J. Ivy — portrait by CtZn Chance / BURNCULTURE
The poet

j.ivy

A voice from the South Side of Chicago that turned poetry into a GRAMMY® category’s first chapter.

J. Ivy is a 3x GRAMMY® Award–winning poet, recording artist, author, and songwriter from the South Side of Chicago. When the Recording Academy created the category of Best Spoken Word Poetry Album, it was J. Ivy who made history as its first-ever winner — then returned the next year and won it again.

The world first heard his voice on HBO’s Def Poetry and on Kanye West’s The College Dropout, where his verse on “Never Let Me Down” alongside JAY-Z announced a poet who could stand anywhere music stood. In the years since, he has carried the word from Madison Square Garden to the United Nations to the stages of the Blue Note Jazz Club in New York and Los Angeles, authored books including Dear Father: Breaking the Cycle of Pain, and served as president of the Recording Academy’s Chicago Chapter — opening doors so the poets coming after him find them already unlocked.

J. Ivy on stage at the Blue Note, Los Angeles
The Blue Note, Los AngelesPhoto — jenjphoto

He tours and creates alongside his wife and collaborator, vocalist Tarrey Torae. The Beauty of the Journey Tour 2026 is his latest invitation: a night of poetry, music, and testimony — the journey, out loud.

The record
3x
GRAMMY® Award winner
1st
First-ever winner, Best Spoken Word Poetry Album
25+
Years moving audiences worldwide
2024
Second consecutive GRAMMY® — The Light Inside, Best Spoken Word Poetry Album.
2023
Makes history as the first-ever GRAMMY® winner for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album with The Poet Who Sat by the Door.
2023
A second GRAMMY® the same year — The Urban Hymnal with Tennessee State University, Best Roots Gospel Album.
2022
GRAMMY® nomination — Catching Dreams: Live at Fort Knox Chicago.
2015
Releases Dear Father: Breaking the Cycle of Pain.
2004
“Never Let Me Down” with Kanye West and JAY-Z on The College Dropout.
2001
First appearance on HBO’s Def Poetry.