Cash Money’s Own Glasses Malone Is Gearing Up For The Takeover
Some may say, “In due time.” Other may jest, “Long overdue.” But either way you put it, Compton Cali’s Glasses Malone is comfortable with his situation, his label and the timing of his long-awaited debut album Beach Cruiser. From surviving the gang infused streets of Compton, CA to putting out mixtape after mixtape to meeting with The Game, Birdman and Lil’ Wayne, it’s safe to say Glasses Malone is soon to be a force to be wrecking with in the rap game if not already.
He’s received co-signs from some of the best including the aforementioned, T.I. and even Jay-Z. Now, it’s his time to shine and showcase how the West coast is still a menace on the hip-hop scene. SMAG Correspondent Caleb-Marquis talks with the seasoned MC about his road to victory, meeting Game & Wayne and answers the question: Did the West fall off?…
SMAG: Tell us, how does it feel to finally have your debut album Beach Cruiser coming out this summer?
Glasses Malone: Man, it feels like a huge load off my shoulders! I feel refreshed, I feel good about it. Words can’t really describe it, man. I’m just ready to get this thing started, get this career going. Shots out to Birdman, Slim, the whole Cash Money family for giving me this opportunity.
SMAG: And speaking of Cash Money, what made you feel they were the best fit for you?
GM: I felt they just knew how to take gangsta shit and make it commercial, which is what I really wanted to do. You hear the dude Wayne talkin about bangin’ & shootin’ but they can make it appeal to radio, appeal to the ladies, so I knew that this was where I needed to be for the type of music I make.
SMAG: Is that why you turned a lot of major labels down in the beginning of your career?
GM: Yeah, I just felt that they didn’t see my vision. With Cash Money, it’s like the perfect set for street rap turned commercial. I’m blessed to be surrounded with the right people like Slim, Mack Maine, the whole Cash Money/Young Money crew because they understand it.
SMAG: How have your conversations been with Wayne since joining? Is it more business or personal?
GM: It’s always personal with Wayne. We don’t get all into serious business and all that. It’s usually football, broads…[Laughs]. That’s just the connection we got.
SMAG: Your road to success was a tough one and required much patience. What is the most important element you learned from it?
GM: You just gotta go non-stop. Always stay determined and suck it up when it’s tough. Persistence is everything, man and always keep your dignity. That’s why I could never bad-mouth Cash Money because they looked out for me.
SMAG: How did your ties with The Game come about?
GM: A good friend of mine by the name of Black Tone, rest in peace, heard me rap and passed it on to Game’s half-brother/partner named Big Fase 100 and we sort of just linked up that way and I became affiliated with his Black Wall Street record label team.
SMAG: It appears the West is on the come-up as of late with you, of course, Kendrick Lamaar, Nipsey Hussell, etc. However in your opinion, did the West fall off for a mintue?
GM: Honestly, I don’t think so. I just feel the South made everybody fall back. The South was just going so hard it was like, ‘Damn, aint nobody else doin’ nothin!’ But with the internet and other outlets, people still knew about the West and what we was bringing to the table so I don’t think we fell off, we just had to play the background for a sec.
SMAG: I, personally, am a huge fan of legendary West artists: Dr. Dre, Snoop, Ice Cube. Tell me how you and your new generation of West Coast leaders compare with the pioneers.
GM: Aw man, first off let me say that them niggas, Dre, Snoop, Cube, they ran the West, they ran niggas lifestyles! They ran my lifestyle! So, to compare with them is not even close but you can definitely hear the evolution of MC’ing in the West from then to now with a bigger focus on lyricism from all of us: Kendrick, Nipsey, Jay Rock…
SMAG: Give me your personal expectations for this album and for your future.
GM: Man, I just want to, right now, release this Beach Cruiser, keep releasing new music, sell, sell, sell and really I just want to keep working. I want to prove to people why so many heavy-hitters in this game fuck with me like T.I., Baby & Slim, Jay-Z and show people why these guys approve and said I was dope. And when it’s done, have them saying, ‘Oh yeah, that nigga did his thing!’
Follow Glasses Malone:
Twitter: @GMalone
Facebook: GlassesM
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