Academy Award-winning composer Isaac Hayes was born in Covington, Tennessee, but was raised by his grandmother in Memphis. The beginning of his legendary career started when he signed on as a session player with the fledgling Memphis-based Stax label. The dynamically talented Hayes quickly became Stax's most prolific composer/producer/musician, contributing scores of hit songs. In 1967, he released his first solo album, Presenting Isaac Hayes. He released the album that was heard around the world, Hot Buttered Soul. "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" crossed over to the Top 40 on both R&B and Pop charts, and "Walk On By" rose to #13 on the R&B side, heralding Isaac Hayes as one of the top African-American performers of the year. In the summer of 1971, the Shaft soundtrack album propelled Isaac Hayes' career well beyond anyone's expectations. Isaac Hayes became the first African-American to win an Oscar for Best Musical Score in 1972 and also the first African-American artist to have an album certified platinum. "Theme From Shaft" also won a Golden Globe, two Grammys, the NAACP Image Award. He is regarded as an artist who revolutionized film scores and there is hardly a contemporary soundtrack since Shaft that hasn't borrowed from Isaac's mold-breaking, mind-blowing concepts. In 1986, in the midst of his flourishing career as an actor, Hayes released a new LP, U-Turn, his first in five years. The same year, he released the top-10 R&B single, "Ike's Rap/Hey Girl" with its strong anti-crack message. He spoke all over the country at colleges and prisons, inspiring students and inmates to fulfill their potential without drugs. This legendary talent was officially enthroned as an African King and is a member of the Royal Family of Noyami Mantse. He shouldered the responsibility of spurring the industrial and economic health of Ghana. He was also made an honorary chief in Nigeria. Isaac continues his humanitarian efforts in both Africa and the United States, where he is a frequent speaker and lecturer, particularly for young African-Americans, speaking out against civil and human rights violations everywhere. In 1992, Hayes became the international spokesman for the World Literacy Crusade. He is still heavily involved in the ongoing activities of the World Literacy Crusade, as well as adopting a Harlem high school to be involved in. Isaac is currently working on a film project directed by Ethan Hawke, Last Word On Paradise, and a new studio album, as well as devoting much of his time to charitable causes such as his Literacy Links 2000 and humanitaria
Isaac Hayes