Kenneth Millyun doesn’t waste words — on record or in conversation. We caught up with the North Houston artist ahead of the release of Crossing Streets, his three-track EP via EMPIRE, to talk about trust, geography, rock instincts, and what’s coming next.
Three tracks only — what made you stop there?
I didn’t really put too much thought into it. I knew it was gonna be short. When I finished it, I just felt like that was enough.
What does Crossing Streets mean to you personally?
These three tracks were meant to give me the assurance that I already knew I had. I had to learn to trust myself. Being that I hadn’t dropped since 2024 because of certain life situations I wasn’t able to do music the way I wanted to. Therefore prompting me to see if I could blend the rock edge of myself with the hip-hop side of myself for the whole project.
How is this EP different from 45?
45 is the true start to my musical career even though I’ve dropped music before. I felt like I understood myself and understood where I was going when I dropped 45 versus any other tracks or projects beforehand. Crossing Streets differs because it gives me the assurance I need to drop the full length LP I have coming up.
Which track on the EP scared you the most to put out?
For sure Risks lol. We had to re-record that song a few times until we felt like it was right. I went back to the drawing board on that song about six times. I’m happy I did though cause it wouldn’t be what it is today to me.
Is Crossing Streets a bridge to something bigger, or does it stand alone?
It most definitely is the bridge to something bigger. I-45 was the closest highway I grew up around, therefore I called my EP 45. Crossing Streets will bridge that gap between there and another street that crosses 45 that will be the title of my next project.
What was the first thing you recorded for this EP, and did it make the final cut?
No it didn’t lol. Before I got the idea of blending the rock edge of myself with a hip-hop edge, I had a song that I had recorded called “Closed” and it didn’t end up making the cut.
How did working with EMPIRE change the way you approached making this project?
The project was made before EMPIRE and I decided to work with each other.
“Risks” sets the tone — was it always going to be the lead single, or did that decision come late?
At first I decided to put the whole project out altogether, until I got with my marketing team and they advised me to drop a single first. And then it came to me — Risks has got to be the first one to go out then lol.
If you could only play one track from this EP for someone who’s never heard you before, which one and why?
Lots of It for sure. I guess that’s why it’s the first track on the EP. When you listen to my verse, it’s more of a statement. This is exactly how I feel. I’m very big on manifestation, affirmations, and stuff like that, and I wanted a track that I could chant that feels completely familiar. Now I have a song that I can play over and over again that says exactly how I feel. You can even call it an affirmation song.
When you listen back to Crossing Streets now, what do you hear that surprised even you?
When I listen to it now it just confirms to me — I really can do this. I’m wired for this sort of thing. My creativity on this EP surprised me too. I’m just growing. I’m here for it.
