Enjoy the Blaq Ice Experience: King of Spoken Word Poetry and Father of the Chicago Poet Laureate
THE MAN THE MYTH THE LEGEND
THE MAN
THE LEGEND
THE MYTH
Once in a lifetime, society is blessed with a rare spirit that brings forth cultural change, sets new standards of greatness and serves as a sacrifice for future generations. BLAQ ICE IS ONE OF THE GREATEST SPOKEN WORD ENTERTAINERS OF HIS GENERATION.
THE MYTH
THE LEGEND
THE MYTH
Blaq Ice's impact extends beyond arts and entertainment; he has made significant contributions to communities across America through his artist/activist movement, P.O.E.T. This movement has inspired thousands of ordinary people to use their gifts to do extraordinary work in their communities.
THE LEGEND
THE LEGEND
THE LEGEND
A legend in the Chicago's Hip Hop community and an activist who turns words into action, Blaq Ice founded the Legends of Chicago Hip Hop in 2013 and the National Spoken Word Awards in 2016.
How It all Began
The Beginning
Blaq Ice was born Tyrone De'Andre Hawthorne in the early 70s in the Englewood neighborhood on Chicago's south side. At an early age Blaq Ice developed a love for arts and entertainment, often times showing his dance skills at family gatherings.
During his elementary school years, already a lover of the R & B groups of that time, he be
Blaq Ice was born Tyrone De'Andre Hawthorne in the early 70s in the Englewood neighborhood on Chicago's south side. At an early age Blaq Ice developed a love for arts and entertainment, often times showing his dance skills at family gatherings.
During his elementary school years, already a lover of the R & B groups of that time, he began entering talent shows, showcasing his entertainment skills. It was not until 1985 that he first fell in love with Hip Hop. After watching the movie Krush Groove and meeting a local Rap group, the M.O.C. Rappers (Top Dog, Double C & Baby Fresh), Blaq Ice began to pursue a new passion, Hip Hop
The Birth Of Ice Cold
During his high school years, he began to establish his lyrical skills competing in historical lunchroom battles with members of C.O.D (Crew of Destruction).
His skills became so undeniable that people who heard him began to say that he was ice cold, which he soon adopted as a stage name. He later joined C.O.D., which later changed thei
During his high school years, he began to establish his lyrical skills competing in historical lunchroom battles with members of C.O.D (Crew of Destruction).
His skills became so undeniable that people who heard him began to say that he was ice cold, which he soon adopted as a stage name. He later joined C.O.D., which later changed their name to the Legion of Doom, which was their way of describing themselves as untouchable and that no other rap group stood a chance against them.
The L.O.D. (Traxx, Pac Man, E.L. Radio, J.M.D. & Ice Cold) began to establish themselves as one of the best rap groups in Chicago.
Spreading His Wings
Spreading His Wings
The group began to gain local fame with performances at Homecomings, Prep Rallies, Black History programs, park districts and political functions. Other opportunities began to pour in such as performances for the late Mayor Harold Washington's Inauguration. L.O.D. realized that they could use their gift to make a difference in their comm
The group began to gain local fame with performances at Homecomings, Prep Rallies, Black History programs, park districts and political functions. Other opportunities began to pour in such as performances for the late Mayor Harold Washington's Inauguration. L.O.D. realized that they could use their gift to make a difference in their community and became the commercial act for BADD MIX or Body and Drugs Don't Mix and No Dope Express. L.O.D. made history by being the first rap group to appear on the all new cable T.V. station, CAN TV channel 19.
THE BEGINNINGS OF GREATNESS
THE LEGION OF DOOM
The Legion of Doom started gaining local fame by performing at homecomings, pep rallies, Black History programs, park districts, and political functions. This led to opportunities like performing at the inauguration of the late Mayor Harold Washington. Realizing they could use their talent to make a difference in their community, L.O.D. became the commercial act for BADD MIX (Body and Drugs Don't Mix) and No Dope Express. They made history as the first rap group to appear on the new cable TV station, CAN TV channel 19.
ICE COLD THE ULTIMATE WARRIOR
As the youngest member of the group, Blaq Ice dedicated himself to honing his stage performance, aware that his older peers would graduate a year ahead of him, leaving him to pursue a solo career. In 1988, he rebranded himself as Ice Cold the Ultimate Warrior, inspired by one of his favorite WWF wrestlers of the time.
ON TOP OF HIS GAME
Blaq Ice began his solo career and acquired Darrell Wilson (Sax Preacher), a world renown saxophonist, as a manager in 1989, acquired 2 dancers, Knowledge & Wisdom and his solo career began to sky rocket. He began a Chicago park district tour, a Chicago Summer-fest tour and had his own section in the Back to School and Bud Billiken Parades. In 1989 he began to be played regularly on Chicago radio stations WHPK 88.5FM and WKKC 89.3FM. One of the highlights of his Hip Hop career came in 1989 as one of the opening acts for Hip Hop Legend Ice-T and backstage encounters with Hip Hop Legends, MC Lyte and Big Daddy Kane.
