Everything You Wanted to Know About ‘milli-ON’ Artist and Producer Ashwin Gane
Detroit-based hip-hop artist and producer Ashwin Gane (formerly The ATG) has been rapidly on the rise, and with the release of his latest single, "milli-ON," his star power is primed to grow even further.
The first-generation Indian American artist is known for his genre-bending approach to his music and prolific output, collaborating with everyone from producers Scott Storch and ATL Jacob to artists including Lil Reese, Peezy, Icewear Vezzo, Payroll Giovanni and so many more. Today, his body of work includes more than 500 tracks, and he's only just begun. His latest self-produced track is called "milli-ON," a moody yet uplifting hip-hop track about balance, embracing the benefits of fame, wealth and success without losing yourself in the process. The atmospherically blissful single combines his raw, poignant lyricism with his signature sound to create something that's unmistakably Ashwin's. If you adore his music as much as we do, keep scrolling to discover everything he shared with us as our Man Crush Monday.
(Photo credit: Digital Futures)
Name: Ashwin Gane
Hometown: Metro-Detroit, Michigan
Birthday: October 13
Fun Facts:
1. Ashwin finds a bit of inspiration everywhere.
"I've often found that I don't really go looking for inspiration, it usually just finds me. It's more like I'll come across something, whether it's a song, a film, an idea or even just a moment in everyday life, and suddenly a spark goes off in my brain. When that happens, I take a dive deep into whatever triggered that spark, so I understand it fully. So, I'd say inspiration hits, and then I go on a journey to explore it further."
-Ashwin Gane
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2. His dream vacation wouldn't be about visiting a single place, but taking a trip around the world.
"I'm fascinated by humanity, so I love the idea of immersing myself in different cultures, understanding how people live and seeing the world through their eyes. Trying new culinary experiences is a big part of that for me too; it's like a window into a culture's soul. There's something incredible about connecting with people through their food and traditions."
-Ashwin Gane
(Photo credit: Digital Futures)
3. He's no stranger to having crushes on fictional characters.
"Honestly, the list could go on. Right now, I'd say I've got a crush on Chani from Dune and Dune 2. She's just so unapologetically herself, doesn't tolerate nonsense and stands up for what she believes in—even if you're the future galactic emperor. And let's be real, how can you not be into Zendaya?"
-Ashwin Gane
4. He thinks he'd be terrible at any jobs related to team sports.
"I'm simply not a sports guy, lol. When I was a kid, I used to 'play' by observing bugs and playing with flowers instead. Let's just say soccer isn't for me."
-Ashwin Gane
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5. Cinnamon is his favorite scent in the world, hands down.
"There's something about the smell—it's sweet, warm and just a bit spicy—that I really love. Since I enjoy cooking, I try to work it into my dishes whenever I can. Plus, it's a staple in Indian cuisine, which is really comforting for me. It also brings up memories of fall, which is my favorite season. After all, I am a Michigan boy."
-Ashwin Gane
6. His all-time favorite food is any kind of red meat.
"Whether it's beef, duck, venison or something else—as long as it's fresh. The only caveat is that it needs to be cooked medium-rare, or maybe even raw if it's fresh. But honestly, if it's not cooked just right, I'm probably not touching it (haha)."
-Ashwin Gane
7. Dua Lipa is his biggest celebrity crush.
"For one, she's easy on the eyes no question about it. Moreover, I'm a big fan of her music and I love how distinct and powerful her voice is. What makes her stand out even more is that, despite everything, she still comes across as genuine and approachable."
-Ashwin Gane
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8. There's a whole lot more to Ashwin than just being a vocalist.
"I'm involved in every part of my music from production, songwriting, mixing to production and A&R work. I believe in being hands-on with every part of the process because no one else can fully capture the vision I have for my sound."
-Ashwin Gane
9. He'd say his strangest hobby is his study of dinosaurs and other prehistoric life.
"This passion of mine started at a very young age, like many boys. In fact, during a trip to Montana in fourth grade, I found a triceratops collar bone! As I got older, I gravitated more towards my creative side and ended up in music, but my passion for prehistoric life has always stuck with me."
-Ashwin Gane
(Photo credit: Digital Futures)
10. Ashwin says one thing that's critical to who he is is his love for learning.
"I've always been an avid learner and I think my superpower is being able to pick things up quickly. I'm constantly trying to understand the world around me and see which skills or art forms I can master next. This can range from cooking and diving into science and even doing voice impressions. There's so much out there to explore, and I find it really exciting to keep expanding my horizons."
-Ashwin Gane
For more on the guys who inspire us, click HERE to learn all about comedian and viral content creator Brandon Farris.