J. Ivy

When it comes to the art of Hip-Hop Poetry, J. Ivy is considered a visionary, a pioneer, and trendsetter who has crossed artistic lines to deliver the Art of Poetry and Spoken Word directly to the doors of mainstream music and television. “Dreams Don't Come True, They Are True” is a quote from his 2006 poem entitled “Dream Big” and serves as J’s motivational credo. As a native Chicagoan, J. Ivy had Big Dreams for his future but never imagined that it would include a Grammy Award and the opportunity to collaborate with the likes of Deepak Chopra, Stevie Wonder, Kanye West, Jay-Z, John Legend, Jill Scott and countless others.

J first discovered his affinity for the written art during a routine high school assignment. Wrote a poem to his dad at age 5. After discovering the talent in J’s writing, after he presented his poem “There Once Was A Cloud,” his English teacher demanded he share his gift on stage. There, he received a standing ovation. Since that life changing moment, J has never stopped creating. He headed to Illinois State University, where he soon became known on campus as “The Poet,” which later led him to performing throughout Chicago.?
In no time, J. Ivy became a staple on the Chicago arts scene. J pressed on, becoming the 1st African-American Poet to represent Chicago on Russell Simmons HBO Def Poetry performing his captivating poem “I Need To Write.” Again he received a standing ovation and was invited back for two encore appearances on the award winning show, which included his heartfelt poem “Dear Father.”?

From his breath taking performances for people of all ages to his appearances on countless television networks, J. Ivy’s passionate delivery always leaves spectators transfixed in a state of inspiration, and because of that he is recognized worldwide.

As a seasoned performer, J Ivy’s artistry is versatile, which allows him to work in array of creative outlets. From voice openings for sporting events such as: NFL’s Sunday Night Football on NBC and ESPN’s US Open, to sharing stages with the likes of Doug E. Fresh, to writing a rap for Martha Stewart, to collaborating with singers like John Stephens, who J. Ivy renamed John Legend (featured on Oprah’s Next Chapter, The Howard Stern Show, and in The Ebony/Jet & Vogue Magazine), to being awarded a Gold Clio Award for his National Ad Campaign with Verizon, to voice-over commercials for Benjamin Moore Paint and Nissan. J continues to motivate and inspire all walks of life. Not only is he a poet, writer, and voice-over artist, he also integrates song, music, and art with poetry. In addition, J is humbly a superb photographer.

After touring with his first book, "HERE I AM: Then & Now," which is a follow up to his album "HERE I AM," J. Ivy recently inked a book deal with Beyond Words Publishing, an imprint of Atria Books & Simon and Schuster, for the January 27, 2015 release of his new book "Dear Father: Breaking the Cycle of Pain." With an undying fortitude to create, J. Ivy is also in the process of releasing Volume 1 of his music collective "Diggin' In The Papes" and his next album "LIFE after Life." Beyond music, television, and the touring circuit, J. continues to support community arts through his Write To Live Academy Workshop & The Dear Father Initiative, which encourages young people to explore the arts.

J. Ivy is a modern day Renaissance man magically merging art and leaving a beautiful mark for the world and the future to embrace.