Never Let Me Down By J. Ivy on HBO Def Poetry

[2KGArtistry]

did this inspire the song or did the song inspire this?

[honeyrabbit12]

@2KGArtistry he performed this in 2006 on Def Poetry Jam but the song came out in '04 with the College Dropout album

[TheOriginalKingD]

@2KGArtistry Kanye heard the poem at an open mic night shorty before signing with rocafella after he was signed he asked jay to add a verse

[reefa2]

how can any body dislike this?>>>

[jrrgenius]

shiiiiiit

[frankant95]

hahahah its the chicago way

[joeainscough]

I absolutely adore this verse, so powerful.

[Twolves4lLyfe]

J. Ivy finds the essence in spoken word. His flow with it gives me chills every time each lyric comes from the heart and soul. no bullshit that you hear all the time now. this art form doesn't get enough credit. he is one of the pioneers of this. J.Ivy is straight sick.

[NatDuv121]

J. Ivy is deep. This verse almost had me in tears man. Real talk.

[BigDgunn]

One of the best rap verses ever....... but wait its not rap......or is it???????????? even more epic without the beat

[kdjfhkjsdfhiufh]

Signed in a language called love. Real shit

[beautyqueenangela11]

i got goosebumps

[YTthisisda]

this is very powerful

[CalciumMoonCheese]

this is pure poetry

[cayterr]

that was badass

[MrZeroFailure]

*Jizz*

[Megatrousers]

It's probably the most beautiful rap verse I've heard in my life... Why the fuck isn't this guy world famous?

[damone3000]

@Megatrousers ppl dont like the truth

[pomona1542]

isnt he from cali?

[Th3youngPrinc3]

Yo Go look up the instrumental to Never Let Me Down Then play this at the same time

[MsNevalyn]

@Th3youngPrinc3 ....... GREAT TIP!!!! I tried it ..... It was even better..

[JKBennett90]

Glad I found the poet on Never Let Me Down from Kanye's album thank you god!

[neumn13]

DAMN...speechless :)

[dagreatcapri82]

Damn I wish I could understand poetry...

[allykhath]

@dagreatcapri82 wooowww...r u serious? well you need to give yourself the benefit of the doubt because YOU DO understand poetry, you just have to want to understand it and you will realise you can!!! Everyone understands it through their own interpretation! :)

[dagreatcapri82]

@allykhath True you are right! Thanks!

[allykhath]

@dagreatcapri82 ;-)

[BigDgunn]

@dagreatcapri82 What? rap is poetry with a beat. Thats why this sick shit can just be thrown in a beat with kanye and jay-z. I love this shit but really its just a kanye, jay-z, j-ivy remix lol. Everytime i hear this shit i forget jay-z is in it cause j-ivy comes from the soul.

[Arian545]

Power poetry.

[hahmad42591]

why is the audience being so hard on him in the beginning, this man's words are so powerful! but i guess people are too consumed by the fake rather than the real

[srvjimiandkurt]

I always thought it was Saul Williams who did this part on the song...

[BigBenmusic1]

Kanye ft J Ivy good song

[TAJAIDAREALEST]

this hoe go hard

[nickjonasbeyonce4eva]

i just got chills. damn, this is good

[soxfan91293]

i liked this, but then he came out with 2012 and i lost all repect for him

[TheSpotwithParadyme]

@soxfan91293 That's a shame. Quit boxing artists into what your definition of them should be. 2012 is a great project. Maybe not your idea of what it should be, but in the end that doesn't matter. Let J. Ivy be J. Ivy.

[ifightalott]

dope



[ifightalott]

dope



[ABCDEFGHIJKLMN01231]

Fucking dope.

[DirtYBirD24]

Gives me goosebumps everytime.

Q: Did J-ivy write this for the Kanye song, or was it written and performed before and Kanye wanted to sample it??

[redzonetd]

@DirtYBirD24 probably for the the because what are the odds of him sing a chorus for an entire song in one poem

[MikeDreamsMusic]

@DirtYBirD24 From the story I heard was that he was in the studio with Kanye, and he had the piece already in his archive, and someone from Kanye's camp heard him spit it, and then was like "Ay yo, go spit that for Kanye". Kanye heard it, and loved it, and presto...

[dtm876]

its the only part i listen to on never let me down...

[krod8787]

Chills..

[Dunpizzle]

18 people need a curriculum to know they're part of the math

[poetinquizit9]

thats that piece

[Speakerboxxx]

Who the fuck disliked this?

[Rasclot222]

@Speakerboxxx Some idiot with a half a brain who can't read or write disliked this video.

[luvanlyfe1]

still love everything about this piece...

[elquicko]

UNDERRATED.

[spearlsss]

he did this with kanyewest , ayeeeboy

[wisdom261]

hey is def jam poetry still on

[Doza8791]

*chiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiills*

[fred2546]

Hes Rapping AND Preaching I Have NEVER Heard of this guy before The Song But know i LOVE him

[burntsmore]

lol at guy in audience who predicts the ending rhyme "out" at 1:58

[klboyer15]

He stole that from Kanye West!LOL just kidding

[Attendezdude]

@klboyer15, lol - I wonder how many people foolishly thought it was Kanye West dropping this verse on that song.

