With his soulful voice, bald head, trim body, and gold chains, Isaac Hayes charged into the music scene of the late ‘60s, quickly becoming an icon for black power. Widely recognized for his talents as a session musician, Hayes never really liked being labeled the “Black Moses”, but his fans loved the message that he brought to them through his music.

Hayes was born in Covington, Tennessee, but moved to Memphis to live with his grandparents after his parents died when he was young. In ninth grade, Hayes decided that he had had enough of school and needed to fend for himself to make ends meat. This did not sit well with his teachers, as they felt he had too much promise to simply drop out. They convinced him to come back and he eventually started on his path to a musical career by winning a talent show, singing Nat “King” Cole’s “Looking Back.” He received several college vocal scholarships, but opted instead to try to make it on his own.

He began playing in various groups during the early ‘60s, including Sir Isaac and the Doo-Dahs and Sir Calvin and His Swinging Cats. By 1964, Hayes was the saxophonist in the band the Mar-Keys, and soon became a session musican at the Stax record label. He remained there for several years, contributing to the works of such soul legends as Otis Redding, and wrote over 200 songs with his writing partner David Porter. For all of his hard work, Stax rewarded Hayes with his own album in 1967 titled Presenting. The album did not sell well, but he tried again in 1969 with Hot Buttered Soul.

Soul, which contained only four extended-length songs, was a smash hit, with Hayes laying down the foundation for the disco sound that would erupt several years later. In 1971, Hayes wrote and performed the music for the film Shaft, which became his biggest hit of his career. He won several Grammy Awards for his work on the soundtrack and became the first black composer to win an Academy Award. After having a falling out with Stax records, he formed his own label, Hot Buttered Soul, in 1975.

During the mid ‘70s, Hayes turned to acting, appearing in such films as Truck Turner and Tough Guys. He continued to put out albums until 1980, when he took a break from music. Throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s he continued acting, starring in such films as Escape From New York, I’m Gonna Git You Sucker, and CB4. In 1996, Hayes began working as a DJ at New York’s KISS-FM, and quickly became the station’s favorite personality. 1997 brought to the television airwaves a new animated show called South Park, and Hayes lent his voice to the character Chef. The show became a huge hit, and Chef, who breaks into songs about love and sex at any given moment, became one of the most popular characters.

Throughout his career, Hayes has used his celebrity status to teach inner-city youth the importance of literacy as the first spokesman for the World Literacy Crusade in 1993. He has also been a crusader for human rights and has helped the nation of Ghana in increasing thier economic stability. For his help, the nation made him an honorary member of the royal family, and gave him the name Nene Katey Ocansey I. He has also worked with the nation of Nigeria, where he was named an honorary chief.
Climb to Fame
First black composer to win an Academy Award; voice of Chef on animated series South Park
Work History
(1963) Formed the group Isaac Hayes and the Doo-Dads.

(1964) Played in the group the Mar-Keys.

(1964-1967) Worked as a session musician for Stax-Volt records.

(1967) Released debut solo album Presenting.

(1974) Starred in the film Truck Turner.

(1975) Formed his own record label, Hot Buttered Soul.

(1976) Filed for bankruptcy.

(1981) Starred in the film Escape From New York.

(1988) Starred in the film I’m Gonna Git You Sucker.

(1993) Became spokesman for the World Literacy Crusade.

(1993) Starred in the film Robin Hood: Men in Tights.

(1996) Worked as a DJ for KISS-FM in New York.

(1997) Began lending his voice for the animated television series South Park.

(1999) Lent his voice to the animated film South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut.
Affiliations
World Literacy Crusade
Awards
Isaac Hayes has also won numerous Awards