John Legendary

John was Legendary at the DNC After party on TV1.

He represented our generation very well speaking on the importance of voting and why the youth have often been marginalized by older political analysts. I was very impressed with his astute perspective and the respect he got from Michael Eric Dyson and the other panelists as they continue the movement towards electing Sen. Barack Obama as our next President. He was even asked to close out the speaking engagement with a song... and I really liked it.

I encourage you all to rock the vote or else... Good morning, wake up People! I'm ready to go, are you?

Regards,

-delano
p.s. I forgive you for the less than legendary performance at Hampton University a few years before you debuted "Ordinary People". Even legends have off days, but getting it right in the end is worth the journey. Progress by process.

star crush

:making sure the coast is clear:

Okay, its Mya. Where are ya, lil lady? I miss all the sh-ego and collabos.
For some reason, I find you absolutely yummy. I know i'm getting old for celebrity crushes but, between you and Janelle Monae - pass the Lowrey's!
Have you heard Party Girl off her inaugural album "The Audition?" Something about strong willed women makes me want to help them forget their tough exteriors and melt. Yup, and I'm the guy to do it. (respect) If I must, and I REALLY DETEST the word, this is my "swagger." To be myself always, to treat a sista with respect, and to maybe be her charming beat boxer. My rook is in play and straight up, I'm scopin ya from a distance and have my sights on the crown. It's all on the board... remember young skywalkers... the game is to be played and though you may think many moves in advance, its one at a time that secures victory.

:c)

You both have wonderful things to offer and I can't discount all caramel to bright sistas... hold me down and we're cool.

so, kudos to them two. otherwise, I'm making it happen for me these days... and feelin like my smile may make a few cameo's outside the body.

I've got some great meetings coming up in the PT movement. Let's rock the house and
inspire nations... imagine that.

-delano

CLOsEncountErS oF tHE cYb(h)ER KiND

CLOsEncountErS oF tHE cYb(h)ER KiND (2007)

by, Delano Maxam, Jr.


Atlanta is home to plenty of stars, but on June 5th Janelle Monáe orbited Studio Nine Hundred as a comet. Rare talent abides in a strong ability to adapt and perform under all sorts of pressure and if you're caught up you'll miss the passing of something uniquely wonderful.


After an entire minute of seamless a cappella crooning, the room finally fell silent, allowing her delicate vibrato to sail majestically. If you find that quiet place inside, you'll receive the story and join in an authentic moment in musical history.


From the assortment of Atlanta tastemakers rockin hip arrays of color and funkee accessories emerged, "Q," a female beat box teaming with opening act Slick and Rose for a final freestyle song. That's the shit you'll only get at a live show. Dope. Queue the smoke, queue the drum roll and cosmic arrival of the feature performer for the evening: Janelle Monáe as Cindi Mayweather, cyborg lover of human kind.


Before the second verse of her first single "Violet Stars Happy Hunting," her microphone went limp. In a dance like APB the robotic Cindi sent a distress signal, still convincing the crowd her frantic moves were part of the show. After thirty seconds of gyrations the audience knew something was wrong. Her manager and member of Wondaland Arts Society Wolfmaster Stanklin caught the signal, doubling from the stage to the rear of Sector Nine returning with a replacement. Microphones were switched, sound was restored, and the congregation cheered! But only a few bars into her second coming the venue speakers again fell silent, the sound cut permanently.


Break!


Cindi removed her trademark black and white framed space cadet glasses. The now candid Janelle Monáe called the law for, "just one song," and was granted access. Finally with her stage she dedicated a resilient cover of Charlie Chapman's jazz classic "Smile" to the folks responsible for quieting the music.


And it don't stop!


Above the clamor of some truly ignorant guests floated her lucid voice ushering Billie Holiday's transient resurrection. Clusters of people moved closer to the stage to better hear. As the last few angelic tones echoed throughout the gallery, the congregation roared to applause! There was even a call for an encore. Girls definitely rock too!


It wasn't the expected punk rockabilly she'll debut to the world, but she made 110% fresh squeezed lemonade. Phenomenally, Janelle Monáe shared her soul, departing on her space ship. "Life is not a rehearsal," she says, and that evening she inspired the perceptive to keep reaching for their dreams even when offered lemons.

Playa Fly

Memphis Rapper who once affiliated with Triple S-x mafia, left the group to pursue a legendary solo career in the South... check this out.

