Empire ISIS
Encyclopedia
Empire ISIS is a singer, songwriter and social activist based in Montreal, Canada. Her musical style has been described as a blend of dancehall
, reggae
, hip hop
, pop
and World music
. She is signed to Monumental Records and distributed by Universal Music Group
.
, where she lived with her 2 brothers, mother and Ugandan/Yemeni stepfather.
At the age of 16, Moufide moved to Costa Rica for school and began a four year trip around the world, living with small and marginalised communities. Her love for music and anthropology led her to visit and live in 30 different countries, and to eventually put her experiences to music.
festival, she met members of the Rainbow Caravan for Peace and joined them as they visited indigenous villages and festivals. Drawing on her education in theatre, music and workshop facilitation she worked with them performing in street theatre and giving workshops on bioregionalism
, permaculture
, ecovillage
design, nutrition
and spiritual gatherings.
Her lyrics often focus on social matters like women’s rights (“NANA Power”), building community (“Participate”) and defending your dreams ("Get up on it", "Won't surrender").
The artist tries to use her international recognition to draw attention to issues that matter to her, by hosting and performing charitable events, especially in her home cities of Montreal
and New York
.
The song S.O.S. To Freedom is currently being used in a campaign against human trafficking across the United States.
You can also find her NANA Power song utilized in the Girls Action Foundation's, Light a Spark cause.
and Chinna Smith, as well as Miami-based producers The Iconz. She recorded her debut album “Empress Gangstress” in part at Bob Marley's legendary Tuff Gong Studios
in Kingston
. It featured reggae singers Bushman
and Half Pint. Empire ISIS has played in over 20 different countries, including Brazil, Panama, Columbia, Venezuela, Senegal and Canada and the American festivals SXSW and CMJ
.
On her more recent albums, Empire ISIS has worked and recorded with world-renowned producers like Prayon and Kovas
.
As well as songwriting for Empire ISIS, she also writes under the name Miriam Moufide for other musicians and is published by Cherry Lane Music
and pigFACTORY Music.
In June 2011, Empire ISIS was voted into the "Wall of Fame" at the Montreal Hip Hop Summit and is now featured in the Montreal deck of "Legend Of The Fame" hip hop trading cards.
2008-2009
Song Placements
Born to Dance
Bad Girls Club
09:11 Empire Isis - “Get Up On It”
29:28 Empire Isis - “False Friend”
09:25 Empire Isis - “Get Up On It”
23:02 Empire Isis - “False Friend”
08:36 Empire Isis - “Get Up On It”
24:51 Empire Isis - “Participate”
10:34 Empire Isis - “Get Up On It”
24:53 Empire Isis - “Four In The Morning”
0:00 Empire Isis - “Get Up On It”
28:27 Empire Isis - “Participate”
“Blackcloud” - 38:31 (:29) (BV)
“Throwing A Shade” - 0:45 (:13) (BI)
“Blackcloud” - 07:02 (:28) (BV)
“Build An Army” - 0:52 (:13) (BV)
“Rich Girl” - 21:57 (:38) (BI)
The Hills
Khloé & Lamar
Burn Notice
Robson Arms
Notes from the Underbelly
Dancehall
Dancehall is a genre of Jamaican popular music that originated in the late 1970s. Initially dancehall was a more sparse version of reggae than the roots style, which had dominated much of the 1970s. In the mid-1980s, digital instrumentation became more prevalent, changing the sound considerably,...
, reggae
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
, hip hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
, pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
and World music
World music
World music is a term with widely varying definitions, often encompassing music which is primarily identified as another genre. This is evidenced by world music definitions such as "all of the music in the world" or "somebody else's local music"...
. She is signed to Monumental Records and distributed by Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
.
Early life
Born in Wales to a Moroccan father and British mother, she was raised in Morocco. At age 7 she moved to MontrealMontreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, where she lived with her 2 brothers, mother and Ugandan/Yemeni stepfather.
At the age of 16, Moufide moved to Costa Rica for school and began a four year trip around the world, living with small and marginalised communities. Her love for music and anthropology led her to visit and live in 30 different countries, and to eventually put her experiences to music.
Activism and Charity
At 21 while in the Amazon rainforest attending the Bumba Meu BoiBumba Meu Boi
Bumba Meu Boi is a Brazilian folk theatrical tradition - the tale told through the music, the costumes and drumming involves a Bull, which dies and is brought back to life...
festival, she met members of the Rainbow Caravan for Peace and joined them as they visited indigenous villages and festivals. Drawing on her education in theatre, music and workshop facilitation she worked with them performing in street theatre and giving workshops on bioregionalism
Bioregionalism
Bioregionalism is a political, cultural, and environmental system or set of views based on naturally defined areas called bioregions, similar to ecoregions. Bioregions are defined through physical and environmental features, including watershed boundaries and soil and terrain characteristics...
, permaculture
Permaculture
Permaculture is an approach to designing human settlements and agricultural systems that is modeled on the relationships found in nature. It is based on the ecology of how things interrelate rather than on the strictly biological concerns that form the foundation of modern agriculture...
, ecovillage
Ecovillage
Ecovillages are intentional communities with the goal of becoming more socially, economically and ecologically sustainable. Some aim for a population of 50–150 individuals. Larger ecovillages of up to 2,000 individuals exist as networks of smaller subcommunities to create an ecovillage model that...
design, nutrition
Nutrition
Nutrition is the provision, to cells and organisms, of the materials necessary to support life. Many common health problems can be prevented or alleviated with a healthy diet....
and spiritual gatherings.
Her lyrics often focus on social matters like women’s rights (“NANA Power”), building community (“Participate”) and defending your dreams ("Get up on it", "Won't surrender").
