Our introduction to Ian Isiah’s truly unique universe was the NYC-based songwriter’s 2020 debut album, Auntie, which featured a fun blend of synth-funk, neo-soul, and post-blog disco over the course of its tight nine tracks (Chromeo boasted a production credit, while the avant-jazz Onyx Collective helped shape the sound of “Bougie Heart”). It’s sad to learn that Isiah is moving on from that era with his new single “Big One,” though five seconds is all you really need to get excited about the new direction his sound is taking.
Clocking in at under two minutes, “Big One” is a fairly ridiculous foray into hyper-pop, club music, and a vein of hip-house that lands somewhere between the two. More ridiculous still is the comic-book-inspired official video for the track, which sees Isiah turning heads across NYC with, um, a certain genital modification to the center of his face. “I finally know how to navigate in my own lane,” Isiah shared in a press (under)statement for the new material this morning. “It’s just about the jam for me: to build a sound, and be another example for somebody else.”
To provide us with a little more context for Isiah’s one-of-one creative brain, we asked the artist to share a few of the non-musical influences that helped shape “Big One,” as well as all of his previous creative endeavors. While his music often sounds like a future that hasn’t quite yet come to pass, you may be surprised that his attitude was largely shaped by those who’ve lived through the distant past. Check out Nick Harwood’s NSFW (?) video for “Big One,” as well as Ian’s non-musical influences, below.
Hair salons
I grew up in my family’s hair salon in Bed-Stuy. My after school program was sweeping hair off the floor and eavesdropping on Black women who were always talking about the church, the men, and the kids. Those years really shaped who I am now.
The elderly
I have a very strong love and respect for old people—especially old Black people. All of my comedic puns, dramatic attitudes, and even my lingo come from old Black people. And not necessarily extremely old, just older than me. For example, Gayle King. That viral video of Gayle King ringing that bell after returning from space is literally my inspiration for the rest of the year.
Fashion
Outside of the church, the hair salons, and the hood, fashion is my safe haven. For almost 20 years now, I’ve had the pleasure of working with my closest friends who are literally world-renowned pioneers of fashion: Shayne Oliver, Raul Lopez, Akeem Smith, and Telfar Clemens. In my opinion, they’re the actual Mount Rushmore of present-day fashion. Learning from each of them separately and together has definitely shaped who I am and how I move daily.
TV
I fucking love TV. The scripts, the casting, the personality styling, the art direction, the stories. I fucking love it all. It feels good to know that any dream can actually become real—or at least close enough—on television.
Anyone and everyone
I’m really gullible when it comes to people. Not in a way where I can be taken advantage of, but gullible in a sense where I’ll stop whatever I’m doing and focus on whoever I’m talking to—like really, really focus. It takes me a millisecond to become interested in anything, and honestly, the payback is always great.
