infinite JODISM

website update

2012-01-24T18:56:00.000-08:00

www.lenyonwhitaker.com

website update

2012-01-24T18:55:00.000-08:00

Check me out at

DOCUMENTATION THAT I EXIST

2009-02-10T10:17:00.000-08:00

The feeling of being invisible sometimes hurts,
Inner voices scream at the world,
Only to be blocked by walls of silence,
The feeling of being treated like garbage sometimes hurts,
I try to put out good karma in the universe,
Inner voices scream at the world,
Only to be deleted by those who crush dreams,
I just wanna feel alive,
My inner visions,
Fuel my inner vibes,
Battling the forces of evil,
Just to tell the world my name,
When my life is over,
Will they remember the song I sung for you,
Or the soulful masterpieces I painted,
The feeling of not existing sometimes hurts,
Inner voices scream at a world that isn't listening,
While my cries in the dark go unheard,
Does my life have meaning,
I am a cultural substance,
Demanding my existence be respected,
My umi says,
Shine your light on the world,
So the tattoo on my heart reads "The Mighty I Am".

("JODISM: Documentation That I Exist" opens Friday March 7th, 2009 at 6 pm as part of The Creative Arts Guild's First Friday event.)

Obama Skateboards by Visual Artist Jody L. Harris

2009-01-27T16:49:00.000-08:00

Attention!
Get your
Obama Skateboard today!
Collectors Edition ( Only 100 will be made)
$44.00 each
Celebrate our 44th president in a special way. Visual Artist Jody L. Harris and The Mad Lab are proud to present an opportunity for you to own a part of American History and help make Black History. Purchase an Obama Skateboard and support a good cause. A portion of the proceeds go towards The Starving Artist Fund. These works of art can be mounted or hung on your wall as art. We also offer customization such as names, pictures, important dates, etc. These limited edition skateboards are great for children and adults as well.
To get your Collectors Edition President Obama Skateboard before they sell-out, contact Jody Harris on facebook, myspace or jabz83@hotmail.com

I made the paper!

2009-01-20T14:47:00.001-08:00

Jody Harris, of Atlanta, paints an American flag behind silhouettes of Martin Luther King Jr. and Barack Obama on Monday at the Dalton Community Center during the United Way’s “Day of Service.” Volunteers painted several desks from the Emery Center with quotes and images depicting the civil rights movement.
/ Misty Watson

This is the article that goes along with the front page picture!

Words into action

Residents volunteer to honor MLK, serve community

Jamie Jones
Most holidays off from Dalton High School give Leonardo Martinez a chance to play sports with friends.

But not the Monday set aside to celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr.

Martinez was among numerous volunteers who put King’s words into action Monday as part of the United Way of Northwest Georgia’s “Day of Service” at the Dalton Community Center. Students on the United Way Youth Council helped organize the event.

“I wanted to help the community out, make the world a better place,” said Martinez, a 17-year-old sophomore. “I wanted to come here because my friends talked about it, and it sounded like something cool.”

Youth volunteers set up tables representing different countries and cultures including Mexico, Morocco and Scotland. The booths had information about the countries, while volunteers helped children with art and craft projects.

One of the more popular work stations gave children and teenagers an outlet for expression. Volunteers painted 24 desks from the Emery Center with quotes and pictures depicting the U.S. civil rights movement. The Emery Center, an African-American heritage/multicultural center, is where the first public school in Dalton once stood. The desks will be displayed in schools throughout Black History Month (February). They will later be auctioned with the proceeds going to the Emery Center.

Martinez meticulously wrote a quote on a piece of drawing paper. He planned to paint the quote from King: “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” Martinez interpreted the words as a call for freedom and to stop judging people.

There was also a professional artist there to help. Jody Harris, a 1994 graduate of Dalton High School, painted several desks. One was an image of President-elect Barack Obama with the words “Embrace Change,” another of future first lady Michelle Obama, and the final piece (with help from his cousin, Mario Harris) featured silhouettes of Obama and King with an American flag in the background.

“It’s basically part of Dr. King’s dream coming to fruition with Obama becoming president,” Harris said of the Obama/King painting. “This is my tribute.”

Martin Luther King Day holds special meaning to Harris, who is black.

“It used to mean honoring my ancestors and forefathers and everything they went through, but now it’s about the meaning of everybody embracing change and just coming together like Obama did — and everybody has, just look around,” Harris said.

Obama will be sworn in today as the country’s first black president. At the community center, three posters of Obama are in the lobby alongside posters bearing the images of black pioneers in government, science and education. There are also photographs of two former black Major League Baseball players who were born in Dalton: David Mann and Harry “Suitcase” Simpson.

The messages of King — unity, equality and freedom — were an integral part of the day.

Rod Weaver, a member of the United Way board of directors, gave attendees a brief history on King’s fruitful life, from his birth in Atlanta on Jan. 15, 1929, to his death by assassination in Memphis on April 4, 1968. Weaver noted that King sought to overcome blacks “being treated as second class citizens” through non-violence, whether it was boycotts, sit-ins or marches.

“King fought to overcome these challenges,” Weaver said.

The education continued through the day, wrapping up with tours of The Emery Center.

Above is a article/picture from the Daily Citizen Newspaper. I also performed a spoken word piece. Those pictures were in the Chattanooga Free Times paper today. I feel like a star. I volunteered to oversee the painting of 24 desks from the Emery Center which will be used to raise money for this black history museum. It felt good to do something positive and use my creative abilites for good.

infinite JODISM

2009-01-12T09:43:00.000-08:00

As the old folks say, feels like I need to be sendin up timber. I had breakfast this morning. My favorite, a fresh bag of barbeque pork rinds and a glass of ice cold grape kool aid. I got up this morning realizing that my birthday is Wednesday and I have alot to be thankful for. My free spirit and creative ora encourage me to move forward. The niggativity in my community and space is easier to deal with. No weapon formed against me shall prosper. In my personal life, I finally decided to put it in the Most High's hands. I was thinking back to last year at this time. I said I wanted to be in a committed relationship by my next birthday. It aint even close to happening and that is the only thing I keep beating myself up for. But yo, I do enjoy the lure of being an educated, single black man with no responsibilities except me. It is a historical year. Big moves are fixin to be made! I know for a fact that 2009 is gonna be my year. When I make it to Oprah, I'll have to keep my shout-out list short!

infinite JODISM, infinite POTENTIAL

2008-12-29T15:49:00.000-08:00

2008 is outta here! These pictures are important to me. These people have influenced my life and helped shaped the person I am today in some way, fashion or form. I read alot and love black history & culture. I love music, art and black folks. I love us and who we are.

The top picture is from the "I want your soul" artshow that Dan The Man put on @ The Eastside Lounge. Yall can check it out at www.manoamanoartshow.com I am a visual artist and my passion for art, music and culture will never die. I have always battled other people's thoughts on what I should do with my life. I recently worked for DFACS as a social services placement worker. Some family drama and interaction with DFACS has caused a conflict of interest. My heart and mind all along was screaming go back and follow your dreams. On december 23, 2008, I was forced to make a decision and I chose to do what makes Jody Harris happy while not giving a damn anymore about what my family thinks, my so called friends and outsiders opinions. In reality, I never listened anyway and never gave a flying fuck. In relation to finding a good woman, I realized that going out looking aint gettin me nowhere. When the most high sees it fit for me to meet my soulmate, then it'll happen so I aint gon sweat that anymore. She is out there!

The people in the pictures above never cared about what people thought about them and I am fully embracing their spirits. I realized my infinite potential is limitless and I can do whatever I want. It has inspired me to move forward and focus on my life, my energy, my universal purpose and my all around well being. Walking away from certain situations sometimes can be hard but if it needs to be done, then it needs to be done. Locally, I am called the renaissance man. I am getting my guitar out and gettin back into my music. I have a blues gig lined up at the blues train cafe in downtown dalton on tuesdays. I will be doing Muddy Waters "Hoochie Coochie Man" and other classics. I am also gettin back into my art and the art scene heavy in 2009. I already got some art shows lined up. I am gonna do what makes Jody happy and let the cards fall where they may.

Yall please stay jazzy! Pray for me and I'll do the same for you! Support the arts!

Jody is gonna be Jody in 2009.

2008-12-16T17:53:00.000-08:00

I am moving in a direction that solely focuses on what Jody wants and what makes Jody happy for the new year and the rest of my life. I wanna wish everyone a happy new year. The year of 2008 has been crazy for me. Due to family drama, my job may be in limbo. It has been a big learning experience. For a while, it sounded like a scratched record. I was working at a job I hated. My ride was bummed out. I was borderline straight broke. My family drama went up to another level. So called friends who turned snake showed both of their screwfaces. People came at me crazy, sistas dissed me, haters stepped up their hate and I made more friends than enemies. In my personal life, I came to terms and accepted the fact that I am cursed and will spend the rest of this life on earth alone banned from ever experiencing true love again. To be honest, that is some hard shit to accept as a man. On top of that, I don't have any kids and some people see me as incomplete or less of a person. I want to have kids someday but do to the fact that sistas aint feelin a cat like me, I may end up adopting. When these people said those hurtful things, it stung. Those negative people will be completely gone from my life soon as I am cleaning house. I have actually been told that to my face and that aint cool. I am a man though and I have learned to just keep stuff like this balled up. In 2009, I can't continue to do that. I gotta release it before it ends up killing me.

On a good note, I got a better job for now, I got a new ride and I am working on dealing with the loneliness. I don't hang out with my friends who have girls so I don't feel like the 3rd wheel and I stopped going to certain social events because I end up sticking out cause everyone is coupled up and I am in the kitchen alone hiding. I got over my ex-wife and our history. I got a chance to travel this year and will be traveling alot more in 2009. I got my family regardless and I am slowly regaining my faith. A part of me feels that I am gonna be alright. I am active in my community, I am talented and got alot of things going for me. Everythang is everythang! My groove is mine and my spirit can't be crushed. I am on a journey to restock my life with more positive and uplifting people. I love art and music and my life beat is soulful and jazzy mixed with eclectic. Sun Ra said space is the place. I am always thinking about exploring my space, my personal space and the infinite space around me. Realizing my infinite potential is exciting sometimes and I get hyped thinking about the journey ahead. While on that journey, I will continue to move forward, improving my life and hopefully discover my universal purpose along the way. I know the lord aint bought me this far to drop me off here!
Yall pray for me and I'll do the same for yall. Stay jazzy and support the arts!

PEACE and Blessings

Jody L. Harris( Art, Beats and The Creative Spirit)

2008-11-10T12:10:00.000-08:00

R.I.P. JAX! Condolences to The Thorton Family and Binkis Recs Crew!

2008-11-06T06:46:00.000-08:00

R.I.P. TO OUR GOOD FRIEND AND BROTHA JAX FROM BINKIS RECS. IF YALL BEEN IN ATLANTA AND KNOW THE UNDERGROUND MUSIC SCENE, THEN YOU KNOW WHO JAX IS. THIS BROTHA WAS COOL AND ALWAYS SPOKE EVERY TIME I SAW HIM. HE ALWAYS HAD SOMETHING GOOD TO SAY OR A GOOD CONVERSATION ABOUT MUSIC, ART, WHATEVER. JAX PUT OUT AN ALBUM YEARS AGO ENTITLED "JFK". IT STOOD FOR JAX FOREVER KING AND YOU ARE BROTHA. WE GON MISS YOU MAN!

OBAMA IS DA MAN!

2008-11-05T08:21:00.000-08:00

WE ELECTED THE FIRST BLACK MAN AS PRESIDENT. THE ANCESTORS ARE PROUD AND WE MUST REALIZE THERE IS STILL WORK TO DO! I WOKE UP THIS MORNING FEELING STRONGER ALREADY. OUR EVERYDAY EXISTENCE MUST BE RESPECTED NOW!

