Jasper Marsalis debut album on Warp Records, Excelsior delves into the exploration of his artistic identity, as revealed in a recent interview with Crack Magazine. The interview is part of their series Signing Off, which cites Marsalis among the artists who have left a mark and paved the way for new music explorations in 2023.
In the realm of post-rap, Jasper Marsalis, known as Slauson Malone 1, has emerged as a distinctive figure with his experimental and fragmented approach. Following his 2019 album A Quiet Farwell 2016-2018, Marsalis blends new influences and artistic experiences in Excelsior. In the interview Marsalis discusses themes underpinning the album, offering a nuanced view of his evolving self: from his move to Los Angeles and how this played a crucial role in the rebirth of Slauson Malone 1, to the transformative and enigmatic journey of Excelsior.
“I have a different relationship with myself. It’s borne out of the feeling of not having a sense of control or ownership over your own identity. [..] I hope that one day someone is like, “Why is there a ‘one’? Where’s ‘two’ or ‘three’? Where’s the original?”’
Slauson Malone 1 performs live at Rewire 2024 with cellist Nicky Wetherell
Watch "Slauson Malone 1 - Half-Life (Lyric Video)" by "Slauson Malone 1" on https://www.youtube.com/
Photo by Anja Rose for Crack Magazine