If you are a fan of R&B music, you might have heard of Alex Isley, a singer-songwriter and producer who has been making waves in the industry with her soulful vocals and smooth production. But did you know that she is also the daughter of Ernie Isley, a longtime member of the soul legends The Isley Brothers? In this article, we will explore the relationship between Alex Isley and the Isley Brothers, and how their musical influences have shaped her career.
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Who are the Isley Brothers?
The Isley Brothers are one of the most influential and successful groups in the history of music. They have been active since 1954, and have released over 30 albums, spanning genres such as R&B, soul, funk, rock, pop, and hip hop. They have had numerous hits, such as “Shout”, “Twist and Shout”, “This Old Heart of Mine”, “It’s Your Thing”, “That Lady”, “Harvest for the World”, “For the Love of You”, “Between the Sheets”, and many more. They have also been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, and the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Ernie Isley joined the group in 1973, along with his brothers Marvin and Chris. He is known for his masterful guitar playing, as well as his songwriting and production skills. He wrote or co-wrote some of the group’s most memorable songs, such as “Fight the Power”, “At Your Best (You Are Love)”, “Footsteps in the Dark”, “Voyage to Atlantis”, and “Don’t Say Goodnight”. He also played guitar on songs by other artists, such as Kendrick Lamar’s “i” and Frank Ocean’s “Pyramids”.
Who is Alex Isley?
Alex Isley is an American singer-songwriter and producer. She was born in New Jersey, but moved to Los Angeles when she was young. She grew up surrounded by music, as her father Ernie Isley would often play guitar for her and her siblings. She also listened to a variety of artists, such as Stevie Wonder, Prince, Ella Fitzgerald, Toni Braxton, Aaliyah, and Mariah Carey.
She began singing at an early age, and received classical vocal training at 12. She later attended LA County High School for the Arts, where she studied jazz. She then graduated from UCLA with a bachelor’s degree in jazz studies. She has synesthesia, a condition that allows her to see colors when she hears music.
She released her self-produced debut EP The Love/Art Memoirs in 2012, which received positive reviews from critics and fans alike. She followed it up with other projects, such as Dreams in Analog (2013), L U X U R Y (2015), Wilton (with Jack Dine) (2019), Marigold (with Jack Dine) (2022), and more. She has also collaborated with artists such as Lucky Daye, Tank and the Bangas, Terrace Martin, Masego, 9th Wonder, Scarface, Cautious Clay, Chromonicci, Christian Kuria, and others.
She describes her music as R&B with hip hop and jazz influences. She has a silky smooth voice that rides neo-soul melodies. She has performed on NPR’s Tiny Desk series, and has been featured on various playlists and platforms.
Alex Isley is related to the Isley Brothers through her father Ernie Isley. She is his daughter from his second marriage to Tracy Dunn-Isley. She has two older half-siblings from his first marriage to Angela Winbush: Nicole Isley-Murphy and Alexander Winbush-Isley.
Alex Isley has a close relationship with her father Ernie Isley. She considers him her biggest inspiration and mentor. She often asks him for advice on music and life. She also respects his legacy and achievements with the Isley Brothers.
She has also collaborated with him on music. In 2023, they released their first duet together: a cover of “Brown Eyed Girl”, which was originally recorded by the Isley Brothers in 1971. They dedicated the song to Alex’s mother Tracy Dunn-Isley for Father’s Day.
Alex Isley has also paid tribute to Aaliyah, who famously covered one of Ernie Isley’s songs: “At Your Best (You Are Love)”. In 2021, she released her own version of the song for Spotify Singles series. She said that she was a childhood fan of Aaliyah, and that she wanted to honor her legacy as well as her own.
Conclusion
Alex Isley is a talented and rising R&B singer-songwriter and producer. She is also the daughter of Ernie Isley, a member of the legendary Isley Brothers. She has inherited their musical genes and influences, and has also carved her own path in the industry. She is related to the Isley Brothers by blood and by soul.