[Metallicrazy]

I honestly have never been hit harder by any art in my life. I am left both breathless and unbelievably alive every time I hear him speak

[NUGG9]

i always wondered who the guy was on that song. i had his whole pt memorized back then lol

[SoSupaStarry]

one of my fave Kanye songs and J's verse...it talks to me

[Saccaria101]

yessssssssss

[FukTCC]

wow

[Sylverix]

Wow didn't know Kanye got the lyrics from this dude? AMAZING Verse.

[bojingles999]

@Sylverix

He preforms it him self in the song

[Sylverix]

@bojingles999 O ok I didn't notice that it was a different person cos it only mentions ft jay-z on the title but if he does fair enough.

[ChappersLaNoCry]

Never knew this guy came up with the one Kanye west song I like.

Dope.

[Sunshinecc09]

Appreciated..

[Layouts4Facebook]

bonny video

[BlackOWT4]

DEEP!! love him

[PoetriiseStanzafyah]

one of a kind u kno ..tru said

[LaPorshaHoneycutt]

.this is very good need more videos

[mezerome]

VOTE UP TO MAKE KANYE WEST BRING BACK J.IVY ON GOOD ASS JOB!!! (at leats on a bonus track!)

[apoch4]

He is honestly the truth, please don't sleep on this man.....

[paydirt78]

Yeah I need my loot by rent day but that ain't what gives me the heart of Kunta Kinte. I'm Tryin to "give us, us free" like Cinque. I LOVE that!

[MrPOPICHILO]

He killed it on the album as well 1~Luv

[fir3bender]

weird how i never heard of him but i know this poem damn kanye lol

[AlexTheMusicPhene]

This is that shit.

[ccants]

I'm not a miracle, I'm a heaven-sent instrument

My rhythmatic regimen navigates melodic notes for your soul and your mental

That's why I'm instrumental

favorite line ever

[jokstaboi]

@ccants Agreed

[celiaGill]

D�wnl�ad this in awesome quality now just Search Google 'TheNewsBuzz"

[sleyFinl]

You can Download this Search google for 'TheNewsBuzz"

[LuckyStarr22]

Please view my  poetry video called

"Creativity & Dignity"

Thanks & Enjoy!!!

[LuckyStarr22]

Did he spit on Kanye's album!

[MitchLovesMaryJane]

These lyrics changed my life real talk

[LoveHugsnHipHopSoul]

From CHICAGO?! Where the HELL is this dude? I've NEVER seen him, and I just cried watching the last two vids of his...

[MrPalchr]

This is probably the best part of a rap song I'll ever hear.

[blck1boo2tay]

He is a rapper. He does this verse in the song Never Let Me Down with Kanye and Jay-Z. He is coming out with his own album on the 27th.

[blck1boo2tay]

He is a great rapper, have you listened to him do this verse in Kanye West's song Never Let Me Down. Fantastic!

[DRiPPz6800]

@blck1boo2tay

he is not a rapper.

[zykus1]

His wise words n poetry is deep and kinda makes u think but he can't rap..

[shawnie0414]

lol i saw him live

[zykus1]

seriously?? this dude ruins the song!

[Cenon2007]

Funny you should say that when he BY FAR did the best in the song.

[rob143]

"Thats why I get spiritual, but I get my hymns from Him

So its not me, its He thats lyrical

Im not a miracle, Im a heaven-sent instrument"

all those bars inspired me so much. they stuck to my head & helped come up with a basis for song or poem i plan to do soon as my pen calls me.

"Holy spirit within me, i rap divine.

So i'm an instrument of God everytime that i rhyme."

[GODHOLYGIRL]

dats wats up...

[OMGzgirl]

Love listening to his part on never let me down.

[rob143]

my favorite part. best part of the whole song.

[rob143]

@OMGzgirl my favorite part hands down

[dtm876]

@OMGzgirl its the only bit i listen to. pure poetry

[Musiclover89]

@OMGzgirl I agree with you!!! Yes yes!

[GreatGeneralUrsus]

@OMGzgirl noooooooooooooooooo doubt

[InTD93]

I don't know which one is better between the acapella or the song version but this one sound more like poetry

[ladymjackson001]

i think the song only because you lose focus on the beat

and it's faster

i had to rewind so many times

[rob143]

i lvoe both. i think the beat makes it more epic, but i love both regardless

[InTD93]

@rob143 I can agree with that

[MrPbodii]

I too dream in colour and in rhyme

[Poet77]

love this piece

[hdoggmasterdx]

No, this was performed in 06 for all of you debating.

