Entering into the world of music is no easy feat. However, with social media usage on the rise, apps like TikTok have allowed for new artists to break their way into the public eye. For Los Angeles native, Izza, TikTok has allowed her visibility, fandom, and even revenge!
TheThings spoke with the up-and-coming popstar to discuss her passion for music, musical inspirations, and her new single, "X-Ray."
Izza's Inspirations
Almost every artist remembers that influential time in their life whereby they discovered their love for music. Be it their first concert or the first time they sat behind a drum kit, these moments tend to define the course of their musical careers.
For Izza, that sentiment rings true as she says,
"My parents love music and are the reason why I started playing instruments at a young age. I grew up going to concerts at the Hollywood Bowl and Staples Center as well as watching artist documentaries on MTV and VH1 Top 20 Countdown which exposed me to the world of being an artist."
Taking a shine to her parents' affinity for music, Izza continues to share how her taste in music has grown and adapted as she began to explore the industry further.
"Since my parents loved listening to rock music, that was the music that would be playing in the car or around the house. When I got to elementary school, however, I started to listen to more pop music like Lady Gaga and Katy Perry. In high school and college I would only listen to hip-hop and electronic music. Nowadays, I listen primarily to pop since it’s the music I make, however, I am always discovering new artists and sub genres that inspire me."
Having been featured in the likes of Wonderland, Izza is known for her lyrical genius, spreading positivity through gritty, pop sounds. She draws influence from the top pop singers of the early 2000s, hoping to be continue the legacy of mixing grunge with pop.
"I grew up listening to late 2000s pop artists like Gwen Stefani and Fergie and loved how they worked with hip-hop driven producers like Pharrell Williams and Will.I.Am. That is an era of music I will always go back to and want to emulate in a 2023 way. I think the combination of upbeat pop dance music and strong and confident hip-hop inspired cadences and lyricism is the recipe for my sound."
"X-RAY" And Ex-Bae
If there's one non-musically related thing we tend to miss about the artists of the early 2000s, it's the unadulterated drama. Think Pink and Christina Aguilera.
While no rivalries have been dredged up in this pop princess' story, Izza went viral on TikTok for a video of herself in front of her very first billboard with the caption "My ex cheated on me so I got a billboard with my face on it in front of his apartment so him and his new girl can see me every day." If that isn't a girl boss move, we don't know what is!
While nothing tends to taste sweeter than revenge, having your own billboard must be a close second (if not overtaking first!). We asked Izza what that experience was like for her.
"It was so cool to see my face on a billboard! That was my first time being on a billboard, so it was a surreal experience. It was a special moment for me to witness all of my hard work as an artist pay off -- and get some revenge as well!"
Not only was Izza able to use her experience with her ex to gain satisfaction and traction via social media, she also called upon the hurt caused by the relationship to provide a vision for her next song. And so, "X-RAY" was born. The new single, which is set to be released the evening/early morning of April 27th, bears Izza's emotions on her sleeve as she discusses the emotional hardships she's faced in past relationships.
"I wrote X-RAY because I was trying to understand why I kept falling into the same toxic patterns with relationships. It’s easy to diagnose physical pain with an X-ray, but I wanted a mental X-ray to diagnose the emotional pain that isn’t visible."
There's no doubt audiences across the world will resonate with the message Izza shares through her new, vulnerable track. Perhaps, in alignment with her aspirations, we'll see Izza headlining Coachella, performing "X-RAY" for thousands of screaming fans.
While she awaits her shot at stardom, we asked Izza one final question: what advice do you have for others who want to put their music out into the world?
"The most challenging part about being a musician...is getting people to believe in your art and accept you for who you are. My advice would be to not listen to other people because as long as you have your music and focus on becoming the best version of yourself, that's all that matters."
We couldn't have said it any better ourselves! Stream "X-RAY" tonight at 9 PM PT/12 AM EST.