Lead me. everybody is looking at me. asking what i'm up to. checking on me. probing my process for keys to their process. tryna exploit my acute lack of virtues as a total weakness. My personal strengths are put on the auction and chopping block for the amusement of the public. it feels like people expect all these things from me (save my self, save the world, save black people, save a sista's heart save my self for marriage, save my lungs, save money, save time, save my family, and save my anger...)and I'm already indebted to them... as a steward of humanity. I have a heart to help, but sometimes it feels like people are terribly demanding of my energy. Its a side effect of seeking knowledge... folks expect you to have something for them. Some sort of short cut or mantra they can follow. We become local leaders of the new school and free world. I'm blogging out loud, pardon the interruption. This is me off the cuff and on the record. Write this down in pencil: "If I help somebody, maybe there's mercy for me."_Gnarls Barkley.

Charity.

If I may do, be it good things that help others. The trials of a servant. I think I should talk to Jesus about that. This is getting tricky. I mean, self-preservation in the midst of service is becoming difficult. My joy comes in knowing that my cause is heard by a contemporary... My joy comes in better understanding my process and hopefully helping others to navigate... but simultaneously?! I'm feeling like being overwhelmed isn't an option. I'm told that this is grinding. I'm told that men should remain calm. I'm told not to complain about damn near anything but gas prices.

Delano is better than this blog or my desires... Delano is kinda impressed with the ending of Fahrenheit 451 "We burn the books, and keep them up here..."

I do not fear death, but the results of inaction. And in the process I fear I'm not being productive enough. The information age makes us all accountable for being better planners... the truth is out there in X files, pdf's and in online applications... May the Force Be With You.

As you grind, as you strive to be the living light, as you rock the house. Save Self. and the life you save may result in atonement.

-delano

Reaching

Scholarship time is a darn-near required component in my preparation for graduate school. That makes me want to start a second blog dedicated to my march towards PT SCHOOL.... maybe I'll just keep this one rolling... For now, I've got my brain and the key-pad extended into a universe of discourse for potential financing opportunities for graduate studies.

I've heard one idea of racists is that Black folk squander millions of dollars in scholarship and grant money by not even applying. Well, its August and I'm just delighted to find so much out there, but how much of it applies to me is weird. I hope to keep an open mind about my options and that time has not run out. I've been busy with completing prerequisite courses and my new job.

I hope I can find something. I plan on speaking with my mentors and contact in the PT world for more details as to best approach the financing of PT programs and long-term career planning.

I wish all this information didn't feel like needles in haystack, but pop-culture instruct me to GET IT, or as Nike says- just do it! now, let's go...

-delano

Thunderkatz

T!KATZ "ANYTHING" by Visual Vinyl from Fray Wall on Vimeo.


need i say more?
o8o went to Hampton
-delano :c)

Stacy Epps

"Greetings earthlings, we come in piece of mind..." Yesterday afternoon I attended a pre-release and going away gathering for Stacy Epps' The Awakening. She is headed overseas to deliver her universal outreaching music of empowerment and progressive vibe. I had the pleasure of adding to the movement as her bio writer. ( www.myspace.com/stacyepps ) She has already worked with some of the underground's illest scientists: Madlib, MF DOOM, OH NO, Wildchild, J Rawls and Scienz of Life. Her live show was a testament to her upbringing and musical journey. After a short set at Atlanta's best music store Moods Music, I was called up by Stacy herself to share some words of vision. I adapted one of my favorite pieces "Atlantis" and furthered the journey in the minds of the listeners..."Atlanta is a place, Atlantis is a state"

What a tremendous honor to be in the house of Atlanta's arts family! We are able to create journeys into space, air, time, sound, and beyond your wildest fantasies. If you travel to Atlanta, you may be surprised at how small it is... how much of a family atmosphere drives its global influence. Atlantis is just below the surface... the waters of history run deep. We are exotic fish in an underground stream of conscious.

I send well wishes to Rhythm Child, the band behind Stacy's performance. RC is comprised of Everett James - drums, Ra - flute, Rehaset - djembe, and DJ AMDEX. Also, check out the flowing vibes of Rita J and STAHHR the Femcee who contribute to the book of rhyme. Also in the place were DJ DUG Boogie (www.djdugboogie.podomatic.com) , Jodine Dorce (www.jodinescorner.com), and FROLAB (www.frolab.com).

What a great day in the A!

peace, prosperity, and tell your story.


-delano

the 48 laws of cowards

OK, here is my take on the 48 Laws of power. As you see, some of these I agree with and many I take issue with. My point is to help you avoid unnecessary pressure and conflict with people. To accomplish in this world you can use your "powers for good," as Janelle Monae says. Only a coward seeks to drain another for personal gain. It is this type of thinking that okays institutionalized slavery, sweat shopping, and imperealism. There are worse things than being powerful, of course. But, to lust for power and to gain by manipulating others comes without grace and admiration. It is my belief that its about how many people you take with you...how many you help along the way that counts. Keep your bridges unburned and use your powers for good.


