what it is- the good and the bad. Living in a place of neutrality, conformity, control, apathy, and perfectionism in the name of avoiding pain robs us of our ability to fully feel love and joy. I think its a good book to review as the world moves into more challenges especially concerning the climate, economic hardship, world conflict and war, and the integration of more advanced A.I. that may steer us into this type of state. There’s also a movie out there that was created from the novel, directed by Phillip Noyce. Check it out.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.maxxmillanova.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maxxmillanova/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaxxMillanova
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@maxxmillanova
- Other: GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/MaxxMillanova
Image Credits
Bryan Carvalho, Observe Capture Destroy
