J. Ivy

Truly, when it comes to the art of Hip-Hop Poetry, J. Ivy is the 1st of his kind. He is a pioneer, a trendsetter, one who has knocked down impossible doors, taking the Art of Poetry directly to 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®, Peabody, Clio, Telly, and NAACP Image Award Winning Poet and Artist.

In February of 2023, 30 years after his first performance, J. Ivy won a GRAMMY® for his album, THE POET WHO SAT BY THE DOOR, becoming the first Poet to win in the GRAMMY® Awards’ new category, Best Spoken Word Poetry Album. Not only is he the first Poet to win a GRAMMY® since the great Dr. Maya Angelou, he also won a GRAMMY® for his work on the Tennessee State Marching Band’s The Urban Hymnal, which won in the Best Gospel Roots category. For his follow up, in September of 2023 J. Ivy released his 7th album, THE LIGHT INSIDE, and for the second year in a row J. Ivy brought home the GRAMMY®.

J first discovered his affinity for the written art during a routine high school assignment. After hearing the talent in J’s writing, as well as in his voice, his English teacher, Ms. Paula Argue, demanded he share his gift on stage. Reluctant, but never afraid, J performed for his peers and to his surprise 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. Excited about his quick success, but far from satisfied, J pressed on becoming the 1st African-American Poet to represent Chicago on Russell Simmons Presents 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.”

As a seasoned performer, J. Ivy’s artistry and accomplishments have range, carrying him and allowing him to work in an array of creative outlets.

From his work on the classic song "Never Let Me Down" with Kanye West & Jay-Z, to performing a poem for NBA Hall of Fame Legend Michael Jordan, to MC'ing and performing at events for Deepak Chopra, to voicing openings for sporting events like the NFL’s Sunday Night Football on NBC, ESPN’s US Open, National Spelling Bee, the 2017 NBA Draft, and The Undefeated's Dear Black Athlete, to co-starring in and narrating B.E.T.'s award winning film Muhammad Ali: The People's Champ & Martin: The Legacy of a King, to starring in a national ad for AARP, to collaborating with artists like Estelle, Marsha Ambrosius, Slum Village, and John Stephens, who J. Ivy renamed John Legend (featured on Oprah’s Next Chapter), J’s versatility continues to surprise and inspire all walks of life.

After the world shut down due to Covid-19, in July of 2020, J. Ivy wrote and narrated Beyoncé’s Black Is King promo for the Return of the NBA.

Not only is he a poet, writer, and voice-over artist, who has shared stages with the likes of Prince, Sia, Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick the Ruler, Jim Carrey, Sway in the Morning, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Common, Lauryn Hill, Dave Chappelle, and many more, but he also collaborates his poetry with music, and is humbly a superb photographer.

After touring with his book "Dear Father: Breaking the Cycle of Pain," published by Beyond Words Publishing, an imprint of Atria Books & Simon and Schuster, J. Ivy released his 4th studio album, Catching Dreams, which is a beautiful blend of poetry and music. Due to the fact that venues were shut down world wide, J. Ivy recorded and filmed a concert titled Catching Dreams: Live at Fort Knox Chicago, which was Nominated for the 2022 GRAMMY Awards in the Best Spoken Word Category alongside Levar Burton, Don Cheadle, Dave Chappelle, Amir Sulaiman, and Barack Obama.

After J. Ivy’s first nomination, he went on to author a proposal that led to the GRAMMYs creating a new category titled the Best Spoken Word Poetry Album. Due to J. Ivy’s work, this year, for the first time in the history of the GRAMMY Awards, five Poets were nominated for this prestigious award.

At the same time, J. Ivy was busy working as the Lead Writer, Voice Director, and Cast Member of Netflix’s documentary, jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy.

Beyond music, television, and the touring circuit, J. continues to support community arts through The Dear Father Movement, which encourages people of all ages to explore the arts and find strength through The Power of Forgiveness by writing their own Dear Father Letter.

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

Corporate clients include: AARP, ABC, Allstate, American Family Insurance, Benjamin Moore, Brand Jordan, BET, Bulleit Partners, Coca-Cola, ESPN, FedEx, Ford, HBO, Kellogg, Martha Stewart, McDonalds, Microsoft, Miller Lite, NBA, NBC, Nike, Nissan, Sprite, Walmart and more.