This year, halloween fell on a weekend, me and the geto boys trick r treatin

2008-10-31T06:10:00.000-07:00

I don't get down with halloween like I use to. I remember runnin with the NY crew and we was snatchin chains/gaffling whips in buckhead(shout out BIG JUS LUNE TNS). On halloween, The freaks come out at night. It is do or die time tonight as Dalton vs. Northwest Whitfield goes down. Who ever loses, their season is over and no playoff glory. On saturday, the dawgs and dem gators do battle at 3:30. It is November and gettin cold. This is football in the south. Today is pay day and I already had my bills paid so I got some loot to blow. Magic City and Dancers Elite, watch out, I am comin thru. Shout out to Cinnamon, CoCo, Passion and Ms. Nu Booty.

Pay Day and the GA/Fla game!

2008-10-30T11:33:00.000-07:00

I get paid tomorrow and the ga/fla game goes down on saturday. I am still in tifton finishing up another part of job training. The test is friday and I haven't studied. I been hanging out in the hood here in tifton. A woman long time ago told me that confidence is sexy on a man. I been flexin my confidence in tifton lately. It's been a testing site. I tried to holla a few times.I met this sista at the mcdonald's drive thru and she asked me to take her shopping. I ordered a cheeseburger and a large iced latte with light ice. I pulled off. I been hanging out in the hood at the pool hall and guess who I see hugged up in the corner, the mcdonald's gurl and some army dude.

Anyway, the dawgs and dem gators are gonna battle this saturday. This is a SEC showdown and this is what football is all about. We play real football here in the south and it is apart of life from birth. I bleed catamount red and remember my days of running out onto that field on friday nights back in the early 90's. Football in the south is life. When I have kids, they will have a dalton catamount jersey on after birth.

There are 2 things the woman who becomes my next wife MUST have.
1.) She HAS to be a die hard football fan.
2.)She MUST be able to make southern pecan pie from scratch just like my grandmothers.

Back to the subject. It is football season and this is around the time teams realize it is battle or go home!

After the after party on november 5, 2008!

2008-10-29T05:57:00.000-07:00

Fixin to be honest! I aint hatin. I am keepin it real. Before black folks get happy go lucky, there are some things we need to realize. Down here in the south, we still have to deal with Mr. Charlie and his goon squad jim crow. First, Mr.Charlie aint gon bees toos happy if we be hoppin round and hoopin n hollerin on lection day. Mr.Charlie is gonna be mad when he see us doing the running man up and down the streets. Mr.Charlie is gon do everythang he can to tarnish this. He has relied on his homeboy Willie Lynch for many years and now a change may be comin. I am voting for obama cause he is black. I hope this brotha gets in the white house and finally paints it black. Aretha Franklin get ready to sang your heart out baby! Ay, Bootsie, it's chocolate city, crank up the bass guitar. In reality, I have never liked authority or any form of government. I only conform in this society cause I have to in order to survive. In reality, I hate government, religious figures and those in authoritive positions. Yes, I do have issues! The purpose of government is to keep people deaf, dumb and blind to their underhanded dealings in washington and the world. I support non racist anarchists and their belief of overthrowning government. I use to be a socialist and I realized that any form of government is worthless. I have voted over the years out of respect for my grandparents and what their generation endured for me to get to where I am at. When Obama wins, people still need to hold back on making him their savior. Black folks don't need to place him so high cause he is still a human. He will be under pressure to do things to satisfy alot of people and that is gonna be impossible. It is an exciting time and a great moment in history. I know some of the ancestors will be sangin and givin each other high fives saying we made it and others will be happy but still embracing the notion that we still got a long way to go. We should be excited at the facts surrounding this election and whats about to go down. On the wigflip, I read alot about subversive organizations and I use to listen to groups like "Screw Driver" and "Hate Breed". Under the surface, these types of people have always existed and they don't like anybody. The after party I am talking about aint the same type they got in mind. As yall seen in the news recently about the skinhead plot, they see this a a way to start their race war. I am from a mountainous region of north georgia and there are militias and various types of groups. There are some black folks like my inner circle that took steps to protect ourselves if something ever went down years ago. Anyway, go Obama. He win, We in! I am callin in sick november 5 and I am leavin kool-aid packets in the water fountains at work on Monday. Fried chicken, murray's hair grease and watermelon for everybody! It's a celebration.

Friends, time, space and life CHOICES.

2008-10-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

It has been mad crazy the past couple of days. I got folks coming at me saying that I am throwing my life up in they face. To an extent, I do talk about being free to do what ever the f*%k I wanna do since I have no restrictions. I am a young brotha just chillin and I realized I don't want any kids now, controlling women/needy women, extra bills or BS in my life. Folks comin at me cause I got this thang going on called "IT's All About Jody". This particular person made choices of their own that got them in the situation their in with a bunch of kids and 4 different baby mamas. We been homeboys since elementary school. I got alot of homeboys and family members in the same situation or worst and I feel sorry for them sometimes. I got one person to worry about and I am taking care of myself just fine.IT SEEMS LIKE THEY WANT ME TO FEEL GUILTY CAUSE I AM DOIN ALRIGHT IN MY LIFE RIGHT NOW AND WALKIN WITH MY HEAD TO THE SKY WHILE THEY STRUGGLE WITH BABY MAMA DRAMA, CHILD SUPPORT MOB STYLE SHAKE DOWNS. On the wigflip, I am back doing training in tifton,ga. It appears that my over seers have put a block on access to sites like myspace, facebook and facebook. I got another facebook page. Yall check it out.

Breast Cancer Day @ my job!

2008-10-22T16:26:00.000-07:00

I will be wearing a pink ribbon on thursday for my Aunt Sammie. She lives in Chicago and has been battling this disease like a warrior for years. I pray for my aunt and all people affected by this illness. I know she gon make and she gon be just fine. I know it! We are a strong, close knit family and we got her back. I also have a co-worker who was given the all clear sign recently and she doesn't have to take chemo anymore. I always thought pink was a girlie color. For this occassion, I was gon rock a pink jumpsuit but realized that wouldn't be a good PR move with the possible future wifey prospects in this day and age. I aint tryin to go out like Cameron did with the pink land rover, the pink fur and the big ass pink earrings he use to rock. I will have my ribbon on my shirt and my Aunt Sammie in my mind and heart. Yall stay jazzy!

The New New

2008-10-21T10:13:00.000-07:00

Check out the pictures below. This is from the Art Fusion 40 event this past saturday. Today is tuesday. I went to the doctor for a check up. I have lost 3 more pounds and feelin great. By this coming spring, I wanna be able to walk around on the beach in my wife beater showing off my tattooes.

R.I.P. Rudy Ray Moore aka DOLEMITE

2008-10-20T09:22:00.000-07:00

If you don't know who this man is then you are a sucka! And I will tell yo mama to her face that you are a sucka! Rudy Ray Moore is the human tornado aka petey wheatstraw the devil's son-in-law. He is one of the greats and his contributions will not be forgotten. Thank you Rudy Ray Moore for making us laugh and feel good.

ART FUSION @WOODRUFF ARTS CENTER this past saturday/10-18-08

2008-10-20T08:37:00.000-07:00

This event was put on by good brotha Jason Orr, founder of the Funk Jazz Kafe. I came out to this event and really enjoyed seeing old friends and showing off the new Jody Harris. Everybody was surprised and it felt good getting compliments about my weight loss. I got pictures with alot of good folks and got some more coming.

Punch Drunk Arms

2008-10-17T06:03:00.000-07:00

My arms use to brag to each other,
They use to brag about how soft she was,
And how they miss her,
My arms use to brag to each other,
They use to brag about how they use to hold her closely,
And shield her from the bitter cold,
My arms use to brag to each other about her.

Art Fusion@ The woodruff arts center and my connection!

2008-10-16T18:07:00.000-07:00

It is going down this saturday. I went to ACA from fall 1994-1999. I had a chance to meet and hang out with some good people like netifa, chaka aka I Self Devine, fahamou, eric mack, eric hudson, juan, j-dogg, angelbear, will canty, chelle, Joe wheeler, chelle #2(the one that went with will), anika, angela, stephanie, mike jones, terrence, cx, Ryan newman, caleb scott, kagan, obie, born, melanie, larry larr from jersey, andre moore, brian and napeleon, eugene byrd, Dre aka the wal-mart pimp from college park, kevin sipp, honey goode, frankie skates, ash puu(will), del, charles, leo, derek, nique, kish barrington(R.I.P.) and many more cool people. I use to let eric mack shape up my afro back then and we listened to diamond d's first album like 20 times. I also use to smoke some good weed with some of these cats over at the A.U.C. during the zulu nation meetings.

ON THIS SATURDAY, IT IS GOING DOWN AT THE WOODRUFF ARTS CENTER. IT IS ART FUSION. IT WILL HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF THINGS GOING ON SIMILAR TO THE FUNKJAZZ KAFE. DJ AND SOUL BROTHA TABONE ALONG WITH OTHERS WILL BE THERE AND THERE IS A 500 POETRY SLAM CONTEST, 6 LIVE ARTISTS CREATING ON THE SPOT, A VENDORS AREA AND MUCH MORE. THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. YALL PLEASE COME OUT.
ALL ATLANTA COLLEGE OF ART MASIVE WHO ATTENDED ACA DURING THE GOLDEN AGE SHOULD COME OUT AND THINK BACK TO OUR DAYS FROM FALL 1994-1999. R.I.P. TO GOOD BROTHA "KISH BARRINGTON".
IT IS GOING DOWN THIS SATURDAY AT THE WOODRUFF ARTS CENTER FROM 8PM-2AM.
THERE WILL BE FREE HUGS FOR ALL SINGLE LADIES WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!

Book will be here by Christmas Holidays! Yippee!

2008-10-16T07:37:00.000-07:00

A puzzle called Black Women.

2008-10-13T16:51:00.000-07:00

I am about to keep it real again! I am a single brotha back on the dating scene. I have been working on getting my inner house in order before I really try to get into another long term relationship or any kind of relationship for that matter. I have alot to offer a sista. I have found out the hard way that the dating scene has changed. It is a puzzle trying to figure out women. Throw in trying to figure out black women. When they say this, it really means something else. When she does that, she really means this. Then they get mad at us when we don't figure out whatever message they tryin to communicate. I am a man and I think like a man! Sometimes we don't catch on to things. I admit that I am usually thinkin bout something else like when the game come on, do I need to finish grad school, is the beer cold, should I buy that new king magazine, will I get some this weekend, do I buy bread & milk or some rubbers and when is pay day. On the wigflip, I am having fun. I have only 1 person to take care of and I am taking care of myself just fine. I sincerely hope I put this puzzle together someday and find my soulmate. I know she is out there.

