I grew up in a pan-Africanist house listening to Arabic and African music, and naturally music from the West Indies… As a result, my music is as different as my upbringing; it’s unique and I’ll continue to make music that can’t fit into a box because I can’t fit into a box. -Empire Isis
Empire Isis is a Canadian self-proclaimed gangtress of British and Moroccan descent. Truly a woman of the world, she grew up across the globe in places such as Canada, the UK and Morocco. This cultural diversity is apparent in her music, branded as World Pop, but of course très á la Isis.
An avid traveler, at the age of 16, she bicycled through 7 countries from Panama to Mexico picking up the pulsing rhythms of Central America. She also got further acquainted with Dancehall and Reggae vibes while filming a documentary about an isolated group of strict Rastafarians, the Bobo Shanti of Jamaica. Fire ignited, she discovered her true calling and sought out to make conscious urban music. And that, she did.
She received 11 Award Nominations for her debut LP “Sound Trumpets” in 2008, several accolades such as Best New International Artist of Canada at the SOBA awards, Best International Artist at 2008’s Underground Urban Music Awards in NYC among others, and her songs have been featured on various shows such as MTV’s The Hills. Her sophomore album “Brand New Style”, released in January 2009 and recorded between Montreal, Kingston, Tel Aviv and New York, could be described as feel good, with deep, oftentimes militant messages, which in all her musical prowess, do not weigh down the tracks. Impassioned, energetic and simply genuine, Empire Isis’ brand new style is here to stay.
Below: Empire ISIS – Get Up On It featured on MTV’s The Hills:
More, including a Q&A with Empire Isis, after the jump!
