I'm VERY excited abou the upcoming release of my book "Dear Father: Breaking the Cycle of Pain!" I really feel and hope this message of healing will help our communities rebuild by using the power of forgiveness. Look out for it January 27, 2015. Pre-order your copy from Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com, or your local Book Store. Brought to you by Beyond Words, Imprint of Atria Books & Simon & Schuster. Here is a look at what's to come. LOVE!
#NewRelease #TagSomebody As you know January 27, 2015 release of my new book #DearFather #BreakingTheCycleOfPain (Brought to you by Beyond Words, publisher of #TheSecret and Imprint of Atria Books/Simon and Schuster). Needless to say, I’m very excited for you all to read this beautiful story of healing! My ultimate wish is that these powerful lessons that I was able to learn during my walk may spark and encourage you to take your own journey of forgiveness. With each moment of bettering ourselves I know we will eventually break the cycle and engage in a much happier society… Much more to come from #DearFather in the coming weeks. Be sure to pre-order your copy today! (Link is located in the store.)
In the mean time I wanted to put a little something on your ears and spirit. Music has always been a love of mine and expressing my art thru this format is one of my proud addictions. Over the years I’ve been blessed with many opportunities that have not only allowed me to create my own moments, but have also presented me with chances to collaborate with some of our times most creative artists. I’ve recorded hundreds of songs. My J. Ivy playlist in my iTunes is on swole, so I figured why not give you a taste of what I experience when I shuffle thru the vault. DJ’s are known for “diggin’ in the crates,” but when a poet goes fishing in the stash of notebooks and journals, I like to refer to it as “Diggin’ In The Papes.”
From Slum Village to Crooked I to Disclosure to Mikey Rocks to Carl Thomas to Chill Moody to a remake of a Jimi Hendrix classic I’m excited to share Volume 1 of this collective with you and yours. All it will cost is a listen (free download). So listen! And when you love it like I do, share it with somebody. Love y’all much!! Have a BLESSED week!!
PEACE!
J. Ivy
#DigginInThePapes
Diggin' In The Papes - Vol. 1
Doug E. Fresh x J. Ivy
I was #DigginInThePapes and found this flip of me rocking with the World's Greatest Entertainer Doug E. Fresh in #DC back in April!! What a moment!! MUCH LOVE Big Bruh!! S/O to MC Lyte Talib Kweli Arrested Development (group) Raheem DeVaughn DJ Kool Black Alley AMAZING SHOW!!!
Today is the 3 month mark for the January 27, 2015 release of my new book#DearFather #BreakingTheCycleOfPain (Brought to you by Beyond Words, publisher of #TheSecret and Imprint of Atria Books/Simon and Schuster). Needless to say, I’m very excited for you all to read this beautiful story of healing! My ultimate wish is that these powerful lessons that I was able to learn during my walk may spark and encourage you to take your own journey of forgiveness. With each moment of bettering ourselves I know we will eventually break the cycle and engage in a much happier society… Much more to come from #DearFather in the coming weeks. Be sure to pre-order your copy today! Link is located in my bio. MUCH LOVE!!
3 MONTHS TO GO!!!
This past weekend I had the pleasure of speaking at TEDxAshburn about the "Power of Forgiveness." I have found in my journey and in writing my book "Dear Father: Breaking the Cycle of Pain" that this idea sits in the core of our love for ourselves and others. The love shown to me down in Ashburn, VA was above and beyond. I want to thank you for extending the invitation. I had an AMAZING time and was enlightened by all the speakers who presented. MUCH LOVE!! #TEDxAshburn #Inspiring2Believe #TEDx #TED #TEDtalks
TEDxAshburn
For the next three days I'll be rocking out with my good brother @DeepakChopra at @SagesScientists!! Tune in with us on http://ustre.am/IdPX... #sas14 LETS GO!!