Relationship Quote from The Dalai Lama
Consider the following. We humans are social beings. We come into the world as the result of others' actions. We survive here in dependence on others. Whether we like it or not, there is hardly a moment of our lives when we do not benefit from others' activities. For this reason it is hardly surprising that most of our happiness arises in the context of our relationships with others.
Nor is it so remarkable that our greatest joy should come when we are motivated by concern for others. But that is not all. We find that not only do altruistic actions bring about happiness but they also lessen our experience of suffering. Here I am not suggesting that the individual whose actions are motivated by the wish to bring others' happiness necessarily meets with less misfortune than the one who does not. Sickness, old age, mishaps of one sort or another are the same for us all. But the sufferings which undermine our internal peace -- anxiety, doubt, disappointment -- these things are definitely less. In our concern for others, we worry less about ourselves. When we worry less about ourselves an experience of our own suffering is less intense.
What does this tell us? Firstly, because our every action has a universal dimension, a potential impact on others' happiness, ethics are necessary as a means to ensure that we do not harm others. Secondly, it tells us that genuine happiness consists in those spiritual qualities of love, compassion, patience, tolerance and forgiveness and so on. For it is these which provide both for our happiness and others' happiness. [Ethics for a New Millennium, by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama]

LIFE

2008-10-13T16:23:00.000-07:00

"We do not grow absolutely, chronologically. We grow sometimes in one dimension, and not in another; unevenly. We grow partially. We are relative. We are mature in one realm, childish in another. The past, present, and future mingle and pull us backward, forward, or fix us in the present. We are made up of layers, cells, constellations." ---Anais Nin

NORMAN WHITFEILD(R.I.P. Brotha)

2008-10-13T15:59:00.000-07:00

If you have heard of the Motown Sound, then you know who this brotha is. We have lost another great black contributor to the world. If you seen the movie about the Temptations then you know who this soul brotha is. Norman Whitfield, songwriter and producer who co-wrote a string of Motown classics including "War," "Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)" and "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," died. He was 67.
A spokeswoman at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center said Whitfield died there Tuesday. He suffered from complications of diabetes and had recently emerged from a coma, The Detroit Free Press reported.
The New York-born Whitfield was a longtime Motown producer who during the 1960s and '70s injected rock and psychedelic touches into the label's soul music.
Many of his biggest hits were co-written with Barrett Strong, with whom he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2004. He and Strong won the Grammy in 1972 for best R&B song for the Temptations' "Papa Was a Rolling Stone."
Many of Whitfield's songs from late '60s and early '70s have a strong political tone, including the Temptations' 1970 "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)," and Edwin Starr's 1970 "War."
In his only No. 1 hit, Starr sings in an anguished voice that war is "a heartbreaker, friend only to the undertaker. ... What is it good for? Absolutely nothing!" Whitfield produced as well as co-wrote the song.
Among Whitfield's other songs were "Cloud Nine," "Beauty Is Only Skin Deep" and "Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)," all hits for the Temptations; and "Too Busy Thinking About My Baby," a 1969 hit for Marvin Gaye.
The group Undisputed Truth had a top five hit in 1971 with Whitfield and Strong's "Smiling Faces Sometimes."
Whitfield "was able to go beyond R&B cliches with punchy melodies and arrangements and topical lyrics," Joe McEwen and Jim Miller wrote in "The Rolling Stone Illustrated History of Rock & Roll."
Whitfield won another Grammy in 1976 for best original TV or motion picture score for "Car Wash." The movie's theme song was a No. 1 hit for Rose Royce and a Golden Globe nominee for best original song.
In a statement, Motown great Smokey Robinson hailed Whitfield as "one of the most prolific songwriters and record producers of our time. He will live forever through his great music."
Just last week, Gaye's version of "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," from 1968, was ranked at No. 65 in Billboard magazine's compilation of the top singles of the past 50 years.

THANK YOU NORMAN WHITFIELD AND WE WILL MISS YOU BROTHA!

I PASSED!

2008-10-10T18:50:00.000-07:00

In the past, I had a wife in my corner to support me and encourage me when things got dicey. Now we are divorced and in different places. It's been almost 2 years. I am my only form of a support system right now and this morning I thought I missed her or missed her being in my corner. Then I started thinkin about how far I have come. From trying to commit suicide to depression to getting a new job to gettin a new ride and a new crib. I have passed some hard tests in life so far and this little test for certification can't scared me. Today, I took the first test for my job training certification in Tifton,GA. I was lounging last night tryin to get with this honey in the lobby but she kept talkin about studying. I wanted to study also. I am a man and I think like a man! I can't help it. Anyway, I went to my room to watch the wake forest/clemson game and chatted on the phone with a new friend to about 3 in the morning. She is cool and really down to earth. I got up this morning realizing that I had messed around and wasted my thursday night study time. We took the test today in the training course and I ended up making a 84. I passed the test and got the first part of my certification for this job. I am happy and ready to get drunk. The only thing is that I have to go back to tifton next week for more training all the way til november 7. Yo, I still get bad vibes sometimes but in the long run, I think my life is gonna stay on this current track to improving and I am gonna be alright. The biggest test here was dealing with emotions from my divorce and ex-wife. I am over her and have moved on. I feel I passed that test. I'm stronger.

When keepin it real goes wrong! Pt. 1

2008-10-09T13:44:00.001-07:00

Keepin it real! I woke up today breathing. I thank the most high for letting me see another day regardless of the BS I know I'm gon deal with. I am in tifton,ga training for my job certification. When you give a lady a compliment, it is supposed to be in good faith. I am a cool cat who is laid back and when I see a pretty woman, I sometimes let them know. It is funny how somebody can change the way a person feels about themselves with a compliment. Words do have power. I am respectful and never rude or nasty with it. Anyway, it rained like hell down here today and got dark outside. I am gonna leave this blog entry right here!

A feeling of uneasiness

2008-10-07T15:53:00.000-07:00

Since I been in tifton, ga doing my training for the job, I have been getting a slight feeling of uneasiness. It is centered around work. People are acting funny. I got alot of shit coming at me all of a sudden. It's aint cool!

TeMika Grooms(yall check her out)

2008-10-05T19:58:00.000-07:00

Temika Grooms is a cool sista that does alot. She is active in the arts community and I have known her a couple of years now. She is mad cool cause she always speaks and treats folks warmly. She is a visual artist, wife, full-time angel and mother doing good things. She is working on a book as a illustrator and also helps run a A-AFTA( African Americans For The Arts. If yall wanna find out more about Temika, just scroll down and click on my muse arts in my contributors section. She is also in my top 32 on my myspace page. Other than that, I had to drive back down to tifton,ga today to finish some training for my job. Yall be easy!

Training Day Part 2

2008-10-02T19:35:00.000-07:00

I am still deep in durty south georgia in week one of my job training. It has been a learning experience and I've made some new friends. I been eating out and gettin full. This evening, I went to go ask this sista stayin at the hampton inn if she wanted to get a movie. She wasn't there so I went to dinner with some trainees from Macon. They were cool. I paid my car insurance bill over the phone and it was more than I expected. It is funny cause I was briefly dealing with a sista who has the same name as this sista I am training with. I can't wait to get home. I got bills to pay and some other stuff to handle. I hope everything goes smoothly and I get to work this job for years to come. I still got some side dreams.

Broadcastin live from Tifton,GA

2008-09-29T14:05:00.000-07:00

I am broadcasting live from Tifton, GA @ The big fancy Courtyard Marriot. I just finished training classes for the day. This place got a jacuzzi and indoor pool. They got complimentary fruit trays and beer. I tried to eye this honey in training class. She lounged around after class but I couldn't get a clear shot at her to holla. I got my scope focused for tuesday. On top of all that, it feels good being away from my drama back home for a minute. I am trying to posse up and head over to Albany State for some of their homecoming activities. I cut my phone off and aint anwsering shit. I will be training down here for the next 2 weeks. There are alot of beautiful south gawga sistas down here but aint shit to do in the crazy small town. I habve been tempted to go hang out at wal-mart cause I seen some folks cruising the parking lot. I am thankful I got a job and once I get some things straighteened out, I am on top finally. I have no kids, I am single, I got my own crib, I got my own ride. I don't have to answer to anyone and that is a good feeling. I use to have issues with my ex-wife, our divorce and being alone but then I looked around at some of my homeboys situations and some of my family members situation and realized I AM FREE. I am free to spend my money on me and only me. I am free to travel. I am free to spend my time doing whatever I want to whenever I want too. I aint braggin and I thank GOD for all of my recent blessings and accomplishments. On the wigflip, my Ohio State Buckeyes take on Penn State. We shall overcome!

Training Day

2008-09-26T13:10:00.000-07:00

USC TROJANS got beat on thursday and I am glad. The BCS is gonna be screwed up again this year. In other news, on Sunday, I leave for tifton,ga for training for my job. While down there, I am gonna try and hit up the albany state homecoming step show and talent show. I have been on this new job now for a minute and I thought some of my problems would go away. It seems in some regards that I have been chased by more problems that are coming outta the woodworks everyday. On the wigflip, I am taking my painting stuff and my headphones and cd's to chill out. Over the past 5 years, I have realized that if you aint equipped fully, life can drive you to drinkin. I have been trying to put good energy out in the universe and all I get in return is bull shit slaps. Oneday I am gonna regain my title as king.

Active H.O.P.E./Downtown Dalton Market

2008-09-25T10:46:00.000-07:00

H.O.P.E. stands for Helping Others Propel & Excel. We are active in our community. Part it together and you get Active H.O.P.E. I am currently the president of the organization. We will be setting up this weekend as part of the market festival selling hotdogs, chips and icees to raise money for our upcoming events such as The Feed The Hungry drive, Kids Claus Project and Barack the Vote drive to the polls event on November 4. We are a group of young folks trying to make a change in our hood and the community starting with the kids. We have had various events and gatherings to help with the cause. On this saturday, if possible, come out to downtown dalton on saturday from 10am-4pm and enjoy yo self. I will also be showcasing some new abstract work and a portion of the proceeds from my art sales goes towards Active H.O.P.E. We got some big things coming up the next 6 months. Yall stay jazzy!

Rakim Allah(One of THE GREATEST)

2008-09-23T16:32:00.000-07:00

The first time I heard Eric B & Rakim, I was cold chillin at my homeboy Brad's house and his older brother Scotty had just got back with the cassette tape. He put it in the stereo deck, push the dolby surround sound and the future was revealed. I heard you "gotta has soul" and then we listened to "I aint no joke" about 20 times. Then we listened to "Microphone Fiend" and I knew I wanted to emcee. The word play, the beat and the flow was ill. This was back in the cassette tape days. We played the paint off that mutha! I had never heard of the 5%ers until then. Afterwards, I started researching on my own to find out more about the nation of gods and earths. I'm from a small city in northwest,ga and you can imagine me coming home tellin my mama that the black man is god. Word life sun! I started walking around dalton talkin like I was from New York mixed with my southern drawal. I use to ask folks, what's the lesson for the day? Check out that Eric B & Rakim sun. I Self Lord And Master travel faster than the speed of light sun. WHAT! All the while during this phase, I had never been to new york or even met a real brotha or sista down with the gods. When I moved to Atlanta(Atlantis aka Allah's Garden) to attend college in 1994, I got a chance to hang out with cats from everywhere. I first met I Self Devine, Caleb, Eric Mack, Andre, Larry Larr, CX and others at The Atlanta College of Art. Also, DJ Kool Akiem was in the group Micranots with I Self Devine. I use to run with some graf cats at 5 points who were studying the lessons also. I ran with El, C-Knowledge, Devine Allah, Hajj Womack, Knowledge Allah, Shammgodd Allah, Prophecy, Fury, Lay Low Allah, Rasta Stax, The Twin Wisdoms from Ethiopia and Que Ciph. These cats were cool people and we use to sit beside the royal peacock and build to like 5 am sometimes. I also hung out alot back then at the A.U.C. for the zulu nation meetings they use to have at Clark. I was there. I miss those days. Fall 1994- Summer 1996 was on and poppin! There are alot of famous members/followers of Clarence 13x and the 5% Nation like Nas, AZ, Erkya Badu, Planet Asia, Wu-Tang Clan, Sunz of Man, Big Daddy Kane, King Sun, Poor Righteous Teachers, Jaz, Makeba Mooncycle and Mobb Deep. Rakim is one of the greatest emcees ever and he has made big contributions to life, music and the world. Big Ups!

a new week/back to work

2008-09-22T11:04:00.000-07:00

My blog entry today is short and to the point.I have been in chill mode since thursday. I was late for work this morning. I over slept and didn't wanna get up. I need to wash clothes and clean up my crib. I got some pieces I need to work on. I got some training to finish at work. On the wigflip, I did get a bite off one of the bait lines I threw out and she is pretty. Also, I heard the jazmine sullivan album comes out on tuesday. I may break outta chill mode by wednesday or thursday. Whatever the case, I'm chillin!

Weight Loss

2008-09-18T06:46:00.000-07:00

I have changed my eating habits the past year in hopes of gettin slim. I have always felt comfortable with myself but people around me didn't. I have always been known as the fat guy with jokes. I got on the scale on tuesday. It said 224 pounds. I am almost to my target weight. I am down a couple of pants sizes. I use to wear a size 54 in pants at my biggest. Now I am down to a size 40. My biggest weight was 342 pounds and I reached that during 2006. Now I am down to 224 pounds thanks to stress, healthy eating and walking at the local school track in the evenings. By May 2009, I wanna be around 200 pounds.

One sad monday with an upside!

2008-09-15T13:54:00.000-07:00

My once highly ranked Ohio State Buckeyes forgot to show up for battle saturday and the part of the team that did was slaughtered. I am very down and disappointed. On the wigflip, my little sister moved back home from Miami with the kids and we are so glad. Thank you God for bringing my sister and the kids home safely!

