Independent artists face an ongoing battle to assert their identity in today's crowded music landscape. Taking time away from the microphone often fuels self-doubt, leaving many to wonder if they still have what it takes to execute a full creative vision. Stepping back into the spotlight requires more than just raw talent. It takes immense resilience, emotional honesty, and an unapologetic demand for respect.
Glenn Paul Simon, better known as New Jersey hip-hop and spoken word artist Cre8ive MC, offers a masterclass in this exact kind of artistic comeback. With the release of his debut full-length album, Make Sure They Spell Your Name Right, he provides an unfiltered manifesto on claiming your space and honoring your identity. In this interview, we sit down with Cre8ive MC to discuss his return to the stage, his creative process, and the powerful message behind his new record.
Q: You took a hiatus from making music before stepping back onto the North Jersey open mic scene. What ultimately drove your decision to return, and how did that time away shape this debut album?
Glenn Paul Simon: Honestly it was fate. I was walking down the main street of Booton, NJ with a buddy of mine from my job. He asked if I had ever tried out this cafe call Booton Coffee. I said no so we decided to give it a shot. While I was there they were hosting an open mic. The room was full of energy and it reignited my passion to be out in front of an audience. I started to realize that life was short and going after my dreams was worth the shot even if the odds are against me. It was better than trying to internally lock it away and pretend that the eagerness wasn’t there. Ever since I’ve performed regularly and all over the state of NJ.
Q: The title of your album, Make Sure They Spell Your Name Right, carries a strong message about identity and self-respect. Can you break down what that phrase means to you personally?
Glenn Paul Simon: It means to me in simple terms, don't let anyone take advantage of you. Don’t let people take your name and spell it or pronounce it how they think/want. They might do it unintentionally at first. But you have that moment to correct them. If they keep doing it you get a sense of what their character is about. And if you don’t correct them or let them get away with it then you are doing a disservice upon what makes you you and how you truly want to be represented. So Make Sure They Spell Your Name Right.
Q: This record unfolds in three distinct acts. It moves from high-energy lyricism to deep dives into depression and unrequited love, before ending on a joyful note. Why was it important for you to structure the listener's journey this way?
Glenn Paul Simon: I felt it was important to try to capture my human experience. I feel that most humans start off overwhelmingly optimistic about the future. As life goes on missteps and dark times alter how you see the times that's to come. So you go through phases of self doubt and insecurities and questioning past choices and at times you think things will be bleak forever. Then sometimes within that period you recognise small wins. Small positives of life that act like light at the end of a tunnel. A small win is really what you need to rebuild your momentum. You understand what feeling good is like again and you want to keep adding to it. To me the song boil peanuts is that small light. Through my dark times I forgot about the joy of eating them and how proud of my culture I am. Those little reminders of the finer things in life really can change your perspective. No matter how hard things get I will always be able to cook some peanuts that bring back childhood memories and give me a sense of ease. Making me feel that I still have things to look forward to still.
Q: You grew up in a highly creative household and often cite golden-era legends like Wu-Tang Clan and KRS-One as major influences. How did you balance that nostalgic foundation with modern edges during the recording process?
Glenn Paul Simon: I try to keep to my hip hop morals. Meaning I have to be authentic, show overall skill as an mc, and have an incredible amount of respect for those parts of hip hop that I’ve looked up to tremendously. So I apply that with today's topics that can be relatable with a multigenerational fanbase. At the end of the day I’m just being myself in today's times. Looking for individuals that can relate.
Q: You split your recording time between The Sweatshop and The Vault Studio. How did collaborating with producers like John “Reapa” Ruggiero and Tyler Braddock help bring your full artistic vision to life?
Glenn Paul Simon: I’ll start with John “ Reapa” Ruggiero. We have a long collaborating relationship. He was the first guy to ever invite me into a studio. I started with him first honing my songwriting craft and understanding the process behind making a song. We recorded together for years and one day he told me he was done. He was going through a similar phase where he had to reboot and he felt music was bringing a lot of negativity into his life. A couple of years went by and in the beginning of my comeback I started posting some unreleased material on soundcloud. He noticed and encouraged me to keep posting. A little while later we coincidentally ran into each other at a Burger King. We talked about how we grew and I put it in his ear to get back into music. Promising him that the bad habits that came along with it the first time will not come on this go around. A few weeks later I got the call and he told me he is rebuilding the studio. After that we went back to work. With clear heads and maturity, making sure it was about the music. I came to him with what I was working on and he helped me polish my ideas. He knows me well so I need to work with someone like that who can read me and what I am going for musically. In fact we have a new project together called Creating A Classic. If you are into hip hop duos I would suggest you check it out.
Tyler Braddock is a relationship that developed out of a community that promotes the arts. Boonton NJ comes into play again. I met him through mutual friends and I felt a sense of comfort going in there. We worked on a few tracks together and it was nice because he was experienced yet younger than me. So it helped me understand what younger cats are into nowadays and learn new techniques that my generation might've never been exposed to. I could see his passion which inspired me.
Q: You have opened for legends like Prodigy of Mobb Deep and shared the stage with Talib Kweli. What is the most valuable lesson you learned from those experiences that you apply to your own live performances today?
Glenn Paul Simon: Be professional, be prepared, but also don’t think your life will change overnight. Just because you open up for bigger names, stay humble. Things absolutely can change but understand that most of the time it's another gig. And every gig should be treated the same whether you are opening up for a popular act or if no one is in attendance and that's with complete intention with the energy to match. On that note thank you for taking the time to research what my music is about and I am completely grateful for this experience. One love and stay Cre8ive!
Our conversation with Cre8ive MC reveals the deep importance of owning your narrative. His journey emphasizes that an artistic hiatus does not signify an end, but rather a necessary period of growth and recalibration. By weaving themes of mental health, resilience, and unapologetic self-worth into his music, he proves that true success comes from staying strictly rooted in authenticity.
Looking ahead, the demand for emotionally honest and culturally grounded hip-hop will only continue to grow. Artists who bridge the gap between classic foundations and modern vulnerability are setting a new standard for the genre. Cre8ive MC's debut stands as a powerful reminder that if you want a spot in the game, you first have to claim your identity and demand that the world spells your name right.
To learn more visit https://www.cre8ivemc.com/