If there was one important resource that you could use to catapult you into the spotlight what would it be? Would it be a collection of digitally crafted Instagram pictures or videos that led to a multitude of follows on all the major social media platforms? Or maybe it’s an abundance of local show dates that has everyone around town buzzing? Perhaps it is a manager that is connected to all the right people and you are 76% sure that he will win one for the team? Quite possibly coming up in the game might be all of these things. However, the components of your strategy should always consist of
networking in the industry and exceptionally produced music such as Isaiah Rashad’s Cilvia Demo EP. No doubt there are some that came up by pure luck but Isaiah’s success has been about pure grind. There are no gimmicks to his story. His story is an illustration of someone who realized that in order to get somewhere, you have to be able to approach the right people and be able to back it up through your work. Going in, there should never be a thought about side-stepping into the game. Pure hustle and struggle is what got him rubbing elbows with industry connects that eventually led to him meeting the CEO of Top Dawg Entertainment. All the other pieces to the puzzle undeniably matter, such as social media presence and performing at local venues but hard work and ‘pounding-the-pavement’ is what inevitably launched his career.
- Isaiah Rashad was born Isaiah Rashad McClain in Chattanooga Tennessee.
- Although he was raised mostly by his mother, he was heavily influenced by his father who listened to rap music when he was very young.
- When Isaiah was in junior high, his ambition to be a rapper started by listening to an Outkast album that he borrowed from his stepbrother.
- He began his journey like many other aspiring rappers by recording music on laptops of friends with recording software.
- Isaiah then started recording at a studio owned by one of his friends.
- After graduating high school, he attended Middle Tennessee State University but later dropped out so that he could focus on recording full time.
- Isaiah Rashad began networking with people from DJBooth.net and Rolling Stone.
- Building a network with various industry people caused his music to make its rounds at record labels.
- In 2012 he ended up opening at the Smoker’s Club Tour with Smoke DZA, Juicy J, and Joey Badass.
- Although many major record labels had an interest in signing Isaiah Rashad, he turned them down.
- In early 2013, Isaiah was introduced to the CEO of Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) through his relationship with Dave Free from Digi+Phonics.
- In September 2013, it was announced that Isaiah Rashad was officially signed to TDE.
- The label released his Shot You Down video to honor the signing.
- It wasn’t until October of 2013 that a massive amount of people began seeking Isaiah out due to his appearance on the 2013 BET Awards where he did a cypher alongside Black Hippy.
- His verse on the BET awards was praised by many such as Entertainment Weekly, HipHopDX, Complex, and XXL.
- In January 2014, Isaiah Rashad released his EP called ‘Cilvia Demo.’
- Additionally, he was featured as part of the XXL 2014 Freshmen Class in early 2014.
- Isaiah performed at the Pitchfork Music Festival in June of 2014.
After Isaiah Rashad was signed to TDE, here is what he had to say about his position in the game to Revolt TV: “To me, I’ve been writin to myself and creatin to myself for so long but as far as like sharin my music with the community, with the world, it’s been only like a year or two. I ain’t too deep into it, you know what I’m sayin, I’m just giving myself time to grow. I ain’t tryin to hit a wall too quick and go above myself. Gotta stay level headed.”
Post by: Rosie J. – music marketer
