Isaiah Rashad facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Isaiah Rashad
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Isaiah Rashad performing in 2014
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Isaiah Rashad Joel McClain |
| Born | May 16, 1991 Chattanooga, Tennessee, U.S. |
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| Years active | 2009–present |
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Isaiah Rashad Joel McClain (born May 16, 1991) is an American rapper and singer. He became known after performing on the 2012 Smoker's Club Tour. On this tour, he shared the stage with other rappers like Juicy J and Joey ....
Isaiah Rashad is also a founder of The House, a hip hop group from Chattanooga, Tennessee. He started this group with friends and fellow rappers. In 2013, he signed with Top Dawg Entertainment, a record label based in California.
His first major project, Cilvia Demo, was released in 2014. It was very popular and appeared on the Billboard 200 chart. He was also featured in XXL Magazine's 2014 Freshman Class, which highlights new and exciting artists. His first studio album, The Sun's Tirade, came out in 2016 and was also highly praised. It reached number 17 on the Billboard 200 chart.
In 2021, Isaiah Rashad released his second album, The House Is Burning. This album was released through Warner Bros. Records, a major record label.
Contents
Early Life and Music Beginnings
Isaiah Rashad Joel McClain was born on May 16, 1991, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. His mother, who was a hairdresser, mostly raised him. When he was very young, his father would let him listen to music late at night.
When Isaiah was three, his father left the family. Later, in junior high, his stepbrother introduced him to OutKast's album ATLiens. After hearing this, Isaiah started spending a lot of his time rapping.
Starting His Music Career
Isaiah Rashad began rapping seriously when he was in tenth grade. He and his friends would record songs using laptops. His first stage name was Zay Taylor. After high school, he attended Middle Tennessee State University.
A friend who studied music production helped Rashad meet someone with a recording studio. This person turned out to be his cousin and allowed him to record for free. When his cousin moved, Rashad recorded at different local studios. He stopped going to school to focus on his music.
He started connecting with people in the music industry. His music was shared with various talent scouts. From July to August 2012, Isaiah Rashad went on the Smoker's Club Tour. ..... In December 2012, record labels began to notice Rashad. He also released many free songs on SoundCloud, which helped him gain more fans.
Joining Top Dawg Entertainment
In March 2013, Isaiah Rashad met Dave Free from the production team Digi+Phonics. Dave Free then introduced him to Anthony Tiffith, the CEO of Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE). TDE is an independent record label based in Carson, California.
On June 3, 2013, news spread that Rashad might sign with TDE. This label was already home to famous rappers like Kendrick Lamar and ScHoolboy Q. For several months, TDE and Rashad kept the signing a secret.
Then, on September 20, 2013, Top Dawg Entertainment officially announced that Rashad had joined the label. Rashad later shared that he had been signed since March. After signing, Rashad moved to Los Angeles, California. He began living and recording at the TDE Red Room Studio.
To celebrate the news, a music video for a new song called "Shot You Down" was released. This was his first new song in over a year. The video was filmed in his hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee. On October 1, 2013, a video showed Rashad signing his contract with TDE.
National Debut and Cilvia Demo
On October 15, 2013, Isaiah Rashad made his first appearance on national television. He took part in the TDE Cypher at the 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards. He performed alongside his label-mates, including Kendrick Lamar. Many people praised his performance.
On October 18, 2013, a remix of "Shot You Down" was released. It featured ScHoolboy Q and Jay Rock. In November 2013, Rashad announced that his first official project, Cilvia, would be released in December. By early 2014, Complex magazine named him one of the new rappers likely to become very popular.
In mid-January 2014, Rashad said that Cilvia would be his debut extended play (EP). An EP is a music release that is longer than a single but shorter than an album. On January 17, the cover artwork for the EP was revealed. It was announced that Cilvia Demo would be released digitally on January 28, 2014. The EP featured other TDE artists like SZA and Jay Rock. The music video for "Soliloquy" was released the day before the EP came out.
Cilvia Demo was released on January 28, 2014. It was available for digital download and as a CD from TDE's website. The EP received great reviews. It debuted at number 40 on the US Billboard 200 chart.
The Sun's Tirade and More Success
From March to June 2014, Rashad toured with ScHoolboy Q. This tour supported ScHoolboy Q's album Oxymoron. On May 5, 2014, XXL magazine included Rashad in their annual Freshman Class. This list highlights rising stars in hip hop.
On July 18, 2014, Rashad performed at the Pitchfork Music Festival. The next year, it was announced that Rashad would be part of a docu-series by Sprite. This series supported Sprite's "Obey Your Verse" Lyrical Collection.
On August 30, 2015, Rashad announced that his next project was finished. On September 20, 2015, TDE's CEO, Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith, said new music from Rashad would come out by the end of 2015. On September 23, 2015, Rashad released a new song called "Nelly." It was very well received. Rashad later confirmed that his next project would be his first studio album. On January 14, 2016, the album's second song, "Smile," was released.
In August 2016, he released the song "Free Lunch." He then confirmed the release date for his debut studio album. After releasing two more songs, "I Mean" and "Park," Rashad released his album, The Sun's Tirade, on September 2, 2016. The album received widespread praise. It debuted at number 17 on the US Billboard 200 chart.
On October 24, 2016, Rashad announced his first U.S. headlining tour. It was called the Lil Sunny Tour. The tour started in January 2017 and visited 22 cities. Because many shows sold out, Rashad added 24 more cities to his tour. He also added second shows in Chicago, Boston, and New York.
The House Is Burning and Recent Work
On October 23, 2017, Rashad hinted on social media that a new album was coming. This would be his second studio album. In May 2019, Rashad played parts of new, unreleased songs. During an Instagram live video on June 20, 2019, he played a new song produced by Kenny Beats. He also announced the title of his upcoming album: The House Is Burning. On April 22, 2020, Rashad released the song "Why Worry." This was part of TDE's Fan Appreciation Week.
In an interview for The Fader, Rashad announced that The House Is Burning was planned for release in June 2021. On May 7, 2021, Rashad released the album's first song, "Lay wit Ya." It featured Duke Deuce and came with a music video. It was also announced that Rashad had signed a deal with Warner Bros. Records.
On June 17, 2021, Rashad released the album's second song, "Headshots (4r da Locals)." A music video for this song was released six days later. On July 7, 2021, Rashad showed the album's cover art. He also announced a July 30 release date. Pitchfork, a music website, gave the album a good rating.
Music Style and Influences
Isaiah Rashad's music often has a dreamy, nostalgic feel. His lyrics are thoughtful and discuss personal experiences and family. Jason Moore from Complex said that Rashad raps smartly and precisely. He changes his style to fit different music and makes every line meaningful.
Rashad's first EP, Cilvia Demo, tells a story. According to Rashad, it captures his teenage life and thoughts. His album The Sun's Tirade shares his journey through challenging times.
Musical Inspirations
Rashad has mentioned many artists who influenced his music. These include OutKast, especially Big Boi, Scarface, and Jay-Z. He also looks up to Erykah Badu, Gnarls Barkley, ScHoolboy Q, T.I., and Lil Wayne.
Other artists he grew up listening to or still enjoys include Nas, Snoop Dogg, No Limit Records, Cash Money Records, The Fugees, KRS-One, Dead Prez, Kanye West, Little Brother, Three 6 Mafia, 8Ball & MJG, UGK, George Clinton, James Brown, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson, Gorillaz, and Danger Mouse.
Personal Life
Isaiah Rashad has three children. When he signed with Top Dawg Entertainment, he got a tattoo of the label's logo to remember the partnership.
Discography
- The Sun's Tirade (2016)
- The House Is Burning (2021)
