What’s your stage name and where are you from?
Name’s HAILE ISAYAS. Born in the dark, sharpened in the cold. I’m posted in Stockholm, Sweden, but the sound’s bigger than borders.
What’s the story behind your stage name?
HAILE ISAYAS is straight from the source. Haile is my real name, given to me in memory of my uncle who passed before I was born. Isayas is my father’s first name. In Eritrean and Ethiopian culture, you don’t get a family surname—you carry your father’s first name as your last. That’s how it’s always been. So my name is more than a tag—it’s legacy, respect, and real history.
Describe your musical journey in three sentences.
My sound is underground—built from grit, soul, and no shortcuts. It’s raw, unpolished on purpose, with emotion that cuts through the noise. But there’s poetry in the chaos—every line means something, even when it hurts.
Share an interesting experience you had while creating your latest track.
I linked up with Michael Mayham—wild dude with a crazy past. He grew up on Skid Row, his dad was smoking dope, and somehow that chaos turned into raw talent. He moved to Stockholm, found me, and we clicked. Skates through the city, cracks jokes nonstop, but when it’s time to record—he locks in. He ended up on the last song of my album The Graveyard Shift, and I’m glad he did.
What message do you want to convey through your music?
My music is for the underdogs—the ones who didn’t take the easy way out but still bet on themselves. The Graveyard Shift is their anthem. It’s about staying solid, even when no one’s watching. Eat good, smoke good, move with patience. Take your time with your sound and your craft—it’s your art, and greatness never rushes.
Tell us about a challenge you faced during production and how you overcame it.
My music is for the underdogs—the ones who didn’t take shortcuts but still believe in themselves. The Graveyard Shift is their anthem. I recorded the album over 11 times before we landed on the version we’re putting out. That breakthrough came after a deep convo with my closest friend and brother, Hazourdos Hab. We were talking about writing—and how, as you grow older, you can’t just spit a bunch of jibberish. The words gotta mean something. It’s about eating right, smoking good, staying grounded, and being patient with your craft. This isn’t fast food music. It’s soul food. Greatness takes time.
If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?
If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?
I’d collaborate with anyone from Blah Records in the UK—they’re dope as fuck. There’s this artist, Stinkin Slumrok, who’s a beast, and the whole crew’s fire. They’ve got this band called The Cult Of The Damned too, and I’m all about that energy. Their raw, underground sound speaks to me, and I’d love to bring that together with my own.
Where do you see your music taking you in the next year?
In the next year, I’m pushing The Graveyard Shift—on vinyl and DSPs—every day, all year long. I believe we’ve got this under control. Through my website, I plan to build real connections with my audience, not just sell music. I’m focused on creating new opportunities and growing this movement. We’re just getting started.
What’s the next big step for you as an artist?
Next step? Staying healthy—and I don’t mean just talking about it. Eating Ital stew, smoking good herb, and living life the right way. You gotta treat your body like your most important instrument. If you’re not on point, the music’s not gonna hit. It’s all about balance—grind hard, but keep it real with yourself.
Where can we hear/watch your most recent work?
https://shop.haileisayas.com
https://music.haileisayas.com/banger
https://youtu.be/p25maPkZ4GE?si=H4U_DvyojNXtN102
