THE MESSENGERS
J. Ivy A POETIC LIFE BY LILLIAN HOLDEN, FRESHMAN, MALCOLM X COLLEGE
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rammy award-winning poet and writer J. Ivy (James Ivy Richardson) is truly a breath of fresh air. Raised on Chicago’s South Side, and known for his involvement in Kanye West’s ground-breaking debut College Dropout, Ivy’s honest and creative aesthetic fills any space with good vibes. Ivy has collaborated with such artists as: Jay-Z, RZA, The Last Poets, Common, Mos Def, The Black Crowes, Bob Dylan and John Legend (who was known as John Stevens before Ivy coined him “John Legend”). And it’s Ivy’s spoken word poetry that’s helped him rise in the music world. Ivy projects his life experiences through his spoken word. Before he discovered poetry he used his unique flow on the ladies. Ivy admits, “I was good at passing notes to girls [in school]. If it was a girl I liked, and there was something I wanted to express, I knew I could put my thoughts on paper.” Those notes proved to be the stepping-stone to Ivy’s successful career. Ivy’s interest in poetry heightened from the motivation of a teacher. He says, “I didn’t seek out to be a poet. Junior year of high school my English teacher had us write a poem for a homework assignment and the next day she surprised everyone and made us read our poems to the class.” Ivy’s teacher praised his performance and captivating speaking voice. She offered to put him in a show. His mother’s encouragement helped Ivy put his talent in perspective. He recalls, “My mom always complimented me and encouraged me, but I guess when it came to something specific that I created, to have my mother say you’re gifted [was] amazing. She had me write another poem for her job’s newsletter. So essentially my mother was my first publisher.” That encouragement led him to perform his first piece on stage. The result: a standing ovation, and Ivy fell in love with performing. Poetry grew into a serious creative outlet while he was enrolled in Illinois State University. “My poetry revealed what I did or didn’t like about myself and my life. I fell into this deep depression and ended up flunking out of school.” A heavy heart inspired Ivy’s powerful poem, which would later become a book, called Dear Father. Ivy explains, “My Father wasn’t there when I was younger. He was actually a DJ. I used to listen to him on the radio before I walked to school in the morning and at some point he lost his job. Alcohol and drugs became a huge factor, and fights broke out between him and my moms, and they ended up getting a divorce. I didn’t see or hear from my father for 10 years.” Ivy adds, “Poetry was so uncommon to do, but it just moved my heart. I’d rather do something that’s gonna make me happy and have challenges within that then do something that I don’t enjoy and still have those challenges of life.” So let J. Ivy inspire you, and embrace the uncommon.
Twitter: @J_Ivy
“BE COURAGEOUS ABOUT WHO YOU ARE. [IT’S IMPORTANT THAT YOU] KNOW YOUR VALUE, AND KNOW YOUR WORTH. KNOW THAT GOD GAVE YOU GIFTS THAT NO ONE ELSE HAS. EVEN THOUGH THEY MAY LOOK FAMILIAR, [AND THEY] MAY LOOK LIKE SOMEONE ELSE, KNOW THAT YOUR GIFT IS UNIQUE TO YOU. AND [DON’T BE] AFRAID TO USE THOSE GIFTS. TRUST YOURSELF. TRUST YOUR INSTINCT AND YOUR GUT.” – J. IVY
TRUE STAR MAGAZINE 17