Words By: Hallway Jay
Edited By: Mike Waxx
"From here on out, when you talk about any of my albums please refer to them as cameos not features please, this is a movie we're dealin with!"illRoots: From the jump, who isthe hardest working person that you know?
Glasses Malone: It's a tie between Lil Wayne and Bishop Lamont! Lil Wayne by far on a mainstream level! That nigga drops a new song
every day it seems, and if he doesn't drop a new song, he drops a mixtape with 40 new songs. Bishop hits the gym everyday,s ometimes twice! Then leaves there and hits the studio to work from 3pm to 6am. I hate when that nigga needs me on a song, that phone call means I aint gettin no sleep! [Laughs].
illRoots: Where did you get your name from?
Glasses Malone: My neighborhood name was Glasses Loc, referrin' to my vision. I'm damn near blind! Neva could keep track of my glasses. Everybody would be like "Yo, where your Glasses?" The name just stuck.
illRoots: With all the success that other regions are getting, what are you bringing to the table that hasn't already been established?
Glasses Malone: I'm workin' to connect all four of my albums [to] make them one big movie/story sonically. Kinda like the SAW series. I love art!
illRoots: You did an interview with AllHipHop.com stating that your mother got 20 years in prison and that you are trying to keep your
little brother out of trouble. That's extremely commendable and you get much respect from me for that, but what was the hardest thing to deal with day-to-day?
Glasses Malone: That phone call from her! Some days I am cool, but some days it makes me feel helpless like a muthafucka.
illRoots: So the album is coming off of Sony. What's the title, who's on it features and production wise...
Glasses Malone: From here on out, when you talk about any of my albums please refer to them as cameos not features please [Laughs] this is a movie we're dealin with! Wyclef, Akon, Lupe Fiasco, Lil Wayne, and Tyrese to name a few, make appearances in Beach Cruiser! I employed DJ Toomp, Tha Bizness, and a few others to handle the score for my vision!
illRoots: What are your thoughts on hip-hop and the overall direction that its going in?
Glasses Malone: Hip Hop is very diverse. You can find any type of music these days! I love where its goin', gives me an open lane to do my thang! [Laughs]
illRoots: If you were to rate yourself as an artist right now from 1-10 what would be?
Glasses Malone: As an artist, I would rate myself a 6 maybe 7 as of today. I'm just startin' to really tap into my creative side! By the time I hit my 4th and final album (label obligations/personal choice) I'll be a 10! I plan to move up a point on the rating scale every L.P.
Glasses Malone on Power 106 with SkeeTV.
illRoots: I'm a firm believer in growth not only as a person but as an artist. Name one artist, besides yourself, that has grown the most in the past 5 years?
Glasses Malone: Jay-Z. Everything about him has matured: his lyrics, his views, and his musical selection!
illRoots: I'm an East Coast person myself. What's the best part of the West and why?
Glasses Malone: Hmmm, just ridin' down the streets, the scene, how the streets look. Like ridin down Crenshaw, or ridin down one of the streets in the aves (Rollin 40's neighborhood), even ridin down PCH. How the palm trees sit on the curves, or how the sun sets over tha beach is just some shit to see! You gotta have yo' top down in the whip to really appreciate it.
illRoots: Lastly, my hotseat. Favorite DJ?
Glasses Malone: DJ BattleCat.
illRoots: Favorite Website?
Glasses Malone: Westcoastrydaz.com.
illRoots: Favorite artist of all time?
Glasses Malone: Jay Z or Minnie Ripperton.
illRoots: Who is G. Malone?
Glasses Malone: Anotha Nigga Witta Attitude. Pride of the East$ide aka The Hometown Hero.
