John Renaissance isn’t just another name in the entertainment industry—he’s a force, a visionary, and a hustler who has carved his path from Chicago’s East Side to the national stage. At 27, he’s the owner of Ikhonic Style, an entertainment company that started humbly but now stands as a significant player in both the design and film industries. His story is one of grinding, innovating, and never settling for less.
From Navy Pier to Network TV What began as a collaboration with a storefront inside Chicago’s Navy Pier quickly expanded into a company that now boasts credits with some of the biggest names in media—FOX, NBC, NBA, ESPN, and BET. By 2022, Ikhonic Style had hit the big time when ESPN aired a $20,000 animation project that featured John both behind the scenes as a designer and in front of the camera as a SAG AFTRA actor. This dual role is what makes John Renaissance stand out—he’s equally comfortable designing behind the scenes or stepping into the spotlight.
More Than Just a Face: Building a Legacy John’s first on-screen appearance was in FOX’s Empire back in 2015, playing an on-camera musician. But he wasn’t content to just play a part; he joined the Chicago Federation of Musicians Union and continued to grow as an artist. By 2018, he landed another role on Empire, this time as a rapper with his SAG card firmly in hand.
The creative hustle didn’t stop there. John teamed up with Eric “The Wiz” Sexton to launch a record label, signing artists like Daniel “Ndondnt” Weinberg. Although the label eventually disbanded, John’s determination remained, driving him to continue pushing boundaries with his company.
Bringing Entertainment to the Seas and Back From 2019 to 2024, John Renaissance took his talents to Carnival Cruises, performing as a lead singer on voyages across the Caribbean. These experiences not only refined his performance skills but also expanded his fan base. But true to his name, John has always been about evolution, and in June, he decided to step off the ship and focus on growing Ikhonic Style full-time.
With the SAG AFTRA strike behind him, John has returned to casting for major projects, working with the OWN network and even appearing in an episode of “Pictionary Gameshow” alongside Eva Marcille. He’s back in the mix, proving that he’s always ready for the next challenge.
Taking Over ATL and What’s Next In September, John hosted the “Shoot Your Shot” film festival in Atlanta, an event that attracted over 100 film submissions from international filmmakers. Sponsored by names like State Farm and NASA, the festival showcased John’s commitment to giving back to the creative community.
Looking forward, John has a slate of music projects lined up—Sorry For The Drip, Chi-Lanta, Noah’s Ark, and Chocolate Cake—all set to drop between October 2024 and January 2026. These releases are poised to redefine what’s next in the music scene.
For those who think they know what hustle looks like, take a closer look at John Renaissance. He’s setting the bar high and daring others to keep up.