Weekend events/The Happs

2008-09-13T14:54:00.000-07:00

Today is my little sister's birthday, my grandmother's birthday and my cousin Mika's birthday. I wish them all a happy earthday and pray the most high continues to allow them to celebrate many, many more. This morning, the H.O.P.E. group set up at the downtown dalton festival. We sold corn in a cup, hotdogs,chips and icees. I also set up some of my art and sold a few pieces. Also, the Concerned Citizens Group set up and sold rib plates and they did pretty durn good. It started out cool and then the sun came out and baked us all slowly. The next Downtown Dalton Festival is Sept 27,2008 from 10am-3pm and we will be setting up again. I was amazed at the response I got from my work because Dalton is a backwards town and I don't trust anyone or depend on anyone for shit. I truly expected to get the usual bullshit. I got some but majority of the people who stopped by my booth were positive especially the people that bought art or food. While we were posted up, there were alot of honeys and big apple bottoms of all shades and races walkin around. I wanted to attend FSO(For Sistas Only) this year but had other obligations. I made some money and H.O.P.E. made some money so that is good and it was worth it. Now I am gettin ready for gametime at 8pm. My ohio state buckeyes do battle with the usc trojans. It is crazy cause I couldn't find anybody to bet with on this game. Maybe I should move to Las Vegas. On the wigflip, I have ran into a couple of gurls I went to high school with and haven't seen in 13 or 14 years. Please excuse my french for this next statement but I think like a man. They all looked great but are married with kids and one in particular has thickened out nicely with a bunch of junk in the trunk. It is crazy cause in high school, she was flat as an ironing board with absolutely nothing now she got a whole bunch of BASS. I have been working on expressing myself more verbally and this blog has been a great place to help with that. I can get it all out!

Mad Crazy Week/Stress/Say no to drugs/College football

2008-09-12T14:21:00.001-07:00

Finally, it is friday! I had to deal with some wackness this week. The end to another crazy week. Tonight, my alma mater The Catamounts of Dalton High School will take on the South Paulding County somebodies. Dalton High School footabll is currently on a 48 straight year winning seasons streak. On tomorrow, The Ohio State Buckeyes take on USC. My buckeyes were dropped in the polls from #3 to #5 and now we got something to prove. I predict it will be a close game. In college football, it is good to lose early in the season so by bowl time, things would've changed. Just look at 2 loss LSU last year winning the BCS championship. Anyway, hopefully I am getting a new cd player in my ride on Monday or Tuesday of next week. I am hoping overall next week starts out good. The next couple of weeks in general are gonna be busy. I watched the office, my name is earl and 30 rock last night and laughed alot. Those are 3 of my favorite shows especially the office and my name is earl. Sometimes, stress, drama and niggativity can drive a person to drinking and smoking crack. I am stronger than that!

Crazy Thursday! It's almost Friday!

2008-09-11T15:52:00.000-07:00

As usual, this week has been crazy. I found out that a close, close family has been telling folks it is partially my fault for his current situation. Then I have a friend come at me crazy for the last time about some loot. On top of that, my bank decides they wanna rob me again with some ole crazy overdraft fee. I am trying to get back to Mexico before june 2009. That is when you will have to have a valid passport to cross the border. This time I went, I only had to show my birth certificate and a state issued I.D. I am going to Mexico to see what I can sell to make some big loot faster. I got my kidneys, my teeth, pinky toes I don't use and my tonsils. On the wigflip, my overall life seems to be getting brighter. If I could just figure out how to get the negative people completely out of my circle then things would flow smooth. That is hard when some of the negative people don't realize they are negative people in my life and I don't know how to tell them to step off. There aren't really any good college football games on tonight. I will be ready and posted up on Saturday CAUSE MY OHIO STATE BUCKEYES WILL BE DOING BATTLE AGAINST THOSE USC TROJANS. I predict QB phenom Terrell Pryor will be apart of the buckeyes offense and use this game to formally introduce the college football world to the future of The Ohio State University Buckeyes. After that, I can't wait til Monday, it is pay day and I am chillin next weekend. I hope no bull ish comes my way but yall know how that is. Stay jazzy!

Musiq Soulchild @ The Tabernacle tonight!

2008-09-10T13:34:00.000-07:00

Musiq SoulChild will be gettin down this evening at the Tabernacle in the A.T.L. I had a chance to see Musiq awhile back at the Roxy in buckhead. This was back around the second album when he did this particular show. It was a free show and took to long for him to get on stage. The opening act was forgettable. But some time has passed and I think Musiq is gonna throw down tonight.

Lost in Translation

2008-09-09T15:33:00.000-07:00

I aint the one to put my business on front street. I was on a blog today and saw a fly example of black love still existing in current times. It was pictures of this sista and some of her girls hanging out in Oakland. Too make a long story short, a brotha showed up with some flowers, family members and surprised his lady and proposed on the spot causing 11 black woman to start screaming and gettin loud. The media and mainstream america have portrayed us as animals, prison fillers, cowards as fathers, non-promise keepers, thugs and irresponsible beings not capable of true committment to anything or anyone. Looking at this particular blog entry on this sistas site made me think about my own experience. I was once married to a beautiful, beautiful black woman. She was my 5th rib and part of my backbone that gave me the strenght to go out into the world everyday and do battle standing alittle stronger and taller with my head to the sky. We hooked up during the summer of 1996. We were married in 1998 and made it to 2007 before outside interference on her part(adultery or networking as she called it) took it's toll. Looking at those pictures on that sistas blog sling shotted me to the present. Being single after being off the market for all those years is scary even as a man. Things have changed and black women are more self centered and financially ego driven while solely focusing on the exterior instead of the interior. Trust me, I know! Sometimes it is a bad experience when you got alot of love to offer and give but the worthy prospects seem to be checking for someone else. In my case, I have been getting the good friend label. I know alot of females who are CEO's,professional baby mamas, lawyers, social workers, artists, singers, stylists,professional whores, students,poets,etc and some of them consider me their brother or a close friend. I get called when the nucka they with is trippin, dogging them out or they just need somebody to talk too. It is frustrating to a point cause they complain about aint no good brothas left when they aint really lookin. It is time for us to embrace CHANGE. Sistas need to give all brothas a fair chance. Anyway, it is inspiring to be able to see that black love still exist and is possible in this day and age. Black love and black power are pure forms of positive energy we need in our life. I pray it is possible for me again oneday.

Jazmine Sullivan/Soul Singer/Fly Sista

2008-09-08T16:54:00.000-07:00

I think this sista can sang. She is pretty and very easy on the eyes. I like the song and wish missy wasn't on it. I heard jazmin is from philly. Seems like there is alot of soul floating around that area. I hope the album and the next single are good and not full of filler ish. I also hope they don't go and do a stupid remix of this song with somebody stupid who doesn't match like lil wayne, t-pain or r.kelly. I am tired of them nuckas especially t-pain. J Records should not do a remix with somebody stupid and mess this young girl up. I should be an A&R or something. On the wigflip, I hope this sista doesn't get drowned out by the commercial bullshit like Estelle did. Jazmin Sullivan and Estelle are both extremely talented and deserve some shine time. Yall check out her album and check out Estelle.

The Art of Ice Grillin (Part 4)

2008-09-08T16:30:00.000-07:00

I really liked CB4 when it came out. I put it up there with other low budget movies like "Fear of a big hat" and " I'm gon get you sucka". Charlie Murphy and Chris Rock starred in this hip hop inspired jewel. I have been practicing my ice grillin techniques and facial poses. I have been working on the mc gusto ice grill. I almost got it downpacked. Once I master this ice grill pose, it will expand my ice grillin arsenal. I will be ready to battle on the spot if I am further challenged. CB4 is a classic movie and the group was hardcore gangsta. That is my goal in mastering this ice grill pose. A mean mug can cause instant fear in opponents. In the real world, it is still grill or be grilled!

This Chick is Crazy!!

2008-09-08T12:49:00.000-07:00

Oh My God....

If you've ever seen Flip This House,

You're going to LOVE this! lol

A thin line between love and paint (Part 2)

2008-09-06T11:59:00.000-07:00

I will be train spotting in a couple of weeks down in East Point and over in the West End. I need to get a better camera. I have always been a fan of graf since the early 80's. I have never been to New York. As a artist, I always try to stay open to new techniques, trends and styles of art from all over the world. I really, really got deeply into wanting to do graf when I first met CANE, MEGA, ILL JABRIL, WON, MUTANT and b-boy/graf head MENDEZ from MADCLOUT. Ever since, I have practicing the craft and gettin up when I can. I hadn't heard from CANE in a minute until he hollered at me on myspace. He is in Miami now and Ill Jabril is still in the A.T.L. somewhere. The rest of the UAA crew is around and I seen a MEGA piece on a freight train the other day way up here. It is funny how maintstream amerikkka calls graf "vandalism" but uses it in everyday ads to promote various products. As you can see from the random pictures above, graf is a artform. If yall wanna see some great graf, check out www.artcrimes.com

"SIMPLY A JOY"

2008-09-04T15:18:00.000-07:00

When GOD created blackwomen,
It showcased heavenly art,
It is amazing to look at sistas sometimes,
We have our differences and moments,
We argue and fall out sometimes,
We fight together and march side by side sometimes,
We make-up and heal sometimes,
Regardless,
I love blackwomen,
Sometimes it is simply a joy,
To be in your royal presence,
Often it is simply a joy to watch you walk,
The blessing of your shapes,
Your style,
The attitude,
The hand on the hip and neck poppin,
The way you talk,
As a people we been through alot,
You are the mother of civilization,
The one who was with me in the hull of the slave ship,
And the one beside me on the auction block,
You are the only one who knows and overstands my struggle,
Problems and issues between us shouldn't divide,
Sometimes it's simply a joy,
To look into a blackwoman's eyes.

Ledisi/Soul Singer/Fly Suga Sista

2008-09-04T15:05:00.000-07:00

I aint hatin on Ashanti or Keyshia Cole, but if I don't like it, I don't like it, that don't mean that I'm hatin. I don't see anything in relation to true substance in yalls music once I get past the good good images. Anyway, I copped the raphael saadiq album a minute ago. I had heard some of it on the "Urban Flavas" show. On the instant vintage album he had a song with Ledisi and I really dug her sound. I checked her out and finally copped the Lost and Found album. This sista can really sang. The album is mellow and has some good joints on it. I hope she gets some time to shine. I seen a picture of Ledisi at Ear Wax records before it closed in an issue of Rolling Out. This sista is bad. She is beautiful and talented. We need to support good soul artists like Ledisi and let them know that we appreciate their talents and the time they spend to share it with us. Yall pick up Ledisi's joints and check out her show when she comes to ya town. PEACE!

Lauren Makk/Trading Spaces/TLC/Fly Sista

2008-09-04T14:42:00.000-07:00

When I aint workin, side hustling my art, snappin into a slim jim or tryin to get rich, I watch T.V. One saturday night a couple of months ago, I was flippin through the channels and came across this heavenly form of art named Lauren. I am from the south and we like our women thick with meat on they bones. This sista upped the WOW factor just with her smile. She is a designer on the TLC show Trading Spaces. Yo, I was like dammmn! This sista is stacked and I mean stacked like a brickhouse. Anyway, no disrespect! I have been watching the show since just to see my future baby mama but now it is college football season and nothing else really matters the next couple of months. I checked out Ms. Lauren Makk's bio and discovered that she is a artist. She is into hip hop and graffiti. I said damn that is sexy. I can dig a sista that will be down to tag a freight, do a throw up or end to end without being scared(that's graf head lingo). This sista has a beautiful smile and the dimples give ya a warm fuzzy feeling of good whole-some-ness! On the real, This sista is a artist and interior designer. I think that is cool. It is good to see sistas doing all types of things to help break down stereotypes. It inspires me to wanna do better and keep my head to the sky. We need that sometimes! Yall can check out the beautiful Lauren Makk on Trading Spaces on saturday nights on TLC. Yall be easy!

