The Hiphop Driven Life Copyright 2005 by “Nightjohn” (Nightjohn consists of two authors: Arnett Kale Powell and Adebayo Alabi Olorunto). All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from the publisher. GRAPHIC DESIGN OF COVER - BY KRYSTAL POWELL For your graphic needs contact: [email protected] Although the authors and publisher have made every effort to ensure the accuracy and completeness of information contained in this book, we assume no responsibility for errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or any inconsistency herein. Any slights of people, places, or organizations are unintentional. O.L.O.R.U.N. Titles may be purchased for business or promotional use or for special sales. For more information please write to: The O.L.O.R.U.N. Companies, Inc. [email protected] http://www.olorun.blogspot.com PRINTED AND BOUND IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA First Edition published Jan 2005 First Printing Jan 2005 ISBN: 1- 59744 - 018-3 Distributed by: Afrikan World Books (410) 383-2006 2217 Pennsylvania Ave. Baltimore, MD 21217 [email protected] www.afrikanworldbooks.com Acknowledgements This book was not written by us. It was written through us. Please do not focus too much on Nightjohn or even the written pages of our books. We are merely messengers. We write to take you much higher. First of all, we must thank our Most High Creator God, Allah, Jah, Ra, Elohim, Oladumare (Olorun), our ancestors, and our elders. In the Spirit of the ancients, we have come to know ourselves. The emissaries Elegba, Obatala, Ogun, Oshun, Oya, Shango, and Yemoja are always with us. In these pages, they have simply changed form to bring you the meaning of life…according to Hiphop. The King’s English is a very lame, boring, and restricting conduit to release these emissaries, but our ability is matched by the soul stirring whispers of Divine wisdom. It’s like this, we got street language: Hiphop slang, Ebonics, Gullah, and patois to help us. In writing this book, we stand on the shoulders of all Self-educated giants. We have learned from Tony Robbins’ visionary approach to raising ones standards for a better quality life, Les Brown’s Self-discipline, KRS-One’s Self-awareness and commitment to uniting Hiphoppas, to form our International Kulture of Peace and Prosperity. Kwame Toure’s organization, The Last Poets Self-analysis, Five-Percenters Self-empowerment, Africa Bambaataa’s peace, love, unity, and havin’ fun, Queen Latifah’s Self-respect, Chuck D’s political empowerment and leadership. Bill Gates money is inspiring, but even more inspiring is his curiosity. We are deeply indebted to the teachings of Bruce Lee, Bob Marley, Tupac, Notorious B.I.G, Malcolm X, Mother Theresa, and Gandhi. We measure our success by Martin Luther King’s definition of greatness: serving others. Grace Llewellyn’s Teenage Liberation Handbook is a cornerstone to our philosophy. Without her commitment and resolve, we would not have as much conviction about sharing our Self-education secrets to freeing the minds of the young and oppressed. Thanks to Captain Bob Webb of www.Motivation-Tools.com, for having a story that is priceless in proving every single naysayer of Self-education wrong. We give thanks to all emcees that kick the Truth to the young black youth. We appreciate Nas for his educational insights on his song “One Love”: “fuck a school lecture, the lies get me ‘vexed-er.’” If there were not wise leaders, or street’s disciples for us to follow, we would have never come this far with our unique discoveries. We are grateful for intellectuals like Howard Gardner who enlightened the masses about the theory of multiple intelligences. We also benefited from all renaissance thinkers, especially Leonardo Da Vinci, and Michael J. Gelb for writing books on how to even come close to living such a daily life. Peace to Joseph “Rahz” Harmon, an Attuned Hiphop Renaissance man whose drive to master Self sparked a chain reaction that he never even dreamed of. We did it man, we shine like fluorescent Neon over these dark evil elitists! Special thanks to Melvin Lee Jacobs a.ka. Lee Majors of Cluck U Chicken, who conquered the University of Maryland on foot. If Tupac were here, God rest his soul, he’d be proud of you. We’re also thankful for all the successful actors, entrepreneurs, artists, musicians, and professionals who dropped out of school, dropped out of college, or escaped the clutches of homelessness to move on to bigger and better achievements in life. To all the people who have never given up on your dreams: You are our heroes. God bless the