He was the 1st Hip Hop artist to run for political office in Chicago and gained city-wide notoriety as one of the youngest candidates to run for Alderman in the 17th ward or the city itself. After winning several debates, he came in 2nd, in what was a four person race to the incumbent Alderman. He would run again in the 2003 and 2007 Aldermanic elections and place 2nd in both. Although defeated, he understood that the real victory was getting involved, speaking out on the issues and being an example of an educated, loquacious young black man for the youth in his community to see.
Blaq Ice
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.
A couple of years later in 2002, Russell Simmon's Def Poetry Jam hit the airwaves and he discovered there was another poet using the same name so he changed the spelling of Black to Blaq and established Blaq Ice as his new stage name. In 2004 he was awarded the Spoken Word Award for Most Versatile Poet and from 2000-2008, Blaq Ice became one of the most successful open mic host, performer and promoter of Spoken Word in the Chicagoland area.
LECTURES AND CURRICULUM
ALBUMS AND DVD RELEASES
KING OF POETRY
PROGRAMS BLAQ ICE HAS CREATED
Step Off The Block 2017
Sex Ain't Love 2014
Welcome To The Southside 2007
MADAME FOCUS (UNITED KINGDOM)
ESSENCE (ORLANDO, FL.)
LONDA LOVE (DOLTON, IL.)
THE LIVING MIRACLE (EAST CHICAGO IN.)
BLAQ ISIS (CHICAGO, IL.)
ETURN-O-FLAME (CHICAGO, IL.)
PUBLISHED BOOKS
His notoriety led to several national and international tours with performances in Mexico, Aruba, Punta Cana and Jamaica. In 2010, Blaq Ice created P.O.E.T RADIO, one of the 1st internet radio station dedicated to open mic poetry. The station has grown since it's creation, has shows Sunday through Friday and has become so popular that it has won multiple National Poetry Awards for best station and or show for poetry in the United States.
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.
- 3:34
- 5:34
Breaking The Ice
Intimate Conversations
Kings Of Poetry
Queens Of Poetry
Blaq In The Day
One Mic Stand
Beauty and The Lyrical Beast
Summer Madness
Stand Up
Verbal Stimulation
Heirs 2 The Throne
Verbal Collision
Game Changers
The I.C.O.N Concert
Legends And Kings Concert
In 2014, Blaq Ice became the 1st Spoken Word artist with Terror Records and helped to propel the label to become Record Label of the year at the Chicago Music Awards. In June of 2015, the hosting skills of Blaq Ice began to reach national attention. He was asked to host, perform and handle the entertainment for the KOOL & THE GANG DAY TRIBUTE in Chicago. Blaq Ice took home another CHICAGO MUSIC AWARD in 2021, his 7th to date.
FROM TRAGEDY TO TRIUMPH
STAGE SHOWS BLAQ ICE HAS CREATED
Today, Blaq Ice is a Husband, a Father of his remaining biological son Denzel and his adopted son Christian. He has excelled to being an international award winning spoken word life artist, touring in and out of the country, entertaining and inspiring thousands of fans and supporters. He continues to teach and lecture in schools and colleges in the United States. The P.O.E.T. organization now has chapters throughout the United States and membership in 3 countries. Thirty two albums/DVDs and several awards later, Blaq Ice has truly established his legacy in Chicago Hip Hop and American Spoken Word Poetry, establishing himself as one of the Kings of Poetry.
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.
In 1993, Blaq Ice 1st child was born and he began to shift his focus to financial stability. He opened his 1st business, New Jack Jewelry, (jewelry store) in the Englewood Mall on 64th and Halsted in Chicago, in the same neighborhood in which he grew up in. The name New Jack Jewelry was inspired by the 1991 film, New Jack City, which inspired him to go into business. After the success of New Jack Jewelry, Blaq Ice began opening several other businesses such as record shops, beauty salons and clothing stores. His 2nd son was born in 1996 and he continued to thrive in business and tour schools with his P.O.E.T organization throughout the 90's.
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.
A LEGEND OF CHICAGO HIP HOP
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.