[blunts40sbitches]

WOW, INCREDIBLE

[ceedog76]

huh i actualy thought it was saul williams in the kanye song... you gotta admit lthey sound similar

[blackchild211]

it was black ice that was on da song

[MikeI3low]

haha no it wasnt

[Televators9]

I thought same thang!!

haha I was so sure it was too

[chstain08]

did this come before or after the song?.... iono prolly before... kanye prolly wanted it on his song

[pompus12]

This guy's the fucking boss

[seanplfc]

Just because ur white doesnt mean you cant listen to some powerful verses! Def Poetry is fucking boss!

[Abdurrahim1006]

@seanplfc what it's we as people are ignorant to true art we praise rap artist but shun poets we need to start holding spoken word gatherings in variuos locatins across the USA i mean i have not heard of a potery slam in my ciyty at all we need more prideful people to share their talents.

[jakeknowsall]

@seanplfc hell yea...this shit is moving

[irishsnowqueen]

i bought the whole kanye west album for this one verse. fantastic j.ivy. i wondered who you were until today. thanks for the beautiful words

[meohsosexc]

OMG! i had no IDEA that J,IVY came str8 4rm def poetry jam!

he is featured on kanye west & jay-z NEVER LET ME DOWN!

j. ivy come rhymes in da middle of the song! he is AMAZINGLY GREAT

[Bobbias]

Amazing delivery. It's awesome to see how these guys deliver things without a beat to follow.

[MrEcho32]

me 2 :)

[DaAfricanQueen]

omg i always wondered who this dude was...this is his verse on kanyes song i wonder if he made it for the song or vis versa

[stephenkennedy08]

kanye heard it then asked him i think :)

[xavierplayer34]

emi the only white kid that watches this

?

[WildKillerFox]

nah man, i am too, it aint about race tho cuz all the people on here are good

[stephenkennedy08]

nah i watch it to :L

[Twilegend40]

nope.

[jinnypigs4life]

lots of white people watch these def poetry vids :P

[voiceofthapeople]

Words to live by....

[sp0tlight2011]

....the heart of kuntakentae....i like that!

[st8smostwanted]

kanye made this song with him and it was released not to long after he did this poem which is why his verse are in the song

[bigbooh69]

Was this before Kaye West's song or after the song was released. Or did Kanye create his song from this ?

[tyspen00]

Kanye created the song from this...

[Mzladyp1]

J.Ivy was create his part and was on Kanye's CD.

[linnnnddaaa]

before

[b17ek]

smoooooth! thats all i can say ive never heard words put together sound so smooth

[LyricalKnight1]

"If I were of the highest cliff, on the highest riff, And you slipped off the side and clinched on to your life in my grip, I would never, ever let you down...."

Brings tears to my eyes. This is the kind of manhood that I aspire to. This is the kind of substance that I want to possess. I want to be dependable like that.

[ilovenewyorkcitayy]

Amanya2009

it was actually on Kanye West's

never let me down

[LadyP0004]

Yes, I love J.Ivy on that track.

[Amanya2009]

This was on Kanye West's Two Words, J. Ivy is a genius!!!

[PoeticSoul69]

He's a great poet and a nice person, I'm glad that I met him

[xXXxbeautiixXXx]

Really? thats dope.

[TheMoveMakesTheMan]

youve met him??where?

[PoeticSoul69]

He came to my school to recite a couple of poems to a small crowd of us. One of the teachers knew him or mentored him I think.

[TheMoveMakesTheMan]

thats dope man... cool

[CathyOsoFine]

The way he inhales is really distracting...

[MzAsia06]

i love him

[omarieswifey]

that was incredibly wonderful

[boss12]

I love this show I wish they never got rid of it

[imsuikoden]

J. Ivy is one of the greatest all time def jam poets

[damoorical1]

J. Ivy is dope but i have to say that black ice is my favorite

[luckychickita334]

mine to..i also like shihan alot

[holymahogny]

Too bad he ruins the song.. the flow does not match and seems he tries to sound smarter than he is. It sounds better when performed as a poetry like he does here.

[britbree04]

I dont see any difference from how it was performed here than how it was performed on the song. It is not as if he choose the beat or he requested to be on Kanye's song....I guess Kanye had no idea what he was doing when he produced that song (not really).. I thought it was genius!! And you dont know how smart he is, so you cant say that he is trying to sound "smarter."

[SpokeWords]

One of the best

[ACTM90]

Shame that 'God' doesnt exist and Jesus was an ancient pedophile....

[SlickSavage15]

BIG FAN THANK YOU MY BROTHA

[brasilsronaldo]

ahhh this is the original..very nice..

[bradgreenan]

when i first heard never let me down on college dropout this guy reminded me alot of saul williams everyone check out Saul Williams

[h0n3ydr0p5]

He is saying it is God that makes him who he is. That without God he is nothing and God uses him, hence the reference to "instrument" to share his messages, via j's talent.

[Dapker111]

without a beat must be hard. hes sick

[wildNout317]

Oh So Nice!!!!

[stephenkennedy08]

amazing

[selfmademan305]

he killed jay z on that song