Sages & Scientists w/ Deepak Chopra
I’m very excited and proud about this announcement. Recently I signed a major book deal with Beyond Words an Imprint of Atria Books and Simon & Schuster. Since the signing I have been busy writing and producing the book along side a great group of individuals to bring to the world a story I’ve been looking forward to telling: “Dear Father – Breaking the Cycle of Pain.”
Many of you know my poem “Dear Father” from my performances over the years. It has been the piece that has brought me the most joy, the most understanding, the most healing, the most peace. Bigger then the effect of the poem is the story itself. Writing this, taking the cool stroll down memory lane, I was reminded of so many lessons, so many blessings, that I was allowed to attain along the way. Here in this book, this life story, this memoir, this compilation of tales, vignettes, and poetry, I look to share what I’ve learned with you and the world.
The goal of this story is to start a conversation with hopes of sparking healing in our society, especially with the younger generation. Many of the ills that we see in the world stem from single-parented homes, but that doesn’t have to mean that all is lost. Many have witnessed the strength of people and my wish is that this tool will serve as reminder of our strength.
Again, this is a very exciting moment, not just for me and my family, but for all that this book can help. So to Beyond Words, Atria Books, and Simon & Schuster I’m looking forward to continuing to rock with you. And to everyone who has supported me and will support “Dear Father – Breaking the Cycle of Pain,” which is due to come out January 27, 2015, I sincerely thank you! Pre-orders available now!
Beyond Words: http://www.beyondword.com/product/dear-father
“Dreams Don’t Come True, They Are True!”
Dear Father - The Book
I Defy
Where my hoopers at? We shot this spot for those who live above the rim. I would have done the dunk myself but, um, err, my hoops weren't feeling good that day...haha Dir by @ChrisVelona S/O to Clifton Malone! Great working with yall!
Man I'm speechless...I hoped on IG this morning and came across this post from @littlemissii, my homegirl and teacher from Ennis county Clare, Republic of #Ireland. Amanda worked with her 6th grade students on an art project and they decided to paint a mural of my poem from #NeverLetMeDown. I'm beyond moved by the beautiful art and gesture. I'm so inspired by their kindness, skill, and hard work. MUCH LOVE IRELAND!!! THANK YOU!!!
Love of the Irish
HAPPY, HAPPY FATHERS DAY to my Dad and all the Dads, GrandFathers, Great GrandFathers, Father-In-Laws, GodFathers, and Father Figures out there making a difference in their children's lives. You are beyond appreciated!! #HappyFathersDay
HAPPY FATHERS DAY
@GetJETmag For so many years getting this small printed treasure in the mail or off of the stands was the true Beauty of the Week. You kept us informed. You inspired us. You shed a beautiful light on Black Culture. Springing from my hometown #Chicago you touched tens of millions. Many flipped thru the pages and wished to be on them. Many flipped thru the pages and dreamed bigger. Personally it was an honor to be able to grace some of those pages... You were our Internet, our radio, our television... our pipeline of information. You put the crown on top of countless African-Americans. You were our voice, holding true to being a beacon of light for us to look to, documenting our grand tale, incasing the power of our history, our story, and our future. From news, to the arts, to politics, to beauty, to fashion, to music, to writers, to entertainment, to sports, to love you broke stories, told stories from our perspective and forever jetted into our hearts. To John H. Johnson, the Johnson Publishing and JET Family, we love you. We thank you! Cheers to the next chapter! See you online... J. Ivy
#LinesOnMyMind #TheJET #TheJETMagazine #BlackHistory
The JET!
"Point blank, they say J. Ivy on some other shhhhh... Well, let it be none that I've been a son of a gun ever since my Pops grabbed his lover's hips and shot me into the Mothership...I'm spacing out!" - J. Ivy
In celebration of our new books, I had the honor of performing and introducing The GodFather of Funk Mr. George Clinton. (Be sure to check out "Brothas Be Like Yo George, Ain't That Funkin' Kinda Hard On You.") This was one of those moments I'll never forget. There's nothing like doing your thing, but to do it with one of the greatest ever is humbling to say the least. And Big Bruh was cooler than a fan! After the show he kicked a couple poems for me... Some of the coldest poetry I've ever heard. Appreciate the love G!
