Jeronimo has met quite a few milestones here in his city of Chicago, He was awarded Spoken Word Album of the Year from the Spoken Word Magazine, as well as Most Valuable Poet, and Spoken Word Artist of the Year by the P.O.E.T (link hidden) going on to winning 2013 MIDWEST URBAN MUSIC AWARDS POET OF THE YEAR. Amongst the many local bookings, open mics, Birthday Parties, Anniversaries and many more type of events performed at, Jeronimo has performed in Benton Harbor, MI. St. Louis, MI. Detroit, MI. Milwuakee, WI. Memphis, TN. Iowa, Minnesota, New York, Atlanta and many other location in the U.S.
31 reviews
Marciea A.
October 7, 2024We loved his authenticity! Jeronimo was inspiring and for an additional charge he created a custom piece for us which was worth it! Thank you so much for coming to our annual gala and bringing the energy starting the ceremony. Do not hesitate with this gentleman he will blow your event away!
Hired as: Spoken Word Artist
Jeronimo Speaks
❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️
Celeitra H.
December 15, 2023Jeronimo did spoken word for my Mothers 60th birthday party. His content was really good and everyone enjoyed his words. I would recommend Jeronimo for any event.
Hired as: Spoken Word Artist
David J.
February 10, 2021Jeronimo Speaks can provide anything and everything you need to create a high level memorable event! He's a phenomenal artist that can feature, a lively host, outstanding mentor and teacher and can put together any type of event--a showcase, an open mic, a town hall discussion, a workshop or anything else you can think of. If you need a top tier mentor, teacher, host, performer or an event planner Jeronimo can take your event to the next level in any way that you need! Highly recommended!
Hired as: Christian Speaker, Emcee, Leadership/Success Speaker, Motivational Speaker, Spoken Word Artist
Db
February 9, 2021Jeronimo is James Baldwin, Gil Scott and the Lox rolled into one. Phenomenal talent
Hired as: Emcee, Spoken Word Artist
Robin B.
February 9, 2021Jeronimo has mastered the skill set of story telling with bars. His brand of spokenword provides punchlines with content. In a craft where you rarely see the combination of written acrobats that still have a cohesive storyline or message you can follow, Geronimo does that and does it above par. Matching that with a voice that echos the thoughts of many people thriving and trying in spite of ghetto life, he delivers poetry that's true to the people but written in a way that anyone can feel.
Hired as: Spoken Word Artist
Price range: $100-$2500
Languages: English
Gig length: 5 - 300 minutes
What an Audience Would See
Raw, Unfiltered Storytelling: Jeronimo's performance is highly personal, drawing from his unique life story and experiences, which he presents with a powerful, engaging voice and stage presence.
Emotional and Relatable Themes: His poetry explores themes of pain, healing, personal accountability, and mental health advocacy, often blending secular and non-secular viewpoints to offer a broad overview of life and religion.
Dynamic Delivery: Described as having a "sweet sound pure gold like jazz, smooth pieces of soul putting it together like music wrote down and delivered with a voice" by an audience member, his delivery is passionate and designed to resonate deeply with the listeners.
Community and Connection: Performances, often at major open mic nights or events like "Voices In Power" and "Write About Now Poetry Open Mic Night", foster a sense of community energy and shared experience, encouraging the audience to relate and follow his journey.
Versatility: He performs with various artists, including musicians (saxophonists, DJs) and other poets, showcasing his ability to adapt his art to different show formats.
What a Client Would Get
A Professional Performer: Clients get a seasoned artist with a strong work ethic who has performed across the country, appeared on various radio and TV shows, and shared stages with notable names like The Last Poets and Malik Yusef.
Event Hosting/MC Services: Jeronimo is an experienced host and MC, capable of guiding the flow of an entire event, ensuring a smooth and dynamic experience for both the audience and other performers.
Tailored Content and Engagement: He offers a unique performance based on his personal testimony that cannot be replicated, providing a genuine and impactful experience for specific events or causes, such as mental health advocacy.
Proven Track Record: Jeronimo has a history of successful events, including selling out a 300-seat theater for a CD release, demonstrating his draw and professional execution.
Collaboration and Flexibility: Clients can expect a collaborative partner who works well with other artists and event organizers to create a cohesive show, whether it involves live music, DJ sets, or multiple featured acts.
A Clear Message: His work is driven by the motto "No grind No shine" and a desire to spread a message of healing and accountability, which aligns with clients looking for meaningful and inspiring content.
Jeronimo Speaks (Jerode Rodgers) is a highly decorated and influential Chicago-based spoken word artist, host, and community activist known for his powerful storytelling, raw emotion, and commitment to social change.
Professional Bio: Jeronimo Speaks
Born and raised in the "Low End" projects of Chicago, Jeronimo discovered his passion for spoken word after years of freestyle and battle rapping, transforming his life experiences into a potent form of artistic expression. His work is deeply personal, often exploring themes of pain, healing, and mental health advocacy, and is delivered with a commanding, soulful voice that has earned him a reputation as one of the most sought-after poets in the city and beyond.
