My City: Muggsy Malone, From the DMV to the Top (Exclusive Interview)

Thanks to a lot of dope music and no shortage of hard work some doors that were previously locked are starting to open for DMV artists, and Muggsy Malone is poised the step through that door and onto the national stage. In the edition of our My City series Muggsy talks about how the DMV's hip-hop scene has changed and how his past struggles inspire everything he does. Hey, they don't call him The Parkway Kid for nothing.

RefinedHype: After years of neglect the DMV area's finally getting some national attention. Has the hip-hop scene changed at all?

Muggsy Malone: Yeah there is a big change, even though it might not be as noticeable to most from the inside looking out or the outside looking in and slow progress is better than no progress. First off there was a big divide that comes from here and you only would know about if you're from this area or lived here for a minute. Its a scar that music has helped to heal that stems from a lot of things that went on back in the days. I think the thing that has changed the most is the respect factor that MC's from out here receive that we never used to get on a national scale, which I made sure I fought for. I remember when I used to go out of town and tell people I rap and they used to look at me and be like 'DC n&*#as can't rhyme', and we had to prove ourselves 25/8 wherever we went. Say those four words and it was on for me and my click. But now, its more accepted and record labels are paying attention cause of folks are going out a putting in work and trying to put aside the bullshit of the past.

RefinedHype: If I didn't know, how could I tell you're from the DMV by listening to your music?

Muggsy Malone: Everything in me oozes the DC metropolitan area and the struggle that I've been through, even while living in other places I still represented that as I very well should have, from the slang to the overall way I've carried myself in general. There's some things that I talk about in my music that you gotta be from here to know or you'll have to ask. I was born in PG and lived between DC and MD for the majority of my life. You can trace my history all over the DMV though. I slept on these streets LITERALLY, so I take about the plight of my people here, what I went through personally and speaking for my brothers and sisters who don't have that voice. Even still I don't pigeonhole myself to the area cause I've been other places. I even lived overseas in other countries as a military man so I've seen different sides of life and I bring you into what I was going through at that particular moment in time. Whether good or bad, happy or sad, it's what makes you you. God won't throw nothing your way that's unmanageable or intangible. I firmly believe that.

RefinedHype: Where do you go to get inspired?

Muggsy Malone: Anywhere man. I get inspired by life and living in general. I hop on the metro and just roll or jump in the car and just drive through the city. Sometimes I'll just go and walk dog. Like just walk all over the place and meet folks and end up meeting somebody I know from somewhere. I read books , look at the news see what's going on in the city, and experience life. Calculated steps are always good but every artist whether major or minor should take a day to ride the wave with no resistance. A lot of my friends and family aren't here to see me do what I do, so its a major responsibility to keep their memories and legacies alive. I reminisce on the things my parents, relatives and the streets taught me, what I learned. Apply, assert and assimilate. I look back on the things that I went through and I think like 'Wow' look how far I've come with no manager, none of that." Just a song that made it on the radio and me writing everyday man. I've had a million people try to say I'd never make it at all. Knowing people STILL say that today keeps me going. I'm in no position to brag about what I've worked hard for. I just want people who are hopeless to erase the less and just have hope. If I can make it you can too and it don't gotta be music necessarily. Do whatever you put you're mind too and don't give up. I love for others to see that what people got to say don't matter, what you do however does. I pray to inspire till that day I retire. Which will prolly be never. I love this game!

RefinedHype: If I'm rolling through the DMV where can I find you?

Muggsy Malone: Somewhere chillin, laying in the cut and doing me. Can't say where exactly. I'm in the streets or the studio all the time though making it happen the best way that I know how.

RefinedHype: Last words?

Muggsy Malone: "TPK: Psalms 23" is coming soon. For now though, check me out on Lyriciss mixtape "The Practice" and Inner Loop Records "Culture Of Honor" available on itunes now. Shoutout to the ILR. I know a lot of people are waiting on TPK and its still coming. Mark my words this summer is coming , promise you. Make sure you check out the sampler tape I'm putting out called "The Preview" coming out the first week of March. I'm throwing some snippets of songs already done from TPK coming out.

Shout out to all the crew , clicks and people living a real life who aint afraid to be true whether blessings or burnings. DC,MD,VA and worldwide I love y'all. I'm the Parkway Kid Muggsy Malone. Long as you don't disrespect me I'm not that hard of a guy to get along with , so if you see me out and about say wassup! Peace and love on earth and above.