Chicago poet J. Ivy wins Grammy in category he helped create

J. Ivy poses with his trophy for best spoken word poetry album Sunday backstage at the Grammy Awards. (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

J. Ivy, the Chicagoan who spent six years lobbying for a Grammy category for spoken-word poetry albums, on Sunday became the category’s first winner.

“Let it be known, this is for the poets y’all,” Ivy said has he thrust his Grammy into the air. He won for his fourth album, 2022’s “The Poet Who Sat by the Door.”