No Ceilings with Glasses Malone

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 He breaks down how the dance floor—once central to breaking hit records—has been replaced by phones, social media, bottle service culture, and after-parties, where people prioritize filming over real in...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 ...

In this episode, Glasses Malone and the No Ceilings crew break down a revealing Baxter Holmes ESPN feature examining the Buss family dynamics that ultimately led to the historic $10 billion sale of the Los Angeles Lakers. The conversation explores Jeanie Buss’ leadership following Dr. Jerry Buss’ passing, including the scrutiny she faced while guiding the franchise through Kobe Bryant’s final seasons and reshaping...

In this bonus episode of the No Ceilings Podcast, Glasses Malone and Trap Bradshaw dive into a candid conversation about authenticity in hip hop and the responsibility that comes with cultural influence. The discussion examines Kanye West’s evolving relationship with white culture, J. Cole’s response to questions of authenticity following a high-profile rap battle, and what it truly means to be “pro-Black” i...

In this episode of the No Ceilings Podcast, Glasses Malone and special guests, The Viral Way (@theviralway_podcast), unpack the ongoing tension between authenticity and commercialization within hip hop culture. The conversation explores how street narratives are framed in media, the consequences of being labeled “crazy,” and the importance of understanding personal limits when navigating fame, storytelling, and public p...

In this episode of the No Ceilings Podcast, Glasses Malone and the crew take a nostalgic deep dive into the golden era of professional wrestling, reflecting on the cultural impact of legends like Hulk Hogan and Dusty Rhodes. The conversation expands into a broader examination of iconic films such as Taxi Driver, Joker, and Do the Right Thing, unpacking how these movies authentically captured the social tension, identity, and evolvi...

In this episode of the No Ceilings Podcast, Glasses Malone and special guests unpack the ongoing tension between authenticity and commercialization within hip hop culture. The conversation explores how street narratives are framed in media, the consequences of being labeled “crazy,” and the importance of understanding personal limits when navigating fame, storytelling, and public perception.

The discussion also reflects...

In this bonus episode of the No Ceilings Podcast, Glasses Malone and the crew dive into a thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation about the state of hip hop culture, the evolution of music commercialization, and the ongoing fight to preserve authenticity. They unpack how hip hop intersects with fashion, visual art, and broader cultural movements, examining the reciprocal relationship between the music and the culture it represents.

R...

In this episode, Glasses Malone and crew unpack the complexities surrounding Drake’s Civil RICO lawsuit, examining its potential implications for hip hop culture, artist accountability, and the music industry at large. The conversation explores legal strategy, corporate power dynamics, and how public perception influences high-profile cases involving major artists. The panel also zooms out to assess the current state of hip h...

In this episode of No Ceilings, Glasses Malone,  joined by Rose Gold Pete for an in-depth conversation on authentic storytelling within hip hop culture. Glasses breaks down the importance of cultural accuracy and lived experience, particularly when translating street narratives into dialogue that feels real—not performative. He addresses the ongoing challenge of hip hop being misrepresented as it enters mainstream spaces...