DJ Miss Milan Reflects On “Denial Is A River” Grammy Moment With Doechii

DJ Miss Milan’s journey from New York’s underground music scene to global recognition has been nothing short of remarkable. A true testament to hard work and dedication, the self-proclaimed “Fairy Vibe Mother” most recently shared the stage with Grammy-winning artist Doechii to perform “Denial Is A River,” a standout track from her Grammy-winning project, Alligator Bites Never Heal.

Although a major milestone in her career, Milan has already set the stage for numerous high-profile performances, serving as the official DJ for stars like Saweetie and others. Recently, she returned to her hometown of Brooklyn on Friday (April 11), to set the musical vibe at Wingstop’s “Bar Tender” event. There, she sat down with VIBE to reflect on the trajectory of her homegrown career, her growing relationship with Doechii, and the driving forces behind her success.

When asked about the path she’s carved for herself, DJ Miss Milan was refreshingly candid. “I always had a vision for myself,” she confessed. “But for it to actually come true, I won’t lie, there were moments I doubted it. But I worked hard, put great things into the universe, and always believed in myself.”

Reflecting on one of the biggest moments of her career thus far, Milan clarified that while she wasn’t featured on “Denial Is A River” itself, she had the honor of being the vocal performer for it on the Grammy stage. She recalled a pivotal moment a month before her birthday in February when she wrote in her journal, “This year, I hope the hard work we’ve been putting in for four years gets noticed.” Now relishing in her manifestation, she added, “When we got the news that the mixtape was nominated, then we performed, and then we won… [I thought] What a life to live.”

For Milan, that night was a dream come true. “It still hasn’t hit me completely,” she shared. “But I feel like I deserve to be there. I’m just grateful for the moment.”

At the “Bar Tender” event held at Jolene’s Sound Room, she described the nostalgic atmosphere as a full-circle moment. “I used to be a bartender,” she smiled. “To now be DJing at an event like this, in my hometown, it feels surreal. I used to serve wings to customers, and now I’m sharing the stage with other amazing women, performing for a crowd.” She continued, “Getting the recognition we deserve as women in this industry is so important, and I’m proud to be part of that change.”

Speaking to the state of Hip-Hop and the future of women in the genre, Milan foresees that more transformation is to come. “It’s in a great space, but there’s still more work to be done. We’re not just knocking on doors, we’re breaking them down.”

Citing legendary female artists like Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, and Salt-N-Pepa, Milan also shared her appreciation for the crucial role they played in creating opportunities for herself and other emerging artists like Doechii. “There’s so much more I want to do,” she said, adding, “More collaborations, more performances, more moments where I can continue to push boundaries and represent for my sisters in this industry.”

And, of course, DJ Miss Milan didn’t forget to indulge in some of the delicious wing flavors at the event, including Wingstop’s infamous lemon pepper rub. “I like my wings wet,” she said with a grin. “I could do a dry lemon pepper by itself, though.”

Take a look at DJ Miss Milan spinning at Wingstop’s “Bar Tender” event below.