First Listen: Millie Go Lightly

For this First Listen feature the UK born and ATL residing Millie Go Lightly talks to New Wave about how Young Thug's mellifluous tunes led her to pursue music and eventually create her own tracks with the likes of Gunna, 21 Savage and Thugger himself. She also illuminates how she feels with about her new single "2 Girls, 1 Saloon", released in the lead up to her new EP The Good, The Bad And The Beautiful.

Millie originally hails from the rural areas of the UK. You may have first heard about the artist through her age-defining collaboration with powerhouse, Young Thug on “Family Don’t Matter”, and “She Wanna Party” two cuts from his gold certified commercial mixtape Beautiful Thugger Girls after a chance mix-up with a Wheezy beat.

Since moving to Atlanta, Millie has left her mark on the flourishing scene. From appearing on projects with Gunna to Lil Yachty, Lil Gnar, Sahbabii and Jack Harlow. This summer, Millie appeared on her first British rap album with the track ‘Numba 9’ appearing on AJ Tracey's lauded sophomore, Flu Game. Check out our conversation below to read about Millie's perspective on the new single –

NW: Hey Millie! How’s it going today?

M: I’m good thanks, working hard on my next release in ATL!

How are you feeling about this new project? Is it something very personal?

This EP has been a long time in the making, I've spent years perfecting my craft. Making sure my music is a direct reflection of myself, my experiences and influences. This has been important to me because a lot of people know me for my work with AJ Tracey, 21 Savage, Gunna and many more... This year, is all about Millie Go Lightly.

What artist did you look up to growing up?

I’ve always grown up wanting to be like Gwen Stefani.

When did you release your first bit of work?

Back in 2016, I was working near the rosewood. A producer that came over from the States called Black Monday said you should listen to Young Thug. I have always listened to rap music my whole life but loved the melodic sounds Thug was creating in this era. So, started listening to thug and thought it was like singing; and at this point it was different to grime in the UK. I ended up emailing 5/6 producers every day and their talent and messaged this Bay Area rapper that had a similar melodic sounding album. He subsequently put me on his album and It was my first project, a surreal small win at the time!

So then what happened, did you work with any other producers?

I emailed a producer just afterwards who just produced with 21 savage’s project - (London On Da Track). I sent an email to London and his assistant responded and luckily at the time he was on tour.

How did you get the co-sign from Young Thug?

Whilst London was on tour he brought Thug. My dad luckily booked tickets to go to Orlando and coincidentally London and Thug were on tour in Orlando. I emailed London, met them and was asked to around on their tour dates.

Did you work with any other producers?

The first producer I worked with was actually Wheezy on the tour.