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Episode 136. If you’ve ever tuned into The Black Music Archive or Milik Kashad's TV videos, you've witnessed the genius of Milik Kashad. A young filmmaker and music aficionado, Milik's mission is to educate the world about the greatness of Black vocalists in music.

Host Troy Saunders attended an incredible event in New York City organized by Milik called "Crafting The Sound." It was a masterclass on the technical aspects of singing backgrounds for the legendary Chaka Khan. Milik enlisted three of Chaka Khan's most iconic background singers: Sandra St. Victor, Audrey Wheeler, and Karen Bernod. The band also featured Chaka's own musical director, Melvin Lee Davis, along with all-star musicians Ralph Rolle on drums, Felicia Collins on guitar, and Bette Sussman on keys. It was an awe-inspiring and informative night of music and fellowship.

The following week, Troy contacted Milik to express his enjoyment of the show. A mutual admiration for each other's work led to the idea of having Milik on the podcast.

In this episode, we delve into Milik's childhood growing up in North Carolina. He had a passion for singing and dancing, performing in choirs and school talent shows. As a teenager, he was offered a spot at Alvin Ailey School of Dance, but unfortunately, his parents didn’t support his dream, and he never got the chance to attend.

Regarding his singing aspirations, Milik continued singing tenor until he was 18. He explained that he didn't go through puberty until then, and his voice transformed from a high tenor to a deep baritone. This change made him less enthusiastic about pursuing a singing career.

Moving on to his college years, Milik initially majored in social work at the University of North Carolina but later developed a passion for filmmaking at Wake Forest University.

Now ready to pursue a career in filmmaking, Milik relocated to New York City. However, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, and job opportunities were scarce. Despite this setback, Milik's undying love for music and his unique ability to decipher its origins led him to create his own videos and upload them to YouTube. This gave birth to the Black Music Archives channel, which is now known as Milik Kashad TV. Armed with shows like "Explained," "Technically Speaking," and now interviews with legendary artists, Milik has garnered a substantial following of almost 140,000 watchers.

In a conversation with Troy, Milik discussed his love for music and its origins. He mentioned artists like Janis Joplin, Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, and opera legends, expressing his admiration for their unapologetic and powerful voices.

Milik shows no signs of slowing down. With more exciting interviews, live showcases, and films on the horizon, we can expect to see even more from this young, gifted, and Black entrepreneur, filmmaker, and trendsetter.

When asked about his filmmaking goals, Milik expressed his desire to create a film that will be remembered and referenced for generations to come.

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