Khari Sekou aka Terry Milla is an entrepreneur, author, positive hip-hop
artist, producer, engineer, plant-based chef, and martial artist. He’s the mastermind behind 100 Trillion Entertainment, Winner Winner Vegan, and Warrior Garden Combat & Fitness. His music, food, and martial arts ventures unite under his “Warrior Life. Motivation Muzik” philosophy, a way of life that inspires transformation.

With “#WEAREWARRIORS” out now, we took some time to hear from Terry Milla. Read below to learn more about Terry Milla, the story behind “#WEAREWARRIORS,” and what’s to come.

Hi Terry Milla! Let’s start with how did you get your artist name?

Terry Milla is “Milla-Terry,” a play on words like military. Military mindset. Spirit of a soldier.

What city are you from, and where are you based now?

I was born in Atlanta and live here now. I’m currently traveling to other countries to see where I would go if I decide to leave the U.S.

At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music? How did you get started?

I started rapping for fun at around 12 years old. People liked what I did, so I started pursuing it professionally. I had management deals and contracts at a young age, but the deals weren’t right. I kept doing music out of my love for it. I will always do some form of music.

How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?

I do my own thing and don’t follow trends. We should all inspire each other, but an artist should create unique art. I bring lyrics with content over bangin’ beats. I cross genres, but remain authentic to who I am.

Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?

I love martial arts and cooking. I teach martial arts and have a plant-based foods company in Atlanta. I discovered my “Ikigai” or purpose, and now I go after the things that I really want in life. With that clarity, I can continue to grow in the things I love to do.

Who are some of your main musical influences?

I grew up listening to Rakim, Public Enemy, Run DMC, and other great hip-hop artists and they influenced my style early on. I was impacted by the realism and directness of Tupac and the creative wordplay of Nas. I’m a fan of good music, and I learn from everyone. As a producer, I’m influenced by modern hip-hop beats, but I stay in my own lane.

What’s one of the proudest moments of your music career so far?

I’ve had major placements on TV, film, and video games, but my proudest moments are what I’ve done recently wit this new project. I went against the grain with this album and the singles. I dared to be different and stood on it. “#WEAREWARRIORS” has over 1M views already, and I’m doing it all independently. Many other great things are in the works.

What would you say are the greatest lessons that you’ve learned so far?

I’ve learned to be myself despite the constant peer pressure to conform. I used to be a full-time hustla and I watched my potnaz die and go to prison. That’s why I can’t rap about all the negativity and “dumb it down.” I make intelligent hip-hop and that’s what it is, whether it fits the trend or not. I set the trend rather than follow it.

Now onto your release, “#WEAREWARRIORS.” What inspired this song? What is “#WEAREWARRIORS” about?

I listen to AfroBeats and Amapiano a lot, so I wanted to bring some of that into my project. I wanted it to be authentic to my brand and what I do. As a martial artist, I train constantly. I wanted an anthem to train to that captured that strength and the Warrior Spirit.

“#WEAREWARRIORS” is my “anthem of resilience,” as it was called in a few magazines.

What was the inspiration behind the cover artwork for “#WEAREWARRIORS?”

I wanted to capture the essence of the song and concept the best way possible. An empty African Warrior mask with a serious look says it all.

What was the creative process like when making “#WEAREWARRIORS?”

I started with the track and made a few versions before the final one that was released. I wrote multiple verses and decided to use those. I hired a singer to sing the chorus and a verse, and it came out beautifully.

How long did it take to complete “#WEAREWARRIORS?”

It took a couple of weeks to produce, write, and record. I mixed and mastered it later. I’m also an audio engineer, and I mix and master projects for other artists.

How did the music video for “#WEAREWARRIORS” come about? What was your vision for the video?

I originally asked the singer to film some footage in Africa, but she wanted too much money for some basic shots. I felt like she was trying to squeeze me for as much as possible. I decided to do it myself. The concept is the path of the Warrior in solitude, but being highly productive. I saw a post once that said, “If you want to lead, you have to turn your back on the crowd.” That’s what the video says to me. I’m training, planning, strategizing, focused, dangerous.

What do you hope fans take away from “#WEAREWARRIORS” and your music in general?

I want people to realize that anything is possible. They said I was too old to rap, but I’m a child of hip-hop and have been doing this my whole life. People turned their backs on me and didn’t support my movement, but I kept going. I knew that I would win eventually if I never quit. Find what it is that you really want to do and do it. Don’t let anyone tell you, you can’t.

What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects, or do you have any upcoming shows that we should be on the lookout for?

I released 4 projects on 1.11.26. The new Terry Milla album, Off The Leash, has 2 versions. The 8-song project is on streaming platforms and the full 16-song version is only at 100trill.com.

I put out a sequel to my previous book, 222 Timeless Truths, available worldwide through IngramSpark Publishing. I dropped a motivational EP, Invincible Warrior, which is only available at 100trill.com and self-published a plant-based guide, All Plant Everything, which shares my experience from over 30 years in plant-based foods. That book is available at winnerwinnervegan.com. My plant-based food products are in some stores now and will be going into major distribution soon.

I have some podcast interviews and other things lined up. We’re planning an album release party and book signing for February 22nd (2-22), but the venue hasn’t been announced yet. My OutlawRBG brotha, Mic Chambers, is going to rock with me. More live shows will soon come.

Where can we follow you on social media?

Instagram.com/terrymilla
TikTok.com/@terrymilla

Anything else that you would like to share?

My martial arts school, Warrior Garden Combat & Fitness, has a program called, Mindset & Violence Prevention (MVP) that works with the youth and helps to stop violence before it starts. There have been a number of shootings here. My team and I are working to make the situation better.

Thank you for the great interview; wish you much continued success!