1. Cowards neglect the True Master's desire for personal Mastery
2. Cowards neglect the element of choice in friends; why even have enemies?
3. Cowards are morally embarassed by their intentions
4. Cowards lack the honor of verbal honesty
5. Cowards forget that reputations fluctuate, there are no absolutes or perfect people
6. Cowards must always be the center of attention
7. Cowards don't work for themselves and expect credit
8. Cowards are incapable of debate, they lack firm ideals
9. Immunity: Cowards fear bad days and sorrowful people
10. Learn that we are all dependent on each other
11. co dependence promotes social balance
12. Honesty is the best policy
13. Help is human
14. Cowards mask leverage as trust
15. :c)
16. Cowards neglect omnipresence
17. Cowards use fear to induce acceptence of occasional charity
18. Cowards leech
19. Cowards define themselves by other's perceptions
20. Cowards avert unity
21. Cowards concel viable gifts
22. The enemy of the coward is never converted
23. Cowards align not in Oness
24. Cowards are real-life actors
25. Cowards lack core values
26. Cowards' work requires extensive clean-up.
27. Cowards require idle worshipers
28. :c)
29. :c)
30. :c) (Let your hard work be celebrared)
31. Cowards way is control
32. Cowards play with people's emotions
33. Cowards court torture
34. Cowards know not that they are Royal
35. Cowards know not of Time
36. Cowards are stricken with sour grapes and act aloof
37. Cowards enjoy creating drama
38. Cowards wear The Mask
39. Cowards use drama as a trap
40. :c) yet, Cowards confuse offerings
41. Cowards seek not of lasting greatness
42. Cowards expect dependent opposition
43. See Law 32
44. The coward excitedly exposes flaws in others
45. Most politicians are cowards and visa versa
46. :c) Cowards shine not for the people
47. :c)
48. Assume ignorance

Law 1 Never Outshine the Master
Law 2 Never put too Much Trust in Friends, Learn how to use Enemies
Law 3 Conceal your Intentions
Law 4 Always Say Less than Necessary
Law 5 So Much Depends on Reputation – Guard it with your Life
Law 6 Court Attention at all Cost
Law 7 Get others to do the Work for you, but Always Take the Credit
Law 8 Make other People come to you – use Bait if Necessary
Law 9 Win through your Actions, Never through Argument
Law 10 Infection: Avoid the Unhappy and Unlucky
Law 11 Learn to Keep People Dependent on You
Law 12 Use Selective Honesty and Generosity to Disarm your Victim
Law 13 When Asking for Help, Appeal to People’s Self-Interest, Never to their Mercy or Gratitude
Law 14 Pose as a Friend, Work as a Spy
Law 15 Crush your Enemy Totally
Law 16 Use Absence to Increase Respect and Honor
Law 17 Keep Others in Suspended Terror: Cultivate an Air of Unpredictability
Law 18 Do Not Build Fortresses to Protect Yourself – Isolation is Dangerous
Law 19 Know Who You’re Dealing with – Do Not Offend the Wrong Person
Law 20 Do Not Commit to Anyone
Law 21 Play a Sucker to Catch a Sucker – Seem Dumber than your Mark
Law 22 Use the Surrender Tactic: Transform Weakness into Power
Law 23 Concentrate Your Forces
Law 24 Play the Perfect Courtier
Law 25 Re-Create Yourself
Law 26 Keep Your Hands Clean
Law 27 Play on People’s Need to Believe to Create a Cultlike Following
Law 28 Enter Action with Boldness
Law 29 Plan All the Way to the End
Law 30 Make your Accomplishments Seem Effortless
Law 31 Control the Options: Get Others to Play with the Cards you Deal
Law 32 Play to People’s Fantasies
Law 33 Discover Each Man’s Thumbscrew
Law 34 Be Royal in your Own Fashion: Act like a King to be treated like one
Law 35 Master the Art of Timing
Law 36 Disdain Things you cannot have: Ignoring them is the best Revenge
Law 37 Create Compelling Spectacles
Law 38 Think as you like but Behave like others
Law 39 Stir up Waters to Catch Fish
Law 40 Despise the Free Lunch
Law 41 Avoid Stepping into a Great Man’s Shoes
Law 42 Strike the Shepherd and the Sheep will Scatter
Law 43 Work on the Hearts and Minds of Others
Law 44 Disarm and Infuriate with the Mirror Effect
Law 45 Preach the Need for Change, but Never Reform too much at Once
Law 46 Never appear too Perfect
Law 47 Do not go Past the Mark you Aimed for; In Victory, Learn when to Stop
Law 48 Assume Formlessness