I never cease to be amazed by all of this. as i inhale, all the grit, smog, and exhaust, life seems to be just toxic enough to remind me that I'm alive. you know, pain is an indicator of a functioning nervous system. its there to teach you not to touch the hot stove again... it works kinda like fear and the fight or flight nature of the human animal. when i wait to exhale I get this weird head rush like i have a choice as to what happens next. naturally, i'd like to digest some clean oxygen but, it's getting too late for that. at least in the city. I was in south dakota once, presenting at black hills state university... and man, what a revelation! the united states is a vast mutha! and the crystal evening made my chest tingle from its simple purity. i was amazed to still be in america. a little (or a lot) of nitrogen is a good thing.
nowadayz, i get the feeling that my thoughts are connected to a loud speaker and those who choose to listen are hearing me. i guess my ego has to show up sometime... maybe it's not "just me..." but forreal, tonight i had a troubling sensation while at work. the thought which lasted for about 30 minutes was that i might not get to express all i want to before i die. or before you die. it saddened me. as an artist, a creative entity, a communicator - expression is as reflexive and vital as breathing. this in why i keep a blog. in case my flesh returns to dust, i feel like i've at least left some bread crumbs as to what i believe, what i feel, and what i dream about and live. this is my lil joust with writing an autobiography. the humble parts of me keep me patient to achieve more before i commit to telling all of my story. but, the feeling part of me just can't be silent until it all catches up with the book. so, as notes to myself... the atlanta renaissance is my own eclectic representation of my most turbulent twenties.... from about 25 on out. this is nothing new. i started keeping a journal in high school and my first one went with me on my first mission trip to jamaica, the isle of my father's birth.
today, i use it as practice to you know, "see if i still got it..." 3stax said something like that on "the art of storytellin pt. 4" i feel where he's coming from. you gotta have scruples about this life you're living because people are watching. children seem to find a way to get into- literally- what they see you doing, so i gotta do my part. i'm hardly a self-serving body, despite my aspirations to do great things personally. to give props where they are due I just finished reading a fantastic interview with one of my favorite musical artists Cee-Lo. http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/features/id.1124/title.cee-lo-green-what-a-long-strange-trip-its-been
I don't know how long the link will last, but for the time being it exists and it was a moving look into the state of mind of one of our Nation's greatest creative souls. forgive me if it rings bells, but like i said it's like my mind is on blast and i can't stop eating TNT. so, there you have it in a shell, the good stuff... me as i am! i'm proud of how this one feels, its flowing like a freestyle.
before i retire for the evening... thanks to all my folks for checking in with me... your thoughts are received too. amazing stuff, this life. the law of attraction is just the tip of the planet. continue to focus your thoughts on what is right, true, and pleasing to the Creator. "i could go on and on and on, but who cares?"
-delano
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Saturday, September 13, 2008
fat hollers
greetings...
it looks good, don'tcha know? when your planning comes to a head and you get something out of life. the fruition of finally. welcome back. giving a supafat holla to the Chief Party Rocka!
i hope we aren't reachin ya too late...good things take time to mature ya dig?
well, tomorrow is one of many big days. any day realy, but yeah, tomorrow - i can digit!
been a minute and maybe again
your friend,
delano :c)
it looks good, don'tcha know? when your planning comes to a head and you get something out of life. the fruition of finally. welcome back. giving a supafat holla to the Chief Party Rocka!
i hope we aren't reachin ya too late...good things take time to mature ya dig?
well, tomorrow is one of many big days. any day realy, but yeah, tomorrow - i can digit!
been a minute and maybe again
your friend,
delano :c)
Sunday, September 7, 2008
His Promise
What will the next four years look like? Feel like? What are your hopes? What is your vision for your life? How do you change those around you first to impact this world at large? How are you remembered?
This is a time for landmark opportunity. So much of what young progressives envision is a world that is at your fingertips. Moreso than double-clicking the planet, we are at pivotal periods in our life where what we fuel with energy, sacrifice, and dedication flourishes. This is when you will decide what you are willing to do to earn your keep, to make the grade, and to manifest your personal philosophies. In short, your golden years start here. As much as you are able to champion your cause you are able to define yourself on the spot, with every decision to your community and to yourself.
