Issa (Senegalese singer)
Encyclopedia
Issa is a singer, songwriter
, and record producer
. Born in Dakar
, Senegal
, his musical style blends various styles, including contemporary contemporary R&B
, pop
, and reggae
.
selected Issa as a "Ya Heard? Break-out Artist of the Month" in August 2008 for "Used to Be the One", the first official single and video from his upcoming album Rules of Attraction.
As part of his summer club tour, in July 2009 Issa performed in Portland as the opening act for Cash Money Records
recording artist Jay Sean's single release party for "Down
" (featuring Lil Wayne
), which peaked at #6 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100
chart. Issa performed various songs from his upcoming album, including his latest single, "Blowin up My Phone."
In August 2009, Issa was selected by Portland radio station Jammin 107.5
as one of eight top finalists competing for a chance to open for LMFAO
at their performance as part of the summer 2009 Dew Tour.
In January 2010, Akon
announced Issa as the challenger artist to be featured during week 11 on Akon
's new Hitlab Radio Show on Virgin Radio
, in which Issa's single "Blowin up My Phone" was featured.
Issa Diop graduated from Portland State University
with a degree in business marketing.
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
, and record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
. Born in Dakar
Dakar
Dakar is the capital city and largest city of Senegal. It is located on the Cap-Vert Peninsula on the Atlantic coast and is the westernmost city on the African mainland...
, Senegal
Senegal
Senegal , officially the Republic of Senegal , is a country in western Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north...
, his musical style blends various styles, including contemporary contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
, pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
, and reggae
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
.
Music career
Issa's self-titled debut EP, Issa, was released on November 14, 2007. International cable television broadcaster BETBet
Bet or BET may refer to:* A wager in gambling* Basic Economics Test * Bet , the second letter in many Semitic alphabets, including Aramaic, Hebrew, Phoenician and Syriac* Brunauer-Emmett-Teller isotherm. See BET_theory...
selected Issa as a "Ya Heard? Break-out Artist of the Month" in August 2008 for "Used to Be the One", the first official single and video from his upcoming album Rules of Attraction.
As part of his summer club tour, in July 2009 Issa performed in Portland as the opening act for Cash Money Records
Cash Money Records
Cash Money Records is a record label founded by brothers Bryan "Birdman" Williams and Ronald "Slim" Williams. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and is distributed by Universal Republic Records as of 2011...
recording artist Jay Sean's single release party for "Down
Down (Jay Sean song)
"Down" is an R&B-electropop song by British artist Jay Sean. The song was released in North America as his debut single from his first album there, All or Nothing. In other markets, including the UK, the song serves as Jay Sean's lead single from his third studio album. The single features American...
" (featuring Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
), which peaked at #6 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
chart. Issa performed various songs from his upcoming album, including his latest single, "Blowin up My Phone."
In August 2009, Issa was selected by Portland radio station Jammin 107.5
KXJM
KBFF is an Adult Top 40 radio station licensed to Portland, Oregon, USA, and serving the Portland area. The station is currently owned by Alpha Broadcasting.-Current Lineup:* Mornings 6a-10a: More Music Mornings with CJ & Nikki...
as one of eight top finalists competing for a chance to open for LMFAO
LMFAO (band)
LMFAO is an American electro pop duo consisting of rappers, producers, dancers, and DJs Redfoo and SkyBlu . The group formed in 2006 in Los Angeles, California. Redfoo is SkyBlu's uncle. Redfoo is also the son of music mogul Berry Gordy, SkyBlu a grandson...
at their performance as part of the summer 2009 Dew Tour.
In January 2010, Akon
Akon
Aliaune Damala Badara Thiam, better known as simply Akon , is a Senegalese American R&B recording artist and songwriter.According to Forbes, Akon grossed $21 million in 2010, $20 million in 2009 and $12 million in 2008. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of "Locked Up", the first...
announced Issa as the challenger artist to be featured during week 11 on Akon
Akon
Aliaune Damala Badara Thiam, better known as simply Akon , is a Senegalese American R&B recording artist and songwriter.According to Forbes, Akon grossed $21 million in 2010, $20 million in 2009 and $12 million in 2008. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of "Locked Up", the first...
's new Hitlab Radio Show on Virgin Radio
Virgin Radio
Absolute Radio is one of the UK's three Independent National Radio stations. The station rebranded to its current name at 7.45am on 29 September 2008.The station is based in London and plays popular rock music...
, in which Issa's single "Blowin up My Phone" was featured.
Issa Diop graduated from Portland State University
Portland State University
Portland State University is a public state urban university located in downtown Portland, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1946, it has the largest overall enrollment of any university in the state of Oregon, including undergraduate and graduate students. It is also the only public university in...
with a degree in business marketing.
Awards and nominations
- 2008: BETBetBet or BET may refer to:* A wager in gambling* Basic Economics Test * Bet , the second letter in many Semitic alphabets, including Aramaic, Hebrew, Phoenician and Syriac* Brunauer-Emmett-Teller isotherm. See BET_theory...
Ya Heard? Break-out Artist of the Month (August 2008) - 2009: LL Cool JLL Cool JJames Todd Smith , better known as LL Cool J , is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and actor...
's First Annual Boomdizzle All-Star Competition (Finalist) - 2009: WiLD 107.5KXJMKBFF is an Adult Top 40 radio station licensed to Portland, Oregon, USA, and serving the Portland area. The station is currently owned by Alpha Broadcasting.-Current Lineup:* Mornings 6a-10a: More Music Mornings with CJ & Nikki...
Dew Tour Concert Competition (Finalist) - 2010: WiLD 107.5KXJMKBFF is an Adult Top 40 radio station licensed to Portland, Oregon, USA, and serving the Portland area. The station is currently owned by Alpha Broadcasting.-Current Lineup:* Mornings 6a-10a: More Music Mornings with CJ & Nikki...
Open for Snoop DoggSnoop DoggCalvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...
Contest (Finalist) - 2011: AKONAkonAliaune Damala Badara Thiam, better known as simply Akon , is a Senegalese American R&B recording artist and songwriter.According to Forbes, Akon grossed $21 million in 2010, $20 million in 2009 and $12 million in 2008. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of "Locked Up", the first...
's Show presented by Hitlab Music CompanyHitlab Music Company' is a musical website where bands and musical artists can promote and advertise themselves. Each artist or band has its own page that may include news, photos, videos, upcoming shows, background / biographical information, contact information, and music for free listening and downloads. Hitlab's...
Discography
- 2007: Issa – EP
- 2008: "Used to Be the One" - single
- 2009: "Won't B Da Same" - single
- 2010: "Reach the Starz" - single