Issa (self-styled ''ISSA'' in caps or ''I$$A'', pronounced "e-suh", stage name of Issa Diop) is a singer, songwriter, and record producer. Born in

Dakar Dakar ( ; ; wo, Ndakaaru) (from daqaar ''tamarind''), is the capital and largest city of Senegal. The city of Dakar proper has a population of 1,030,594, whereas the population of the Dakar metropolitan area is estimated at 3.94 million in ...

Senegal Senegal,; Wolof: ''Senegaal''; Pulaar: 𞤅𞤫𞤲𞤫𞤺𞤢𞥄𞤤𞤭 (Senegaali); Arabic: السنغال ''As-Sinighal'') officially the Republic of Senegal,; Wolof: ''Réewum Senegaal''; Pulaar : 𞤈𞤫𞤲𞤣𞤢𞥄𞤲𞤣� ...

, his musical style blends various styles, including

contemporary R&B Contemporary R&B (or simply R&B) is a popular music Music genre, genre that combines rhythm and blues with elements of Pop music, pop, Soul music, soul, funk, Hip hop music, hip hop, and electronic music. The genre features a distinctive Recor ...

, pop, and

reggae Reggae () is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The term also denotes the modern popular music of Jamaica and its diaspora. A 1968 single by Toots and the Maytals, "Do the Reggay" was the first popular song to use the ...

."Global Conspiracy: The Rising International Sensation of Issa"
'' Daily Vanguard''

Music career

Issa's self-titled debut EP, ''

Issa Issa or ISSA may refer to: Acronyms and abbreviations *Independent Schools Sports Association, now known as the Sports Association for Adelaide Schools *Information Systems Security Association *Instituto Superior de Secretariado y Administracion ...

'', was released on November 14, 2007. International cable television broadcaster BET 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''. In July 2009, Issa performed in

Portland, Oregon Portland (, ) is a port city in the Pacific Northwest and the largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon. Situated at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers, Portland is the county seat of Multnomah County, the most populou ...

as the opening act for

Cash Money Records Cash Money Records is an American record label founded in 1991 by brothers Ronald "Slim" Williams and Bryan "Birdman" Williams. Distributed by Republic, formerly known as Universal Republic, the label has been home to a roster of mostly hi ...

recording artist Jay Sean's single release party for "

Down Down most often refers to: * Down, the relative direction opposed to up * Down (gridiron football), in American/Canadian football, a period when one play takes place * Down feather, a soft bird feather used in bedding and clothing * Downland, a ty ...

" (featuring Lil Wayne), which peaked at Number 1 on the U.S. ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart. He 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 Aliaune Damala Badara Akon Thiam (; born April 16, 1973), known mononymously as Akon, is a Senegalese-American singer, record producer, and entrepreneur. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of " Locked Up" (featuring Styles ...

announced Issa as the challenger artist to be featured during week 11 on

's new Hitlab Radio Show on Virgin Radio, in which Issa's single "Blowin up My Phone" was featured. In August 2011,

signed Issa to the music label Hitlab Music Company. Issa performed with

during his 2011 Canada Tour in Montreal and Toronto.

Education

Issa graduated from

Portland State University Portland State University (PSU) is a public research university in Portland, Oregon. It was founded in 1946 as a post-secondary educational institution for World War II veterans. It evolved into a four-year college over the following two decades ...

with a degree in business marketing in 2008."Issa's Global Conspiracy"
. ''

Willamette Week ''Willamette Week'' (''WW'') is an alternative weekly newspaper and a website published in Portland, Oregon, United States, since 1974. It features reports on local news, politics, sports, business, and culture. History Early history ''Will ...

Awards and nominations

* 2008: BET Ya Heard? Break-out Artist of the Month (August 2008) * 2009:

LL Cool J James Todd Smith (born January 14, 1968), known professionally as LL Cool J (short for Ladies Love Cool James), is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer, and actor. He is one of the earliest rappers to achieve commercial success, along ...

's First Annual Boomdizzle All-Star Competition (Finalist) * 2009: WiLD 107.5 Dew Tour Concert Competition (Finalist) * 2010: WiLD 107.5 Open for

Snoop Dogg Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. (born October 20, 1971), known professionally as Snoop Dogg (previously Snoop Doggy Dogg and briefly Snoop Lion), is an American rapper. His fame dates back to 1992 when he featured on Dr. Dre's debut solo single, ...

Contest (Finalist) * 2011:

's Show presented by Hitlab Music Company

Discography

* 2007: ''

'' – EP * 2008: "Used to Be the One" – single * 2009: "Won't B Da Same" – single * 2015: "All About You" feat. Zito – single * 2015: "Wake up the Bea(S)T" – album * 2015: "Good times (Before It All Ends)" – single * 2015: "Sleep On You" feat.

Tory Lanez Daystar Shemuel Shua Peterson (born July 27, 1992), known professionally as Tory Lanez, is a Canadian rapper, singer, songwriter, and convicted felon. He received initial recognition from the mixtape ''Conflicts of My Soul: The 416 Story'', rel ...

– single * 2017: "Bambi" – single

References

External links

* * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Issa American people of Senegalese descent 21st-century Senegalese male singers Portland State University alumni People from Dakar Year of birth missing (living people) Living people Musicians from Portland, Oregon