ARTIST AND ALBUMS BLAQ ICE HAS PRODUCED
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.
5 M's of Artist Development
Full Court Press
Test or Testimony
How Hip Hop Saved My Life
Tradition VS. Change
The 5 Elements Of Life
In November of 2000, inspired by a stage show he saw, 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 began to search for another stage name for his Spoken Word career. A coworker, who knew of his Rap roots and who thought she was being condescending, one day called him black ass Ice. This sent off a light bulb in his head and inspired him to use the name Black Ice as his new stage name.
FATHERHOOD & ENTREPRENEURSHIP
P.O.E.T. RADIO Station
Conscious Thoughts Thursdays
The Truth Hour Bible Radio Show
Hot Topic Tuesdays
Inspirational Xpressions Radio Show
Voices Behind the Pens Radio Show
Talk To Me Tuesdays Radio Show
Talented Teen Tuesdays Radio Show
War Of Words / Battle Of The Emcees
The Gentlemen's Club
Work Of Art Radio Show
Wordsmith Wednesdays
Verbal Stimulations Radio Show
Verbal Collision Radio Show
The Scribe Radio Show
Strictly 4 The Listeners
Relationship Talk / Battle Of The Sexes
POLITICAL CAREER
Blaq Ice was the only poet selected to perform at Soul Train Impact's 45th Anniversary celebration of Soul Train. In 2017-18, he featured in his 2nd feature film entitled Step Off The Block, a Will Adam's film, which deals with the every day life of young black men on the violent Chicago streets. He also won his multiple Chicago Music Awards.
THE ULTIMATE WARRIOR
GAME CHANGER
ARTIST THE BLAQ ICE HAS NAMED
In 1990 he won the Chicago High School City-Wide Jamboree, crowning him the best high school rap artist in the city. Blaq Ice continued his Hip Hop career throughout the 1990's as creator and founder of P.O.E.T (People Of Extraordinary Talent) established in 1990, touring schools in the Chicago-land area with edu-tainment programs
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 was the 1st Hip Hop 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".
THE FOUNDING OF P.O.E.T
ICE COLD
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.
P.O.E.T. ( People Of Extraordinary Talent )
Legends of Chicago Hip Hop
The P.O.E.T. Teen Idol
Acts of Random Kindness
A.C.T.I.O.N. ( Artist Coming Together In Outstanding Numbers )
THE INTRODUCTION OF BLAQ ICE
On September 3, 2008, Blaq Ice lost his eldest son to Osteosarcoma cancer at the age of 15, on his 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 lost 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.
RADIO STATION AND SHOWS BLAQ ICE HAS CREATED
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 spoken word poetry is truly Monumental. Blaq Ice founded INTERNATIONAL SPOKEN WORD MONTH in September of 2013 (A Month celebrated world-wide, honoring performing poets), honored every year, in the month of September. Blaq Ice is a Legend in the Chicago's Hip Hop community and in activist who turns his words into action. Blaq Ice founded the National Spoken Word Awards in 2016. He was also instrumental in helping to get the historic street named changed in Chicago from Lake Shore Drive, to Jean Baptist DuSable Lake Shore Drive.Not only has he left an imprint in arts and entertainment but he has also left his footprint in communities all across America with his artist/activist movement, P.O.E.T, inspiring thousands of ordinary people to use their gifts to do extraordinary work in their communities. This is Blaq Ice
