The Edge

“If I didn't define myself for myself, I would be crunched into other people's fantasies for me and eaten alive.”


― Audre Lorde

So the other night I was watching "The Best Man" because I don't have cable and I didn't have anything else to watch and near the climax of the movie the character Merch said this quote speaking to Candy. That is neither here nor there just providing some context on why I chose this quote.
 
     Anyway, the past few months have been rather rough for me if I should say so myself. In addition to being laid off again I have been unable to find any employment, I've had to have THE TALK with my son, I've barely made rent each of the last two months and I had to pawn my keyboard. Now I can't say that its been all bad because I was apart of an awesome show Thanks to Michael Clayton you can check the reviews here. I felt like I had a pretty good performance and want to do more. That was a step in the right direction and I will be attending a songwriting workshop next Saturday and I am in a grant writing class with my sister so I am definitely in the ebb and flow of things. However, I am just feeling like I'm on a path that leads nowhere. I feel so on edge lately like I cannot do anything right financially and I keep digging myself deeper into a hole trying to get out of the hole. Its crazy. I've been looking for people to give me their honest assessment of what love is and means to them for my Re:Evolution project which I will be finished with in a matter of weeks. My friends/business partners have started an entertainment website called SoundWavez Studios its your one stop shop for all your production needs. We will soon be opening a full service studio on the beach. In the meantime click on the link and get some free music.
 
       I've always known this road I travel was never meant to be easy or paved with glitter and gold, but I am finding myself losing my faith and determination and motivation. I'm hoping that by writing I will keep the willpower I need to make it to my destination. I'm learning that I can't do it all by myself and that I need people in my corner and I need to take advantage of the connections I've made and just build with those who are on a similar journey as I am. Its difficult because I feel like on  the one hand I should already be there and on the other that I don't belong. Still, everyday I thank God for the breath that I take, apologize for the ones that I waste. Until next time, keep doing what you're doing and keep moving towards your goals and dreams no matter what they may be or how far away they may seem. It's never too late until you stop trying.
 
Peace, J

Self - Portrait

Here is my latest video doing a poem:



Hope you enjoy thanks for watching leave a comment.

The Finishing Touch

As I try to get outside my thoughts and into an "artistic" state of mind, I began to think on the things I've started and haven't finished. The list is quite astonishing once I put it down on paper and it was in my face and no longer a figment of my imagination, so to speak. Its everything from unfinished poems to unfinished music, to unfinished job searches. Its pitiful as I look at this list. I never would consider myself a quitter, a procrastinator sure but never a quitter. Now I'm beginning to re-evaluate that thought. I know its never too late to finish the things that I have left undone and I'm going to do it. I thought I had more to write but I guess not so here's some music....



  Motivate by jtruth

Morning Service

What's happening good people its been a minute, in any event I am excited to say that I am offering my first spoken word project, Morning Service available to you guys for FREE! You can get it here. So make sure you check it out and send me your comments.

Since this is a digital download I am going to do my album credits and Liner notes here for your viewing pleasure, especially for my music nerds, here goes nothing.

Intro - Produced by Kevin "24K" Wearren for Bottom Street Productions. All words by Kevin "24K" Wearren. Recorded at Bottom Street Studios, Southport, NC by Jamaal "Revolutionary J" Cowan. Mixed by Kevin Wearren

Writer's Block - Produced by Kevin "24K" Wearren for Bottom Street Productions. All words by Jamaal "Revolutionary J" Cowan. Recorded at Bottom Street Studios, Southport, NC by Kevin Wearren. Mixed by Kevin Wearren.

A Poet's Dream - Produced by Kevin "24K" Wearren for Bottom Street Productions. All Words by Jamaal "Revolutionary J" Cowan. Recorded at Bottom Street Studios, Southport, NC by Kevin Wearren. Mixed by Kevin Wearren.

Drunken Thoughts - Produced by Allen "Snake" Weaver for U.S.A. All words by Jamaal "Revolutionary J" Cowan. Recorded at Bottom Street Studios, Southport, NC by Kevin Wearren. Mixed by Kevin Wearren.

