Artist Spotlight is a segment that we started to introduce our listeners to some deserving up and coming artists/bands. They have made an impact on us for all of the right reasons. We think they kick ass and we hope you do too! Today we’d like to shine the spotlight on Strange Music wordsmith King Iso.
Strange Music artist and Newport, Rhode Island born wordsmith, who spent his formative years in Omaha, NE has braved an endless battlefield of mental health struggles only to gain life-saving wisdom, which powers his recently released sixth full-length offering iLLdren. After generating tens of millions of streams and packing shows, he issues an important and impactful message to a broken generation who needs to hear it the most.
“Many of us never developed a voice or a way to deal with our childhood traumas,” he says. “There are multiple generations of sick kids who are just overlooked. They’re the iLLdren. I wanted to go back and talk to my inner child. The album is a way for all of us to go back though. Maybe we can get over what we went through as kids—together.”
Iso hasn’t just confronted pain in his music; he’s wrangled it into an ever-evolving sonic beast. He has survived a turbulent upbringing, suicide attempts, hospitalization, homelessness, and despair and risen up with a string of fan favorite albums, including Autophobia [2016], Dementia [2018], World War Me [2020], and Get Well Soon [2022]. Along the way, his fiery flow burned bright on one of the biggest independent rap songs of all-time “Face Off,” placing him alongside Tech N9ne, Joey Cool, and Dwayne Johnson.
In 2022, Iso found himself on the brink. So, he checked into a facility and faced his demons head-on. “It was big for me to seek help,” he admits. “When I got to the hospital, people were in holding tanks for hours waiting for beds to free up. Suicide and mental illness are at an all-time high. Ultimately, it made me want to be a better person physically, mentally, financially, and spiritually. I have brothers who depend on me, and I need to be there for my children. I got out of that motherfucker and wrote iLLdren.” Beckoning everyone on a journey to healing, Iso produced or co-produced the entirety of the project, splitting the tracklisting into three chapters—Baby Blues, Teen Trauma, and Adult Adversity.
King Iso delivers an unwavering honesty in his lyrics, and in this musical climate where tackling complex subject matter can often be a risky gamble, Iso does it with an air of genuineness that grabs your attention.
We recently sat down for a short, but fun Q & A session with King Iso.
Every superhero and villain have an origin and an artist is not different. Well, minus the radioactive spiders and secret government experiments. What’s the origin of KING ISO?
King Iso – My origin definitely would be homeless in the streets of Omaha battling mental illnesses and fighting for stability.
Tell us about your new album iLLdren. What was the writing and recording processes like, where did the name of the LP come from?
The album came about last year while inpatient at a treatment center. I sobered up from everything for a while and subsequently had an urge to write about all of my childhood traumas I’d been self-medicating for years. I started writing in the hospital and wrote out the layout and once I was an outpatient I produced and recorded the album. It was therapeutic to say the least.
When were you bitten by the music bug and how has music, your own and from other artists impacted you?
The music bug bit me as a baby, I’m sure. I’ve always been a lover of all music. It’s impacted me in life saving ways all while giving me an outlet as well!
Your listeners have deemed themselves the “Isoldiers,” can you share with us the meaning of the term and what it means to you.
“Iso” came from the last time I was incarcerated, and a chaplain told me about turning negatives to a positive. The solitary confinement cell I was in was named “ISO” short for isolation and that’s what they’d call me. I hated it and eventually started saying “I shall Overcome” every time I’d see the door. It stuck after my release and the moniker King Iso was born. The fans are an army of overcomers and it’s humbling that they came up with the family name themselves.
We’ve lost quite too many music icons over the last few years. If you could pick one or two to jam or perform with, who would you pick?
Tupac Shakur and Nipsey Hussle.
Do you have a favorite tour or show story you can share?
I’d have to say doing Red Rocks. The first time I was invited by labelmate Tech N9ne, I wasn’t signed yet and I watched Strange Music CEO Travis O’Guin and Tech honor a couple of the label artists with their Strange Music chain and logo pendant, The Snake & Bat is more than just a logo… it’s a symbol that represents everything Strange stands for and lets everyone who sees it know, how far and how many the music reaches. I remember wishing I could do what they were doing, and to be signed to the label now and performing with Tech is surreal.
Anyone who listens to your music knows that you have endured a lot of personal struggles in life and overcome many things…. That said, can you tell us about something you are grateful for?
King Iso – I’m grateful for the support system honestly. It keeps me motivated, encouraged and sane on my worst days. A ton of us can feel low and alone at times but the music brings us closer. I can’t thank them enough.
Connect with King Iso online:
Twitter – 
/ therealkingiso
Instagram – 
/ therealkingiso
Facebook – 
/ therealkingiso