THE WHIP

2008-09-03T12:54:00.000-07:00

I thank the most high for the blessings and learning experiences I have gotten so far this year. I got up early this morning and went to the dealership to pick up my ride. I got a 2002 Ford Escape. It is not the 300 I wanted but it will do for now. It aint as bad on gas as the V-8 explorer I had and it still has enough space for me and my work. I needed another ride to get to point A to point B. It is liberating sometimes when you don't have to ask people who front for a GODDAMN THING! Anyway, I put in this CD to ride out on and the song that came on was Big Daddy Kane's "Aint No Half Steppin". I got some other bills to take care of and still settle in the new gig. Then I feel that everythang should ease up alittle as far as stress and bullshit. The crazy thing is that I had a family member trip on me this weekend adding to more family drama. This time I didn't let it get to me. I did good and just brushed it off like whatever. I am learning how to deal with family drama better now by totally focusing on JODY and solely what makes JODY happy. I am a single man with no kids so I only have myself to take care of and that is my #1 mission. I know there are ill will wishers among my circle who don't want me to get ahead. I am sorry to inform them that I intend to keep on keepin on and they can kiss my entire royal black ass. Don't take my words out of context, I love everybody! I can't wait til next week, I heard that new MADLIB album is coming out. Yall stay jazzy!

Sunny Anderson/Cooking For Real/The Food Channel/Fly Sista

2008-09-03T12:38:00.003-07:00

Ay yo, I was channel surfing one Sunday morning trying to decide if I was gonna go to church or stay home and watch garbage. I came across this caramel, french fry brown thick sista cookin some southern fried chicken. I said well guy-lee-bum. She is beautiful and knows how to cook. I am a man and I started thinkin like a man. What if I came home and she was dressed in a nurses outfit cookin? Anyway, no disrespect. I watched the show a couple more times and discovered that Sunny is a multi-talented sista who is a army gal, a popular hip hop deejay, tv show host, author, model and professional cook/chef. It is cool to see young sistas doing big things to help break down stereotypes and further their careers as successful ladies and productive members of society. Yall can catch Sunny Anderson doing her thang on "Cookin for Real" on Sunday mornings on the food channel @ 10:30 am.Big Ups!

Lauren Lake/HGTV/Spice Up My Kitchen/Fly Sista

2008-09-03T12:26:00.000-07:00

Yo, I was flippin through the channels one tuesday night and seen this cornbread thick sista holding a can of paint. I said good-googly-mooh. This sista is bad and she is not only a tv show host, interior designer, legal consulter but also a high powered lawyer. I have been watching the show "spice up my kitchen" ever since just to see her. After watching the show, she makes a brotha wanna get up and go to Lowes to buy a new dishwasher, marble counter tops and some floor tile even though I don't need it. Yall check her out! Spice up my kitchen comes on tuesdays at 8:30 on HGTV.

H.O.P.E. GROUP/DOWNTOWN FESTIVAL/Sept.13,2008

2008-09-03T11:55:00.000-07:00

THE H.O.P.E.(Helping Others Propel & Excel) Group
On Saturday Sept.13,2008 from 10am-4pm, the HOPE group will be setting up a booth at the downtown festival in lovely, small Dalton,GA. The HOPE GROUP is a non profit organization that puts on events to better the community. We will be selling goods to raise money for some of our upcoming events this fall. The group is made up of honest folks with good souls like Erica Pender, Tyree Goodlett, Keith Johnson and myself. We got together about a year ago and decided we wanted to do something positive for our community and surrounding areas. So far, we have had successful events and gatherings like the pre-MLK talent showcase, the kidz Claus project, the feed the hungry program, a toy drive, a back to school supply drive, a voter registration drive, a community health and job fair, a touch of jazz event and much more. We also took it upon ourselves to bring back the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Talent Show and it was a big success this past January. We packed the place out and can't wait til next year. We are 4 young people trying to make a change. It has been hard cause sometimes our own people have fronted on us but we have kept on pushin. We will continue to keep pushin forward. On september 13, 2008 at the downtown festival, we will be kicking off our fall with these booth set ups selling food and art to fund some of our upcoming events. I ask that yall come out and show some love or just join our volunteer list. We are looking for volunteers to help drive people to the polls on voting day if they need a ride. We aint in this for the fame or a pat on the back, we are doing this because somebody from our generation has to step up and take our turn at bat. In the words of a great black scholar, "knowing forces us to act". Knowing that we need to promote change in the hood has forced us to act. Yall be easy. PEACE!

Ay, September is here yall!

2008-09-02T10:40:00.000-07:00

Today is tuesday. I am looking for a woman who can make pecan pie from scratch. Suprisingly, there are alot of folks who have read my blog and thought it was funny. I laugh at some of my experiences too. Life is crazy! I have met alot of interesting people. The holiday weekend went by fast as hell. I am sitting at work slightly bored and ready for wednesday. I can't front, there are some fly women that at this new job. I am a man and I think like a man but in this case, I gotta work. Lord willing, I will be pickin up my vehicle and ridin out into the sunset like every good hero should. Gotta pick out my ride out theme music. The last vehicle I got, I rode out listening to jay dilla's "donuts" album. On the wigflip, my training schedule has changed again. I maybe movin to another crib. I changed my mind about moving up north to brooklynn, new york. I am a southern born and raised cat. This is a new month and there is some good music coming out. Madlib has a new album coming and we get the debut from sexy soul gal Jazmin Sullivan. I heard that Saigon is finally gonna release his joint. "Saigon meets Just Blaze" is ill and this kid can rhyme. I keep smelling blue cheese dressing. I need to wash clothes like yesterday.

RIDE

2008-08-30T09:23:00.000-07:00

Today is a nice sunny day. College football is here. Things haven't gone according to plan but I am adapting. Due to some ish, I got up this morning and went to purchase a new vehicle. I am getting a 2002 Ford Escape LXT. It is not the 300 I wanted but it will do. A beggar can't be choosy. I will be pickin it up on wednesday and finishing up the paper work. I will be broke again until my next pay check and then it is on. I am still trying to get into a groove at the new gig. There is alot of paper work and detailed stuff I will have to keep up with. I am chilling today and fixin to get back on the side grind cuase I need the extrta doe now. I hope the blessings continue to flow my way and my storm is over or at least the dark cloud that follows me around is about to move on to someone else. I still got some family drama and negative energy coming my way for no reason and it aint even cool. On the flip side, I my cousin Dirty D has a video release party coming up sept.6,2008 at club tipsy's. It is for his single "fastlane" from his upcoming mixtape/album. I recorded a song with him that will be on the upcoming album. I am in my early 30's and thinking about retiring for good from the music game as a performer. People are saying I would make a good manager for some of these younger cats. I don't know yet. Yall stayed tuned!

TGIF

2008-08-29T05:28:00.000-07:00

FINALLY! FRIDAY IS HERE. COLLEGE FOOTBALL SEASON JUMPS OFF BIG TIME ON SATURDAY! IT IS A HOLIDAY WEEKEND! I have learned alot at my new gig these past 2 weeks. I am deep into training and all that good stuff. I am glad to be workin full time. I will be resuming my weekly trips to wax n facts and full moon records to continue to build my record collection. I am currently updating my wardrobe with some new threads. Since I have lost close to 70 pounds, my old clothes don't fit anymore and that is good. I still have alot of things on my plate but it is easier to deal with now.

8:00 tonight ESPN

2008-08-28T10:46:00.000-07:00

Didn't blog yesterday. I was way too busy. The sun is out and the rain is gone. Today is thursday. Tonight, n.c. state and south carolina kick off college football season and I am glad. I have been swamped with paper work. I already need a break and a vacation. I just found out that my state training will be in savannah, austell, atlanta and moultrie, ga from september 8-october 30 on and off. WOW! On top of all that, I need a new vehicle. I am sitting here wishing 5 o'clock would hurry up and come on. This new job so far is like my life overall, very confusing. Anyway, I am glad college football season is here. Also, this holiday weekend, I will have some doe in my pocket and some free time.

College Football Season/THE OHIO STATE BUCKEYES

2008-08-26T17:28:00.000-07:00

I am born and raised in the South. Football in the south is a big thing. In some places, we eat and sleep football. It is almost officially COLLEGE FOOTBALL SEASON. We are counting down to this thursday when n.c. state and south carolina get things started. I AM A COLLEGE FOOTBALL JUNKIE AND YOU COULD GET SHOT, STABBED OR DRAGGED IF YOU DISTRUB ME ON SATURDAYS DURING THE MONTHS SEPTEMBER-DECEMBER. My buckeyes are ranked #3. I just read that QB phenom Terrell Pryor will get some playing time this saturday in the opener. RB Beenie Wells is ready for another great season and we will be ready for all comp. I am fed up with SEC fans yappin bout our record against sec teams. The mission this year is to shut up all that babblin. The BCS still needs to be done away with and we need a playoff in college football. Anyway, fall is near and let the pre game celebrations begin.

Today was an alright day! Shout out Roy Ayers!

2008-08-26T15:44:00.000-07:00

"I live in Newtown baby". Today was alright! I got to see some beautiful women, hung in the a.t.l. for a minute, got some money and ate at the varsity. I woke up this morning breathing. It was raining and appeared to be another gloomy day. Trying to find a real reason to smile sometimes when you feel like poop is hard. During recent trials and tribulations, I have found that music has a vibe changing effect. I had the blues today cause of a situation at work. I was also riding on fumes with change in my pocket wondering how I'm get to work the rest of the week. I did a customized piece of art for a extra fine young sista(shout to tammy t) and she liked it. It is always a compliment when a person purchases a piece of art. I wish friday would hurry up and come on damn it! COLLEGE FOOTBALL SEASON IS ALMOST HERE! But on the real, Roy Ayers is the man. If you have seen the movie "Coffy", then you'll know this cat is for real. The first time I heard "We live in brooklynn baby", I was at the old warehouse in 1994. It came on and all the upnorth folks went crazy. Later during cool out moments, I heard another Roy Ayers classic "Everybody loves the sunshine". I heard this on the first brand nubian album. Roy Ayers music and his style is on some galactic funk ish. Between Roy Ayers, The Crusaders and Lonnie Liston Smith, you aint living right if you aint checked these cats out. I am a soul music junkie. I can listen to some great music and feel better instantly. I am chillin. I am looking forward to the rest of this week, the rest of this month, the rest of the year and the rest of my life being one big learning experience. I got alot of stuff on my plate, I got some big things on the horizon. Gotta go with the flow!

start of a new week

2008-08-25T14:42:00.000-07:00

yo, it is raining today and gloomy. I am confident the rest of the week will not be as bummed. I got the new Al Green cd and I am gonna check it out this evening. Next week at this time, football season will have officially started and everythang should be dandy!

It's Friday!

2008-08-22T16:05:00.000-07:00

It is friday and I am glad. Didn't get to blog yesterday cause the job is time consuming. I got this big ole book of state rules and procedures to learn and gotta go thru hella training. I have just completed my first week of the new gig. I have learned alot about state laws and family stuff this week. I think I am gonna be able to do this job. It is alot of paper work and detailed. I got to sit in court this week during my training and watch some cases. I also got to sit in on some panel reviews for a few cases and a custody hearing. It is all eye opening. I think I wore too much nag champa body oil today. Anyway, I will be working with the HOPE GROUP on saturday for the downtown festival. I hope it doesn't rain and people show up and support us.

Everythang is Everythang!

2008-08-20T17:05:00.000-07:00

They say being honesty is the best policy. Sometimes I feel like the world is mine. Sometimes I feel like shit. I realized that some of my stress is self found and the other 75% comes from everyday situations and ill will wishers. As I said earlier, life can throw curve balls sometimes we don't expect. During my lunch break today, I had a flat tire on my way to take a drug test. I got 5 bucks to my name until payday and already ridin on fumes. Since starting this new job, it seems like my plate has gotten crowded and my time is compacted. I got alot of things to do like set up with the H.O.P.E. Group at the downtown festival this weekend and sell food to raise money for our organization. I am gonna help promote a fish fry fundraiser for my cousin. I also gotta work on completing training at work and got a million things to learn to get certified. I also got family drama to deal with. I got a couple of people hollering at me about some music stuff. I got to get ready for my sista-n-laws big party on september 6. I also gotta get a oil change ASAP. Now I gotta find a good spare tire. On top of all that, I volunteered to assist the creative arts guild crew with the upcoming fall arts festival. In a way, I am glad I have stayed busy doing something. If everythang goes according to my new plan B, this labor day weekend is gonna be on and I will be poplockin like Re-Run instead of lookin crazy like Fred.

