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Alex Isley

Alexandra Isley is an American singer-songwriter and producer. She released her debut EP The Love/Art Memoirs in 2012. Isley has worked with artists including Scarface, Terrace Martin, Masego, 9th Wonder, Tank and the Bangas, and Lucky Daye. Isley has been nominated for two Grammy Awards.

Early life and education

Born Alexandra Isley, she is the daughter of Ernie Isley of the prolific soul group the Isley Brothers. Isley spent most of her childhood in New Jersey before moving to Los Angeles. She named Stevie Wonder, Prince, Ella Fitzgerald, Toni Braxton, Aaliyah, and Mariah Carey as early favorite musicians. She loved singing from childhood and her family supported her pursuit of music as a professional career.

She began classical vocal training at age 12 and later graduated from LA County High School for the Arts. Isley received her bachelor's degree from UCLA, where she studied in the jazz department.

Isley has synesthesia, and described the phenomenon to LA Weekly: "There's a canvas in my mind, and the whole thing is painted, or it's a continuous wave of color...Sometimes I'll start composing something and I'll have to change the key because the color won't sit right with me."

Career

Isley released her self-produced debut EP The Love Art/Memoirs in 2012. Okayplayer reviewed the EP positively: "please believe Alex’s lush vocals over her own calming production is capable of spawning a generation of love babies much like “Between The Sheets” did."

Isley described her music as r&b with hip hop and jazz influences. Samantha Callender of Essence referred to her voice as "silky smooth vocals that ride neo-soul melodies." She has collaborated with artists such as 9th Wonder on the track "Rain Clouds"; Lucky Daye and Masego on "Good & Plenty (Remix)"; Chromonicci on "Interstellar"; and Christian Kuria on "Toroka."

In November 2019 she released the joint EP Wilton with producer Jack Dine. In May 2020 Isley performed a concert for NPR's Tiny Desk series. That year she was also a featured vocalist for the Cautious Clay track "Reaching", on the soundtrack for Insecure's fourth season.

In 2022 she released Marigold, a collaborative album with Jack Dine. Jackie B. of Soul Bounce reviewed the project positively: "Alex Isley and Jack Dine remain as a melodious match made in heaven as they take us through a cycle from sprout to blossom to full bloom on Marigold." She was featured on Tank's recent single "No Limit" from his 10th album R&B Money.

Isley released the album I Left My Heart in Ladera with Terrace Martin in October 2023. The album, her first to chart on Billboard, debuted at number two on Billboard's Contemporary Jazz Albums list and at number 22 on Jazz Albums.

She earned her first two Grammy Award nominations as a featured artist on "Back to Love" by Robert Glasper at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards. The song was nominated for Best R&B Song and Best R&B Performance.