Key Achievements & Engagements:
Jeronimo has won multiple awards, including "Spoken Word Album of the Year" from Spoken Word Magazine and "Poet of the Year" at the Midwest Urban Music Awards.
He has released three EPs and performed widely across the U.S., including a sold-out show in Chicago.
He has appeared on various radio and TV programs and shared stages with notable artists.
Jeronimo is a national host for open mic nights.
He is also involved in philanthropy, co-founding "Solace Souls Sundays" and organizing events for the less fortunate.
Communication is Key: All technical details and specific needs should be confirmed directly with Jeronimo's team or the event organizer well in advance of the event date.
Professional Equipment: A professional PA system is necessary, the quality and size of which should be appropriate for the venue capacity to ensure even and clear coverage for all attendees.
Audience Engagement: The setup should facilitate interaction, as his performance often involves engaging with the audience.
Requirements for Lighting, Staging, and Sound
Sound
Microphone: A high-quality, professional microphone (often wireless for movement) is essential. It should be on a stand (a boom stand is often preferred but a straight stand will suffice) and not attached to a podium.
PA System: A sound system of good quality, capable of clear, powerful sound, is required. Ceiling speaker systems are generally unsuitable; a dedicated, professional system is recommended.
Audio Input: An input to the sound system for accompanying music (e.g., an 1/8" stereo jack or RCA input for an iPod/DJ) is likely needed.
Testing: Meticulous testing for feedback and sound levels must be conducted prior to the event to ensure reliability.
Staging
Performance Area: A clear and safe stage area is needed. A size of at least 8' deep by 12' wide is often a minimum for a single performer to move comfortably.
Visibility: For audiences larger than 100 people, a stage or riser is required so the performer is clearly visible to everyone.
Essentials: A stool or small table is often needed on stage for water, notes, or props.
Accessibility: Easy access to the stage from the dressing room, with a clear and safe pathway, is important.
Dressing Room: A private, clean, and well-lit dressing area (not accessible to the public) should be provided, with access to restrooms and cold water.
Lighting
Visibility: The primary goal of lighting is visibility. A general lighting wash with concentrated light on the center/front of the stage is ideal.
Audience Interaction: House lighting should be at a sufficient level for Jeronimo to see and interact with the audience.
Focus: A follow spot can be a valuable addition if available, to ensure attention stays on the performer as he moves.
Saturday
Cocktail Party
6:00pm - 6:30pm
•
Schaumburg, IL
Sunday
Birthday Party
2:00pm - 2:30pm
•
Algonquin, IL
Thursday
Nonprofit Event
7:00pm - 7:15pm
•
Chicago, IL
Saturday
Weekly/Recurring Performance
8:00pm - 8:30pm
•
Hammond, IN
Saturday
Cultural Event
2:00pm - 4:00pm
•
Chicago, IL
Jeronimo Speaks does not perform a fixed, static list of poems at every event; rather, he tailors his performances to the audience and occasion, drawing from a body of work that includes recorded pieces and a large collection of original content. His performances often feature a mix of high-energy and introspective pieces.
While not a complete setlist, specific poems and works that appear frequently in his repertoire or are publicly prominent include:
"EXALTED"
"FREE SMOKE"
"P.T.S.D "
A piece often identified by the repeating line, "I DONT EVEN WANNA TALK ABOUT IT"
These poems, along with others not publicly titled in search results, are part of his dynamic sets at various open mics and feature performances, where he often blends personal narrative, social commentary, and high-energy delivery.
Jeronimo Speaks' artistic style is primarily influenced by hip-hop, soul, blues, and jazz music, as well as the rich tradition of Black oral history and activism. His work is deeply rooted in personal experiences and a desire to connect with audiences through shared vulnerability and healing.
Key influences include:
Hip-Hop Culture: Originally aspiring to be a rapper, Jeronimo brings the rhythm, flow, and lyrical ingenuity of hip-hop into his spoken word delivery, creating a powerful fusion of poetry and rap.
Soul and Blues Music: His sound is described as having a "sweet sound pure gold like jazz, smooth pieces of soul," reflecting the emotive storytelling and musicality found in soul and blues traditions.
Mentorship: A key turning point in his career was a mentor who encouraged him to pursue spoken word, which significantly shaped his direction and commitment to the art form.
Fellow Poets and Activists: Sharing stages and working alongside notable figures such as The Last Poets and Malik Yusef has likely provided additional inspiration and influence on his performance style and advocacy work, particularly in mental health and community building.
The Spoken Word Community: He is an active part of the contemporary poetry scene, hosting and performing at major open mic events like "Write About Now Poetry Open Mic Night," where he interacts with and is influenced by a diverse range of local and national talent.
Life Experience: Ultimately, the most significant influence on his art is his own life story, which he uses to promote healing and accountability with the motto "No grind No shine".
upon request
Spoken Word Artist
