Taylor C. McLendon (born 1995), known professionally as Ivy Sole, is an American rapper and record producer from Philadelphia. Ivy Sole has been a member of Indigold, Liberal Art, and Third Eye Optiks.[1] Ivy Sole has been mentioned as an example of the growing movement of non-binary artists.[2][3]
McLendon grew up queer in a Southern Baptist Church and received all of their vocal training in a church setting. McLendon was raised in a predominantly black neighborhood, but attended a predominantly white magnet school.[4]
A week after their 18th birthday, McLendon attended a Mac Miller concert featuring Rapsody and Nicki Minaj, which they cite as their inspiration for pursuing a musical career.[5]
Ivy Sole began their musical career by joining three different collaborations called Indigold, Liberal Art, and Third Eye Optiks.[1]
In 2016, Ivy Sole began their solo career with the debut mixtape entitled Eden,[6] which would be followed by the extended plays West and then East.[1] NPR noted that Ivy Sole tackles mental health issues in their music video for the track entitled "Life" off of the extended play East.[7]
In 2018, Ivy Sole released their debut full-length album entitled Overgrown.[1] Pitchfork did a review of the track entitled "Achilles" off of the album Overgrown.[8]
In 2020, a live recording of Overgrown entitled Overgrown* (Live from Philadelphia) was released.
McLendon moved to Philadelphia in 2011 to attend the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. They graduated with the Class of 2015 with a degree in business.[1][9]
Describing their sexual orientation to Billboard, McLendon stated: "I like women and I like men. I like women a lot though. Women have me on my ass, which is rare — I feel like I'm a very calm and collected person."[4] McLendon identifies as non-binary[10] and uses they/them pronouns.[11]