THE LEGENDARY SOULMAN – Isaac Hayes
November 26, 2008 by admin
Filed under Featured Artists
In the ‘70s, the iconic theme songs of the movie shaft astounded the world of the pop music and created an impression to the music industry that was far difficult to forget. It’s enthralling orchestration, perfect guitar play and branded sensual baritone vocals made a great impact to the public and soon became Isaac Hayes defining work. The “Theme from Shaft” theme song earned both Grammy’s and Oscar accreditations for its groundbreaking contributions to American music.
Isaac Hayes wrote soul classics like “Hold On I’m Comin’” that assisted the era of disco. He became the goldmine for immeasurable hip-hop and Rhythm and blues singers and writers who used popular arrangements as one of the most crucial points of their songs decades later. Hayes almost embodied everything about soul music. Collin Stanback, an executive of Stax even once said, “When you think of soul music, you think of Isaac Hayes - the expression, the sound and the creativity that goes along with it.”
His influence went beyond music. He created a trademark of a singer, who had a bald head, a full beard and a muscular body frame; often adorned with gold chains. Hayes became a fashion icon and a trendsetter during his times; whereas his contemporaries sported for Afros. Then after, he became an image of black pride and an advocate of civil rights. Neil Portnow, president of the U.S. Recording Academy even said to CBC (Canadian News) after his death, “The world has lost a true creative genius and a passionate humanitarian.” Even Rev. Al Sharpton paid tributes to Hayes’ activism and said to the same news network, “Even in his later years he never hesitated to appear for a cause or endorse something that he felt was for the good of mankind. He will be sorely missed.”
Hayes also portrayed different roles in the movie industry like “Tough Guys,” “Hustle & Flow” and “I’m Gonna Get You Sucka.” He also acted in the movie “Soul Men,” where he portrayed himself. In this film, Samuel Jackson and Bernie Mac co-starred him. Then in 1997, he became more popular when he played in the movie “Shaft” in which he became the voice of Chef on “South Park” (Comedy Central Show).
As one of the most significant foundations of soul music, Isaac Hayes became an eminent member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He was tagged alongside the famous dominant artists of the early ‘70s like Stevie Wonder, James Brown and Al Green; as he ranked number one in the R&B boards for ten consecutive weeks. More so, he stayed on the pop charts for 81 consecutive weeks. This largely-affected the music industry and it forced to regard Soul as an art-form album. Soon after, Afro-centrism and Black Power emerged as a new age and Hayes’ emerged as its legendary icon and a great influence that enriched both the Soul Music and the African-American culture of today.
As Grammy and Academy Award-winning actor and musician left millions of fans weeping over his death last August 10th of 2008, this legendary soul crooner still continued to linger in the heart and minds of R&B fans through his countless contributions in music our music today. Isaac Hayes remains a living legend and a significant figure that festooned the American soul music.
TJ Grooves
Rare Soul Grooves & Soul Music TV
Too right. He really was a legend. That word gets banded about, but Isaac Hayes deserved the label. I was gutted to hear of his death this year. But I know I’ll smile whenever I hear his great deep voice on South Park or singing the Theme from Shaft - whether its on Soul Music TV or on the Simpsons when Bart and Lisa sing it karaoke style!
They called him the Black Moses and his ground-breaking style directly influenced rap as a global sound with the prominence of the black male spoken voice. He covered songs by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, The Carpenters and Jimmy Webb, he influenced disco, hip-hop and funky R&B. Isaac Hayes - RIP.
RIP Isaac! You’re the best
First African American composer to win an Oscar for Best Original Song (1972) for The Theme from Shaft (1971).
I remember hearing an interview of him when one of the interviewers asked him what it was like ‘being Shaft’…and he said well…’ya know, some days I jsut don’t feel like being Shaft’…ha ha. I’ll never forget that as I thought how funny that reply was.
Good Bye Mr Issac Hayes ot the Duke of New York and many thanks for your song Shaft
The “Theme from Shaft” was incredibly fantastic. Even the accreditations by Grammy and Oscar was not sufficient to appreciate the song’s contributions to music. In the 1970s the song created a huge craze among music lovers and the music industry too loves this man. We can’t have another Isaac Hayes.
Disco songs or movie themes? I wonder which one Isaac Hayes loves the most. Or does he like to act. Anyway, whatever his choice may be, I love him in whatever he does. The age of disco was so popular because of this man. Yes it is true. “Hold On I’m Comin’”. That classic was written by him and it has perfect disco music.
This singer contributed largely to rhythm, hip-hop, and blues. Singers of the next generation, who regarded him as their idol learned a lot from him. Soul music and Isaac Hayes go hand in hand. He gave soul music a definition of creativity, expression, and harmonious sound. That is so true.
Yep, Isaac Hayes remains a living legend for R&B. R.I.P.
What a weird coincidence that Isaac Hayes had filmed the movie Soul Men with Samuel L: Jackson and Bernie Mac and the day before Isaac Hayes died, Bernie Mac died too. From what I’ve read Hayes was really a King among soulsters - and a real crowned King in Ghana too - where he established an educational facility. Check out his website - you’ll be amazed at all this man accomplished coming from such humble beginnings.
At WOMAD in 2007 Isaac Hayes gave a stunning performance, undaunted by bad weather and the usual festival inconveniences. The legend was asked what he thought of WOMAD and he declared “It’s wet, but it’s wild!” Too right, Isaac - we’ll all miss you.
Who else hears this man’s voice and gets shivers down their spine? ‘Sensual baritone’ is right. A brave proud man who wasn’t afraid to do his own thang.
I don’t really know Isaac Hayes, but I saw his video on YouTube and I guess he’s the black dude with the beard. I know the music - its been in loads of films n stuff. He looks like he’s out of Goldmember or something, but for real. Like the sounds.
And I just realised that its Chef in South Park. That is kinda weird, cos I’ve seen the show for ages and never got who Chef was till I read your site. Thank you for keeping me informed!
There is some ongoing controversy surrounding Isaac Hayes death. It appears he lost the rights to his songs years ago and his income was chiefly based on the voice-overs for South Park, but Scientology members put pressure on him to quit the show because it often lampooned the cult of which Hayes was a member. The cult also requires funding from its members. Hayes had suffered a stroke, had mouths to feed and was under increasing pressure to tour and record again. Hence he was trying to tone up on the treadmill when he met his death. Fishy?
Is this true? I know that Isaac Hayes descendants will eventually regain copyright of his songs when they come up for copyright renewal. It sounds awful that a man who produced such great music and was such a revered man was struggling for income and pushed to tour when he was clearly ill? I hope this is just conspiracy theory and gossip.
And Millie Jackson performed on an album with Isaac Hayes. The collaboration was entitled “Royal Rappin’s” and so much was expected of this pairing of Souls most loquacious diva and the most raunchy sexually charged Hayes, but sadly the album was not well received by the critics - though many fans raved about it.
His music, which came to be known as urban-contemporary, paved the way for disco as well as romantic crooners like Barry White. And in his spoken-word introductions and interludes, Hayes was essentially rapping before there was rap.
Jazzie B called him ‘cool as ice’ and said that Isaac was a really comedic, humorous kinda guy - I think he was one of those people that come along whose soul enriches the rest of us.
Hayes married four times and had 12 children so even apart from his music here was a man intending to make his mark on the world. But did you know that originally he wanted to become a doctor, but his plans changed after he won a singing contest!!