Alex Isley

Last updated
Alex Isley
Birth nameAlexandra Isley
Born Westwood, New Jersey
Origin Los Angeles, CA, U.S. [1]
GenresR&B, soul
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, producer
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active2012–present
Website www.instagram.com/lovealexisley

Alexandra Isley is an American singer-songwriter and producer. She released her debut EP The Love/Art Memoirs in 2012. Isley has worked with artists including Scarface, Terrace Martin, Masego, 9th Wonder, Tank and the Bangas, and Lucky Daye. Isley has been nominated for two Grammy Awards.

Contents

Early life and education

Born Alexandra Isley, she is the daughter of Ernie Isley of the prolific soul group the Isley Brothers. [2] Isley spent most of her childhood in New Jersey before moving to Los Angeles. [1] She named Stevie Wonder, Prince, Ella Fitzgerald, Toni Braxton, Aaliyah, and Mariah Carey as early favorite musicians. [1] [3] She loved singing from childhood and her family supported her pursuit of music as a professional career. [1]

She began classical vocal training at age 12 and later graduated from LA County High School for the Arts. [4] Isley received her bachelor's degree from UCLA, where she studied in the jazz department. [5]

Isley has synesthesia, and described the phenomenon to LA Weekly : "There's a canvas in my mind, and the whole thing is painted, or it's a continuous wave of color...Sometimes I'll start composing something and I'll have to change the key because the color won't sit right with me." [5]

Career

Isley released her self-produced debut EP TheLove Art/Memoirs in 2012. [5] Okayplayer reviewed the EP positively: "please believe Alex’s lush vocals over her own calming production is capable of spawning a generation of love babies much like “Between The Sheets” did." [6]

Isley described her music as r&b with hip hop and jazz influences. [1] Samantha Callender of Essence referred to her voice as "silky smooth vocals that ride neo-soul melodies." [1] She has collaborated with artists such as 9th Wonder on the track "Rain Clouds"; Lucky Daye and Masego on "Good & Plenty (Remix)"; Chromonicci on "Interstellar"; and Christian Kuria on "Toroka." [1] [7] [8] [9]

In November 2019 she released the joint EP Wilton with producer Jack Dine. [10] In May 2020 Isley performed a concert for NPR 's Tiny Desk series. [2] That year she was also a featured vocalist for the Cautious Clay track "Reaching", on the soundtrack for Insecure's fourth season. [11]

In 2022 she released Marigold, a collaborative album with Jack Dine. Jackie B. of Soul Bounce reviewed the project positively: "Alex Isley and Jack Dine remain as a melodious match made in heaven as they take us through a cycle from sprout to blossom to full bloom on Marigold." [12] She was featured on Tank's recent single "No Limit" from his 10th album R&B Money.

Isley released the album I Left My Heart in Ladera with Terrace Martin in October 2023. The album, her first to chart on Billboard, debuted at number two on Billboard's Contemporary Jazz Albums list and at number 22 on Jazz Albums. [13]

She earned her first two Grammy Award nominations as a featured artist on "Back to Love" by Robert Glasper at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards. The song was nominated for Best R&B Song and Best R&B Performance. [14]

Personal life

Isley resides in Los Angeles. [2] She has a daughter (b. 2017). [1]

Discography

Albums

List of albums with selected details
TitleDetails
Dreams in Analog [15]
  • Released: August 10, 2013
  • Label: self-released
L U X U R Y
  • Released: December 26, 2015
  • Label: self-released
Marigold(with Jack Dine)
  • Released: March 30, 2022
  • Label: self-released
I Left My Heart in Ladera(with Terrace Martin)
  • Released: October 20, 2023
  • Label: Sounds of Crenshaw, BMG

Singles

List of albums with selected details
TitleDetails
Same Mistake [16]
  • Released: January 12, 2024
  • Label: Above Ground Entertainment
  • Featuring Destin Conrad
Paradise [17]
  • Released: September 15, 2023
  • Label: Sounds of Crenshaw, BMG
  • Featuring Terrace Martin
Brown Eyed Girl [18]
  • Released: June 14, 2023
  • Label: Sounds of Crenshaw, BMG
  • Featuring Ernie Isley

Extended plays

List of extended plays with selected details
TitleDetails
The Love/Art Memoirs
  • Released: May 20, 2012
  • Label: Self-released
The Beauty of Everything, Part 1
  • Released: February 27, 2018
  • Label: Self-released
The Beauty of Everything, Part Two
  • Released: May 3, 2019
  • Label: Self-released
Wilton(with Jack Dine)
  • Released: November 15, 2019
  • Isley & Dine Records

[15]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aaliyah</span> American singer (1979–2001)

Aaliyah Dana Haughton was an American singer and actress. She has been credited with helping to redefine contemporary R&B, pop, and hip hop, earning her the nicknames the "Princess of R&B" and "Queen of Urban Pop".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erykah Badu</span> American singer (born 1971)

Erica Abi Wright, known professionally as Erykah Badu, is an American singer and songwriter. Influenced by R&B, soul, and hip hop, Badu rose to prominence in the late 1990s when her debut album Baduizm (1997), placed her at the forefront of the neo soul movement, earning her the nickname "Queen of Neo Soul" by music critics.

