Mandala

Those of you who know me know just how proud I am of being Mandala. A few years back, about the only time you’d ever see me genuinely smiling was when I was talking about how I was a rapper. Mandala has given me an immense amount of freedom. It (He?) has given me the boldness to do so many things I never thought I could do. My first expressions as Mandala were dark. But as my beliefs about the world changed, so did my expressions through Mandala. I never thought about changing my name, as I never thought of Mandala as an alter-ego or something that necessarily had to be associated with a darker side of myself. Mandala is a living spirit, and he is dynamic. Why? Because no matter how proud I am of what I have accomplished as Mandala, I have never been afraid to walk away from him. At multiple times in the last 4 years, I have attempted to walk away from my identity as Mandala, but some life circumstance has always occurred to bring him back to life. “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Sometimes we have to bury what we hold dearest like a seed in the ground. If it’s meant to be, it will sprout. If it’s meant to die, it won’t. We shouldn’t be afraid of the outcome. It sometimes feels like Mandala is a seed that needs to be buried. I don’t know what the future holds, but we’ll wait to see if this seed sprouts. Regardless of what happens, what a phenomenal journey it’s been. I can’t even begin to describe the adventures that Mandala has taken me on. I’m thrilled that you could be with me on some of this journey. ❤️ I’ll see you at harvest time. 🌾 📸: @jackthemurray . . . #mandala #mandalaraps #mandalatherapper #mandalahiphop #mandalamusic #whoeverloseshislifeformysakewillfindit #seed #untilharvest #dynamic #hiphopartist #rapartist #rapmusic #dalaman #americanpope #lockport #curtainsclosing #showisover #americanhiphop #timetoplant #magicinabottle #fromnarnia #livingspirit #characterswelove #musicjourney #rapjourney (en ROXY Lockport) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ch_LD83sr1j/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Chicago Triathlon SuperSprint and the post-game interview 🏊‍♂️🚴‍♂️🏃. . #chicagotriathlon2022 #dreamscometrue #mandala (at Foster Beach) https://www.instagram.com/p/ChxrFYBJBja/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

From a night when I expressed a little of my restlessness at The Studio in Lockport. Swipe left to see some of the footage. It’s weird, I always want to be an authentic version of myself on stage. But this was from a night when I felt weak, and putting myself in a position of power on a stage just didn’t seem right in a way. I don’t know what to make of it. . . . #lockport #stagefeelings #restlessness #authenticself (en The Studio) https://www.instagram.com/p/ChupOZEL12U/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

I just want to put this out there to help you guys understand me a little bit. The things I post on this page are generally the highlights of my life and are in no way intended to give the impression that my life is all highlights. There’s a quote by Kurt Vonnegut that says: “The arts are not a way to make a living. They are a very human way of making life more bearable.” Mandala is a character that has made life more tolerable for me, and I get a kick out of seeing how far he can go and how famous I can make him. Therefore, don’t ever think I live a great life because of what you see on here with the things I do and the places I go. I share what I do on my page because Mandala’s pursuit of fame is very amusing to me. If it wasn’t for him, I probably wouldn’t even have social media. So there’s a little peak behind the curtain if you will. Do what you will with it. Can’t wait to keep sharing fun things with you all, and one day Mandala won’t just be known as a cool design on a tapestry. . #mandala #dalaman #dreambig #rapperlogo #art #kurtvonnegut #socialmedia #theshowgoeson #behindthecurtain #whatisart https://www.instagram.com/p/ChjLb7HMQpT/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Well, I’ve been pretty loud on social media these last couple weeks. This is where I pretend like I’m famous and everyone should care what I’m up to. I admit that Mandala is a “character” to some extent. But behind all the trolling, character-playing, or whatever you want to call it, I’ll be darned if I don’t show a genuine side of myself every once in a while. I’ll be leaving the country tomorrow (again), and leaving behind some great friends. This is a special place for me, if for no other reason than God chose me to be born here. No matter what country I may be in, whenever I’m asked where I’m from, the words “the United States” cannot come faster out of my mouth. I have a tendency to quiet down when I’m not in my comfort zone. I expect that will be the case again when I leave tomorrow. Therefore, I hope you enjoyed the Dala Man music video and other content I’ve been posting, because I don’t think I’ll be posting at that rate again in the near future. Peace and blessings! ✌🏼❤️ . #america #mandala #famous (en The United States of America) https://www.instagram.com/p/ChBb6yVACMf/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

We squashed the beef. Some of those attentive listeners of my lyrics may have heard me throw a shot at the bishop of my local diocese in a track I did with my brother @armanidevon called “Hear Me Roar”. Anyways, I approached Bishop Hicks after he presided over mass at St. Mary’s and apologized for my verse on HMR. Although I still believe the covid restrictions imposed on the local churches were wrong, I definitely had a disordered amount of anger about the situation and my lack of peace in my own heart caused me to lash out at him. Great to know that I am no longer excommunicated from the Diocese of Joliet. (Just kidding, they never excommunicated me.) Bishop Hicks gave a great homily on cherishing the precious moments of your life by the way! @dioceseofjoliet . . . #nomorebeef #dioceseofjoliet #catholicbishop #beefsquashed #catholicdrama #catholicrap #catholichiphop #catholic #makingpeacewithmyenemies #offmyhitlist #jolietil #bishophicks #catholicrapper (en St. Mary Nativity & Holy Cross) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cg78rK9M2Ag/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

