Coming to the Stage 3/14/11: J. Ivy

This week we are featuring Spoken Word by Grammy Award-Winning, HBO Def Poet J. Ivy!!

J. Ivy is an American hip-hop poet who fuses spoken word poems with hip-hop music and syncopation styles. He is a three-time HBO Def Poet and has earned a Grammy Award for his performance on Kanye West’s debut album “College Dropout”. His full-length solo album, “Here I Am”, was released in late 2010 on his co-owned music label Ivyous Entertainment.

 

A few excerpts from his bio:

(Read more at his website: www.j-ivy.com!!)

Truly, when it comes to the art of Hip-Hop Poetry, J. Ivy is the 1^st of his kind. He is a pioneer, a trendsetter, one who has knocked down impossible doors, taking the Art of Poetry directly to today’s mainstream music & television arenas.  His motivational motto, “Dreams Don’t Come True, They Are True” has guided him from his native home Chicago to becoming a Grammy Award Winning Artist. 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 World Wide....

In no time, J. Ivy became a staple on the Chicago arts scene. Excited about his quick success, but far from satisfied, J pressed on becoming the 1^st 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.”

Soon after, Kanye West caught word of mouth about J. Ivy’s impressive skills and offered him a spot on his debut album “The College Dropout”. Holding his ground next to Jay-Z and Kanye on the song “Never Let Me Down,” J effectively showed the world the undeniable power that rest in his words, by recording one of Hip-Hop’s most memorable poetic verses. Still not satisfied J wrote on, performing and collaborating with the likes of the RZA, Erykah Badu, Gwendolyn Brooks, Sonia Sanchez, Bo Didley, Talib Kweli, The Roots, Dave Chappelle, Carl Thomas, Mos Def, Common, Jessica Care Moore, Kid Cudi, Jill Scott, Sharon Stone, The Last Poets, and John Stephens, who J. Ivy renamed John Legend. J even penned a rap for Martha Stewart that she performed opposite of Sean P. Diddy Combs on The Martha Stewart Show.

www.facebook.com/people/J-Ivy/1176369642
twitter.com/j_ivy
www.j-ivy.com