J. IVY:  First of all, I would like to thank you for extending the courtesy of this interview. Me knowing that poetry would be my journey in life didn’t come until the years of 1993 and 1994. In ’93, while still attending Rich Central high school in Olympia Fields, IL, my English teacher, Ms. Argue, insisted on me performing in a school-show after hearing a prose that I wrote for homework. To my surprise, my first performance, which was a monologue about Malcolm X, resulted in a standing ovation. I immediately found myself hooked on the feeling of that rush. In ’94, while attending Illinois State University in Normal, IL, I penned my first poem, which again thru my English professor, led me to performances on campus. From the beginning I fell in love with performing and writing, so it was easy to know that I wanted to do these things for the rest of my life. God spoke and I listened.

SV:   I know you have made many accomplishments, and a few of them are national projects.  But one thing that made me proud of you as a poet, as a supporter of poetry, is when I saw the video/commercial you did for  “Make Your History.”  Please, tell me about your experience with the “History In The Making” campaign with Verizon. 

JI:  When I had the opportunity to work on campaigns, such as Verizon’s “History in the Making,” the experience was like no other. My family up at Burrell Communications, one of the largest Black Advertisement Agencies in the U.S., called and asked me if I was interested in the idea. Needless to say, I was, so after writing the piece, we headed out to L.A., where Bob Giraldi, who directed Michael Jackson’s “Beat It,” filmed me performing the cinematic version of the poem. Between seeing that spot in movie theatres, hearing it on the radio, and seeing the written form in magazines like Essence, Ebony, and Black Enterprises (which also included a voice chip with me reciting the piece), it was a great reminder of the blessings and the gifts that God has shared with me. To be able to speak about making History, while at the same time Making History was very monumental for me, and for our community.

SV:  What was it like recording with the “Hip Hop Violinist”, Miri Ben-Ari, John Legend, Jay-Z & Kanye West? 

JI:  Working with Miri Ben-Ari, John Legend, Jay-Z & Kanye were all great experiences. When I look at these different artists, I see the best, so to share a moment in time with them meant a lot. Everyone was easy going, everyone knew exactly what it was they wanted, and they all worked fast. I guess professional would be the best way to describe them all. But so would genius.

SV:  As a solo artist, you are definitely making moves on your own, but what inspired you to form the phenomenal group, J. Torae with Chicago Native Tarrey Torae?

JI:  To be an artist in this day and age is no easy task. You have your ups and downs as with any profession. I’ve been fortunate to be able to maintain a steady climb upward, which is fulfilling, but I want to continue to touch the world…the entire World. Along side Tarrey Torae, one of the most amazing singers you will ever hear, who makes up half of our group J. Torae, I feel that we will be able to reach that common goal. We’re both strong on our own, but together it feels magical. Together we can change more lives. Together we can truly make History and leave our mark on the World. J. Torae!