The sweetest victories in life never come overnight. They are born from years of undying hardwork and utmost dedication to the things one is most passionate about. They are achieved when one decides to go out of their comfort zone and evolve. Rightfully, these are the wins that deserve to be celebrated, loud and proud, at the highest level.

However, these triumphs wouldn’t be possible on our own. One never reaches the greatest of heights without those fervently supporting and believing in them. 

Long gone are the days where being the lone wolf is the way to go. True success lies in lifting others up as you aim for the top. Nobody knows all of this better than Chivas Regal and its latest ambassador, Filipino rapper Ez Mil, not only resonates with this, but it’s something he has actively championed even before his rise to stardom.

The Rise Of Ez Mil

Born into a family with an extensive musical background, Ez Mil – real name, Ezekiel Miller – naturally found his very own love for music later on. Exploring various genres, he notably got into different forms of metal before discovering a profound inclination towards hip-hop. Thus, Ez Mil was born. 

Ez Mil achieved international viral breakthrough through a live performance of the patriotic “Panalo” in 2021. Eventually, his distinctive musicality got the absolute attention of American rap titans Eminem and Dr. Dre, leading him to sign a massive three-way deal with Shady Records, Aftermath Entertainment, as well as Interscope Records in 2023.

Since then, it’s been nowhere to go but up for Ez Mil.

Photographed by Joseph Bermudez. On EZ: Seph Studios vest, COS jeans an

An Evolving Artistry And Forging New Paths To Success

However, none of these would have even happened if he didn’t cultivate a strong, bold, and out-of-the-box approach when it comes to his artistry early on. For him, there’s not one way to approach bringing his songs to life, taking on and being open to various sources of inspiration, both within and outside of music. This has resulted in his very own eclectic way of uniquely tackling the hip-hop genre.

By working with Eminem and Dr. Dre, Ez Mil notes that his musicality has only evolved further, sharing how the two continue to “bring the best out of [him].” “It’s all about the craft. They know how to do it very well,” he expounds, speaking highly of the two and how working with them has been “a spectacle to see.” “[Even] though [if] it’s a shot in the dark, they know how to shoot. They’ve missed so many times that they know how to dial in that target.”

Throughout his career, Ez Mil has stuck to his guns while putting his own deeply personal flare into the genre. For him, expanding the boundaries of his artistry is essential, helping the “Realest” rapper “lock into [himself] more,” be present and attentive, as well as highlight “the reality of what [his] purpose is.” Much like what Chivas Regal greatly promotes as part of its mission, Ez Mil went out of his comfort zone and forged a new path for himself towards the present-day glory he’s rightfuly basking in.

Photographed by Joseph Bermudez. On EZ: COS button-down shirt, t-shirt, and jeans, Antler Accessories necklace

Being Proud Of Your Wins

Over the years, Ez Mil’s career has continued to flourish and burn even brighter, taking in win after win born from unceasing commitment to his craft. Rightfully so, he does not shy away from acknowledging his achievements. 

After all, the greatest rewards can only be gained through hard work and dedication. So, why shouldn’t we celebrate them? 

We live in a time where the modern generation is filled with innovative go-getters like Ez Mil and for Chivas Regal, it is only fitting to advocate such a culture of being proud about one’s wins. Alongside gaining any prizes or honor, being unapologetic about one’s success – loud and proud for the world to see – ultimately serves to inspire others to also persevere and aim for the very top.

Ez Mil is a shining example of this. In fact, while he gratefully reaps the rewards of international viral stardom and recognition from two of the genre’s greats, he declares that his proudest achievement still goes back to his artistry – one that he is very much proud of having attained. 

“The freedom of creativity,” he reveals, stating it’s not something easily achievable as a “beginner.” Rather, for him, it’s eventually earned “through years and years of trying to shoot in the dark until you dial in a certain number.” Expounding on this, Ez Mil states that that freedom also comes from his cumulative experience of knowing how to craft a certain type of music, empowering him to be free from any pressure of “trying to sound like someone else.”

“Eminem and Dr Dre, they bring that out of you,” he shares further. “They highlighted to me that I should be more myself instead of trying to be like them.”

Photographed by Joseph Bermudez. On EZ: Seph Studios vest, COS jeans and shirt.

Elevating Others And Never Forgetting Your Roots

Ultimately, in fully embracing his individuality as an artist, Ez Mil has gone on a journey that he himself describes as “wild ride” filled with “a lot of swift changes.” However, for him, this journey is not one that he has undertaken alone.

As evidenced by Ez Mil’s career, the meaning of Chivas Regal’s “I Rise, We Rise” is something he deeply lives by. Proudly championing it alongside the luxe whisky-creator, he consistently promotes the selfless mission of elevating others when one achieves victories.

Looking back, the hitmaking rapper even recalls an inspiring moment in his career wherein he was the one being uplifted by others. It all goes back to the early days when his fiery take on a 24 bars freestyle rap challenge gained massive online recognition, propelling him onto the radar of millions. “When I tried rap out, I didn’t necessarily know if it was going to click, but I just did my thing.” Eventually, it became a major defining moment in his journey, leading him to realize that perhaps he was on the right path.

However, despite achieving a massive spotlight on his career, Ez Mil hasn’t forgotten where he came from, always remembering the people who helped him get to where he is now, including his family. Furthermore, his songs continue to serve as concrete evidence of his innate love and pride for the Philippines and his identity as a Filipino, especially his home turf of Olongapo.

Overall, he recognizes that he’s now in a position to potentially give back to the Filipino people, especially his fellow artists.

Photographed by Joseph Bermudez. On EZ: Seph Studios vest, COS jeans and shirt.

Being a rapper on the global stage, Ez Mil personally holds importance in never forgetting his roots as well as championing fellow Filipino talents because he recognizes that not everyone succeeds in music. “I just want to serve as an inspiration to the youth,” he states, emphasizing that even if others might ridicule you for pursuing what you love, it’s important to just do your own thing, make something out of it, and prove them wrong.

“There’s a lot of things I’d like to do, but I know I gotta take it slow. Because I’d like to help out the youth when it comes to showing them that this path is possible to do,” the rising rapper proclaims when asked how he plans to eventually help other Filipino talents, especially the next generation. 

Right now, Ez Mil states that he’s “focused on making [his] music and making sure that it’s the best it can be,” promising new tracks already on the way. However,  when the time comes and his career is flourishing even more, he looks to potentially start a label of his own and start signing young Pinoy talents in the future.

In line with this, he personally believes that as a people, we Filipinos should be more vocal and active about our support for our artists. In fact, he emphasizes the importance of allowing them to fall and get back up again. “I’m a skater, right? So, I take falls in [a] different light,” he explains. “Like you got to get back up, keep doing it till you get it right. You [have] got to encourage the fall and even clap at the guy who’s trying to take those falls.”

Ultimately, he said it best, “When it comes to art, not everyone’s going to try it, and when somebody does try, you [have] got to encourage them, even if they fail.”

Photographed by Joseph Bermudez. Creative direction by Nicole Almero. Production design by Jagger Studios. Styled by Kurt Abonal. Makeup by Donald Lapez, Mac Cosmetics PH. Hair by Nico Campanero, Nix Institute of Beauty.