LOS ANGELES — If it’s true that poetic lyrics are the heart and soul of music, then this news just brought soul back to the Grammys.

Spoken word artist J. Ivy is reflecting on the honor of being nominated in a brand-new category dedicated to spoken word poetry albums.


What You Need To Know

  • The Recording Academy has established a new Grammy category dedicated to spoken word poetry albums

  • Poet J. Ivy has been nominated for his album "The Poet Who Sat By the Door"

  • This will be the first year a poet is guaranteed to take home a Grammy

  • Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. says the powerful storytelling component of spoken word deserves this form of recognition

"It’s an honor to be Grammy nominated for my album, 'The Poet Who Sat by the Door,'" said Ivy. "I wear the badge of poet with honor."

Ivy is a young soul, but a veteran poet. Featured on Def Poetry Jam and writing for the likes of Kanye West, he’s been Grammy nominated previously in the general spoken word category, but that group included audiobooks with competition ranging from Dave Chappelle to Barack Obama.

Ivy felt the need for a category dedicated to poets, so he wrote a proposal to the Recording Academy — and it listened.

"Five poets are nominated this year, so a poet will be guaranteed to bring a Grammy home, which is groundbreaking," said Ivy. "I’m super proud to be a part of that moment, that history."

Ivy's nominated album includes a moving song with vocals by John Legend, entitled "Running."

The CEO of the Recording Academy, Harvey Mason Jr., says the new category makes sense and serves a passionate demographic.

"I think around spoken word, there’s an opportunity to tell stories in such a profound, and meaningful and impactful way, that the medium is really important," said Mason. "That's why I'm glad we’re honoring it with its own category this year."

Ivy hopes this new category will shine a stronger light on the art form.

“Poetry is the seed of every song ever written," he said. "This will bring a lot more healing, a lot more love, a lot more positive energy into the world."

It’s a new chapter for a timeless form of expression.