Known for his realism, magnetic personality, prophetic wit, and awe inspiring flow, Syracuse bred lyricist Ivan da Great, has only began to put in his work in the music industry. Ivan insists that he wont even consider stopping until he is at the top of his game. "There was never a girl I couldn't get and I'm bringing that same determination and swag with every lyric."
The 23-year old phenom admits that even though he came up in the largest housing projects in his area, hardship came too close to home. He states that he survived by living each day strategically. "I was never the first person to speak. I liked to observe. If you just watch what's going on and wait, when you do decide to act you can make the right decisions. To put yourself where you need to be."
Watching is how Ivan first started thinking about himself as a rapper. Ivan admits, I saw how the ladies loved it, so thats when I started. When rumors began to circulate that he was wack, Ivan just kept going; winning battle after battle virtually silencing any opposition. After conquering that scene, Ivan teamed up with Roderick Pugh, of Blue Diamond Entertainment, to focus his career. Now its about making music thats real and relatable. I rap about what I see from my point of view. Thats what I know, says Ivan. Do not sleep on Upstate; we go through the same things people go through in the darkest corner of any borough. Oh and trust, its colder.
Described as having the cocky braggadocio of a teenager matched with the wisdom of an O.G., Ivan wins the ears of music industry types wherever he goes. In November of 2005, Ivan wooed the crowd at a Manhattan listening party hosted by DJ Kay Slay and previous to that he was one of five rappers selected to tour for 721 Productions as an opening act for established artists such as Styles P, Jadakiss, Faith Evans, and Ciara. Ivan also held the Freestyle Friday Crown on BETs 106 and Park and worked with Queens DJ, Onpoint,, and super producer DJ Premier.
Being within an earshot of Ivans music solidifies that Ivan da Great, is filling a long awaited void in todays music. He masters language with gut busting punch lines and raw emotion. Because of this adaptive flow, Ivan can travel from the boxing-ring environment of a freestyle battle, to rhyming alongside industry greats, and still end up on top.
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