Izzo

One of hip-hop’s most exciting new artists, IZZO is certain to put the tiny state of Rhode Island on the map in a major way. Unpretentious and eager to continue to evolve and perfect his craft, this exuberant 26 year old seethes with confidence. As the first male recording artist to be signed under LL Cool J’s new record label Platinum Harvest Productions, IZZO certainly has many reasons to feel self-assured. Born Arthur Edward Zaiden, IZZO never knew his biological father or the Colombian/Lebanese roots that embodies him. He was raised by his mother and grandmother. In 1993, Arthur was adopted by his stepfather, Joseph Izzo, from whom he took his last name. Passionate about music from an early age, IZZO grew up listening to an eclectic collection of music ranging from rock to R&B, Nirvana to LL Cool J, and Jay-Z. When asked how he discovered rapping, IZZO candidly answers, "I was just a fan of good music, fan of the poetry, how you could sink into a certain song over and over... in my high school years I became a DJ so I could be more part of the music." Inspired by the melodic singsong rap hybrid of Nelly and by hip-hop legends Tupac and LL Cool J—IZZO began rapping in college and quickly pioneered a unique sound of his own. IZZO burst into the public sphere in 2006 with his first single,"Listen to Your Heart". Within months the song was riding the airwaves of some of the most popular radio stations along the east coast, Australia, and Germany. IZZO's talent was immediately recognized by LL Cool J, an artist he has been inspired by since childhood. In the beginning of 2008 LL Cool J offered IZZO a contract, officially welcoming him to the Platinum Harvest Productions family. Since then, IZZO has worked alongside the musical icon while recording his highly anticipated new album. "I think I made an album that pays tribute to the artists that inspired me and at the same time I was able to put my own unique sound into it." Never one to speak on what is outside of his domain, IZZO delivers to the listener what is real to him, "I find my inspiration from my fans. Every time you step on stage, the people's faces make you feel hyped and excited…the fact you can move someone, make someone dance, make someone cry, all from a song." While recording his own album, IZZO appeared in the music video for LL Cool J's summer hit "Baby" featuring Dream, and has opened up for LL Cool J including a show at the famous Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. Most recently, IZZO recorded and filmed a SEARS commercial for LL Cool J's new clothing line. With his momentum and fan base rising by the day, 2010 will prove to be a huge year both musically and personally. Equipped with a perfect combination of charisma, wit, and fresh lyrical content, IZZO is ready to take his exhilarating style and sound to the top of the charts. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.