Remembering Milwaukee’s Hip-Hop Mom: Diane “Mama Mill$” Harris
Whether it was a show or supermarket, Mama Mill$ always had a stack of CD’s for sale. (Photo courtesy C-Mill$)
If C-Mill$ was performing in Milwaukee, there was a 100 percent chance Diane “Mama Mill$” Harris was in attendance. As her son rocked the stage, her presence radiated amongst the crowd.
She knew the words to every song, and gave as much energy as her son. When she wasn’t at shows, she was selling his CD’s, wearing his ‘Feel My Pain’ clothing and telling everyone and anyone to check out C-Mill$.
If C-Mill$ was performing, it’s guaranteed Mama Mill$ was in the building. (Photo courtesy C-Mill$)
Whether she was rocking a pair of her son’s new sneakers, or cooking an entire meal for after-show parties, she always had a smile on her face and loved everybody. She was a go-getter, with a positive attitude and hustler’s spirit, that translated perfectly into her son’s music.
C-Mill$ and Milwaukee’s Hip-Hop Mom, Mama Mill$. (Photo courtesy C-Mill$)
“I’ve known C-Mill$ for around ten years, and she has supported him 100 percent, it was never like ‘Not in my house!’” said Big Hit, C-Mill$ manager.
Mama Mill$ always wanted to know what her son was working on. She constantly asked about new music and frequently visited the studio.
“She was so proud—my number one fan,” C-Mill$ said. “She loved the music, and wanted to see me make it. She even helped me raise money for my first music video.”
Harris sadly passed away due to health complications on January 2, 2021.
When the news of her passing spread through the music scene, there was an outpouring from Milwaukee’s Hip-Hop community.
“It was overwhelming at first and I wasn’t going to put anything online, but I got thousands of comments and inboxes in her condolences,” he said. “Everybody was hurt. Anybody I had to call and tell personally, knew how much she meant to me.”
C-Mill$ got the call about her death, while en route to his new music venture in Cincinnati, OH.
Mama Mill$ was never afraid to shout out her son whenever she had the chance. (Photo courtesy C-Mill$)
“Thirty minutes after I got into town, while I was waiting to get a ride to the Waffle House, I got the call that my mother passed away. That was a long bus ride because even before I left Milwaukee, I was emotional about leaving my mom and sister. We were all crying at the station. Then, I had to turn right around and do it again.”
After he made it back to Milwaukee, he laid his pain on wax for his mother, and even recruited his sister to hop on the track. 3rdondabeat, a Cincinnati producer C-Mill$ had been working with, sent a beat specifically dedicated to Mama Mill$.
“As soon as he sent it, I started writing to it ASAP,” he said. “It was therapy when I was writing the song. But, when I was singing the hook, it just didn’t sound right, so I went to my sister’s house and had her listen to it. Then, it was like ‘ding,’ Silvia, I need to get you on this hook.”
The Harris family. (Photo courtesy C-Mill$)
Silvia Harris said it was only right for her first time recording in a music studio to be making a tribute for her mother. Though she hadn’t sung in years, she wanted to help in cementing her legacy in Milwaukee’s Hip-Hop community.
“I did it all for her. Long live Mama Mill$,” Harris said.
The single “Long Live Mama Mill$” is the title track for C-Mill$’ upcoming project, which he renamed in her honor. The album will be released in June 2021.
Though C-Mill$ might have lost his mother, and number one fan, she instilled a hustler spirit in him that will continue for a lifetime.
Carvd N Stone sends our deepest condolences to the Harris Family and Milwaukee’s Hip-Hop community.
“Long Live Mama Mill$” | 3-3-1961 ‐ 1-2-2021