THE BIRTH OF P.O.E.T
In 1990, he won the Chicago High School City-Wide Jamboree, earning the title of the best high school rap artist in the city. Throughout the 1990s, Blaq Ice continued his hip-hop career as the creator and founder of P.O.E.T (People Of Extraordinary Talent), established in 1990. He toured schools in the Chicago area with edu-tainment programs, blending education and entertainment.
FROM BOYS TO MEN
FROM BOYS TO MEN
In 1993, with the birth of his first child, Blaq Ice shifted his focus towards financial stability. He opened his first business, New Jack Jewelry, a jewelry store in Englewood Mall on 64th and Halsted in Chicago, the neighborhood where he grew up. The store's name was inspired by the 1991 film "New Jack City," which motivated him to venture into business. Following the success of New Jack Jewelry, Blaq Ice opened several other businesses, including record shops, beauty salons, and clothing stores. His second son was born in 1996, and throughout the '90s, he continued to thrive in business and toured schools with his P.O.E.T organization.
THE INTRODUCTION OF BLAQ ICE
THE BIRTH OF BLAQ ICE
THE BIRTH OF BLAQ ICE
THE BIRTH OF BLAQ ICE
In November 2000, inspired by a stage show produced by Strawberri Taylor (Queen of Erotic Poetry) earlier that year, he entered the spoken word poetry scene in Chicago. Not wanting to use his hip-hop name, Ice Cold, he searched for a new stage name for his spoken word career. One day, a coworker, aware of his rap roots and intending to b
In November 2000, inspired by a stage show produced by Strawberri Taylor (Queen of Erotic Poetry) earlier that year, he entered the spoken word poetry scene in Chicago. Not wanting to use his hip-hop name, Ice Cold, he searched for a new stage name for his spoken word career. One day, a coworker, aware of his rap roots and intending to be condescending, called him "black ass Ice." This sparked an idea, leading him to adopt the name Black Ice as his new stage name.
THE TRANSFORMATION
THE BIRTH OF BLAQ ICE
THE BIRTH OF BLAQ ICE
A couple of years later, in 2002, Russell Simmons' Def Poetry Jam hit the airwaves, and he discovered another poet using the same name. To differentiate himself, he changed the spelling to Blaq and established Blaq Ice as his new stage name. In 2004, he received the Spoken Word Award for Most Versatile Poet. From 2000 to 2008, Blaq Ice b
A couple of years later, in 2002, Russell Simmons' Def Poetry Jam hit the airwaves, and he discovered another poet using the same name. To differentiate himself, he changed the spelling to Blaq and established Blaq Ice as his new stage name. In 2004, he received the Spoken Word Award for Most Versatile Poet. From 2000 to 2008, Blaq Ice became one of the most successful open mic hosts, performers, and promoters of spoken word in the Chicagoland area.
THE TEST
THE BIRTH OF BLAQ ICE
THE TESTIMONY
On September 3, 2008, Blaq Ice faced the devastating loss of his eldest son to osteosarcoma cancer at the age of 15, just two days into his sophomore year at Urban Prep Academy in Chicago. The tragedy pushed him to the brink of contemplating suicide. For years, he mourned his son's loss, often shedding tears while performing on stage.
On September 3, 2008, Blaq Ice faced the devastating loss of his eldest son to osteosarcoma cancer at the age of 15, just two days into his sophomore year at Urban Prep Academy in Chicago. The tragedy pushed him to the brink of contemplating suicide. For years, he mourned his son's loss, often shedding tears while performing on stage. Spoken word poetry and performing became his therapy, and he recommitted himself to his activism work.
THE TESTIMONY
THE BIRTH OF BLAQ ICE
THE TESTIMONY
In 2009, he established the Tyrone Hawthorne Cancer Scholarship Foundation, a charity designed to reward graduating seniors at Urban Prep Academy, where his son attended, scholarships in the amount of $1000 to help with their expenses. The foundation has also helped families of slain teens with burial expenses and has granted wishes to c
In 2009, he established the Tyrone Hawthorne Cancer Scholarship Foundation, a charity designed to reward graduating seniors at Urban Prep Academy, where his son attended, scholarships in the amount of $1000 to help with their expenses. The foundation has also helped families of slain teens with burial expenses and has granted wishes to children who are victims of violence and/or stricken with disease.
