Photo Credit: Andy Lee

THE MUSEUM OF LIGHT:  Just as an alchemist transforms led into gold, is there an element  of transformation in your creative expression? How does this process for you, connect to that of an alchemists?

MAURICE GARLAND: Most definitely. As a writer and music journalist, I look at my work as using words to paint pictures which I consider a valuable skill and talent seeing as how so much of our communication nowadays is visual-driven. When I write I am relying on history and the present moment to tell a story that someone in the future will hopefully read, enjoy and even reference. Also, often times, I interview artists and other creatives who may not be as open or well-spoken as the next person, so I have to find ways to not only get them out of their comfort zone and share, but later combine my words with theirs to create a compelling, truthful story

Photo Credit: Anthony “Truth” Gary

THE MUSEUM OF LIGHT:  Artists are often labeled as “stars.” Just as a star radiates light and the planets then reflect this light. Do you see your work behind the pen or behind the lens, as a reflection of this light?

MAURICE GARLAND: I do. When I interview and write about “stars” I like to create stories that inspire readers to become “stars” themselves or at least absorb some of that star energy that they give off. Rick Ross personally contacted me and told me the cover story that I wrote on him for The Source (Decemeber 2015) was one of the best if not the best stories he’s even read written about him. I’ve written bios for Big Boi and Kendrick Lamar, so in those cases I have to capture what they are about and use my words to present them to the world they way they want to be seen. Every star begins as a particle and winds up becoming a star. That said, much of the work I have done has revolved around getting people to recognize stars in the making. I was the first person to interview or write nationally published articles on people like Janelle Monae and B.o.B. Killer Mike is all over the place now, but for years it felt like I was the only person interested in interviewing him. So yes, I do see my work as a reflection of their light.

Photo Credit: Wesley Persons

THE MUSEUM OF LIGHT:  When an artist is not “creating” it is often labeled a “creative block.” Where do you find the creative spark? What inspires your work and does it require a sense of courage to create from this unknown space?

MAURICE GARLAND:  What some call a “block” I like to look at as a time to rest. When I am not inspired to create, I rest. I sit still and enjoy those moments where my mind and spirit are simply being rather than doing. Fortunately, I rarely have to go find inspiration or a creative spark. During those “block” times ideas usually come to me because I am being still and allowing the universe to bring them to me rather than running and moving and looking. I have found when you move around too much looking for something, you miss what was there waiting for you to claim all along.

The Museum of Light is curated by: 
Billy Johnson Jr., Joslyn Rose Lyons, Adell Henderson, Rafael Casal, Matt Smith, Malik Buie.

For more info on The Light visit:

http://www.themuseumoflight.com/
https://instagram.com/museumoflight/
https://twitter.com/museumoflight

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The post REFLECTIONS IN LIGHT Interview: MAURICE GARLAND appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

We’ve all heard the stories of record labels and the ups and downs being contracted with one may cause.  Here and now BET network is taking us all behind the scenes of some of the greats.  Tonight, May 17th at 8:00 ET and 9:00 ET make sure to tune into the first part of the eight-episode-docs-series.  Uptown Records is the first up in the spotlight to dig into all the dirt, good and bad with a Part I and Part II episode of the journey.  Some of Hip Hop’s most iconic labels will be featured  in the eight-week series for one-hour long like, Grand Hustle, Loud Records, Slip-N-Slide, Terror Squad, Ruff Ryders, Disturbing Tha Peace (DTP), and Murder Inc.  

Founder, Andre Harrell will be among the industry insiders like, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, and Guy’s Teddy Riley and Damion Hall giving they’re unique takes on Uptown’s success, legacy, and so much more.  We can expect to see some never-before-seen footage in an up close, first-person narrative kinda way.  The series is executive produced by A. Smith & Co. Productions and DTP co-founders Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Bridges’ manager Chaka Zulu, and Jeff Dixon.

“The dreams and visions; the successes and failures … we want young aspiring entrepreneurs to have a blueprint as to what really goes on in this business and understand how much work it takes,” says DTP’s Dixon of the inspiration behind the series. “We [as African-Americans] also want to document our own history, especially in this industry. This is like our natural resource. No one can tell these stories like us.”

According to Billboard, these are some of the other power players that will be “playing” in each episode of Inside the Label:

Uptown Records: Andre Harrell, Diddy, Jay Z, Mary J. Blige, Babyface, Teddy Riley, Damion Hall, Brett Ratner, Laurieann Gibson, Robin Thicke, Sanaa Lathan, Doug E. Fresh, Al B. Sure, Eddie F, Kim Porter, Father MC, Jeff Redd and Monifah.

Grand Hustle: T.I., Jason Geter, Young Dro, Kevin Liles, Lil Duval, Killer Mike, DJ Toomp and B.O.B.

Loud Records: Steve Rifkind, RZA, Xzibit and E-Swift.

Slip-N-Slide Records: Ted Lucas, Rick Ross, Trick Daddy, Trina and DJ Khaled.

Terror Squad: Fat Joe, DJ Khaled, Noreaga, Cool & Dre and Jesse Terrero.

Ruff Ryders: Joaquin Dean, Darren Dean, Chivon Dean, Swizz Beatz, Eve, The Lox, Irv Gotti, Drag On, DJ Clue, DJ Kool Herc, Lyor Cohen and Jimmy Iovine.

Disturbing Tha Peace: Ludacris, Chaka Zulu, Jeff Dixon, Chingy, Bobby Valentino, Shareefa, Lil Scrappy, Bangladesh, Lil Fate, I-20 and Poon Daddy.

Murder Inc.: Irv Gotti, Ashanti, Ja Rule, Jay-Z, Charlie Baltimore, Kevin Liles and Lyor Cohen.

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The post BET Network Takes us ‘Inside the Label’ appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

B.o.B released a diss track this past Monday calling out astrophysicist, Neil deGrasse Tyson, after the two went back and forth on Twitter following B.o.B’s 50+ tweets about his theory that the earth is flat. Instead of scrolling through his twtteter feed, a listen to his track can basically sum it all up for you.

According to Tyson, the rapper nephew of astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson who also refers to himself as “the DJ Khaled of teaching Bobby about the sun” , he has “science in his corner and there’s nothing to fear,” so he released a diss track of his own. Tyson’s track sample’s Drake’s “Back to Back” and features bars such as “B.o.B has gotta know the planet is a sphere G” and “I think it’s clear that Bobby didn’t read enough.” 

Let’s see how long this rap feud lasts.

The post Tyson Drops B.o.B Diss – “Flat to Fact” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

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The post New Music: B.o.B – “Roll Up” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

After dropping singles like “Thuggin'” that kept the streets bumpin’ this summer, Watts/L.A. native Glasses Malone drops his highly anticipated second studio album, GlassHouse 2: Life Ain’t Nuthin But… The 14 track project features cameos from industry heavyweights, such as Kendrick Lamar, B.o.B, Dom Kennedy and The Game over hard hitting West Coast production. Pick up a copy HERE as the perfect compliment to your 3 day weekend.

The post Glasses Malone Drops “GlassHouse 2: Life Ain’t Nuthin But” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

According HHNM, B.o.B has a new album on the way and it’s titled PSYCADELIK THOUGHTZ. A listening party is rumored to be happening in Atlanta later on this week. Until we get more details, peep the album’s artwork below.

The post Does B.o.B have an album on the way? appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.