Isaiah 11:11 is a highly lyrical and passionate Spoken Word, Hip Hop and Reggae artist whose music paints murals in the subconscious mind and allows the listeners to envision his emotions. The feedback from his music can spark debates and conversations about life, politics, history, culture, pain, triumph and hope. Take Gill Scott-Heron, Curtis Mayfield and Bob Marley; mix them together and you get a clear perspective of his talent.
Isaiah's first album, "For the Children - for the Future" was released in March 2005 and is now an underground favorite for poetry lovers as well as Hip-Hop heads. The album sets a standard in the cross breeding of Poetry, Hip-Hop, and Neo-soul while keeping the integrity of each of those genres. His raw lyrics open the hearts and minds of his listeners to the sounds and sights of their environment - by awaking the human being inside all of them. From the song, "How It Is" to the spoken word piece, "Homeless"; Isaiah helps us clearly understand the hearts of the forgotten ghetto youth and homeless people sketched across urban street canvases. When asked why he writes and chose to entitle the album "For the Children - for the Future", Isaiah responded, "Besides trying to disseminate information to enlighten the masses, I want parents and everyone in charge of our children like the teachers, preachers or probation officers; to understand what children go through day to day. The inner-city youth are not aliens to be locked up if they fail this experiment called life. They are the product of how we may or may not love them! I also write to encourage and give hope just like the old Negro spirituals."
In May of 2008, Isaiah 11:11 released his second album, "Spirits Rebellious". This new album shows the versatility of his artistry. Segueing from the hard reggae dance hall tune of "Shaky Ground", to the hard core hip hop sound of "Suicide", without so much as missing a breath; he proves that in today's music, diversity is king. This album plays like an autobiography of his life's experiences. In it you will hear his roots in Africa, Jamaica and the United States. "Spirits Rebellious" proves that truly there are no limitations on pure artistry.
Born in Painesville, Liberia, Isaiah 11:11 moved to the United States at the age of 6 and grew up in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Throughout his life he has been an avid reader. He began writing at the age of 14 when he couldn't hold back the anger that was overtaking his soul like a forest fire after years of watching his family and friends die young or get caught up in the system. To him, it seemed like everybody else had peace and something to dream about but the young black youth. At first he wanted to be a writer like James Baldwin and Langston Hughes but after realizing how Bob Marley and KRS 1's music really empowered him in his youth, Isaiah 11:11 decided to step to the plate and give the youth and humanity his own message and music. That message has grown from and angry young man to a dreamer and believer of the true spirit of brotherly love that exists for all humanity.