<i>One in a Million</i> (Aaliyah album) 1996 studio album by Aaliyah

One in a Million is the second studio album by American singer Aaliyah. It was released on August 13, 1996, by Blackground Records and Atlantic Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kem (singer)</span> Musical artist

Kim Lamont Owens, better known by his stage name Kem, is an American R&B/soul singer-songwriter and producer. Born in Nashville, Tennessee, Kem was raised in Pontiac, Michigan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jaguar Wright</span> American singer

Jacquelyn Suzette Wright-Johnson is an American singer. She has released five studio albums and is part of the Okayplayer collective. Wright has performed and collaborated alongside rap acts such as The Roots, Jay-Z, and Blackalicious. She was born and raised in New Jersey before moving to Philadelphia at around 12 years old.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dee Dee Bridgewater</span> American jazz singer (born 1950)

Dee Dee Bridgewater is an American jazz singer and actress. She is a three-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, as well as a Tony Award-winning stage actress. For 23 years, she was the host of National Public Radio's syndicated radio show JazzSet with Dee Dee Bridgewater. She is a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador for the Food and Agriculture Organization.

"(At Your Best) You Are Love" is a song by R&B group the Isley Brothers. It was originally released on their album Harvest for the World. The song was dedicated to their mother, Sally. Although not a single, the song was a radio hit in 1976, and later became a hit for R&B singer Aaliyah in 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Down Low (Nobody Has to Know)</span> 1995 single by R. Kelly featuring The Isley Brothers

"Down Low (Nobody Has to Know)" is an R&B song about infidelity by American singer and songwriter R. Kelly featuring The Isley Brothers, released in 1995 from Kelly's second and self-titled album (1995). The song peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Billboard R&B Singles Chart for seven weeks, making it Kelly's fifth single to do so on the latter. It also gave the Isley Brothers their first Top 40 pop record since 1980's "Don't Say Goodnight (It's Time For Love)", and was Kelly's third top 5 pop record. The lyrics are from the perspective of a man who has an affair with another man's woman and tells her to keep their relationship a closely guarded secret.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ledisi</span> American singer/songwriter, author and actress (born 1972)

Ledisi Anibade Young, better known simply as Ledisi, is an American R&B and jazz recording artist, songwriter, music producer, author and actress. Her name means "to bring forth" or "to come here" in Yoruba.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jazmine Sullivan</span> American singer

Jazmine Marie Sullivan is an American R&B and soul singer-songwriter. She has won two Grammy Awards, a Billboard Women in Music Award, and two BET Awards over the course of her career. In 2022, Time placed her on their list of the 100 Most Influential People.

<i>Fearless</i> (Jazmine Sullivan album) 2008 studio album by Jazmine Sullivan

Fearless is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter Jazmine Sullivan. It was released on September 23, 2008, through J Records. Production for the album took place during 2007 to 2008 and was handled by several record producers, including Missy Elliott, Stargate, Carvin & Ivan, Wyclef Jean, Jack Splash and Salaam Remi.

JS was an American female R&B duo. The duo consisted of members and sisters Kim Johnson and Kandy Johnson-Isley. After releasing their debut album, Ice Cream, in 2003 to subpar commercial performance, they disbanded a year later.

We Are King, is an American R&B duo based in Los Angeles, California, consisting of twin sisters Amber and Paris Strother. Originally named King, the group also included their close friend Anita Bias. The Strother sisters are the nieces of the Minneapolis, Minnesota-based electric bluesman, Percy Strother, and are originally from Minneapolis.

