RESPECT. Interview: No Malice Speaks on Documentary, Personal Growth & More

There are certain people that you come across in life that you can totally vibe with off the bat. You guys joke, laugh and the conversation is easy going as if you were old friends. That’s how it felt when I spoke with No Malice. His honest demeanor set up the conversation to flow naturally and we spoke about our families, music, and the growth he has seen within himself in the last few years. I found myself taking notes as he spoke and not for the purpose of the interview but for personal motivation. His story is filled with hard times, hope, redemption and determination; a combination of things that many don’t get to experience in their lifetime. But No Malice has and because he is still here to tell his story, he tells it so gracefully.

No Malice recently released a documentary, The End of Malice and he spoke on the changes made in his life, how he came to make them and why:

“I would say the evolution of No Malice definitely came from my career with The Clipse. Being able to attain and acquire what I always thought was the “american dream” and after I guess touching it and experiencing it, I knew still that this cannot be life. It wasn’t. I wasn’t satisfied enough with that. Like it has to be a pinnacle in my mind. It it had to be some kind of summit that was going to be totally fulfilling and it wasn’t that. It wasn’t in the fame. It wasn’t with the money. It it just wasn’t that and I’m that kind of person I need absolute. I don’t need maybe, what ifs, shoulda coulda wouldas. I need something to be definite and h I just felt like it was something greater that I had yet to lay my hands on.”

The documentary, rather interesting, set a platform for those needing that push to speak their truths. And though many may have found it intimidating to be so honest, No Malice did not:

“There is a scripture in the bible that says whom the son sets free, is free indeed. And the son being the son of God. And that’s why I share this because this thing is real to me. And especially like, sitting doing interviews and being on that secular platform, you don’t want to be preachy. And you don’t want to lose people. But anytime I have to speak I have to tell what’s real to me. I just have to. So that scripture comes alive because I had to speak of infidelity. I had to speak of a criminal past. I just had to lay it all out on the line and this is a place that many people are afraid to go and understandably so. To tell of your misgivings and your secret sins. And to share it. But if you have faith you have to be able to go out and stand on your faith. If indeed it is faith. Or what you believe in, it ain’t real. So I really put my faith to the test, came clean and not only you know for other people but myself as well. And I really got a sense of freedom. Hopefully, I can encourage other people to be free. It’s been something lifted off me that I did not have before and everything still worked out and God put all the pieces back together. I just had to come from under that banner of shame, guilt and regret. And I seen him do it. So whom the son sets free, is free indeed.”

The End of Malice was also accompanied by a soundtrack, Movin’ Weight (A Story from the Streets) and like the film, it spoke to those seeking to reveal their truths. Not only did the soundtrack feature No Malice but it also featured Crystal Nicole, Promise and a few other artists. The ten-track soundtrack has so much more to give than so many projects out right now but No Malice remains humble about it and grateful for the project:

“I met Promise at SXSW and we kind like hit or miss but we kept in touch over the years and to finally be able to work with him in the end and get a chance to like share with his talent and everything to me it was really dope. I like the way he raps, puts his music together. So it was cool. I’ve been able to work with the best of the best so to be able to still work with people that make quality music it was definitely a blessing. And then Crystal Nicole, her voice is just like angelic. I’m just blessed to be around quality artists, worthy of mainstream attention. It was just awesome. Good to be around. Not only did we work really well together. We had great conversations in the studio. And just to be around likeminded people it was just really dope. We were in The Kitchen out in Dallas; shout out to the homie O.Z., who engineered and mixed everything well. It was just a good fellowship as well.”

When asked how he would want listeners to perceive the project, he once again, found a way to drop some unexpected but much needed gems:

“I would just want them to take stock in their own life.. Take stock and do inventory in your own life. We always feel like we need to hear from somebody or somebody else has the right answer or somebody preaching in your ear or somebody telling you what to do and how to do it. You don’t need to listen to everybody all the time. Look within yourself. Look at where you are this year. Were you in the same place last year? Or the year before that? Or the year before that? If you were then obviously some changes need to be made. None of us are the person to say what changes people need to make but you take your own account. Do it yourself. I would just want people to listen to this music and just get something out of it and take stock and inventory in your own life.”

But in the end of it all, No Malice understands that though he has made some changes in his life, not everyone is ready to take on that venture. And he respects that:

“Respect to me is showing courtesy and consideration to others even if you may not agree with their ideology or you know their way of life. Just not judging people because of things you don’t understand. You don’t have to be in cahoots with them. It’s okay to be different. You can be considerate and not in agreeance with everything that everybody does at the same time. To me that’s what respect means. To be courteous and considerate of people with different ideas.”

No Malice is here to be the most real to himself that he can be and if in the end, he inspires one or two people, it just makes it that much better:

“I hope people see a sense of honesty when they hear my story. I feel like so many people feel the way that I feel. I think someone just needs to break the ice. I’m not saying, I’m the ice-breaker but more of us need to break the ice in sharing our personal truths just like you said. And one thing that I’m definitely realizing or seeing is people coming up to me and telling me that they identify and they feel a lot like I feel or felt a lot like I felt. And people don’t start to grab a hold of that until someone else comes out and mentions it. I guess don’t be scared to take off your cool — stop trying to live this façade and be who you are. And keep the good and it’s okay if you got to work on a few things.”

In the meantime, No Malice will continue to work on his upcoming album, Let the Dead Bury the Dead, his next book and his personal growth. And no, we didn’t harass him on a Clipse reunion but we did respectfully ask about his favorite Clipse tracks:

“I have to say “Grindin,” “Momma I’m So Sorry” — I’m sure I’m leaving something crazy out — “Cot Damn.” “Cot Damn” is one of personal favorites with Ab-Liva & Rosco P. Coldchain.”

Make sure to keep up with No Malice on Twitter and check out Movin’ Weight (A Story from the Streets) on iTunes now!