No Ceilings with Glasses Malone

In this episode of No Ceilings, Glasses Malone is joined by special guest Scottie for a thought-provoking conversation about hip-hop's roots, cultural authenticity, and the evolution of the genre. Glasses reflects on how hip-hop became an outlet that helped him transition away from Los Angeles street life and into music, arguing that the culture has always valued authenticity and lived experience as much as lyrical ability. Togethe...

Glasses Malone with special guests Dwann B and King discuss what makes someone “real” in hip-hop as accountability and integrity, contrasting principled correction of narratives with online posturing and consequence-free insults. They argue many prominent internet voices aren’t truly of the culture, and that people can’t claim hip-hop when their communities and businesses exclude Black workers. 

The co...

In this episode of No Ceilings, Glasses Malone is joined by Lex and Trap for a thought-provoking conversation sparked by YG's latest album, The Gentleman's Club, and one of its most controversial storytelling records. The crew examines hip-hop's role in tackling difficult and polarizing subjects, debating whether music should reflect uncomfortable realities or avoid narratives that risk deepening cultural divides. They also break d...

In this episode of No Ceilings, Glasses Malone is joined by Lex and Trap for a thought-provoking discussion on hip-hop culture, identity, and the ongoing debate surrounding cultural ownership. The conversation examines hip-hop’s origins and influence, responding to commentary from figures such as Lord Jamar and Crazy Legs while exploring questions of legacy, contribution, and recognition within the culture. The discussion als...

In this episode of No Ceilings, Glasses Malone is joined by DJ Hed and acclaimed production duo Mike & Keys for a deep dive into the legacy of West Coast hip-hop and the making of Victory Lap. The conversation traces the evolution of West Coast rap from the post-G-funk era through movements like hyphy, jerk, and ratchet music, while examining how blogs, digital media, and the internet helped reshape the region’s identity....

In this episode of No Ceilings, Glasses Malone is joined by West Coast rap veteran Yukmouth for a passionate conversation about hip-hop history, regional pride, and the ongoing debate surrounding West Coast unity. The discussion celebrates the legacy of Luniz and the cultural impact of “I Got 5 on It,” while exploring the influence of Bay Area and Los Angeles artists on the broader hip-hop landscape. Glasses and Yukmout...

In this episode of No Ceilings Live, Glasses Malone and the crew pull listeners behind the scenes as they map out plans for the evolving CCS/Crip Store space, discussing everything from studio design and vinyl flooring to retail displays, DJ booth concepts, and exclusive autographed gangster-rap memorabilia. What begins as a conversation about music quickly expands into entrepreneurship, brand building, and creating a cultural hub ...

In this episode of No Ceilings, Glasses Malone sits down with writer and showrunner Malcolm Spellman for an in-depth conversation about Hollywood, storytelling, and the realities of large-scale television production. Spellman breaks down how major productions operate like “300-person machines,” with union dynamics, departmental politics, and the immense pressure placed on showrunners when projects succeed or fail. The d...

In this episode of No Ceilings, Glasses Malone sits down with Mackwop of Top Dawg Entertainment for a candid conversation about hip-hop, branding, and the realities of building a career in music. Mackwop reflects on “falling into” rap before realizing how much he still needed to learn about the business side of the culture—from understanding BPMs and hit records to marketing, branding, and artist development. He s...

In this episode of No Ceilings, Glasses Malone sits down with Toronto-based artist Sty Low to discuss street culture, identity, and hip-hop’s global influence. Originally from France with Ivorian roots, Sty Low shares how artists like Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Tupac Shakur, and Snoop Dogg helped shape his understanding of English and hip-hop culture. The conversation breaks down how “gang banging” is often misundersto...

In this episode of No Ceilings, Glasses Malone is joined by author and sportswriter Jeff Pearlman for a deep dive into music history, sampling, and the evolution of hip-hop production. Using examples tied to Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, and Ray Charles, they break down how interpolation and influence have shaped pop and hip-hop music, arguing that borrowing from the past doesn’t diminish artistry when done with intention and...

In the Season 6 premiere of No Ceilings, Glasses Malone joined by Justin Hunte, and Scru Face Jean dive into how social media and parasocial fandom have reshaped hip-hop culture and discourse. Comparing today’s online environment to earlier eras where respect carried real-world consequences, the crew unpacks the rise of trolling, burner accounts, and performative “stan” behavior. They also react to receiving a sus...

In this episode of No Ceilings, Glasses Malone reflects on the evolution of hip-hop party culture after a night out in Los Angeles, contrasting the energy of older crowds with the disconnected vibe of younger partygoers. He breaks down how the dance floor—once central to breaking hit records—has been replaced by phones, social media, bottle service culture, and after-parties, where people prioritize filming over real in...

In this episode, Glasses Malone reflects on a conversation with A&R Don Dub about preparing upcoming music releases, revealing plans to prioritize the One 10 album for an August rollout while pushing the highly anticipated DJ Toomp project to later in the year due to a Hollywood commitment. Malone also breaks down how the traditional concept of “working a record” was built around vinyl sales and retail demand, argui...

In this episode, Glasses Malone, joined by Trap Bradshaw, Lex Diamonds, and Jobs dive into the heated debate surrounding J. Cole’s apology and self-correction, questioning whether he was unfairly “demonized” or whether the real controversy was walking back tough talk only to re-enter competitive rap energy. The crew unpacks the role of audience pressure, marketing strategy, and authenticity in hip-hop, examining h...

In this episode of No Ceilings, Glasses Malone opens by addressing how his song “Tupac Must Die” was received, explaining that it was never meant as a personal attack and that he would have withheld it if people close to him—like Gonzo—had said it hurt them. He frames the record as a cultural hip hop expression that can make outsiders uncomfortable, then welcomes guests including RoseKiki Loko, Sega, Trap Br...

In this episode of No Ceilings, Glasses Malone sits down with DJ Hed and members of 1500 or Nothin’ for a candid, behind-the-scenes conversation about the real journey through the music industry — from early tech struggles to creative breakthroughs. The crew reflects on adapting to social media, navigating the blog era of hip hop, and learning how digital platforms reshaped artist discovery, branding, and influence.

Gla...

In this episode of No Ceilings, Glasses Malone with special guest Ace Boy Rios get into a spirited discussion about cultural authenticity, personal experiences with various cuisines, and the influence of cultural elements in hip hop and pop music. They share their candid opinions on New York culture, Jamaican food, Mexican food in different parts of the U.S., and Americanized versions of global cuisines. The conversation also ...

In this episode, Glasses Malone and co. get into a spirited discussion about cultural authenticity, personal experiences with various cuisines, and the influence of cultural elements in hip hop and pop music. They share their candid opinions on New York culture, Jamaican food, Mexican food in different parts of the U.S., and Americanized versions of global cuisines. The conversation also touches on the authenticity of artists like ...