In 2015, Chicago MC and visionary Vagabond Maurice flew through lantern-soaked skies on his debut album The Dragon who Devoured the Moon. In 2016, he took flight yet again, gazing up at the stunning sunset with his sophomore LP Watching Icarus Fly. Now, in the heart of the autumnal breeze, and after a series of loose singles, our hero has returned for his meditative third chapter, A Garden at the End of the World. Nurtured by nature (rain, flowers, mud) and full of inward reflections as well as outward wisdom, the album is a practice in finding and defining happiness. Executive produced by Brad Kemp (with additional production by Emperor Bohe, Manny Beats and a wealth of musicians), the dreamy and jazzy hip-hop album completes the trilogy and properly connects enchanted lands. A Garden at the End of the World is an introspective and thoughtful auditory experience unlike any other, both within the Windy City and beyond.
(Synopsis by neonpajamas)

Recorded & Mixed at Second Bedroom Studio
Artwork by The Kao

Vagabond Maurice (Official Website)
www.VagabondMaurice.com

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A Garden at the End of the World [LP] (2018)

The final project under the stage name Vagabond Maurice, The Stairway to Heaven EP is a culmination of patience, focus, and clarity displayed on an array of nostalgic breakbeats and neck-breaking instrumentals which paves a new path of growth for the wordsmith. Although this may be the last EP under said moniker, it serves as a clear stepping stone towards the next stage of his music.

The Clarity of Vagabond Maurice [Prod. by FYKSEN]

Stairway to Heaven EP

The Shooting Star (She) Saw, Revisited [Prod. by Brad Kemp]

Devour (feat. JonFlëtch & Säge, The 64th Wonder) [Prod. by Brad Kemp]

Bouquet of Flowers (feat. Malach) [Prod. by Brad Kemp]

Single from the final project under the stage name Vagabond Maurice, 'The Stairway to Heaven' EP will be available July 4th 2021. Stream the lead single on all platforms now.

[Credits]
Rhymes by Vagabond Maurice
Instrumental by Brad Kemp
Recorded/Mix & Mastered at Second Bedroom Studio
Artwork by Pomekon & Lia Harmon

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The Stairway to Heaven [Prod. by Brad Kemp]

Stratus (Feat. Eyeda Sophia) [Prod. by Chief Takinawa]

Dawn [Prod. by World Technique]

Exit Vagabond Maurice:. . . Enter Pluto Black

Rhymes by Pluto Black
Artwork by Pomekon
Instrumental by Kulture
Mixed & Mastered by Brad Kemp

Free

[—Before Here & After—]
“I’ll tell you what freedom is to me:
No fear.” —Nina Simone

A reintroduction of Pluto Black (formerly known as, Vagabond Maurice), “Before Here & After” is a clear-eyed meditation on growth, identity and purpose, which traces his artistic journey from inner struggle to clarity. Blending vivid lyricism over Dragonfly Jones’ textured production and lifted by Alex Denae’s soulful vocals, this track sounds like a cinematic reawakening carried by Hip Hop poetics. This is a declaration of self—refined, focused, and lit from within—spoken with intention, and crafted with care.

Before Here & After, streaming on all platforms
Bandcamp: https://plutoblk.bandcamp.com/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5pKHL3KZ7JaqzEpNgPNjjm?si=Hr34nA5LSvmFx6q5p_qNpA
iTunes: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/pluto-black/1588308308
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/pluto-blk

Follow Pluto Black
Instagram—instagram.com/pluto.blk 
Twitter—x.com/PlutoBlk 
TikTok—tiktok.com/@plutoblk

Before Here & After (Single)

Purchase Here

Before Here & After (feat. Alex Denae)

[—The Wav—]
“What is for me will not pass me by,
and if it passes me by, it’s not for me.”
—Letitia Wright

A soulful, genre-blending single from Pluto Black, “The Wav” is a melodic and introspective movement carrying elements of jazz and poetry in its sound. Juggling Pluto Black’s signature laid-back delivery, the high energy soundscape of Urban Nerd Beats’ production, and ear-grabbing harmonies from Alex Denae and Malik Dawson, the track floats between meditation and momentum, celebrating purpose and creative clarity. It’s a track that captures motion, one that doesn’t just ride the wave—but shifts the tide.
lyrics

