Meet Issa Raye | Singer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Issa Raye and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Issa, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I’ve always liked music and acting from a young age, and remember being in my hometown in Colombia wanting to come to the US and pursue that dream. I actually studied acting in NY for a few years, but I inclined more towards music. I realized music is more aligned with what I want to do. At school I used to take elective guitar classes and for some reason it came so easy to me to play and sing at the same time. I think that sparked something in me. I also remember being at home wearing heels and singing all over the house. About 1-2 years ago I had this urge to learn the piano and someone connected me to a piano teacher. he taught me how to play and understand chords and scales in the keyboard. Now he is my producer and we are working on 4-5 songs together. in my first EP which we are releasing in June.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I love exploring different genres and sounds. I’m not tied to a specific genre, but I’m willing to explore different instruments and sounds and how they blend together. Putting a song together isn’t easy; there are many elements involved that people may not be aware of. It takes a lot of time, effort, and dedication. As an artist, you always strive to create the best version possible. Singing live is very different from recording in the studio; it requires concentration to convey the emotion through a recording and ensure that people feel what you want to express. I’ve learned that discipline and hard work pay off, and that you need to keep learning and evolving, regardless of where you are in your career. I just want the world to know my story and to allow themselves to feel when they listen to my music.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Id take them to my neighborhood spots. We would first make breakfast and eat at my balcony overlooking the ocean. We would then go for a walk along south pointe boardwalk, and take them to my gym, Anatomy, on Sunset Harbour where I train 5x a week.

We would go for a nice lunch after at some of my favorite neighborhood spots, Call Me Gaby, and Avo. For an afternoon bite or early dinner we would go sit at The grill at Setai Hotel since it has a nice open terrace next to the beach, along the boardwalk. Its nice to go with a group of friends and enjoy a good glass of wine. On a Wednesday, you will find me at Casa Tua for karaoke night. I love Italian food and the environment is extremely fun.
Japanese is my favorite cuisine so you can also find me at Kissaki or Ko Sushi in South Beach. The sushi is excellent and great music.

Throughout the week, we’d also make time for some outdoor activities like playing tennis on the beach courts or trying our hand at Padel at Reserve Padel. And of course, we’d indulge in some fine dining experiences, like dinner at Forte de Marmi, where we could enjoy delicious Italian cuisine and cocktails at the chic Sopra club upstairs.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to every single person who has played a part in my journey. Each one has left a piece of themselves in me, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without their support and influence.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/issaraye/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@IssaRayeMusic

Other: tiktok.com/@issarayee