Shout out to the Parliment Family, Funkadelic, Atria Books, Beyond Words, Judith Curr, Yona Deshommes, Emily Han, Jackie Hooper, Richard Cohn, and The Simon & Schuster Family. Looking forward to the next time...
"I WANT TO GET FUNKED UP!"
On the Mothership!
Renowned poet and author J. Ivy reflects on the life lessons of lyrical legend Maya Angelou
Today the world took a deep breath, paused, and smiled at what she left. Poet, author, writer, director, actress, activist, and professor, Dr. Maya Angelou had an amazing way of connecting to us all. She connected us all. No matter your ethnicity, your religious belief, your gender, or your age, she penetrated your way of thinking, shifting and guiding us with her passion and insight.
Fear was never heard in her words. Her honesty, her vulnerability carried an indescribable strength, a strength that inspired us to look inside and ignite our own. The undeniable beauty of her work made you want to write your own. She pulled at our heart’s cords and moved us to push the pen. She breathed new life and birthed the playgrounds our creativity would play in. She nurtured us with hope. She planted peaceful seeds that would sprout in our ideas. She became the Mother of our Words.
Sweet Maya moved us. She awakened us. She transformed us. She placed us in a new light. We all wanted to shine like her. We wanted to rhyme like her. When we discovered her, we discovered the artist within. Whether you rapped, sang, or wrote poetry, she ignited a love in you that motivated you to create new worlds. She taught us that words have an immeasurable power. She made you think deeply about each letter you chose to place on the page. There lied a challenge to construct the perfect stanzas, the perfect phrase, and the perfect quotes.
What will make the people think? What will make people jump up from their depressions, their woes, and their heartaches? What will make someone go against the strain of any grain and do something spectacular? What would lift people? What would inspire people? What would move people? What will make me break the chains of life’s challenges? What would Maya do?
Over time she wrote a revolution. Minds spun and opened at every graceful stroke she penned. Elegance embraced her energy. She was electric. Angelically she touched our souls. Her poems became our prayers. She gave us an undying hope to believe, to dream. Love was the force that drove her so we fell in love with her over and over and over again. Her voice was our calm in the storm. Her gift was our warm in the cold…
For generations, she led us with her grace. From our parent’s and teacher’s introductions to her, to every following line that she uttered, Dr. Angelou touched us with her light, raising our vibrations. She pulled back the steel curtain that shaded our power. She helped us discover the majesty inside. She helped us recognize our worth and our value. The blues she put in print became our blueprint. She turned her misery into works of art that the world will forever admire. When she spoke, without force, we silenced our minds and listened intensely. Without hesitation world leaders gave her the floor.
And when the future ask why, we’ll tell them because she was a beautiful giant, perfectly, poetically, pirouetting on timelines. She wrote her way into souls. She was a lifeline, which is why her voice, her ideals, and her wisdom became our fuel, our food for the soul, our antidote for our pain. She was beautiful. She was priceless. This un-caged bird still rises, singing with a rhythm that beats like God’s heart. Her phenomenal truth will echo endlessly…
What Would Maya Do? (VibeMagazine.com Feature)
She taught us,
She defined us,
She redefined us,
She helped us find us,
She inspired us,
She shaped us,
She wrote us,
She painted us with words,
She filled us with pride,
She made us proud of the skin we’re in,
She lifted us,
She convinced us to rise again,
And again,
She gave us strength,
She whispered life into our spirits,
She read our beauty,
She fed our hearts,
She motivated our beings,
She encouraged our courage,
She saved so many,
She birthed the poet in us all,
She spoke love into our existence,
She shattered the hate that imprisoned us,
She set us free with her mind, her soul, her heart, her words,
She is our sweet voice,
She is the voice of the ages…
Sweet, Sweet Maya, we will forever love you.
