From Music Connoisseur to Industry Mogul: Adrian Miller Now Leads the Beat at Xyion

Adrian L. Miller is an American music entertainment executive, manager, music supervisor, and producer, inspiring many through his journey. As the owner and managing partner of the agency Xyion, he has made significant contributions to the music industry. He is known for his exceptional A&R and music management skills, as well as that of the talented artist Anderson. Paak, Miller has guided him to numerous Grammy Awards, serving as the executive producer for all his album releases.

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Miller spent his early years splitting time between St. Louis and Los Angeles. His father's ownership of Black Circle Records sparked his passion for music, where he learned from various artists and developed his love for music through vinyl credits. This early exposure motivated him to pursue a career as a rapper and breakdancer with the St. Louis City Breakers.

In 1988, Miller embarked on his academic journey at the University of Tulsa, where he majored in Theatre and History. In 2023, he received an honorary doctorate from Livingstone College, a testament to his impact. While at university, he began his journey in the music industry, working at radio station KBLK and becoming an on-air host in 1989. His networking opened doors to work with S.O.U.L. (Sound of Urban Listeners) and the MCA street team, leading to his graduation in 1991.

Upon returning to Los Angeles, Miller began a meaningful career at PMP Records, collaborating with the founder Paul Stewart. His first music management experience was with rapper Daz Dillinger, later expanding to artists like Coolio, House of Pain, and The Pharcyde. He made his mark at Hits magazine by creating the Rap Music Chart, which continues to influence the industry today.

Miller further enriched his career at Loud Records, working with iconic acts such as Twista and Wu-Tang Clan. His visionary marketing strategies set him apart, exemplified when Twista won the Guinness World Record for fastest rapper after a rap battle he organized.

In late 1991, Miller took the helm as A&R director at Immortal Records, collaborating with notable artists like Funkdoobiest, Volume 10, Incubus, and Korn. At just 24, he joined Warner Bros. Records, significantly impacting the A&R department under Benny Medina and managing many successful acts, including Flo Rida.

In 2009, Miller founded Xyion Inc., his music management company, where he continues to inspire. His life changed in 2011 when he met Anderson. Paak, leading to transformative collaborations, including a pivotal project with filmmaker F. Gary Gray. Their work resulted in the successful EP "Cover Art" and the establishment of the record label OBE, co-founded with Anderson.

In late 2014, Miller forged two significant deals for Anderson. Paak, including contributions to Dr. Dre's album "Compton," achieved Gold certification. His role as executive producer on Anderson's acclaimed album "Malibu," nominated for a Grammy, exemplifies his transformative impact.

Miller's creativity earned him the Cannes Lion Award for the 2018 Apple Music HomePod commercial directed by Spike Jonze. Anderson's success under his guidance resulted in numerous awards, including the Centric Certified Award and a nomination for Best New Artist.

Miller's partnership with Delicious Vinyl owners to reboot the label as Delicious Vinyl Island showcases his dedication to innovation. He manages the label while supervising music and consulting on film and television projects, exemplified by his release of the "Karen" movie soundtrack.

In 2023, Miller's role as music supervisor for Season 3 of "Wu-Tang: An American Saga" demonstrated his ongoing influence. He announced a partnership with Livingstone College to create a School of Music, laying the foundation for future generations and establishing a communications major alongside ex