One of the ILLEST ever.

2008-08-20T16:38:00.000-07:00

ONE OF THE ILLEST EMCEES EVER. HIS STYLE AND FLOW IS OFF THE METER. PHAROAHE MONCH IS OVERLOOKED. BACK WHEN IT CAME OUT YEARS AGO, I COPPED THE ORGANIZED KONFUSION ALBUM "EQUINOX". THIS CAT WAS KICKIN RHYMES THAT MADE YOU HIT REWIND A COUPLE OF TIMES. I HAVEN'T DID THAT SINCE THE GOLDEN AGE. ON ONE SONG, HE SAID "i leave no optical footprints within the sands of time so it's impossible to follow me" OVER THIS ILL BEAT. ALOT OF PEOPLE WERE DIGGING "SIMON SAYS" BUT I REALLY DUG "BEHIND CLOSED DOORS" CAUSE THE BEAT WAS ILL. ON THE LATEST ALBUM, I REALLY LIKE THE SONG" PUSHIN" CAUSE I CAN RELATE TO IT. YALL CHECK OUT PHAROAHE ON THE REMIX OF "THE HEALER" BY ERYKAH BADU. THIS CAT IS BAD AND I RATE HIM IN MY TOP TEN TRUE LYRICISTS OF ALL TIME. TELL YOUR CREW, DON'T SLEEP!

Erykah Badu

2008-08-20T16:08:00.000-07:00

I like erykah badu. My favorite song off of her new album is "MASTER TEACHER" ft. Georgia Ann Muldrow. I think erykah badu is fly. Since having kids, she has gotten thick as all out doors. I saw this post on okayplayer. I also like the song she did with SA-RA Creative Partners. She also did a song on the strange fruit project.

"It seems a little odd to pick up a compilation of vintage blues tracks and find Erykah Badu’s name snuggled in among the credits. The album, due out next Tuesday, is called A Brief History of the Blues — a collection of classic performances by such masters as Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Bessie Smith and Elmore James. Erykah crops up in a duet with guitarist and fellow Texan Doyle Bramhall II on an old Charley Patton song called 'Oh Death,' and it’s a smoky, soulful take on the tune." I WANNA SHOUT OUT TO THE 5% NATION OF GODS AND EARTHS. I SEND A PERSONAL SHOUT OUT TO THE CATS I HUNG OUT WITH BACK IN 1994-1995 AT THE AUC ZULU NATION MEETINGS. KEEP BUILDING!

A thin line between love and paint!

2008-08-19T17:16:00.000-07:00

Graf Heads Unite Worldwide to Get up and Get Down! S.A.M.O. Lives! DONDI rock, rock on! Shout out to Fab 5 Freddy. Graf is apart of true hip hop culture. I paint on canvas and I've painted on walls beautifying scenery. I have tagged the freights, did train spotting and hung out at the writer's bench. It is one of the original elements. In the words of Big Jus "LUNE TNS", this is for those standing behind the fence and for those starting to climb.

I also wanna shout out to CANE UNIVERSIAL for giving me my first opportunity to get get up on a throw up at the civic yard when we did a video for Peas In The Pod. That was the first time I met Ill Jabril and we all have been cool ever since. The next night we were out loungin, I met MEGA, WON and the world famous MUTANT aka DJ wildlife. Before then, I had only used spraypaint for murals/paintings. I had always did graf tags in my blackbook. This was my first time doing a piece at the world famous civic yard in the A.T.L. Ill Jabril let me borrow this book on Dondi White and I was blown away. I had already seen the movie "Wild Stlye". I copped the movies "Bomb the System" and "Style Wars" from Criminal Records in little 5 points. I started mixing graf into my paintings and sculptures. I started out tryin to mimic new york writers until I developed my own style that I was comfortable with. As far as true hip hop and the elements, I was addicted. I started boosting tips and sharpies just to say I did it. Now I have gotten older and wiser. I am in a new setting and fixin to start gettin up. I got a new tag name and I am on some "catch me if you can shit". PEACE! Shout out to BIG JUS "LUNE TNS", THE ARTIFACTS, JAZ(aca alumni), CRISIS, TOTEM, HENSE,SEVER, DOSE, THE UAA CREW, GSK CREW and THE TATS CREW.

I love it when a plan comes together!

2008-08-19T16:36:00.000-07:00

Life is crazy. Life throws curve balls sometimes we don't expect. This past weekend, I celebrated with my peeps and got a little tipsy at a party. I aint a drinker but I decided to pretend to be one. I started my new job on Monday. It was cool and eye opening. I am excited about the job, working for a cause and getting paid. If everythang goes right,I don't have to deal with art consignment folks anymore or the idiots at my old job. When I got to work yesterday, my supervisor showed me my office and I just sat there for a minute to take it all in. The day was going good until I got off and went home. Family drama seems to follow me even when I aint lookin for it. Now I feel my exodus from this part of town is drawing closer. People are pulling me in different directions and it aint cool. The bright spot in all this recent madness is my cousin. My cousin has been a godsend. She has helped me out alot from letting me burn cd's at her crib to borrowing her vehicle. Other than my mentally ill mother, my family has helped me with good advice to get through my personal issues over the past 2 years. I feel like my life is on the upswing sometimes. I tried to mack down this honeydip at a big party this past weekend and she fronted. Her negro is in jail and she talkin bout she waitin on him. The negro aint gettin out for about 30 years. But yo, the JODSTER moves full speed ahead. On september 6, 2008, my sista-in-law is having a big turning 30 party at the creative arts guild. She is a cool sista and a positive person in the community. I will be doing a live painting during the celebration while poetry is being performed. It is an all white party. I am gon do my thang. I am cool because I have been sucka punched by life a couple of times and got right back up.

Serena Williams

2008-08-16T11:10:00.000-07:00

I seen a blog post on kid chaos site and was inspired. Serena Williams is sunshine liquor. She bad! I can't lie. She is a beautiful sista that gets my mojo workin. Besides Nia Long, Estelle, Monique, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Paula J. Parker, Kimberly Locke, India Arie and Oprah, Serena is in the running to be my first baby mama. Yall check out www.thekaoseffect.com and the photo shoot from the ebony gig she did. I have never been a tennis fan. I only watch tennis when somebody black is playing like venus, serena or carl malone's daughter. It is the same with golf. When tiger is playing, I watch it. Other than that, it is boring. Black women come in all shapes, sizes, skin tones, attitudes and styles. I truly appreciate my sistas and it makes a brotha feel warm and proud to see them doing things that tear down stereotypes. My granny said "God was showing off when he created the black woman." Serena and her sister do all types of things from Fashion Design to modeling. I am bigging up all the sistas! Yall stay jazzy and beautiful! We still need each other.

They call him FELA KUTI.

2008-08-16T10:38:00.000-07:00

Fela Kuti is the man. I was hangin with fellow conscious collective member Adina at GSU back in 2003. We were talking about Nina Simone and then we got on the subject of world music. She mentioned this cat Fela Kuti. Up til then, I had heard of Fela but hadn't heard his music. I first heard Fela on a show on WRFG 89.3 in atlanta. The song of course was "Funky Horns". Then I got a chance to hear "Water no get enemy" and it blow my mind. I was like damn thats some real african funk. The intro to that song is awesome and Fela to me is the African version of James Brown. I started wondering like what if those 2 had got together and made some music back then. That ish would have been off the chain. I like the political flare of Fela. He did long songs and called them albums. I seen a Fela album that has 3 songs on it and one of the songs is about 20 minutes long. This brotha was jammin. I got a chance when I was hangin out with dj 4th wurld and solomon to hear "Coffin for heads of state". He straight up told the nigerian government what he truly thought about them and didn't back down. The Afro-beat sound is addictive. Jamal Ahmad use to put on a sunday evening event at endenu a couple of summers ago. I was listening to fela and started doing these little afro heads with the faces painted like fela's wives. I sold one to Jamal Ahmad and took a picture of it for my portfolio. Another Fela song I dig is "Fight to Finish". With all the people who front on me for no reason, this song is inspiring and encourages me to continue to move forward regardless of what people think about me. In the words of Fela, now I just "Look and Laugh". Yall check out some Fela Kuti and his son Femi. Yo, on some realness, Some People think that since I am from the country backwoods of the south and I speak with an accent and have no dread locks that we are all on some dumb ish. I listen to all types of music, read, went to college, speak 2 languages, write, paint, sip Mr.Boston, burn incense and eat watermelon. Realize that if those black folks from the dirty south back in the early 1900's had never decided to move up North, there would be no harlem renaissance or any of that. I wish black folks would get over those simple things and let's all get down and build.
peace!

Tiombe Lockhart

2008-08-16T10:09:00.000-07:00

Tiombe Lockhart is cool. She is a singer but I also see her as a performance artist. I first heard her on a song from a mixtape. She did a cover of "Another one Bites the dust" and then I heard her on the Platinum Pied Piers album. Tiombe is on some future 80's ish with her style and image. I really like tiombe and Georgia Ann Muldrow. I hope Tiombe comes to atlanta and perform sometime in the future. I also really dug the platinum pied piers album. I would like to see those cats get some shine too. They did a song with SA-RA creative partners on this album too. All those cats are bad. The song "Act Like you know" featuring Jay Dilla is one of my favorite cuts. I also play the song "Lights Out" at high volume when my neighbor gets to trippin. My favorite Tiombe Lockhart song is "Mr. Johnny Walker". I heard this song on a dj jamad afromentals mixtape. I gotta hit moods music to cop some tiombe lockhart joints. I recently copped that Georgia Ann Muldrow "Fragments" album and it was dope. The only thing is that the songs are way too short. Yo, I am cool jody because I step outside the box and listen to all kinds of music. Yall check out Tiombe Lockhart, Georgia Ann Muldrow, Waajeed, Platinum Pied Piers at www.bling47.com

The Art of Ice Grillin Pt.3(Shonuff)

2008-08-15T09:13:00.000-07:00

I have been working on another ice grill pose. This one is influenced by the 80's. I had to go old school. Yall remember this cat. This is Shonuff aka The Shogun of Harlem from the berry gordy 1985 movie "The Last Dragon". The dude that played shonuff had a mean ice grill. He also played sonia's boyfriend on a episode of "227". This movie is a classic and starred Tai mak and Vanity along with SugarHill Gang's Master Gee's little brother Leo O'Brien who played richie. Yall remember when he was tied up and he breakdanced his way out of the ropes to go save Vanity. That was ill. I have had a chance to use this shonuff ice grill while standing in line at the post office. This lady was mean muggin me cause I took a parking spot from her outside. I could feel her laser eyes burning the back of my head so I turned around and ice grilled her. I had to think quick so I pulled out the shonuff ice grill pose. I wish I would have had the same outfit he had on in the movie. As I ice grilled her, I wanted to take a line from the movie and ask, "Whose the master?", but I felt that would have been too intimidating so I let up a little and turned back around. The lady got out of line and I felt the victory was all mine. I got my stamps, put the letters in the drop box and walked out to my truck. This lady had dumped what looked like a milkshake on the hood and threw some trash under the truck to make it look like I was extreme littering. Regardless, I will continue to practice the shonuff ice grill pose. Don't be suprised if you see me at Apache Cafe in the crowd with some shonuff lokes on and ice grillin. If yall get a chance, go and rent the movie "The Last Dragon". The 80's are coming back and I been 2 steps ahead years ago. Yall stay fresh!

