WHAT!! #DearFather #BreakingtheCycleofPain hit the #1NewRelease on @Amazon's Rap & Hip-Hop Musician Biographies!! Thanks for all the support! Let's keep it at #1...order your copy today!! #ThePowerOfForgiveness #DearFatherLetters #OneMillionLettersWritten #OneMillionHeartsHealed #WhoDoYouForgive #Grateful #FeelsSOGOODtoLetGo @beyond_words_books @atriabooks @simonandschuster
#PhotoPoem "Cold Days" by J. Ivy
#PhotoPoem by J. Ivy
Cold days,
Frozen nights,
Frigid winds,
Bitter life,
But,
We boot up and trek on,
From home to work,
Work to church,
Cars scoot by kicking up white dirt,
So cold it hurts,
Naked trees throw shade on your smirk,
Your light,
Your fight is slowed down when snowy carpets are rolled out,
Plows touch down and run snow routes,
But we don't stop,
The big game is coming on,
Perfect day to be snowed in,
Find balance in the low ends,
So what the wind is blowing,
We're from the Go so we can't help but keep going..." #gametime #WhoYouGot #SuperBowl #SuperBowlSunday #NFL #Seattle #Seahawks #NewEngland #Patriots #Football
J. Ivy "I NEED to Write" from the new book "DEAR FATHER: Breaking the Cycle of Pain"
I'm VERY EXCITED to share with you the second video from my new book "DEAR FATHER: Breaking the Cycle of Pain," "I NEED to Write," directed by my good brother Camovement!! Check it out, share with your people, and pick up your copy of "DEAR FATHER" today!! S/O to @LDRS1354 @bornflyclothing @danawaldenjewelry
#ThePOWERofFORGIVENESS
#ThePOWERofFORGIVENESS On November 15, 1999 my Pops made his transition. On November 15, 2013 I was offered a book deal to write a book about my father. On the night of January 27, 1999 I met this find young lady, who had quit her job earlier that day and made her way to a club called Rituals to pursue a professional singing career. Later this young lady became my girl, my woman, my wife and one day told me I Needed to Break the Cycle. And today January 27, 2015 I have the honor of announcing the release of my new book "Dear Father: Breaking the Cycle of Pain." I can't tell you how filled up with gratitude for this moment to finally be here. I've been looking forward to telling this story on a larger scale for a long time and God has opened the doors to allow me to tell it. There were times when I didn't have the courage to write about it, when I didn't have the energy to write about it, and when I didn't have the experience or wisdom to completely tell this story. But thankfully, life went on and the words made their way to the page. The stories revealed themselves. The healing was found. The joy was remembered. I'm telling this story because I want to share these tools of healing with others. I PRAY and I KNOW it will and can help others so I went to work, spent hour after hour in countless cafés, hotels, and restaurants from Chicago to Harlem to Brooklyn to Boston to DC to Los Angeles. I let that stream of consciousness flow and attempted to catch every thought and feeling that came my way. I'm proud because after combing thru edit after edit, chapter after chapter, story after story, poem after poem, thought after thought, idea after idea, I know I accomplished that goal. I want, we want to start this dialogue of healing. So today I ask that you go out and pick up your copy of the book. To my folks out east, stay warm, be safe, and order it online or pick it up later this week. I thank you all for your support. I'm looking forward to seeing you all soon. I'm looking forward to us healing together.
Your Friendly Neighborhood Poet,
J. Ivy
Published by: Beyond Words Publishing/Atria Books/Simon and Schuster
J. Ivy "Dream BIG" from the book "DEAR FATHER: Breaking the Cycle of Pain"
Walking out of the movie “Selma” on the anniversary of Dr.Martin Luther King’s birth, my mind was taken to a place of calm, a place of peace, a place of remembrance of how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go. Immediately my mind drifted to the current climate of our nation. I thought about Ferguson. I thought about Eric Garner. I thought about the young black man who was gunned down in Ohio. I thought about the police brutality, the false charges, the harassment that I, and others, have gone thru as people of color. I thought about the promise of justice our country has failed to fully deliver on.
The fight continues, but as surely as the hand of hate that has repeatedly swung down on the poor, the disheartened, the educational system, judicial system, and political system, I believe in the hope that Dr. King fought for. I believe that love will ultimately prevail. I believe that we will overcome if we don’t lose focus in the confusion that has been set at ourtables. I believe the holes that have been driven in our hope will be refilled with our mastery that can’t be taken away by no living being.
Yes, the story “Selma” depicted inspired me deeply. Dr. King has always been one of my greatest inspirations. When I took to the stage, I wanted to speak with the same prestige he spoke. I wanted to spark people’s spirits the way he did. I wanted to remind us of the peace we can all attain. I wanted to keep his dream of hope alive.
It was that hope for peace that drove me to write the poem “Dear Father.” I hoped that GOD would grant me the strength to push past thepain and to forgive myself for the wrongs I had done and spoken. I hoped that my father, who had passed, knew that I forgave him. I hoped that I would be able to reconnect with my father thru my words. I hoped that he would remain close to my heart, guiding me with his spirit. I hoped that I could make him proud. I hoped that I made him happy.I hoped that after a life long fight he was able to find his peace.
After writing that poem, in the depth of my gut I knew he had. I knew that I did. I knew that with a shield of clarity guarding my mind and a light heart paving the way, I could continue fighting to better myself, so I could better those around me. I’m not perfect. Who is? But after the words of that poem left my spirit and used the page as a landing strip, I knew, with an esteem sense of confidence that I could take off. Like Dr. King, I knew thatI could “Dream BIG.” It is that idea that I exercise daily. It is that idea that I desperately hold on to. It is that idea that pushes me to do like my grandfather often said, which is “keep on keepin on…take it one day at a time.”
One day I will share with you the amazing, amazing story of how the “Dream BIG” video (the first video installment for my new book “Dear Father: Breaking the Cycle of Pain) came to be, but for now I have to send a very special thanks to my brother, Chris Velona, for directing and shooting this beautiful piece of art. CV, thank you for bringing everyone together to produce this vision. Thanks Rich Sancho for producing this perfect music. Josh Senior, the edit is masterful. Thanks to you and Senior Post for amazing work. Hector Delgado, thank you for letting us record the verse at your studio. Yasmine Richard aka Cuzin Yazz, you’re the best. The locations were perfect. Mike Marasco and Darren Miller, the cinematography is crazy. You, along with CV's eye is amazing. Darren and Eddie Rozay, thanks for bringing out the copters. Greg Magers and Collin Jordan as always, the sound is perfect. Thank you all for “Dreaming BIG” with me on this project. My wish is that it inspires many and lifts our spirits as a whole. Thank you Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for your light and your legacy. We will continue to strive to make your dream, our dream, a reality... GOD Bless You!!
MUCH LOVE,
J. Ivy
"One Million Letters Written, One Million Hearts Healed."
Watch J. Ivy's "Dream BIG" video below. Single available on iTunes. Link is in the store.
WHERE I'M FROM
It's always good to link with someone from the home front and drop a gem of inspiration. With that said, here's one of the latest joints from #LeadersNeverFollowVol1 mixtape "Where I'm From" by BJ the Chicago Kid ft. J. Ivy. S/O to #LDRS1354. LOVE.
Michigan Avenue Magazine →
I want to send a BIG shout out to the fine folks over at Michigan Avenue Magazine. Check out the article written about my upcoming book Dear Father: Breaking the Cycle of Pain, which is set to release January 27, 2015. Pre-orders are available now on Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com and at your local bookstore. Article available at the link below.
Dear Father Book Trailer
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…