The Wav, streaming on all platforms
Bandcamp: plutoblk.bandcamp.com/
Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/5pKHL3KZ7…5LSvmFx6q5p_qNpA
iTunes: music.apple.com/us/artist/pluto-black/1588308308
Soundcloud: @pluto-blk

Follow Pluto Black
Instagram—instagram.com/pluto.blk
Twitter—x.com/PlutoBlk
TikTok—tiktok.com/@plutoblk

The Wav (Single)

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The Wav (feat. Alex Denae & Malik Dawson)

[—Low Vibrations—]
“There is not a window of opportunity,
for people’s needs.” – Lauryn Hill

PLUTO BLACK returns with a groovy lofi-inspired track that blends confessional lyricism with hypnotic, boundary-setting mantras. With sultry vocals by Alex Denae and production by Yogic Beats, the record channels the energy of late nights in Chicago where Pluto Black balanced life as a teaching artist, the highs and lows of relationships, the search for community, and navigating disappointment. The result is a vulnerable, yet defiant, tune about protecting your peace amidst the struggle. With its meditative groove and raw honesty, Low Vibrations resonates as both personal testimony and finding light in the aftermath of chaos. 

Low Vibrations, streaming on all platforms
Bandcamp: plutoblk.bandcamp.com
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5pKHL3KZ7JaqzEpNgPNjjm?si=XvGJgMDFTdOYcm0Jyy6gYQ
iTunes: music.apple.com/us/artist/pluto-black/1588308308
Soundcloud: @pluto-blk

Follow Pluto Black
Instagram—instagram.com/pluto.blk
Twitter—x.com/PlutoBlk
TikTok—tiktok.com/@plutoblk

Low Vibrations (Single)

Support Here!

Low Vibrations (feat. Alex Denae)

[Track 06, A Garden at the End of the World]
Vagabond Maurice
[夢]
No Lotus
Prod. By beDOTwater
Additional Production by Brad Kemp & Andy Danstrom
Most people are afraid of suffering.
But suffering is a kind of mud to help
The lotus flower of happiness grow
There can be no lotus flower without the mud
[Credits]
Rhymes by Vagabond Maurice
Produced by beDOTwater
Additional Production by Andy Danstrom & Brad Kemp
Piano by Erick Jay Mateo
Additional Vocals by hyesoo
Quote/Passage from “No Mud, No Lotus” by Thich Nhat Hanh
Recorded/Mix & Mastered at Second Bedroom Studio

A Garden at the End of the World

No Lotus

[Track 05, A Garden at the End of the World]
Vagabond Maurice
[夢]
The Scent of Rain & Flowers
Feat. Nexus J, Wessie & Cocoa Wilson
Prod. By Brad Kemp & Leyone Tracks
The Five Practices for Nurturing Happiness
The Fifth Practice: Insight
With mindfulness, we recognize the tension in our body, and we want very much to release it, but sometimes we can’t. What we need is some insight. Insight is seeing what is there. It is the clarity that can liberate us from afflictions such as jealousy or anger, and allow true happiness to come. Every one of us has insight, though we don’t always make use of it to increase our happiness.
[Credits]
Rhymes by Vagabond Maurice
Produced by Brad Kemp & Leyone Tracks
Featuring Nexus J, Wessie & Cocoa Wilson
Additional Vocals by hyesoo
Quote/Passage from “No Mud, No Lotus” by Thich Nhat Hanh
Recorded/Mix & Mastered at Second Bedroom Studio

The Scent of Rain & Flowers (feat. Nexus J, Wessie & Cocoa Wilson)

[Track 04, A Garden at the End of the World]
Vagabond Maurice
[夢]
To Smile in Autumn
Feat. TayyySlayyy & Pradia
Prod. By Brad Kemp
The Five Practices for Nurturing Happiness
The Fourth Practice: Concentration
Concentration is born from mindfulness. Concentration has the power to break through, to burn away the afflictions that make you suffer and to allow joy and happiness to come in. To stay in the present moment takes concentration. Worries and anxiety about the future are always there, ready to take us away. We can see them, acknowledge them, and use our concentration to return to the present moment.