We stand on the brink of tomorrow and reach for the coming horizon. The Promise of America is in our hands. I challenge you to make yourself a promise. And keep it.
Hold up, did you get that? Make yourSELF a promise. And Keep it! This is the way we inspire a nation. Look around you. Who among your peers inspires you most? Most likely the person or persons who live adamatly dedicated lives with a sense of personal responsably and purpose - those who have decided that their cause is worth fighting for. They exhibit fearlessness by carving the future from ideas and hard-work. It is no secret. Progress colors resident feathers. Take flight! The wing of hope depends on contributions from all! Under the right conditions the collective result is lift.
"Our work will not be easy." It shouldn't. The marker of a changing nation is one where we can support ourselves and those around us. "All are needed to build this nation strong..." We awake to day, gifts of life as we please. How else can we hope to secure liberty? I am told: Go forth doing great things. Let us quaff collective seas. Please Shine.
America is the sum of its parts and words on paper. And as we commonly know and through the judicial process, the interpretation of laws is a dynamic process that shapes the future case by case. This is a promise we make to our future. To be aware of our personal importance and moral responsability to each other and to those who will come. To usher in the kind of future we want to live in. To be a part of the process of progress. To ultimately lead the eager minds of approaching generations... I believe in you and hope to be a worthy example.
The American promise is to our children, to our parents, to the earth, and beyond...
We can live in a better world. Together the accomplishments of individuals outlines the strength of us all. Let us be motivated. Let us be inspired. Let us be great. Let us be the change we hope to see. Let us be the Americans we hope to be.
better than yesterday, reaching for tomorrow... I promise to do my part in making this world a better place.
---> I don't know about you, but Barack Obama has inspired me.... see you all at the polls!
-delano
This is a time for landmark opportunity. So much of what young progressives envision is a world that is at your fingertips. Moreso than double-clicking the planet, we are at pivotal periods in our life where what we fuel with energy, sacrifice, and dedication flourishes. This is when you will decide what you are willing to do to earn your keep, to make the grade, and to manifest your personal philosophies. In short, your golden years start here. As much as you are able to champion your cause you are able to define yourself on the spot, with every decision to your community and to yourself.
We stand on the brink of tomorrow and reach for the coming horizon. The Promise of America is in our hands. I challenge you to make yourself a promise. And keep it.
Hold up, did you get that? Make yourSELF a promise. And Keep it! This is the way we inspire a nation. Look around you. Who among your peers inspires you most? Most likely the person or persons who live adamatly dedicated lives with a sense of personal responsably and purpose - those who have decided that their cause is worth fighting for. They exhibit fearlessness by carving the future from ideas and hard-work. It is no secret. Progress colors resident feathers. Take flight! The wing of hope depends on contributions from all! Under the right conditions the collective result is lift.
"Our work will not be easy." It shouldn't. The marker of a changing nation is one where we can support ourselves and those around us. "All are needed to build this nation strong..." We awake to day, gifts of life as we please. How else can we hope to secure liberty? I am told: Go forth doing great things. Let us quaff collective seas. Please Shine.
America is the sum of its parts and words on paper. And as we commonly know and through the judicial process, the interpretation of laws is a dynamic process that shapes the future case by case. This is a promise we make to our future. To be aware of our personal importance and moral responsability to each other and to those who will come. To usher in the kind of future we want to live in. To be a part of the process of progress. To ultimately lead the eager minds of approaching generations... I believe in you and hope to be a worthy example.
The American promise is to our children, to our parents, to the earth, and beyond...
We can live in a better world. Together the accomplishments of individuals outlines the strength of us all. Let us be motivated. Let us be inspired. Let us be great. Let us be the change we hope to see. Let us be the Americans we hope to be.
better than yesterday, reaching for tomorrow... I promise to do my part in making this world a better place.
---> I don't know about you, but Barack Obama has inspired me.... see you all at the polls!
-delano
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
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.
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.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
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
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
Saturday, August 16, 2008
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.
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