Mama Said - Produced by Jamaal "J-Truth" Cowan for Bottom Street Productions. All Words by Jamaal "Revolutionary J" Cowan. Recorded at Mall's Crib, Charlotte, NC by Jamaal Cowan. Mixed by Jamaal Cowan

For Symone - Produced by Kevin "24K" Wearren for Bottom Street Productions. All words by Jamaal "Revolutionary J" Cowan. Recorded at Mall's Crib, Charlotte, NC by Jamaal Cowan. Mixed by Jamaal Cowan.

Communion - Produced by Kevin "24K" Wearren for Bottom Street Productions.

Preach Tonight - Produced by Kevin "24K" Wearren for Bottom Street Productions. All words by Jamaal "Revolutionary J" Cowan. Recorded at Mall's Crib, Charlotte, NC by Jamaal Cowan. Mixed by Jamaal Cowan. Preach Tonight contains a sample from "The Preacher" as performed by Bobby Womack. I assume Mr. Womack wrote the song and I hope I don't get sued for this because I have no money and I'm giving this album away for free.

The Emergence - Produced by Jamaal "J-Truth" Cowan for Bottom Street Productions. All words by Jamaal "Revolutionary J" Cowan. Recorded at Mall's Crib, Charlotte, NC by Jamaal Cowan. Mixed by Jamaal Cowan.

Whatever It Is - Produced by Kevin "24K" Wearren for Bottom Street Productions. All words by Jamaal "Revolutionary J" Cowan. Recorded at Mall's Crib, Charlotte, NC by Jamaal Cowan. Mixed by Jamaal Cowan.

Tru Blue - Produced by Jamaal "J-Truth" Cowan for Bottom Street Productions.

Good Morning, Heartache - All words by Jamaal "Revolutionary J" Cowan. Recorded at Mall's Crib, Charlotte, NC. Mixed by Jamaal Cowan.

Its Yours - Produced by Allen "Snake" Weaver for U.S.A. Words by Jamaal "Revolutionary J" Cowan, Allen "Snake" Weaver, Kevin "24K" Wearren and Jamaal "CJ" Byrd-Cowan. Recorded at Bottom Street Studios, Southport, NC. Revolutionary J hook recorded at Mall's Crib, Charlotte, NC. Mixed by Kevin Wearren and Allen Weaver, additional mixing by Jamaal Cowan.


Album cover designed by Kevin Wearren.
Insert designed by Jamaal Cowan, photo taken by Allen Weaver
(c) 2007 All Rights Reserved.

Thanks: First off thanks to God for all things being made possible. Thanks to my parents Howard and Betty for encouraging me and supporting me even when I didn't make the best decisions. Thanks to my big sister Aywanna for encouraging me, supporting me, housing me, being my advisor and even kicking my butt when I need it. Thanks to my big brother Drew for always having my back no matter what. Thanks to Kev for all of the hard work we put in to this and so much more music, we haven't even scraped the tip of the iceberg, but we know what we working on. Thanks to Hammer for giving me the title and executive producing this journey. Thanks to Al for allowing us to vibe with him on so much music, dude you are the truth. Thanks to my Bottom Street cohorts past, present and future. Thanks to my man Steven Carter for giving me my first copy of Fruity Loops which reignited this journey. Thanks to the Concrete Generation for allowing me to get down with y'all early and often. Special shout out to Bluz for putting me on to spoken word I can honestly say you are my mentor. A secondary shout out to Tavis "don't call me Silky" Brunson, though we rag on each other I appreciate you bruh and don't let this go to your head but you're one of my favorite poets. A third special shout out to LaShonda for listening to me at work and pushing me to touch my dreams and make them a reality. Last but not least thanks to everyone that has given me words of encouragement and support my art even when I don't if I forgot you don't worry there is more music on the way.


Look out for new tracks from me and my man 24K in the near future, also I am working on a new spoken word CD, I'll keep you posted.

Peace J