Today we’d like to introduce you to De’Andre Hawthorne. Him and his team share his story with us below.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about De’Andre and his story.
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.
Blaq Ice is an American poet, international Spoken Word life artist, entertainer, lecturer, promoter, producer, host, published author, mentor, and activist. The contributions of this amazing artist to American and Chicago have spoken word poetry is truly Monumental. Blaq Ice founded INTERNATIONAL SPOKEN WORD DAY in October of 2013 (a day celebrated worldwide, honoring performing poets), honored every year, one week after NATIONAL POETRY DAY. Not only has he left an imprint in arts and entertainment but he has also left his footprint in communities all across America with an artist/activist movement, inspiring thousands of ordinary people to use their gifts to do extraordinary work in their communities. This is Blaq Ice.
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 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 activities 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 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 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.
Blaq Ice worked hard on his stage performance, being the youngest member and knowing one day, the members of the group would graduate, being one year ahead of him, leaving him to pursue a solo career. In 1988, he changed his name to Ice Cold the Ultimate Warrior, adopting the name ultimate warrior from one of his favorite WWF wrestlers at that time.
Has it been a smooth road? What have been some of the struggles along the way?
On September 3, 2008, Blaq Ice lost his eldest son to Osteosarcoma cancer at the age of 15, on the 2nd day of his Sophomore year at Urban Prep Academy in Chicago. This devastated him to the point where he began to contemplated suicide. For years, he would mourn the loss of his son, often shedding tears when performing on stage. Spoken word poetry and performing became his therapy and he recommitted himself to his activism work.
What else should we know about the story?
In 2009, a year after the loss of his son, Blaq Ice began to artistically create again. He created the Truth Hour Bible Radio Show co-hosted by Bro. Julius. Truth Hour is a show designed to educate listeners on the Bible. Their motto is, “If you can’t read it, don’t believe it.” The show caught on like wildfire and gained listeners around the world. In 2010, Blaq Ice created the Kings and Queens of Poetry brand, designed to honor his fellow poets on the poetry scene and began to hit the heights of his spoken word career. In the year 2010, over 2,000 people supported his shows, crowning him one of the Kings of Poetry.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
What I love about my city is the pride of the people here. There are opportunities if you look for it. I love the people, the communities and of course the sports teams. Our downtown is incredible and the children have so much promise in them.
I dislike the culture of crime in Chicago and the lack of resources the city gives to the poor communities on the south and west sides of the city.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.blaqice.com
- Phone: 312.719.7310
- Email: blaqiceprd@yahoo.com
- Instagram: kingofpoetryblaqice
- Facebook: blaqicechicago
- Twitter: BlaqIcePoetKing
- Other: www.iampoet.org
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