HISTORY MAKER
THE FIRST HIP HOP/ SPOKEN WORD ARTIST IN CHICAGO TO RUN FOR POLITICAL OFFICE
In 2000, Blaq Ice saw the need for change in his community and ran for political office in the 17th Ward in the city of Chicago. He made history as the 1st Hip Hop/ Spoken Word artist to run political office in Chicago. His campaign slogan read, " Tradition has gotten us where we are, change will carry us into the future".
A HISTORICAL MOMENT IN CHICAGO
Blaq Ice made history, as part of the Black Heroes Matter Movement, he was largely responsible in the renaming of one of Chicago's historic streets, Lake Shore Drive. He led the rallying cry with his poem, BLACK HEROES MATTER. The poem is about Jean Baptiste Point DuSable, the Founder of Chicago, who had been denied his proper acknowledgement for 200 years. This movement, led by Ephraim Martin, successfully got the street name changed from Lake Shore Drive to Jean Baptist Point DuSable Lake Shore Drive
FATHER OF THE CHICAGO POET LAUREATE
De'Andre Hawthorne, also known as Blaq Ice, holds the distinction of being the driving force behind the establishment of the Chicago Poet Laureate. In a historic move, he successfully advocated for the position by engaging with Chicago 17th Ward Alderman David Moore who brought it to the city council in 2022. Through persistent efforts, including numerous phone calls and emails, Blaq Ice's dedication culminated in the appointment of Avery Young as Chicago's inaugural poet laureate on April 24, 2023. Beyond achieving a significant milestone, Blaq Ice's pivotal role has not only solidified his status as the Father of the Chicago Poet Laureate, but has also created a lasting impact by opening doors for future generations in the poetry and Spoken Word community.
THE MAKINGS OF A KING
A NEW LANE
His rising fame led him to embark on several national and international tours, performing in places such as Mexico, Aruba, Punta Cana, and Jamaica. In 2010, Blaq Ice launched P.O.E.T RADIO, one of the first internet radio stations dedicated to open mic poetry. Since its inception, the station has expanded significantly, offering programming from Sunday to Friday, and has garnered multiple National Poetry Awards for best station and show in the United States.
That same year, Blaq Ice also established the Kings and Queens of Poetry brand, aimed at celebrating his fellow poets and marking a peak in his spoken word career. By the end of 2010, over 2,000 people supported his shows, solidifying his status as one of the leading figures in the poetry world.
FILMS FEATURING BLAQ ICE POETRY
STEP OFF THE BLOCK
The indie film "SEX AIN'T LOVE," written and produced by Chicago film director Will Adams, opens with a spoken word scene by internationally acclaimed poet Blaq Ice. If you listen closely, Blaq Ice's poem serves as a summary of the film. You can watch the film now on Amazon Prime Video and Tubi.
SEX AIN'T LOVE
The indie film "STEP OFF THE BLOCK," written and produced by Chicago film director Will Adams, features an opening spoken word scene by internationally acclaimed poet Blaq Ice. Blaq Ice provides the voice for the lead character, Smash, who plays the role of a poet. The film is now available on Amazon Prime Video and Tubi.
THE BEST OF THE BEST
A DECADE OF GREATNESS
BLAQ ICE HAS WON 10 CHICAGO MUSIC AWARDS AND 9 FOR BEST SPOKEN WORD POET
A MAN OF MANY TALENTS
THE WORLD'S GREATEST SPOKEN WORD ENTERTAINER
Blaq Ice is not just a Spoken Word Artist or poet—he’s a true powerhouse of entertainment. His talents are multifaceted, making him a dynamic force on any stage. As a host and emcee, he’s electrifying, infusing every event with an energy that’s simply unmatched. His chemistry with the crowd is magnetic, turning ordinary moments into unforgettable experiences.
When Blaq Ice steps behind the DJ booth, the atmosphere shifts. He has an innate ability to read the room, knowing exactly what to play and when to play it, ensuring everyone is up and involved, dancing to the rhythm he creates.
But that’s not all—Blaq Ice’s hosting skills give you the ultimate package: it’s like getting two entertainers in one. As a lecturer and public speaker, his connection with audiences is profound. He doesn’t just speak; he resonates, leaving those who hear him inspired and motivated long after the event is over.
DJ TONY SWAAGA
Blaq Ice is a man of many talents and personas. When he's spinning the decks, he transforms into DJ Tony Swaaga, one of Chicago's top DJ entertainers. DJ Tony Swaaga is a master at creating unforgettable experiences for concerts, showcases, comedy, and poetry events. Known as the world's greatest Spoken Word DJ, he brings an unmatched energy to every event, elevating it to new heights.
HE KNOWS HOW TO MOVE A CROWD
From the youngest to the oldest, Blaq Ice captivates every audience with his extensive entertainment experience. His exceptional ability to read and connect with the crowd is what sets him apart, making him the world’s greatest Spoken Word entertainer.
