Before the campus shut down, students at Western Connecticut State University might have seen custodian Justin Mills nodding along to music with his headphones on while he worked.  Most students would assume he’s listening for pleasure or to make the time pass by while he cleans the buildings of Midtown and cares for Higgins Hall.  They would be wrong.  He’s studying. 

Justin‘s decoding every bar, every rhyme and every hook.  He’s listening to how the beat matches the flow and sound of the words.  He’s generating ideas, learning what he can improve on.  He’s listening to his own music.  The music he wrote and performed. 

Justin Mills isn’t just a custodian.  He’s a rapper, and in 2020, he decided to step back into the game.                           

At 40 years old, some people might think it is a little late to be getting back into the game.  But Mills is experienced.  This isn’t something that he’s just picking up.  The art of music has been with him since birth, he explained. 

 “I remember being in a car seat and hearing the bass,” he said.  “My father plays bass guitar.“ Mills‘ father, mother and uncle all have backgrounds in the arts and music industry.  Mills’ father and uncle are musicians who still perform live, and his mother was an actress who attended Western Connecticut State University’s renowned theatre program.  

Being surrounded by that much talent gave Mills his own desire to make a name for himself and enter the music industry.  He can remember back to when he was 13 listening to Snoop Dogg for the first time, and how he thought “I wish I wrote this.” 

In addition to Snoop Dogg, Mills also likes to listen to “Tupac, Nas, Jay-z, Mobb Deep, Redman…” and the list goes on.  

With all this history (should this be ‘history with’ instead of ‘experience in’?) in the industry, it was easy for him to reach far back into his history as a musician, collect the songs he had performed with his crew and assemble them into his first album, An Early Collection Vol. 1.  He pulled songs from as far back as 2005 to as recently as 2016.  The album boasts songs such as, “Bigger Official,” “What You Know Abt A King,” and his personal favorite, “Bridge Burner.” 

Two producers working with Justin Mills praised the new album for capturing his raw energy and raw talent. “Justin’s album brings a unique energy and nostalgia,” said one of the producers, Jordan White. “It is evident from the first few tracks that these songs are a compilation from past projects, but their sound and lyrics remain fresh.  With some tracks being labeled as ‘demo,’ Justin reminds the listener that sometimes, rawness is more appropriate than a polished track.” 

Producer Jonathan Fessenden said Justin’s songs are so powerful because they speak the truth. “When we were making his album, Justin would come to my studio every day. Real talks, real struggles and real life came through in his words,” Fessenden explained.  “When he says in one of his songs ‘I was sleeping in my car,’ that was the truth.” 

Mills classifies his music as “90’s, 2000’s Hip Hop, a little old school to what’s popping right now, but still top quality.”   

Although his own musical style has an “old school” sound, Mills said that he respects the rap that’s pulsing through headphones these days. “I have a great appreciation for today’s style and sound.  It’s evolution in front of our eyes,” he said.  “As an artist, I love working with today’s rappers.  It’s a whole vibe.  It’s a feeling.” 

An Early Collection Vol. 1 was released just before Western Connecticut State University made the decision to shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic for the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester. Mills hopes that his music can provide people with some entertainment and comfort while under quarantine. 

As soon as the coronavirus begins to recede and it’s deemed okay to be out in public again, Mills wants to perform live.  If you’re interested in getting his music, he sells USB and NFC cards of his album.  

If you’re interested in listening to Justin Mills and An Early Collection Vol. 1, you can find him on Spotify, Google Music, and iTunes all under the name “itsjustinmills.”