2003 Blaq Ice (Self Titled)
2004 Intimate Conversations
2005 Third Trimester 817
2006 Strictly 4 The Listeners
2007 And The Word Was Made Flesh (Spiritual CD)
2008 Check Up From The Neck Up (Conscious CD)
2008 Verbal Stimulation (Erotic CD)
2010 The Kings Of Poetry
2010 The Queens Of Poetry
2011 Blaq In The Day
2012 Blaq In The Day II
2013 Blaq In The Day III (Introducing Tony Swaaga)
2013 The Best Of Blaq Ice
2013 Summer Madness (Steppers CD)
2014 Blaq In The Day IV (Date With Destiny)
2015 Blaq Ice Live
2015 Blaq Ice Live (The DVD)
2015 The Legends Of Chicago Hip Hop (Self Titled)
2015 The P.O.E.T Anthology Vol I (Art & Soul)
2015 Game Changers (Live DVD Concert)
2016 I.C.O.N.
2017 LEGENDS AND KINGS FEAT. BIG MIKE
2017 ETCHED IN STONE FEAT P.O.E.T ALL-STARS
2018 VERBAL COLLISION (DUETS CD)
2018 P.O.E.T Anthology Vol II (Etched In Stone)
2019 Tyr One
2019 P.O.E.T Anthology Vol III (Breakthrough)
2019 Legends Of Chicago Hip Hop Vol 2. (Back 2 The Basics)
2020 HINDSIGHT
2021 INSURRECTION
2021 GODBODY
MOVIES BLAQ ICE POETRY HAS FEATURED IN
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 MAKINGS OF A KING
INTERNATIONAL SPOKEN WORD LIFE ARTIST
In September 2012, Blaq Ice had a vision to create a reunion for the Legends of Chicago Hip Hop, artist who made contributions to Hip Hop in Chicago from 1980 - 1990. Like most of his revelations, it didn't come to manifest until a year later. In May of 2013 Blaq Ice created the Legends of Chicago Hip Hop reunion and in June of 2013 he and J.M.D., his Hip Hop big brother, former L.O.D. member and Chicago Hip Hop Legend, established the Legends of Chicago Hip Hop organization. The Legends of Chicago Hip Hop gained national recognition in 2013, featuring in the Jet Magazine and several other media publications for their community work.
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.
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.
AWARDS BLAQ ICE HAS RECEIVED
Christyles - Evident Transformation
GPA - The GPA Experience
Lyrical Paradigm - The LP
Lovely Lyricist - Restored
Good N Plenty - Giving Up The Goods
Poetry Johnson - All Of Me
P.O.E.T - P.O.E.T Anthology CD (Art & Soul)
Fire Keeper - Only One Thing
P.O.E.T Anthology CD (ETCHED IN STONE)
Word Warrior - Elements Of A Warrior
Word Warrior - Big Boy Blues
AnalogSoul - The AnalogSoul Experience
Legends Of Chicago Hip Hop - Back 2 The Basics
Ryan Da Gifted Sol - DeJa Vu
The Messenger - Faith Of A Mustard Seed
Vision - The Line Of Truth
2022 Chicago Music Award
2021 Chicago Music Award
2020 Chicago Music Award
2020 Dubcez Legend Big Ern Award
Dubceez Spoken Word Album Of The Year 2020
Chicago Music Award 2019
Dubceez Producer Of The Year Award 2019
Langston Hughes Award 2018
Chicago Music Awards 2018
KSWDTC Community Service Award 2018
National Spoken Word Award 2017
Chicago Music Award 2017
National Poetry Award 2016
The I.C.O.N. Award 2016
P.O.E.T Lifetime Achievement Award 2016
Dr. Webb Evans Community Award 2016
Impact Family Center Award 2015
Game Changers Award 2015
Album Of The Year 2015
Dubceez Clark Kent Award 2015
Chicago Music Award 2015
National Poetry Award 2015
National Poetry Award 2014
Dubceez Humanitarian Award 2014
Chicago Music Award 2014
National Poetry Award 2013
Spoken Word Magazine Award 2013
National Poetry Award 2012
Emerging Star Award 2011
Vanguard Award 2011
King Of Poetry Award 2010
Spoken Word Magazine Award 2004
Community Service Award 2001
C.A.P.S. Business Award 1995
KIMISTRY (CHICAGO, IL.)
IMANI TRUTH (ST. LOUIS, MO.)
CHRISTYLES (ATLANTA, GA.)
EENER SOUL (JOLIET, IL.)
JESS FLOW (LAS VEGAS, NV.)
MAHOGONY (CHICAGO, IL.)
LYRICAL LIONESS (RACINE, WI.)