Glasses Malone: Innovation. Inspiration. Definition.

Glasses Malone

After setting the industry ablaze largely due to the buzzing popularity of his first two bodies of work; The Crack Mixtape and White Lightning, native South Central rapper Glasses Malone, née Charles Phillip Penniman, inked a then unprecedented major distribution deal with Sony Urban Music in ‘05. 

Unfortunately shortly after the signing, said label underwent some unforeseen massive infrastructural changes which ultimately affected Malone’s at that time just announced debut from actually being released. 

Glasses deflected, and soon found a new recording home in Mack 10’s Hoo Bangin' Records, distributed by the Cash Money juggernaut, resulting in the unleashing of his premiere offering, "Certified," featuring Akon. The oft-delayed Beach Cruiser would finally arrive in August 2011. 

Let’s hop into this single / video, “Wanted,” featuring LA Giantz and Jurassic 5— Tell me about this particular track; how did it even come to fruition? 

“Wanted” was inspired by some nasty rhetoric from Lord Jamar last year during the Kendrick / Drake battle. My goal was to combine backpack rap and gangsta rap, proving street urban culture in Los Angeles is more seamless than any outsider understands. 

How then does “ Wanted“ either differ and / or compare to previous Glasses Malone entries?

Earlier Glasses Malone music was pure lifestyle. How we live out west. “Wanted” rebirths a Hip Hop fundamental approach. Just good ole fashion rapping. Relay Rap. Each rapper takes the baton and runs a leg. 

As a lyricist when you sit down to pen your rhymes, where do you draw inspiration from? 

My pen draws inspiration from LIVING. In my short time on this earth, I’ve lived a lot of life. My ability to convert it into lyrics articulately is a gift from God. 

Tell me your whole inception into music — When did you first become interested in it? And, how did it all begin for a young Charles Penniman?   

Young Charles never thought about being an artist. Neither did teenage Charles, but Charles in his early 20’s used Hip Hop as a way to keep his kid brother out of trouble. Also, as a tool to bond with friends. 

Now you’re originally from Los Angeles - more specifically Watts and Compton - CA, correct? So growing up in the ‘City of Angels,’ who all did / do you consider to be your strongest musical influences? 

Yes, I grew up in Watts and Compton my whole life. My strongest musical influences are Barry White, The Whispers and War. Ice Cube is influential to me as well. 

That said, how do you describe and / or define the style of music that you create and / or perform?

I’d define the music I create as Hip Hop in its purest form. Grown naturally right here in Southern California. Something any Hip Hop legend could be proud of, and younger generations can marvel at and learn from.  

Switching gears here, what exactly do you want people to get from your music?      

People can get true Los Angeles street urban culture from my music. All the shared norms, values and customs in Southern California street life. Our cuisine, lingo, landmarks and etcetera. Our morality. From my music, you get a first class plane ticket to the streets of Los Angeles. 

If you could collaborate with any one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?       

Barry White would be the one artist I’d love to collaborate with. Barry’s understanding of culture, music and records would root my foundation in something greater. Spending time with him could anchor my soul in ways unthought of.  

If you could play any venue in the world, which one would you choose and why?        

Hollywood Bowl would be the one venue in the world I’d love to play at. The ability to connect with the artistic energy in that place would do wonders for my creativity moving forward. I am an energy guy at this point in my career. I wanna exist in the greatest energy. Wherever the energy has been. 

On a more serious note, are you happy with the current state of Hip Hop?

I’m extremely happy with the current state of Hip Hop. Artistic excellence is demanded. Only the greatest ideas break thru. A big thanks to Kendrick Lamar for freeing Hip Hop from the clutches of its prior aphantastic rulers. 

Glasses Malone

What do you feel has and will continue to be the key to your longevity?        

The key to my longevity will be the desire to innovate. To inspire. To DEFINE. 

Do you have any other outside / additional (future) aspirations, maybe even completely away from music?

My only aspiration is to help black America. That is my inspiration and aspiration. Create a plan to change the fortune of any ghetto in black America. 

You also have your own boutique imprint, Blu Division Records — What are your current plans and / or goals for the label? And, aside from yourself, who all else makes up its artist roster? 

My current goal for Blu Division Records is to keep delivering music that informs the rest of the globe about what is happening in the streets of Los Angeles. LA Giantz are a group my company helps. 

To date, what has been your biggest career moment(s), at least thus far anyway?      

My biggest career moment would be the release of “2Pac Must Die.” The world hadn’t got that type of cultural energy in a long time. As a creator, I felt the energy shift. 

What’s an average day like for you?

My average day consists of doing two things. Number 1 is thinking of “How To Fucc The World Up.” Number 2 is doing things to live long enough to see how much “I’ve Fucked The World Up.”

Please discuss how you interact with and respond to fans...

Care is being for me when interacting with the fans. I have to do a better job of staying on brand. Most times, I choose too much authenticity when doing so. Authenticity isn’t valued on social media. Nuance isn’t respected. 

What is your favorite part about this line of work? Your least favorite? And, why? 

My favorite part about supplying street urban culture for a living is in bringing an idea to life. I feel like Dr. Frankenstein. Word to Ice Cube! Creating is when I’m at my apex. My least favorite part is explaining why I created the idea. Usually surrounded by cynics or ignorant know-it-alls. Yes, ignorant know-it-alls, lol. 

What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?

My advice is to someone wanting to follow me is DON’T. Follow Barry White. Follow The Whispers. Follow War. If you do that, you will be walking NEXT TO ME on the same path. 

Looking ahead, say five or maybe even ten years from now, where do you see yourself?     

In 5 years - even 10 years - I’ll still be telling street urban stories. Making sure the globe understands who came before and after me. Who survived or excelled in this jungle, and how we or they did it.

As for the immediate, what's next for you, Glasses?

Fantastic records, and just more stories, are in my immediate future.  

Is there anything I left out or just plain forgot to mention?   

You forgot to mention this is the first Jurassic 5 song in almost a decade. That’s a notch in my Hip Hop belt. One of my greatest accomplishments. Bringing Hip Hop together, 1 record at a time. 

Lastly, any “parting” words for our readers?

Stream “WANTED,” and head over and grab something from: www.TheCripStore.com.