King of Poetry, Father of Spoken Word Month & Founder of Chicago Poet Laureate Honor
WELCOME TO THE KING OF POETRY BLAQ ICE EXPERIENCE
The World's Greatest Spoken Word Entertainer and the Father of Spoken Word Month
For Booking Information Contact
THE BEST OF THE BEST
A DECADE OF GREATNESS
BLAQ ICE HAS WON 10 CHICAGO MUSIC AWARDS AND 9 FOR BEST SPOKEN WORD POET
BLAQ ICE AND THE KINGS OF POETRY SOLD OUT
LIVE AT THE CITY WINERY CHICAGO
AMAZING REVIEW IN THE ELMHURST LEADER
BLAQ ICE WINS BEST POET AT THE 312 MUSIC AWARds 2025
2025 - 312 MUSIC AWARD WINNER
10X & 2024 - CHICAGO MUSIC AWARD WINNER
2023 - DUBCEEZ ARTIST OF THE DECADE
6X NATIONAL POETRY AWARD WINNER
2015 LANGSTON HUGHES AWARD
BLAQ ICE wins the 2024 Chicago Music Awards
Step into THE BLAQ ICE EXPERIENCE and discover a world of creativity, Spoken Word, inspiration, and entertainment. From open mics to concerts, from books to movies, we cover it all!
THE WORLD'S GREATEST SPOKEN WORD ENTERTAINER
International Award Winning Poet
Blaq Ice is an award-winning American poet and International Spoken Word artist. A true creative force, he’s a captivating entertainer, lecturer, producer, promoter, videographer, and graphic designer. As a published author, mentor, and activist, he has redefined the spoken word landscape. Known as the Father of the Chicago Poet Laureate, Blaq Ice’s monumental contributions to American and Chicago poetry continue to inspire and ignite audiences worldwide.
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 poet 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 200 YEAR INJUSTICE FINALLY CORRECTED
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
FOUNDER OF THE CHICAGO POET LAUREATE HONOR
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 Founderof the Chicago Poet Laureate Honor, but has also created a lasting impact by opening doors for future generations in the poetry and Spoken Word community.
BLAQ ICE MAKES HISTORY AT THE 312 AWARDS
Chicago’s own Blaq Ice, an international award-winning spoken word poet, has once again made history—this time at the 2025 312 Music Awards on Sunday, March 9. In a landmark achievement for the city's arts community, Blaq Ice became the first poet ever to win both the Chicago Music Awards and the 312 Music Awards, solidifying his place as a trailblazer in the world of spoken word and music.
Blaq Ice’s historic dual win at the 312 Music Awards cements his legacy as a cultural icon in Chicago and beyond. As he holds both titles simultaneously, he stands as a beacon of innovation, proving that spoken word is more than an art form—it is a movement.