Rest In Peace…
Sweet, Sweet Maya
I love hollering at cool people. Check out my new interview with the good people of @paradigmMag... Live Your Purpose http://paradigmmagazine.com/2014/05/15/j-ivy-interview/#prettyPhoto
Interview Paradigm Magazine
EVERYDAY IS MOTHER’S DAY
Written By: J. Ivy
Everyday I celebrate you,
Because your love has no limit,
No blemish,
I celebrate your natural willingness to care and encourage,
I admire your courage and strength,
You’re my gift,
My breath of fresh air,
My hero,
My superhero that has sacrificed so much so I would have a fair chance at life,
You put your time aside to teach me to fight thru the challenges of life,
You taught me to be strong,
To right my wrongs,
You’re the perfect song,
The brightest smile,
Who would do anything to protect her child,
Making me laugh when the world was so cruel,
Molding me with wise rules,
Kissing any bump or bruise so it would feel better,
And it always did,
You would give and give and give so my dreams could live,
You gave your all,
You give your all,
An angel who will never fall,
Just soar and inspire,
GOD’s special work of art on display for me to admire,
You paved the way for my deepest desires,
With an honest tongue you would tell me the ways of the world,
There are no maps for the traps,
But you always say, “Just keep on trucking,”
Wise words from my favorite girl,
The perfect pearl,
My thorn-less rose,
Everyday my love for you grows deeper,
I understand what you’ve done,
You’ve always made me feel important,
Yes, I’m a proud son,
Who deeply appreciates your dedication and resiliency,
I’m appreciative of the love and value you’ve instilled in me,
From day one it’s been pure and true,
That’s why everyday is Mother’s Day,
Because everyday I can’t help but celebrate You…
I LOVE YOU MA!
Everyday Is Mother's Day
"...So Branch out,
Stand tall,
Reach for your Horizons.
BREATHE...
Then Paint your Canvas,
As High as the Sky is." #PeaceOffering Part 4 of 4 #PhotoPoem By J. Ivy #LinesOnMyMind#DigginInThePapes
#PhotoPoem
NEW YORK Performance
Tonight I'll be rocking with the fam & fellow Poet Lemon Andersen for his show "A Poet's Stories." This is going to be one of those nights so be sure to be in the building. Tammany Hall 152 Orchard St. New York, New York. Doors open at 730pm. SEE Y'ALL THERE!!
"Name in the rafters. Champions who championed thru life's chapters." #Happy #NationalPoetryMonth#LinesOnMyMind #DigginInThePapes #Inspiration#PayingHomage #TheBlackPoets #WriteON
#PhotoPoem
Photo by: David Guttenfelder
THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE
Poem by: J. Ivy
How do you shine in a city so big?
Needle in a haystack wanting to be a twig,
A branch,
So you branch out,
Stomp hard with your dreams,
Rooted by the passion that burns within,
Not knowing how your path will bend or end…
You begin,
With high hopes and burning desires,
You float thru your concrete jungle,
In search for inspiration that will fuel your fire,
Feed your purpose,
Reveal your reason for being,
Clearly seeing,
You become a beacon of light in the darkest days,
A sign that leads us thru life’s shade,
Haze,
You maneuver thru the maze,
At times you may flicker,
But you never stop breathing life into your flame,
You trail blaze with the motor of your blaze,
Your wants,
Your needs,
Your ways,
You protect them with an unbreakable force,
On course with your lantern,
Your heart,
Leading the way,
Amongst tall buildings and a billion stories,
It’s your wishes,
Your will,
It’s you that you find,
As the choir in your core sings,
“This little light of mine…”
#PhotoPoem #LinesOnMyMind #DigginInThePapes #NationalPoetryMonth