Isaiah Rashad

Among rap’s most pensive and creative artists since his mid-2010s debut with Cilvia Demo (2014), Top Dawg Entertainment signee Isaiah Rashad has since hit the Top 20 of the Billboard 200 with his first proper album, The Sun's Tirade (2016). Following the 2020 track “Why Worry,” he released his sophomore album, 2021′s The House Is Burning.
Isaiah Rashad McClain hails from Chattanooga. He had thoughts of becoming a preacher until his stepbrother’s copy of OutKast’s ATLiens turned his head around. He was soon writing and recording with such dedication that he eventually put aside his studies at Middle Tennessee State. Rashad’s big break came in 2012 when he joined Juicy J on the Smoker’s Club Tour, then in 2013 he signed with Top Dawg Entertainment, joining a roster that boasted Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q, Jay Rock, and Ab-Soul. In January 2014, the label released his debut effort, Cilvia Demo, which entered the Billboard 200 at number 40 and assured Rashad’s inclusion in XXL magazine’s annual Freshman Class feature. The Sun's Tirade, Rashad’s first proper album, was created throughout a period in which the rapper dealt with numerous personal and professional struggles. It arrived in September 2016 and reached number 17.
Having contributed to tracks headlined by TDE labelmates such as SZA and Jay Rock, along with the likes of Benny Cassette and Childish Major, Rashad continued to rack up featured appearances while he was between LPs. Still with TDE in 2020, he issued “Why Worry,” his first single in four years. Rashad’s second full-length, The House Is Burning, arrived in July 2021 and included guest spot by Duke Deuce on the lead single “Lay wit Ya.” ~ Andy Kellman & David Jeffries