child who can hold his own. We is Nightjohn, we gon’ hold our own. We are grateful for every dingbat legislator and leader responsible for fumbling education in America, drugging kids, depriving inner city youth of opportunity, and preventing youth from exploring music and art in peace. If it wasn’t for their darkness, our light wouldn’t shine so brilliantly. If it wasn’t for the millions of people in agony, who we have been brought to heal, what would our Divine Purpose be as Nightjohn? We appreciate the innocent, overworked, underpaid, well-meaning teachers and professors for hanging in there. It’s too bad that you must struggle within an educational system that needs such obvious reform. We thank our parents, family members, and friends for the obstacles presented by your narrow thinking…. Although we had to put up a hell of a fight to unschool you. Oh yeah….to my eighth grade band teacher from Chapman Middle School in Huntsville, AL who never let me play the drums the way I wanted to…Nah…It’s not even worth the ink or paper….I forgive you for your racism….your progeny will curl up at home with our book anyway….for ever and ever….the world is ours! Special thanks to the streets, especially our first sponsors who helped us print short runs and sell 150+ copies “out the back of our trunk” LEE MAJORS & MIKE MOUNTAIN www.verse4verse.com www.mountainhighradio.com For: Aunt Leatrice in Gary, IN and all my family affiliated with you. My cousin Rob Haukins, your son, and all your cousins. My Moms and my sister Krystal Powell. My father Kale, keep ya head up. To B.O.S. (Brothers Of Struggle). To God. ~Arnett~ For: all the children in my family in the United States, Nigeria, and the Republic of Benin, one day we’ll laugh, play, and walk together for the first time, all the children with Hiphop parents. KRS’ children, Nas’ daughter Destiny, Lee Major’s daughter Diamond; Claudia Calleros’ son Andre J. Brown; all the other youth who were born and will be born in Hiphop families, to numerous to mention but will always carry on our Light. To all the other seeds coming up in my community of friends and family: Celine, Olivia, Alexis, Bianca, Jahrael, K.J., Isaiah, Calique, Larkin III, Sydney, Kyla, Felicia, Walter, Jesse, and Daniel you are the future. Each and every child in the P.J.’s of inner cities across America and in the impoverished ghettos, barrios, and streets all over the world, Remember Hiphop’s H-LAW: Health, Love, A wareness, and Wealth. You will have all these fruits and more if you discipline your Self. For all the young children who I have met on my enlightened successful journey; and all the young men and women of the Hiphop generation who are in the prime of life right now, playing this game, while searching for Divine Purpose in the 21st Century. Ain’t nothing gonna to stop us. Hiphop’s Divine geniuses are creating the new America. Let’s follow through and make our vision a reality! ~Adebayo~ For: All Afrikan owned bookstores in D.C/MD Including but not limited to Bro. Tehuti of House of Kamit, Bro. Haile of Sankofa, Blue Nile Botanicals, All Eyes On Egypt, and Karibu Books. Also, Kim Washington and Joe Gorham of WHUR 96.3 FM Radio “NIGHTJOHN” 2 The Hiphop Declaration of Peace 11 th Principle “The Hiphop Community Exists as an international culture of consciousness that provides all races, tribes, religions, and styles of people, a foundation for the communication of their best ideas and works. Hiphop Kulture is united as one multi-skilled, multi-cultural, multi-faith, multi-racial people, committed to the establishment and the development of peace.”Table of Common Sense Preface – A Quiet Storm Brewing in America 3 Introduction – Back in The Day 13 Principle 1 – Curiosity – Let Me Find Out 103 Principle 2 – Wisdom - Livin’ Off Experience 129 Principle 3 – Awareness – Stay Awake! 152 Principle 4 – Change – Go With The Flow 167 Principle 5 – Whole Brain Thought – Mental Balance 188 Principle 6 – Poetry In Motion – Mind = Body = Soul 213 Principle 7 – Connect The Dots – It All Makes Sense 245 What’s Your Divine Purpose? 267 What’s Your Highest Intelligence? 323 Are You Hiphop? 357 Bayo vs. The Board of Education 381 The Real World – Visualizin’ The Realism 395 Conclusion – One Love 416 Prophecy to Scriptures 418 The O.L.O.R.U.N. Foundation 427 Help Prisoners Get Books 429 Sources/Suggested Reading 431 The Vision of O.L.O.R.U.N. 433 Websites For Self-Education 436 Our Love Of Rap Unites Nations’ Web Portals 437 Index 437 Products, Services, & Merchandise 452 Lectures/Workshops/Seminars 453 Order Form 454 3 “Words are freedom, old man.