Tiffany Gouché, also known as "TGooch", is an American singer, songwriter, and producer from Inglewood, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Masego (musician)</span> Jamaican musician

Micah Davis, known professionally as Masego, is a Jamaican-born musician and singer known for incorporating the saxophone into his music. Masego released two EPs in 2016, The Pink Polo EP with Medasin, and Loose Thoughts. He gained widespread attention with his collaborative record with FKJ called "Tadow" in 2017. In 2018, he released his debut album Lady Lady. His album "Studying Abroad: Extended Stay" got nominated for the 2022 Grammy Awards in the "Best Progressive R&B Album" category.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Snoh Aalegra</span> Swedish singer (born 1987)

Snoh Sheri Nowrozi, better known by her stage name, Snoh Aalegra, is a Swedish singer-songwriter. Her debut album Feels was released in 2017, followed by Ugh, Those Feels Again in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lucky Daye</span> American singer-songwriter from New Orleans

David Debrandon Brown, professionally known as Lucky Daye, is an American singer-songwriter from New Orleans. He is signed to Keep Cool Records and RCA Records. He released his first EP, I on November 9, 2018, and his second EP, II on February 6, 2019. The EPs were part of a series leading up to his debut studio album Painted which was released on May 24, 2019. His third EP, Table for Two, won the 2022 Grammy Award for Best Progressive R&B Album. His second album, Candydrip, was released on March 10, 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coco O.</span> Danish musician

Cecilie Maja Hastrup Karshøj, known professionally as Coco O., is a Danish musician best known as the singer in electronic soul duo Quadron. She released her debut album It's a Process in 2021.

Tiana Thomas-Ambersley, known professionally as Tiana Major9, is a British singer from London. They are currently signed to Motown and gained worldwide recognition with the Grammy-nominated single "Collide," from the Queen & Slim soundtrack.

<i>Age/Sex/Location</i> (album) 2022 studio album by Ari Lennox

Age/Sex/Location is the second studio album by American singer Ari Lennox. It was released on September 9, 2022, by Dreamville and Interscope Records. The album was executive produced by Dreamville producer Elite, and includes guest appearances from Lucky Daye, Chlöe, and Summer Walker.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Callender, Samantha (2021-02-22). "Alex Isley Is R&B's Breath Of Fresh Air". Essence. Retrieved 2021-04-01.
  2. 1 2 3 Carter, Bobby (2020-05-15). "Alex Isley: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert". NPR.org. Retrieved 2021-04-01.
  3. ↑ Sunnucks, Jack (2018-06-13). "young nyc creatives on what aaliyah means to them". i-D Vice. Retrieved 2021-04-06.
  4. ↑ Carter, Corein (2020-10-13). "Alex Isley is Expanding On the Isley Legacy and Bringing Us Her Unique Jazz-Fusion Style". Sheen Magazine. Retrieved 2021-04-01.
  5. 1 2 3 Sumney, Moses (2012-11-02). "Alex Isley Has Her Own Thing". LA Weekly. Retrieved 2021-04-01.
  6. ↑ Shamz (2012-07-10). "Alex Isley - The Love/Art Memoirs [EP]". Okayplayer. Retrieved 2021-04-06.
  7. ↑ Duong, Paul (2021-03-17). "Alex Isley, Masego, Lucky Daye "Good & Plenty (Remix)"". Rap Radar. Retrieved 2021-04-01.
  8. ↑ Robinson, Chloe (2021-03-18). "Christian Kuria unleashes a stunning remix of "Toroka" featuring Alex Isley". Earmilk . Retrieved 2021-04-01.
  9. ↑ "Chromonicci & Alex Isley Soar On 'Interstellar.'". SoulBounce.com. 2020-12-28. Retrieved 2021-04-06.
  10. ↑ Ivory (2019-11-15). "Alex Isley & Jack Dine Explore Love On 'Wilton' EP". SoulBounce.com. Retrieved 2021-04-01.
  11. ↑ Alston, Trey (2020-04-10). "Cautious Clay And Alex Isley Argue About Love On Vibey 'Reaching'". MTV News. Retrieved 2021-04-01.
  12. ↑ B, Jackie (2022-04-05). "Alex Isley & Jack Dine Deserve Their Flowers With 'Marigold'". SoulBounce. Retrieved 2022-07-23.
  13. ↑ Zellner, Xander (2023-11-01). "10 First-Timers on Billboard's Charts This Week: ScarLip, Alex Isley, Destin Conrad, Chriseanrock & More". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  14. ↑ "2024 GRAMMY Nominations: See The Full Nominees List | GRAMMY.com". www.grammy.com. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  15. 1 2 "Alex Isley". Discogs. Retrieved 2021-04-06.
  16. ↑ SAME MISTAKE - Single by DESTIN CONRAD & Alex Isley on Apple Music, 2024-01-12, retrieved 2024-02-17
  17. ↑ Paradise - Single by Terrace Martin & Alex Isley on Apple Music, 2023-09-15, retrieved 2024-02-17
  18. ↑ Brown Eyed Girl - Single by Alex Isley & Ernie Isley on Apple Music, 2023-06-14, retrieved 2024-02-17
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.