Charles Phillip Ivory Penniman (born December 10, 1978),[1] better known by his stage name Glasses Malone, is an American rapper from Los Angeles, California.
Early life
Charles Penniman grew up in the Watts and Compton neighborhoods in Los Angeles County.[2] He was a Crip gang member as a teenager.[3]
Music career
Traditionally associated with The Black Wall Street Records despite the fact that most of their artists were affiliated with the Bloods, Malone signed with the record label, but later signed with Cash Money Records in 2011,[1][4] turning down offers from many labels like Def Jam Records,[4]Interscope Records, J Records and Atlantic Records.[1] Glasses Malone was found by the same record executive who found The Game. Along with his signing, he was also given his own imprint, Blu Division.[4] Malone debuted with mixtapes The Crack Mixtape (2003) and White Lightnin... Sticks (2005).[1][3]White Lightnin... Sticks sold 50,000 copies and included the popular street single "Two Hunned".[3]
Malone's first album, Beach Cruiser, was originally scheduled to come out on February 20, 2007. However, Malone changed record labels, signing a new deal with Cash Money Records and Hoo-Bangin' Records.[5] The album's release was tentatively scheduled for April 2008. Two singles from the album debuted in 2008: "Certified" featuring Akon, and "Haterz" featuring Birdman and Lil Wayne. His album was instead released on August 29, 2011, although it was leaked on the internet on August 24. In his album, Malone dedicated a song to American rapper T.I., "Call Me T.I."
In late 2009, Malone accompanied Tech N9ne and hip-hop supergroup Slaughterhouse on the K.O.D. Tour.
Malone was featured on former Cash Money R&B singer TQ's 7th studio album Kind of Blue in 2010. Glasses Malone is also found on a specific version of Twiztid's 2012 album Abominationz. Glasses Malone's song "#Rihanna" compared the 2009 assault of Rihanna by Chris Brown to "beating up the pussy", which Rebecca Haithcoat of LA Weekly wrote "crosses the line".[6]
In 2014, Glasses Malone launched his own label, Division Movie Company. Glasses has also signed on with DJ Skee and Dash Radio to develop radio content for his own station.
On January 1, 2017 Glasses Malone was invited to participate in the Juggalo March On Washington.[7] He accepted on January 2, 2017.
^"Glasses Malone biography". Empire Distribution. 2008. Archived from the original on April 25, 2011. Retrieved April 15, 2011. On his major label debut album, 29-year-old underground rap sensation Glasses Malone delivers a sonic opus that features the Watts, CA lyricist offering a conceptual gem.
^ abcdWeinstein, Farrah (2006-08-04). "Glasses Malone". You Hear It First. MTV News. Archived from the original on 2007-02-20. Retrieved 2007-04-26.
