Next Wave: Mila Bucks 

Mila Bucks is in her own lane—and she likes it that way. The Clayton County-based entertainer has been steadily building a world for music lovers who embrace the unconventional. Whether it’s R&B, hip-hop, or deep cuts you might find while thrifting, Mila’s sound is for the alternative music heads who refuse to be boxed in.

“I make music for the weirdo alternative music lovers, who have an appreciation for every genre,” Mila says. “But mostly for those who love R&B, hip-hop, and people who go thrifting.”

Her influences reflect that ethos—ranging from Tyler, the Creator and Solange to Steve Lacey and Marvin Gaye. Like them, Mila values innovation and pushing sonic boundaries. 

“I try to resist going with the first idea I have and always ask myself, ‘How can I make this beat more weird?’” she explains. 

That artistic curiosity has fueled her evolution since dropping her first song “Wrap It Up” in 2020. While music remains an outlet rather than a career-driven pursuit, her confidence has only grown.

“I still see myself as a bit of a hobbyist,” Mila shares. “But the only thing that has changed is that I am now more confident in releasing my work. I’m a little more experienced, and the stakes just feel lower, as I don’t put pressure on myself to make that my career.”

Mila is a multi-faceted artist. One of her biggest career milestones in entertainment came to be when she landed a role as a rapper in Sanaa Lathan’s feature film On The Come Up back in September 2022. 

“I realized that there was so much more I had to learn about my crafts by being around others who were more experienced,” she reflects. “It caused me to look within a lot and trust my own vision for the art that I wanted to make.”

She has also branched out beyond her acting career as a DJ, where she can blend all of her artistic worlds. While her artistry speaks for itself, DJing has helped solidify her brand. 

“I tend to mix all sorts of genres and get creative, which in turn reflects on my brand,” she notes. 

Studying various art forms has also sharpened her eye, allowing her to critique her past work and evolve as a creator.

March is Women’s History Month, and Mila recognizes that simply creating from an authentic place can be revolutionary in itself. 

“As a woman creating art, in time it will naturally become women’s history,” Mila shared. “I don’t necessarily feel the need to try to be impactful, because if I’m speaking from the heart and approaching my art from a genuine place, then others will resonate. And that is impactful, because it brings people together and shows others—especially women—that they aren’t alone.”

For those forging their own creative path, Mila’s advice is simple: “Have fun. Don’t worry about what happens or anybody else’s opinion. Understand your ‘why’ and move accordingly.”

With an unshakable sense of self and a refusal to conform, Mila Bucks is crafting a space where Black women in music can simply exist as their truest selves—no labels necessary.