Milano Constantine: «The DITC crew is like the ‘92 Dream Team»

Peace Milano, how are you? Thank you for taking the time to talk to us. We’d like to start with your roots. Could you please tell us about your teenage years and how you got involved with Hip-Hop culture?

I fell in love with Hip Hop listening to my brother playing his records in my moms crib. Joints from the Sugar Hill Gang, Super Rhymes, Treacherous Three & Spoonie Gee my list could go on and on.

You grew up in Upper Manhattan, an area historically rich in African-American and Hispanic culture. What was your neighborhood like, and how was Harlem in the ’90s? How has it changed today? Why was Harlem referred to as the “Mecca” of New York?

Growing up in my neighborhood it was very diverse, Spanish, Black, Puerto Rican and Caribbean, all blending up in a melting pot. Although the streets were crime filled and with every step you took you saw a crack vile but it was still home. The block had a sense of love in the community that feeling doesn’t resonate now. Today people are so desensitized they’ll probably watch their neighbor get beat up and film it before they help them out.

Back to the question stating why is Harlem called the Mecca? because it’s the epicenter of everything Style, Fashion, Music, The Arts, Hustle, Culture etc.

How did you become a part of the legendary crew Diggin’ In The Crates (D.I.T.C.)? Could you share the story of your entry into the crew?

Through a mutual friend of the family, Showbiz heard that I could rhyme. I remember I kicked a verse for him one day in my room and he went crazy and said “Yo shorty sound like a baby Nas”

My most memorable moments were in D&D studios on 37th St in the garment District. That’s where I met Get Dirty Crew consisting of D Flow & Party Arty (Rip) and my brother AG . I was in an Epic Cipher with Big Pun which led me to do “Where you at” that song is featured on the D.I.T.C Worldwide album. 

Can you tell us a bit about the history of DITC and what led to the end of that phase? Is there anyone you are still in close contact with today?

The DITC crew to me is like the 92 Olympic Dream Team. That crew had two of the most illest MC /Produces in the game Lord Finesse & Diamond D. Big L was a ferocious battle Mc with witty word play and probably king of the metaphors with his Famous freestyles on Stretch Arm Strong & Bobbito Show & Dj DoWop Mixtapes(Rip). One of the most prolific writers is OC , AG Andre The Giant with his Raw flow & cadence & the entertainer in Fat Joe with his persona and Rhyme delivery. Basically the foundation of this Boom BAP shit. Showbiz was at the forefront, finding obscure records, chopping up samples, finding drums & loops using drum machines etc. That Style of Hip Hop is still used today, so I’m not quite sure if it’s phased out and I’m a torch bearer, so I’ll keep the essences of that HipHop going. 

Any interesting behind-the-scenes stories from the DITC recording sessions? What was the atmosphere like in the studio with artists like Lord Finesse, Showbiz, A.G., Big Pun, Fat Joe, and others?

The atmosphere in the studio was always fly ! Finesse is a technician so he always had the latest software and was always going to the Sound Library to cop records. Showbiz was always buying records as well. I remember seeing a whole crate full off 100$ Joints with price tags on them thinking to myself “WTF!!!”

What are some of the first memories that come to mind when you think of legendary DITC-related rappers like Big L, Big Pun, and Party Arty (R.I.P)? Did you know them personally? What were they like as artists and as individuals?

I knew all of them personally. Big L was hilarious and Master of storytelling he’ll have you captivated by his mannerism & voice: a Certified Harlem Legend . 

Big Pun was more than life with a heart of gold. I remember Pun was getting like twenty to thirty thousand dollars for a verse. But Pun did his verse for me for free for “Where you at”. I remember Showbiz handing him a brown paper bag full of money and he told Showbiz to keep the Money because he did it for me.

Party Arty actually showed me how to count bars, to this day I write 2 line stanza which are couplets so if I write 8 lines that equals 16 bars.

During those years, did you have any connections to the graffiti scene, like Fat Joe? Were there any other members of the crew who were graffiti writers?

If you was an inner city kid and grew up in the 80s early 90s early 2000s you definitely was engulfed in the graffiti culture. I was on Canal Street in the Scrapyard buying magic markers & Krylon spray cans out of Pearl Paint, bombing everywhere.

We are from Milan, Italy, and we’ve read that your stage name was inspired by our city. What made you choose Milano? When did you add “Constantine” and why?

My original MC name was Ambush MC. but I didn’t think that would be very marketable Lol. I was reading something and I came across the word mulatto which means a Mixture but when saying that a couple times it almost sounded like Milano. Then I said to myself Milano sounds fly, that’s the one. Milan is synonymous with style and fashion and that’s what I bring to the table. 

Throw Constantine for the last name being so he was an emperor now you got the whole package. It’s acronym also MC, Milano Constantine “Tell Em”

Over the years, you’ve continued to make music as a solo artist. For example, “The Way We Were” (2017, featuring Lil Fame from M.O.P. and Conway The Machine) was one of our favorite albums of the year. What keeps you motivated to represent underground Hip-Hop? What are the most important solo albums in your career and why?

“The Way We Were” is also one of my favorite albums along with “Boulevard Author”. What keeps me motivated is my family and being so that I still love my craft. God has granted me the ability to put words together and create passionate sentences & meaningful paragraphs. All while creating music that people can listen to, what more can you ask for.

Let’s talk about your new album “FLY DIALOGUE” (Out Now!) . What can we expect from this project? Who are the producers and artists you collaborated with?

On my new album “Fly Dialogue” you could expect to hear something I call Sophisticated Dirt: well structured bars and a plethora of different colors painted on a canvas Dj Ready Cee had prepared for me. I got busy on production for the project on “Caviar Dreams” & “Max Julian” feat The Musalini.

How has your creative process changed over the years? In what ways does the new album reflect this evolution in your music?

My creative process hasn’t changed much over the years. I still pray, then create.This album is about manifesting your destiny, it’s about overcoming obstacles, adversities & remaining poised and calm through the storm while still celebrating Life.