South Australian rapper J-MILLA will hit the stage at the VAILO Adelaide 500’s After Race Concert Series. Here’s why this hometown hero is one to watch!
“This is probably the biggest show I’ve done,” J-MILLA says. “It’s definitely on the bucket list. “I’m looking forward to performing in a city that I call home, and I can’t wait to show what I’m about to a new audience that hasn’t seen me before.”
J-MILLA – also known to his family as Jacob Nichaloff – says his show’s “not just going to be your typical hip-hop rap”. “This is going to be a whole mixture, a whole blend of elements, from culture to storytelling to party. It’s going to be a hot show put together, and I’m excited.”
From NT to Adelaide: J-MILLA’s musical journey
Born and raised in Darwin, J-MILLA is a member of the Marranunggu people. He came to Adelaide at age 12 to attend Scotch College. Now, both places are home to him. “I’ve got all my relatives up in Darwin from Mum, Dad, uncle, siblings, cousins,” he says. “But I just started my new family – I’ve got two kids now with my wife here in Adelaide. This will probably be home for good now.”
And he says it’s a great place for a rapper to call home: “I think the SA music scene at the moment is in a good state. I feel like we’ve got many genres of rap happening – there’s so much talent in SA.”
Finding his voice: The evolution of a rapper
As a kid, J-MILLA’s heart was set on being a footy star, but he was rapping for fun from an early age – and as a teenager he found his own voice. “I just started pushing out rap videos on social media from age 18 to 19, and I was known as this social media rapper,” he says.
This online presence helped him build a following across the country, and once he started creating professional music, “the rest was history,” he says.
J-MILLA’s music is a reflection of his life experiences. “I’ve got a variety of styles – I’m a man of many sounds and many genres,” he says. “I’ve got music that is raw, authentic and powerful, blending elements of rapid storytelling with emotional depth.”
“My inspiration comes from growing up as a kid, moments that happened in my life, and I’ve just recently had children, so I’ve got so much to talk about being a parent and growing up.”
Representing First Nations voices
For J-MILLA, performing at events like the VAILO Adelaide 500 is about more than just music – it’s an opportunity to represent First Nations voices on a major stage. “I think it’s very important. I think it’s a moment for not only myself but for First Nations artists to get their stories heard,” he says.
Some of his biggest singles, like Unlock the System, Boomerang and Ball and Chain – a collab with Xavier Rudd – tackle heavy themes of intergenerational trauma and reconciliation. “I was sharing my experiences and coming from the perspective that it’s time to reconciliate and come together as one,” he says.
Inspiring the next gen
One of the most rewarding aspects of J-MILLA’s career has been his work with remote First Nations communities. “It’s amazing. The amount of love and the warm welcoming I get out in these communities is unbelievable. Makes me want to go back every single time,” he says.
His visits aren’t just about the shows. “I stick around. I go to the school, do workshops for the kids who love music, teach them the songwriting processes, teach them how to express their emotions through writing lyrics.” J-MILLA also conducts workshops on mental health and domestic violence, aiming to inspire the kids in these communities.
Part of a star-studded concert series
VAILO Adelaide 500’s 2024 After Race Concert Series boasts one of its biggest lineups ever. Crowded House perform on Saturday night along with Ocean Alley and Meg Mac. Cold Chisel headline Sunday night as they celebrate their 50th anniversary, with support from The Cruel Sea and The Superjesus.
They’ll be joined by local bands TONIX on the Saturday and J-MILLA on the Sunday, thanks to MusicSA’s ongoing collaboration with VAILO Adelaide 500 and the SA Motor Sport Board.
The collab is a highlight of MusicSA’s Good Music Month – a month-long, open-access music festival celebrating South Australia’s vibrant live music scene throughout November. The VAILO Adelaide 500 After Race Concert Series stage offers a prime platform for these renowned local artists to reach wider audiences.
A ball of onstage energy
For J-MILLA, it will be a chance to show off new, unreleased material as well as his best-known bangers.
“I’m like a ball of energy walking around with my hyperactive self so I do put that onto the microphone, and I do make hyper music as well, and I’m excited to show that at the VAILO Adelaide 500,” he says.
“I’m very grateful to have this opportunity. I feel like I’m overdue for it, and this is my time to take the opportunity and run away with it. So I’m excited. I’m not going to waste any seconds on that stage. I’m looking forward to it.”
VAILO Adelaide 500’s High-Octane Action
VAILO Adeliade 500 turns 25 this year, so prepare for some world-class action on the track from 14-17 November. For the first time this year, the event will feature the NAPA Speedway in the City, bringing the thrill of 950 horsepower Sprintcars to the streets of Adelaide. Additionally, Round 3 of the Australian Supercross Championship will take place within the street circuit, featuring world-class riders on a custom-built track.
A boost for South Australia
The VAILO Adelaide 500 isn’t just about entertainment – it’s a significant economic driver for the state and Australia’s largest ticketed motorsport event. The 2023 event delivered a record $61.6 million benefit to the South Australian economy, an 18.8 per cent increase from 2022 and a 59 per cent increase from 2020.
Last year’s event also saw total visitor nights increase to 121,631, up 25.8 per cent from 2022. An estimated 260,700 people attended the four-day event, with almost 20 per cent coming from interstate or overseas.
Find out more about the VAILO Adelaide 500 and book your tickets here.