A New Start

2008-08-15T08:35:00.000-07:00

This coming monday, I will be officially starting a new job. It is a state job and the pay is alright. When I applied for the job, the pay listed was what I really wanted. I discovered that the pay grade I am starting out at is towards the bottom and I have to work my way up to top pay. It was sorta a bummer but I am thankful I got the job and working in a different field. I had been working at temp agencies and doing some teaching on the side while doing my art thang. Now I can relax alittle bit and focus on this current job and making it stable. I had made some big plans with the pay I thought I was gonna get. I was gonna move into this loft and get me a 300. I already went and picked it out. I toured the loft and went and looked at some new furniture. I figured since I am a single man with no kids I can do this since I only have me to worry about. I also went and checked out some flat screens since college football starts in 2 weeks. But, I gotta put some of that stuff on hold until I settle into this new job. My cousin opened her hair salon in union city and it is fly. She wants to get some of my salon art and sculptures to put in her salon. My cousin bought 10 pieces of art from me last November and told a bunch of her clients. The name of her salon is Naturally Gifted Hair Salon and it is located in union city across the street from Pep Boys off in the cut. Yall stop by and check her out and please support black owned businesses. Back to the subject, I am thankful for this job, the income and the stability. I am still gonna work on moving back to atlanta within the next 6-8 months. I've did my time in dalton and gotten over my divorce. Now I am recharged, reborn and ready to get back in the loop in atlanta. Oh snap, college football season is 2 weeks away. I may have to quit this job if it messes with the season. During the months of late august to bowl season in january, I am a college football junkie. I have been known to ice grill folks down who distrub me when a game is on especially if it is my OHIO STATE BUCKEYES. Yall stay tuned!

SCHOOL DAZE/Goin Greek

2008-08-14T17:11:00.000-07:00

I am not greek. I tried to pledge a certain frat but it didn't work out. I decided to try and make alittle change off my connections. I said if I ever have a daughter, she will be a delta. If I ever have a son, he will be a que. There are alot of famous greeks like Shaq, Michael Jordan, Steve Harvey, Cheryl Underwood, Keisha Knight Pullam, Camille Cosby, Bill Cosby, Cedric the Entertainer, Morris Chestnutt and Michelle Obama. I stopped doing greek stuff after they started cracking down on anybody who wasn't licensed. This is a example of the greek paraphernelia I use to create. These pictures are from a Delta Sigma Theta Inc event. They have an annual vendors fair where they let people come in and sell their goods. I got into doing parphernelia after going to a step show at Morris Brown College back in Fall 1994. Since, I have created paddles, keychains, totem poles, jewelry boxes, tiki necklaces, wall decor and much more. I have made greek stuff for some famous folks like Mr. Andy Young and his wife, Mrs. Joni Mitchell at Atlanta Technical College, Alicia from The Burning Sands, Mrs. Kim Eccels of Atlanta Metropolitan College and soul brotha Jamal Ahmad purchased a piece for his mother. I create alot of items for all sororities and fraternaties. I know alot of delta's and aka's. My ex-wife was a Zeta. I have alot of ques, alpha's and sigma's in my family. When I was making paraphernelia, my biggest supporters were delta's and aka's. I never had any problems and they were always great about placing orders. I stopped by to visit one of my folks at atlanta metro and she wanted to place some orders. On top of that, she said she knows a young lady that goes to her church that she would like me to meet. That is off the subject but the ladies of delta sigma theta inc. have been great to me since 1998 and I appreciate everyone that has ever supported my greek paraphernelia business. I wanna shout out all the greek/oes/mason folks at atlanta metropolitan college, fort valley state college, atlanta technical college and the eastpoint/college park alumni chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Incorporated.

The Art of Ice Grillin Pt.2

2008-08-14T13:24:00.000-07:00

If yall live in atlanta and have rode MARTA, yall know it can be an adventure in it self. This cat at 5 points a couple of years ago ice grilled me down cause I would not give him some change. At the time, I was already hurtin cause my truck was tore up and I was using public transpo. I was mad that morning and I gave him a ice grill back. This is the ice grill pose I gave him back. It was early in the morning and I was pissed already. I called this the " I just woke up/WTF" ice grill pose. In breaking news, I recently got a challenge for a Ice Grill Stare Down from RAW. With the ice grill poses I have now, I am equipped to battle anybody, women included. I have the classic hood ice grill, I have the popular "you broke in line" ice grill and the super poison prison ice grill. I am working on mastering the Charlie Murphy ice grill he used in the movie "CB4" as gusto. When I get that pose down packed, I will call it the gusto ice grill in honor of Charlie Murphy. This is another ice grill pose I am working on. The picture features a new ice grill from my resume. This one is used in final rounds to throw my opponent off and confuse them. I call this my "I just woke up/WTF" ice grill. I haven't mastered it yet. I have used it a couple of times. I used it on this kid at the grocery store who tried to take the last slim jim. I had to think fast as to which I grill I should use. The funny thing is, this kid had a ice grill himself and it threw me for a loop. I wasn't expecting it. When I look up, his ghetto mama had the classic ice grill pose and the hand on the hip. I was out numbered and out grilled on a saturday morning. So I have been practicing the "I just woke up/WTF" ice grill. Yall give me some feed back. Should I battle with this ice grill pose or should I use the other one? When I aint chasing beautiful women, painting or riding in my Bentley, I am hard at work mastering THE ART OF ICE GRILLIN.

peace

WATTSTAX (yall need to see this movie)

2008-08-13T07:51:00.000-07:00

About 5 years ago, I got a chance to see a movie that changed my life. The movie was called "WATTSTAX". It is a movie about a concert in 1972 in watts that featured Issac Hayes, Jesse Jackson, Rufus Thomas, Melvin Van Peeples, Ossie Davis/Ruby Dee, The Staple Singers, Little Milton and Johnny Taylor. The images in this movie were off the chain. My parents named me Jody because my pops was a Johnny Taylor fan and he had a big hit in the 70's called "Jody's Got Yo Girl". There was pop lockers, big afros, bell bottoms, polyester suites, chicken, platform shoes, hip huggas, dancing, sanging, perms, braids, guitars, drums, and master Richard Pryor tellin gut bustin jokes. This movie was put on by Stax records in memphis and tells the story about soul music. Some of the sistas in this movie are hot and it showcases the soul curves black women are known for worldwide. The crazy thing is that you will see somebody in this movie that looks like somebody you see in the hood everyday. At the end, this big limo comes rollin in and the people start to go crazy. Jesse Jackson is on stage and he introduces black moses. Issac Hayes come on stage in this chain vest and then proceeds to tear the house down. It is very symbolic considering his recent passing. On the soundtrack album, Hayes does a cover version of a ray charles classic and he gits busy. After I seen this movie, I started incorporating more of the 70's vibe into some of my black art. I have did 3ft sized afro-piks, afro totem poles and afro statues. I was born in the 70's and I love the music, clothes and styles. The richard pryor parts are funny as hell and you will die laughing and farting at the same time. This movie is great and I suggest yall check it out.

The Art of Ice Grillin Pt.1

2008-08-13T07:14:00.000-07:00

Ice Cube is known worldwide for his ice grill pose with the jheri curl on the cover of his Amerikkka's Most Wanted album back in the day. There are some other cats who have mastered the art of ice grillin too like DMX, Immortal Technique, Ghostface Killah, M1 from Dead Prez and Charlie Murphy. Charlie Murphy is ill with it cause he has been known to scare the shit out of people with his classic prison ice grill technique. People ask me why I look so mean some times. I aint mad or angry. Sometimes I am just trying to master the art of ice grillin. You gotta have a mean mugshot pose for everyday use in the hood. Don't I look intimidating? This is one of my most famous ice grillin poses. I got a couple more in my arsenal I am working on mastering. Someday, I wanna have a ice grillin contest against cube. We will battle 3 rounds and winner takes the title of master ice griller. So if you see me at the post office or snapping into a slim jim at a redlight, be prepared cause I might just ice grill you like I am filming a rap video. I aint mad or angry or looking mean for no purpose, I am practicing the art of ice grillin. Don't get too close or you might get grilled! It is grill or be grilled son!What!

peace

The Blues

2008-08-12T10:22:00.000-07:00

This is a painting I am working on. The blues originated in the south and I am proud of that. We have all experienced the blues from our grandmothers and fathers workin in the fields to being racial profiled by dumb ass police in 2008. This picture above is something different I am dwelling on. It is a picture of blues man "Sonny Boy Williamson". I have always listened to the blues and really got into it when I started listening to the Deacon Blues show on clark university's 91.9 WCLK station on saturday mornings. Deacon Blues(who is from chattanooga, tn and a professor at Clark) did a tribute to Sonny Boy and talked about this blues man's style with the Harmonica. Sonny Boy was smooth and could get down with the best of them. With blues music, the name you go by is embedded in the overall lure and ora of true southern blues music and culture. I have experienced the blues and felt like dying sometimes. All I needed was a guitar, a corner shot of Mr. Boston and directions to the cross roads. But now, I got my mojo workin and I'm ready to throw some horse shoes. After I finish this painting, I have decided to create a painting centered around other blues legends like Bo Diddley, Muddy Waters, Big Mama Thorton, Son House, Howlin Wolf and Bessie Smith. This will be my artistic tribute to the blues. Yall check out some blues when ya get a chance and listen!

Hazel Eyes Lady Metroya and Radical Soul Kelsy Davis

2008-08-12T09:31:00.000-07:00

While living in Atlanta since fall 1994, I have had many opportunities to meet good people regardless of their status in society. I have met big superstars and hung out with nobodies. I have an easy going personality and I try to be friends with everyone. As yall know, atlanta is full of inflated egos, cristal sippers, move fakers, wanna-be players, hoes, ghetto hoes, uppidity negroes, conscious cats, neo soulers and a few down to earth people. I have been blessed with the opportunity to meet and be friends with 2 of atlanta's most real people. First, Lady Metroya runs hazeleyes.com and she is a singer, beautiful sista, writer, manager, booking agent, music industry consultant, event planner, part time home girl, 91.9 wclk radio host and full time angel. She is in the know around town and use to put on this event called strawberry sundaze at Endenu. I sent Metroya a artist package in relation to showing some of my work at her event and she was very professional. The event had sadly run it's course and was being dissolved but she did keep in touch and said she would keep me in mind for future events. Metroya also can be heard on the radio on saturdays at 91.9 wclk if my memory serves me correctly. I took this picture of her and kelsy at live poets society wingman Cocktails REEL Talk event out in stone mountain. Metroya has a smile that will light up alaska during the winter solstice and she always smells good. On top of all that, she is soulfully sexy and those eyes are priceless jewels. Every time I see her, she always speaks and gives a hug. She is a good example of a cool person. If yall hear about a hazel eyes event or Metroya performing, yall please show some love to this sista. Check out her myspace page or www.hazeleyez.com

Kelsy Davis and The Radical Soul is a great band. This brotha gets down during his performances. I got to be apart of a event put on by live poets society frontman Abyss up at dave and busters. If yall haven't seen Kelsy perform his hit "slave to the rhythm" live, then yall aint living right. This brotha is a big name dude and he treated everybody that night with respect. He went around the audience shaking hands and thanking people for coming out. He came to the back where me and some other folks were set up selling our goods and did the same. I got a chance to witness kelsy and some other folks perform at a spot over by georgia tech. He tore it down and then told the crowd he was leaving for L.A. Every time I see kelsy round town, he speaks and shows that he is a cool person. It is hard to find real people around atlanta who aint souped or out for the fame. Kelsy Davis performs on the regular at Apache Cafe with special guest Abyss. If yall get a chance, please go and check these brothers out. Check out their myspace pages and buy 5 copies of their albums each. It is worth it.

We need to continue to support people like Metroya and Kelsy. They are doing their thing and sharing their gifts with us while remaining grounded.

peace

Dumpster Dive Records Cook-out

2008-08-12T09:16:00.001-07:00

I went to a cook-out in May 2007. These are some pictures from the last great cook-out at dumpster dive records. I was going through some ISH around this time and stopped by to get some records. Noah is a cool dude. There is a pic of me and Noah during the cook-out. There are also some pics of some great writers getting up like phenom MICHI. He always spoke and was friendly everytime I came to the spot. On this day, they were cooking, painting and b-boying while the deejays got down. It was cool until this tall skinny white kid busted this crazy looking black dude over the head with a beer bottle in the entrance way. Things got hecked and it appeared as if the day had been ruined by these idiots. The tall skinny white kid hopped in a car and jetted. The black dude was bleeding and cussing. They ran off and then came back. The music started back up, the hotdogs and burgers were done, someone opened a beer and things returned to normal. I ended up buying the strange fruit project album, the sounds of L.A. album and a royce the 5'9 single "boom". I got me something to eat and lounged outside as the graf heads started to get up. As you can see, it was a great day. The entire time I was there, no bums came up asking for change and that was cool. Dumpster Dive Records has since closed and it is now Plush 357. The graf heads are still getting up on the side of the building. Noah and the dumpster dive crew use to throw events over in east atlanta. I heard they are still getting down even though the record spot has closed. We all need to support our local record shops.

