Eugene weekly., March 16, 2017, Page 25, Image 25

TENNESSEE HIP HOP:
ISAIAH RASHAD PUTS A SPIN
ON THE CLASSICS
Isaiah Rashad has honed the flows across hip hop’s many
eras and has put a contemporary twist on his craft. The
established yet fresh face has collaborated with some of the
genre’s mainstream innovative names like Kendrick Lamar
and SZA; his sound, however, rests in a league of its own.
Rashad’s Chattanooga, Tennessee, roots show in his
raspy syllables, which stretch with the undeniable drawl of a
Southerner. He tends to confront themes of addiction, raising
his two youngsters and milestones known only to the black
experience. He unfolds his own empowering identity through
rhyme, homage to the roots of hip hop itself.
Don’t be fooled by the seemingly typical themes of the
genre in his music, though. Rashad pulls spoken-word
influences from various points in hip hop’s timeline, all the
while changing his vocal tone and bluntness to the topic of his
lyrical indulgence. His vocal cords stretch between velvety
and rich to a tightened, whiny range.
Big label Top Dawg Records of Los Angeles picked up on
Rashad’s talent and signed the Southern story slinger in 2013.
By 2016, he released The Sun’s Tirade, the full-length follow
up to his 2014 EP Cilvia Demo. Since releasing the album, he’s
been touring the nation, and his career has been steadily
picking up speed.
Evidently his momentum caught up with little old Eugene,
considering his sold out, upcoming show with fellow hip-hop
artists Lance Skiiiwalker and Jay IDK 8pm Monday, March 20,
at WOW Hall. Don’t be a stranger, though, and go check out Ra-
shad’s ever expansive and experimental music at soundcloud.
com/isaiah_rashad. — Kelsey Anne Rankin
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