[Credits]
Rhymes by Vagabond Maurice
Produced by Brad Kemp
Featuring TayyySlayyy & Pradia
Additional Vocals by hyesoo
Quote/Passage from “No Mud, No Lotus” by Thich Nhat Hanh
Recorded/Mix & Mastered at Second Bedroom Studio

[Animated Music Video]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtefANTQMOs

ANIMATED MUSIC VIDEO

To Smile in Autumn (feat. TayyySlayyy & Pradia)

[Track 03, A Garden at the End of the World]
Vagabond Maurice
[夢]
In My Sky at Twilight
Prod. By Brad Kemp
The Five Practices for Nurturing Happiness
The Third Practice: Mindfulness-Based Joy
Mindfulness helps us not only to get in touch with suffering, so that we can embrace and transform it, but also to touch the wonders of life, including our own body. Then breathing in becomes a delight, and breathing out can also be a delight. You truly come to enjoy your breathing.
[Credits]
Rhymes by Vagabond Maurice
Produced by Brad Kemp
Additional Vocals by hyesoo
Quote/Passage from “No Mud, No Lotus” by Thich Nhat Hanh
Recorded/Mix & Mastered at Second Bedroom Studio

In My Sky at Twilight

[Track 02, A Garden at the End of the World]
Vagabond Maurice
[夢]
The Bridge Between Heaven & Earth
Feat. Cocoa Wilson
Prod. By Emperor Bohe & Manny Beats
Additional Production by Brad Kemp
The Five Practices for Nurturing Happiness
The Second Practice: Inviting Positive Seeds
We each have many kinds of “seeds” lying deep in our consciousness. Those we water are the ones that sprout, come up into our awareness, and manifest outwardly. In our own consciousness there is hell, and there is also paradise. We are capable of being compassionate, understanding, and joyful. If we pay attention only to the negative things in us, especially the suffering of past hurts, we are wallowing in our sorrows and not getting any positive nourishment. We can practice appropriate attention, watering the wholesome qualities in us by touching the positive things that are always available inside and around us. That is good food for our mind.
[Credits]
Rhymes by Vagabond Maurice
“Heaven” Instrumental by Emperor Bohe
“Earth” Instrumental by Manny Beats
Additional Production by Brad Kemp
Featuring Cocoa Wilson
Additional Vocals by hyesoo
Quote/Passage from “No Mud, No Lotus” by Thich Nhat Hanh
Recorded/Mix & Mastered at Second Bedroom Studio

The Bridge Between Heaven & Earth (feat. Cocoa Wilson)

[Track 01, A Garden at the End of the World]
Vagabond Maurice
[夢]
Where Dragons Dream, Pt 4
Prod. By Brad Kemp
The Five Practices for Nurturing Happiness
The First Practice: Letting Go
The first method of creating joy and happiness is to cast off, to leave behind. There is a kind of joy that comes from letting go. Many of us are bound to so many things. We believe these things are necessary for our survival, our security, and our happiness. But many of these things—or more precisely, our beliefs about their utter necessity—are really obstacles for our joy and happiness.
[Credits]
Rhymes by Vagabond Maurice
Instrumental by Brad Kemp
Additional Vocals by hyesoo
Bridge Vocals by Chief Takinawa, Shani, Cocoa Wilson, 
Nexus J, Pradia, Brad Kemp, Eli the Curry & Jezi the Dishwasha
Quote/Passage from “No Mud, No Lotus” by Thich Nhat Hanh
Recorded/Mix & Mastered at Second Bedroom Studio

Where Dragons Dream, Pt 4

Musician | Griot | Dragon 
As Told by Heroes | Slumpgang777
Born in MPLS. Forged in CHI. Rooted in LIB.
The renaissance is live—come witness the movement.

Pluto Black [ॐ]

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