R.I.P. ISSAC HAYES AND BERNIE MAC

2008-08-11T08:46:00.001-07:00

We lost 2 great contributors to black history and world history. These brothers made positive contributions to society and shined. MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILIES OF ISSAC HAYES AND BERNIE MAC. WE THANK THE MOST HIGH FOR ALLOWING US TO BE BLESSED WITH YALLS PRESENCE. ISSACE HAYES IS OUR BLACK MOSES AND BERNIE MAC WILL ALWAYS BE ONE OF THE GREATEST TO EVER MAKE US LAUGH. YALL BROTHERS BE EASY AND REST IN PEACE!

thank you run d.m.c.

2008-08-11T08:44:00.000-07:00

thank you run d.m.c.

Sonia and the natural crew/Birmingham's Best!

2008-08-11T08:31:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of sonia and her staff at changes natural hair care salon. Sonia has a big place in birmingham and she recently opened a spot in atlanta over by greenbriar. It didn't work out how she expected. I met sonia at a event I did in birmingham called R.I.S.E. It was put on by dj rahdu and the soul rebels collective. Sonia purchased a couple pieces of my work. She then called me later to get some customized work and also had some of her staff buy some work. It is cool cause I didn't have to pull teeth or deal with any bull while dealing with sonia. She is a cool sista. I am thankful for her showing interest in my work and it really did alot for my confidence. Also, sonia puts on events at her mega salon in birmingham. I have been down there a couple of times and really enjoyed myself. You can see pictures of me, the soul rebels collective, sonia, julie dexter, anthony david, rueben studdard and more at www.urbanham.com in the events section of the photo gallery. Go there and click on any of the events labeled "R.I.S.E.". Sonia, dj rahdu, tommy, nee nah and everybody down there are really soulful and cool people. If yall are ever in birmingham, check out changes natural hair salon. Please support black businesses!

blue robot monster

2008-08-11T07:32:00.000-07:00

Today is the start of a new week. Sometimes it is hard to get a monkey off your back especially when that monkey is a monster size leech. The past couple of weeks have been crazy. I did a big fashion show last week at the northwest georgia trade center with designer julia michelle watson and it was cool. I showcased some of my work and passed out some business cards. The models I used were great and complimented my work well. I also have some work on display at the creative arts guild. There is a big art festival coming up and I had to get some stuff in there. On top of all that, I've had some family issues to deal with as the madness continues. I aint gon left it get me down cause lately I've had some blessings come my way that I need and I know it's because on occassion I have put some good energy out into the universe. Last week, me and my brother were in the a.t.l. It was good being back and visiting my old hang out spots and friends. Extra shout out to Laneek and her shop in little 5 points. Shout out donna van gogh's and the record store next door up the street in cabbage town. I also wanna shout out the muslim brothers sellin the bean pies. With all that said, el fin.

stupid ISH

2008-08-07T10:43:00.000-07:00

Today is a new day. I woke up with tension and ish buggin me. Me and my bro got back from atlanta yesterday to bad news and bad energy. Sometimes family can be a blessing. Sometimes family can stress the hell out of you. I am gonna continue to move forward and do what makes Jody happy. I don't wanna distance myself again but it seems like I am gonna have to if I want any total happiness and peace from family drama. Grown folks make decisions sometimes that don't go according to plan. They in turn have to live with the results. With all the latest fiasco and drama, my focus still has to solely be on me and my life.

throwin jabs

2008-08-05T01:23:00.000-07:00

All I wanna do is live a comfortable life. For the past year, I have totally put out good energy and karma for alot of folks and my community. It seems like folks are extra fake sometimes. I have always been a laid back and easy going person. Lately, people I called friends act like snakes in the grass with sharp knives. People lookin at me sideways and I keep to myself. I really don't trust alot of people anymore and my defenses are always up now. I am a single dude also and I don't even wanna get started on how crazy some of these women are and the dating scene as a whole. Shit is mad crazy! I know folks that front in my face and then spit venom in my direction when they get around the corner. It is sad and I aint even the type of person to get on some rah rah ish. Today, I am gonna try and think positive all day and see what happens. Part of me is saying keep on being the Jody everybody knows. Another part of me is saying fuck them and revenge is best served cold.

I am not the cussing type unless pushed. Anyway, I will be showing some work at the Dalton Arts Festival this month and showing work in September at a few gigs. Hopefully the negative changlings in human form will stir their negative energy in someone else direction instead of me. If revolution had a movie I'd be theme music.

Truth be told, I'm after mad honeys with mad junk in the trunk and if she needs a style switch up I can even get crunk, at 250 plus pounds never could be no punk, I'm high off lifes energy no smokin no skunk.

peace

Brothers and Sisters

2008-08-04T17:24:00.000-07:00

My brother is moving to atlanta. He is taking control of his destiny and making serious efforts to change his universial energy and life flow. I am proud of him for wanting to improve his life and the life of his daughter. I said a prayer to God asking him to watch over my brother as this is his first time living in a big city on his own. He will always be my little brother but in reality he is a grown man. Our little sister moved to Miami and she is doing well. Both of my siblings are bright young people who have overcome alot and as a big brother, I wish I could always fix their problems and make every thang alright. That is not my job cause they are in good hands with God. Currently, me and my brother are at our uncles house chillin. Tomorrow I am gonna take him to some places to put in some applications and show him around. I love my brother and sister and wish the best for them. I know everythang is gonna be fine.

peace yall

graffitti shoes

2008-08-01T19:44:00.000-07:00

I got soul. These are some kicks I recently did. I have been trying to expand my creative arsenal. I got these kicks from my homie bayboy and decided to tag them up. Since then, I have gotten a few orders from people wanting me to customize their kicks. I liked how this turned out. My overall art portfolio is always gorwing as I try new things. Next, I wanna try my hand again at t-shirts and hats. I did it once before on a small scale with my own t-shirt line and it went pretty darn good. I eventually want to get some of my kicks in the shoe show that comes around sometimes with artists showcasing their tricked out kicks. If yall got some ideas, holla at a brotha!

Results from the Job Interview

2008-07-31T12:32:00.001-07:00

Life is crazy and full of unexpected things. I went to the first interview and went through a process with 3 people. I got up this morning and called a place I applied for about the status of my application. I wasn't gonna sit and wait for this one person to called. I applied at some more places and started my following up. Around 11:30 am, I got a call from the head man in charge from the dfacs job and he offered me the position. I took it and thanked God. On top of that I will be teaching some evening continuing ed art classes at the local college in the winter. I called my brother and shared the news with him then I started texting folks about going out and getting drunk. I will continue to create art and run my art hustle business on the side. I will not be taking care of any family members or friends cause it is all about Jody and Jody being cool. I don't mean to sound selfish but the folks that applies to know who they are. I still got a pocket full of dreams and I am pulling them out!

Talkin all that Jazz

2008-07-31T12:09:00.000-07:00

My style of work changes as I change. Jazz music to me has always been about the cool. It is something that has no boundaries and has never adhered to the mainstream standards. The different sounds and sonic emissions from the instruments converging in a perfect harmony with the universal surroundings is art. I listen to jazz and have a few jazz jawns in my collection. I got this Grant Green record called "Alive". It has a piece called "Down Here On Earth" that is funky. It also has a piece called "Sookie Sookie". Grant Green is ill and A Tribe Called Quest sampled some of his work. I listen to jazz and soul music when I am creating something. The problem I have is that when I talk to other folks about jazz in Dalton, it's like I am speaking another language. Folks don't seem interested in expanding outside of the local box called Dalton, GA. My passion for art, culture, music and our history is extensive and deep. Since I been back in Dalton, I feel like Hancock. Life for me here is difficult cause I am the only one of my kind. When I move back to the A.T.L., I know things will be different cause their are alot of kindred souls out there that dig jazz. This is a painting I did while listening to a Lou Donaldson record called " Pot Belly". It made me think about the Harlem Renaissance and how those cats got down back then. I am thinking about doing a series of jazz inspired works. I am cool cause I listen to jazz for real and aint ever fronted. I can keep it real and back up the jazz I talk!

job interview

2008-07-30T12:31:00.001-07:00

I have come along way since this picture. I went through hell and more hell. By the grace of GOD, I am still here. I am still breathing. I am still standing. I no longer have this truck. I needed to make room for bigger blessings to come. Yo, I just came from a job interview at the whitfield county dfacs. Since I have lost alot of weight, I bought me some new clothes earlier and I am glad. Now I got some interview threads that fit. The job I applied for is different from what I been doing and it has absolutely nothing to do with art. I am looking to fall back on the art career and focus on getting a more stable job with more stable pay. The pay for this job is what I been looking for. It aint rich boy type money but it would improve my overall life greatly. I think the interview went well and I used what I've learned in the world in dealing with people. I wasn't nervous and it went almost according to plan. If I get this job, I got some big plans. The job isn't easy and it involves working with children from different backgrounds. I am on the road to rediscovering myself and what I want to do with the rest of my life. I got a smile on my face in the picture and if I would've known what was coming, I probaly would have ran. I am now a single black man with a college degree, no kids and no jail record. I am still having ups and downs but my hellish experience has better equipped me with the tools to cope. But yo, I am gonna change and dedictate how I want the rest of this year to flow as well as the rest of my life.
When it comes my time to get into Heaven, I hope I am prepared for the interview and the most high approves of my life resume.

Sketch Book Allstars: Creature Jam#links#links

2008-07-29T17:21:00.000-07:00

Sketch Book Allstars: Creature Jam#links#links

This site is cool. I was visiting another cats blog and came across this piece. If you are an artists or person into art, check this out. I am into illustration, taggin, comics and all that stuff. I will be posting some of my work on my blog soon.

Some good news

2008-07-29T16:43:00.000-07:00

Yo, I have been applying for mad crazy jobs. I want to upgrade from "still broke" to "struggling" status. I got some minutes for my phone last night. I called a few people to see what's happenin. I drank a 40 of miller lite and didn't get buzzed. I worked on a skateboard for an upcoming show this saturday at the North Georgia Trade Center. I got up this money and got a call from one of the places I applied for employment at. I have a interview on wednesday at the dfacs office. This job is something I know I can do and the pay is what I have been praying for. It is a change from from what I been doing. It is a big change from what I wanna do but I can't be choosy. I am confident that I will do good tomorrow. I am sitting here typing this and it feels like I am talking to myself. I am cool jody and I need to get some blog friends. I am internally wishing myself some good luck on this interview. Go cool jody Go!

Batman

2008-07-29T15:33:00.000-07:00

This is a picture I took of the original batman car. I was chillin at the sweet auburn festival may of 2007 and walked past this jewel. The owner wouldn't let anyone sit in the car. The latest batman movie has broken records at the box office. The sweet auburn festival is a big event that happens every year. It is cool because there is good food, entertainment and some of the world's most beautiful women on display. Yall need to check it out sometime. Shout out to the Royal Peacock and Pal's Lounge.

joan and Murrell's 3000 Sculpture Class

2008-07-29T15:21:00.000-07:00

There is nothing like finding inspiration from a beautiful woman. Beautiful women come in all shapes, sizes and colors. During one of my classes at GSU, I had the opportunity to study with Joan. Joan was cool and always had something positive to say. Not to sound offensive or mannish, she is the first Asian sista I have ever seen with some junk in the trunk. We took michael murrell's 3000 level sculpture class. I took this picture on the last day of critiques spring 2007. The piece she is standing by was something she was working on. It is a old tree part found on side the road. I had alot of fun and learning experiences while I was at GSU mainly in the wood shop. Joan was a grad student and is now teaching. I seen her at her old job in union city and she still remembers the robots I did for this class. I am cool because I have all types of friends from different backgrounds, cultures and places that co-exist peacefully. Shout-out to the GSU scultpure department and edgewood sculpture forum.