This is a shot @francisxthomas took at my last show at the Roxy Theater in March. To close out the show, I brought my dad onstage to help me perform an unreleased song I wrote called “Brother”. I have no plans on releasing the song publicly, and perhaps I never will. However, it’s a very special song to me, and I was happy to perform it at the Roxy that night. Sometimes I like to do something special at my concerts to show appreciation for those who came out. Sometimes it’s something that I will never do again. Who knows if this will be one of those things. Regardless, this was an unforgettable night and the last show I did before disappearing to Mexico for three months. I’m happy to share this snapshot from it. . . . #roxytheater #lockport #stageshot #pianoduet #songformybrother #concert #brother #stageperformance #pianorapper #pianorap #pianoperformance #fathersonduo #pianoperformer #pianohiphop #roxy (en ROXY Lockport) https://www.instagram.com/p/CgxlGLAJ9C3/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

As I’m about to go to bed, I leave you with this picture… This is everyone who came to support me at the Donut tonight. There’s an amazing quote by the author Kurt Vonnegut that says, “You are who you pretend to be… (so be careful who you pretend to be)” Let me tell you that this is absolutely true. For years, I have “pretended” I was a famous rapper. I act and walk around like one. And I am. It doesn’t matter that only 7 people came (and two of them are my parents). The size of the crowd doesn’t matter. These people made me feel like I’m famous tonight, and that means the world to me… The Dala Man is reality. My dream is reality. I think that often when I was younger, I felt like I was unimportant. But at the Drunken Donut, I am anything but unimportant. Thank you all for making me feel special ❤️. #dreamsbecomereality #drunkendonut #mandala (en The Drunken Donut) https://www.instagram.com/p/CgivGkesXV-/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Good to see @dak_vondrak at the ballpark today. 6 in a row for the Cubs! 🐻 . #chicagocubs #playoffpush #wrigleyville (en Wrigleyville) https://www.instagram.com/p/CggBQCZsk6x/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Day 2 of filming for Dala Man music video in the books! Shout out to Karl (@detunedgloom) for making this look awesome! . #joliet #dalaman #musicvideo (en Downtown Joliet) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cge3lxxLRbe/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Shout out to my man Mike! Big time Mandala supporter and someone who definitely inspires me to push the Mandala dream forward! . . . #mandala #mandaladream #rapdream #dreamscometrue #inspiring #americanpope #mandalahiphop #mandalaraps #romeoville #romeovilleillinois #rapdreams #musicdreams #dreambig #dreambigger (en Romeoville, Illinois) https://www.instagram.com/p/CgdDFBrMQyQ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Recorded a music video last weekend at a lot of different locations… should be done soon! Stay tuned! . . . #mandalatakeover #mandalamexico #indierapper #indiehiphop #zocalocdmx #centrohistorico #mandala #mandalamusic #musicvideoontheway #mandalaworld #worldwidehiphop #raparoundtheworld #rapperstowatch (at Zócalo, Centro Histórico CDMX) https://www.instagram.com/p/CeNDLk_MdAY/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Can’t believe that one year ago today, I released my debut album. The dream is still alive… . . . #americanpope #josephscloak #mandala #hiphopalbums #houseofscientists https://www.instagram.com/p/CeGkHg1rQO8/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

New single drops on June 10th. My Eve (feat. Mia Bertino) Don’t miss it. @brian_lyman_art with the cover art 🍎👫 . . . #myeve #newhiphop #rapfeatures #fallfromgrace #fallinthegarden #adamandeve #wearefallen #coverart #musiccoverartwork #mandalafeatures #relationshiprupture #backtothegardenofeden #manandwoman #mandalasongs #mandalaartwork https://www.instagram.com/p/Cd_KQgsLRBp/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Mandala’s world takeover is going as planned. Querétaro, México ✔️ . . . #querétaro #worldwidehiphop #rappersinmexico #americanpope #rappersaroundtheworld #mrpampasdobrasil #rappergains #mandalamusic #mandalamexico #indierapper #worldwiderap #mandalaraps #rapperstowatch (en Querétaro, México) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cd041H1LOhV/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

In Monterrey with the GOATS, Jeff and Hugo! 🇲🇽🏀💯 . . . #monterrey #rapperstoknow #hiphopartists #travelingrapper #indieartists #indiehiphop #monterreynlméxico #rapkilla #manzilla #mandalatakeover #mandalaworld #mandalamusic #rappertoknow #worldtakeover #americanpope #mandala #mandalaraps (at Monterrey,N.L) https://www.instagram.com/p/CdlIGmxLI5Q/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

They should have never let me out of the country, I’m like a genie out of the bottle now. 🤠 New freestyle is up to 300 views! (That’s a lot for me) Go check it out if you haven’t already, or watch it again! I appreciate every one who’s watched it. It’s one of the videos I’m most proud of. . . . #sanluispotosi #rappers #mandalamexico #rapperstoknow #mexicorap #hiphopartists #mandalatakeover #internationalrap #mexicomusic #mexicohiphop #rapperstowatch #mandalamusic #mandalaraps #worldwidehiphop #mandala #lyricist #mexicotravels #indierap #indierappers #indierapartist #rappersaroundtheworld #sanluispotosí #rapperlife #rapperlifestyle (en San Luis Potosí City) https://www.instagram.com/p/CdT_nJprJTM/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=