Stiksen Meets - Million Stylez

Million Stylez, the Swedish dancehall artist behind the global hit Miss Fatty, is a name that resonates far beyond Scandinavia. The track, now approaching 100 million streams on Spotify and having already surpassed 50 million views on YouTube, launched him onto the international stage and cemented his place in the genre. When we meet him at Soundbank Music Studio, a Stockholm-based studio run by his longtime friend Denzil, it’s clear why the space has become a central node in Sweden’s dancehall and reggae scene - with its sound and productions reaching all the way to icons like Vybz Kartel and Sizzla.
Born Kenshin Iryo to Japanese and French parents and raised in Sweden, Million Stylez moves fluidly between languages - and during our time together, he effortlessly switches between Swedish, English, Spanish, and Jamaican Patois depending on who he’s speaking with. Apparently, French and Japanese are also part of the mix. His multicultural roots, combined with a strong spiritual foundation and early influences ranging from Bob Marley to Buju Banton, shape both his sound and his worldview. In this interview, we talk about his musical journey, the routines that keep him grounded, and why headwear has been a constant part of his identity since the early '90s.

You have a unique cultural background with Japanese and French roots while growing up in the Stockholm suburb Sollentuna. How have these different cultures shaped you as a person and as an artist?
I think they’ve shaped me a lot, both as a person and as an artist. I was born in Sweden, but I traveled frequently to both Japan and France from a very young age, so I got to experience the cultures and see the differences firsthand. I should also add that I grew up with people from all around the world, which heavily influenced both my personality and my music career.

Reggae and dancehall are far from mainstream genres in Sweden - how did you first connect with this music and what drew you to it?

It all started with me listening to my parents’ Bob Marley and Absolute Reggae cassettes at home. I also grew up around a lot of Gambians who introduced me to dancehall through artists like Buju Banton, Shabba Ranks, Chaka Demus & Pliers, and others. That’s what we were listening and dancing to at the time, alongside hip hop of course, so it felt like a natural step for me to eventually start experimenting with it myself.

Your breakout hit Miss Fatty put you on the global map. Looking back, what was the biggest lesson you learned from that early success?

I’d say the biggest lesson I learned was that not every “friend” is a real friend, and not every girlfriend is a true one when you become famous and successful.

Tell us something you're proud of.
I can proudly say that the proudest thing I’ve ever done is to receive Jesus Christ into my life twenty years ago. I’m still walking with Him today, and the relationship is stronger than ever. No one and nothing inspires me to better myself or love more than He does.

Your music has a strong identity - how important is personal style in expressing who you are as an artist?
I think it’s very important to find an original style, so that people can recognize your sound just by hearing your unique, God-given voice, lyrics, or production.

If you could collaborate with anyone, past or present, who would it be?
Bob Marley, of course. I’d also have to say Michael Jackson - I grew up on his music, so he was a huge influence on me. If I have to choose someone alive, I’d say Damian Marley.

What are your special routines before a gig?

I usually warm up my vocal cords by singing different highs and lows and making weird noises. A cup of ginger tea with honey and lemon helps as well. I also like to have a glass of Riesling to get into the vibe right before the performance. It’s a huge difference from my old routine - I used to drink half a bottle of Hennessy and smoke a bunch of weed without warming up, right before hitting the stage. Not the best idea, I must say.

What’s on your rider?

I actually have one of the simplest riders for an artist at my level. It’s just one page and includes:

- Fresh ginger, lime and honey

- Hot water

- 8 small bottles of still water (room temperature)

- 1 bottle of white wine (Riesling)
- Freshly squeezed orange juice
- Sandwiches with avocado and vegetables, cashew nuts, mixed fruits
- Plus some technical requirements and that's about it

Never listen to music again for the rest of your life, or listen to the same song on repeat forever?
My goodness, what kind of question is that? Hahaha! I’d have to choose to never listen to music again - I’d go mad hearing the same song on repeat forever. I think they even use that kind of thing to torture captives in Guantanamo Bay.

And lastly, a cap can say a lot about a person. What’s your relationship with headwear?
I’ve been wearing caps since I was a little boy, back in the days of Yo! MTV Raps in the early '90s. It’s always been my go-to headwear, unless it’s freezing cold, of course. I don’t think caps will ever go out of fashion, to be honest. And I have to say, Stiksen caps really suit me. The design is clean, classy, and timeless - just like my music.

Million Stylez is wearing the 105 Canvas Off White.

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