The artist tries to use her international recognition to draw attention to issues that matter to her, by hosting and performing charitable events, especially in her home cities of Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
and New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
The song S.O.S. To Freedom is currently being used in a campaign against human trafficking across the United States.
You can also find her NANA Power song utilized in the Girls Action Foundation's, Light a Spark cause.
Musical career
Moufide, having taken the stage name Empire ISIS, began making music while traveling in Jamaica, working with the legendary Jamaican musicians Dean FraserDean Fraser
Dean Fraser is a Jamaican saxophonist who has contributed to hundreds of reggae recordings since the mid-1970s. He was awarded the Musgrave Medal by the Jamaican government in 1993 in recognition of his services to music.-Biography:Fraser started to play the clarinet at the age of 12...
and Chinna Smith, as well as Miami-based producers The Iconz. She recorded her debut album “Empress Gangstress” in part at Bob Marley's legendary Tuff Gong Studios
Tuff Gong
Tuff Gong is a record label that was formed by the reggae group The Wailers in 1970 and named after Bob Marley's nickname, which was in turn an echo of that given to founder of the Rastafari movement, Leonard "The Gong" Howell. The first single on the label was "Run For Cover" by The Wailers...
in Kingston
Kingston, Jamaica
Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica, located on the southeastern coast of the island. It faces a natural harbour protected by the Palisadoes, a long sand spit which connects the town of Port Royal and the Norman Manley International Airport to the rest of the island...
. It featured reggae singers Bushman
Bushman (reggae singer)
Bushman is a Jamaican reggae singer. He was raised in the Rastafari culture from a young age.-Biography:Born Dwight Duncan in Prospect Beach, St. Thomas, Jamaica in 1973, he was raised as a Rastafarian. He attended the Lysson All Age School, where his music teacher noticed his potential for music...
and Half Pint. Empire ISIS has played in over 20 different countries, including Brazil, Panama, Columbia, Venezuela, Senegal and Canada and the American festivals SXSW and CMJ
CMJ Music Marathon
CMJ Music Marathon & Film Festival is put on by CMJ Network. CMJ Music Marathon & Film Festival 2010 is scheduled for October 19–23 and will be headquartered at New York University and other downtown NYC venues.- History :...
.
On her more recent albums, Empire ISIS has worked and recorded with world-renowned producers like Prayon and Kovas
Kovas
Kovas is an American songwriter, record producer and recording artist of Spanish and French descent ....
.
As well as songwriting for Empire ISIS, she also writes under the name Miriam Moufide for other musicians and is published by Cherry Lane Music
Cherry Lane Music
Cherry Lane Music was founded in 1960 by Milton Okun in the apartment above the Cherry Lane Theater in Greenwich Village of New York City. Cherry Lane Music creates a wide range of high quality sheet music, DVDs and educational tools for practicing musicians....
and pigFACTORY Music.
In June 2011, Empire ISIS was voted into the "Wall of Fame" at the Montreal Hip Hop Summit and is now featured in the Montreal deck of "Legend Of The Fame" hip hop trading cards.
Film and Television
2007- Reggae Uncensored DVD, also featuring: Damian "Junior Gong" MarleyDamian MarleyDamian "Jr. Gong" Marley is a Jamaican reggae artist who has won three Grammy awards. Damian is the youngest son of Bob Marley....
, Sizzla KalonjiSizzlaSizzla Kalonji, or simply Sizzla in are de reggae musician. He is one of the most commercially and critically successful contemporary reggae artists and is well-known for his above-average prolificacy...
, Sean PaulSean PaulSean Paul Ryan Francis Henriques , who performs under stage name Sean Paul, is a Jamaican pop rap and reggae singer.-1973–1996: Early life:...
, Junior ReidJunior ReidDelroy "Junior" Reid is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall musician, best known for the songs "One Blood" and "Funny Man", as well as being the man that replaced Michael Rose as lead vocalist for Black Uhuru.-Biography:...
, MavadoMavado (singer)David Constantine Brooks , better known by his stage name Mavado, is a Jamaican musician, actor, DJ and music producer.- Biography :...
and Collie BuddzCollie BuddzCollie Buddz is a Bermudian reggae and dancehall artist best known for his single "Come Around". Although born in New Orleans, Louisiana, he was raised in Bermuda. He performed on Shaggy's 2007 album Intoxication on the track "Mad Mad World". In 2008, he performed the song "SOS" on WWE The Music,...
2008-2009
- Gangstress Chronicles: Series of interviews by Empire ISIS for Quebec music channel MusiquePlusMusiquePlusMusiquePlus is a Canadian French language Category A specialty channel owned by Astral Media operating from Montreal, Quebec.MusiquePlus is devoted to music and music related programming from various genres including pop, rock, RnB and focuses on a younger demographic than its sister station, MusiMax...
featuring Gene SimmonsGene SimmonsGene Simmons is an Israeli-American entrepreneur, singer-songwriter, actor, and rock bassist. Known as "The Demon", he is the bassist/vocalist of Kiss, a hard rock band he co-founded in the early 1970s.-Early life:...
, Janelle MonaeJanelle MonáeJanelle Monáe is an American R&B/soul musician signed to Bad Boy Records and Atlantic Records.Monáe debuted with a conceptual EP, Metropolis: Suite I ...
, U-GodU-GodLamont Hawkins , better known as U-God , is an American rapper and member of the hip hop collective, Wu-Tang Clan. He has been with the group since its inception, and is known for having a deep, rhythmic flow that can alternate between being gruff or smooth...
, TrickyTrickyTricky is an English musician and actor. As a producer and a musician, he is noted for a dark, rich and layered sound and a whispering sprechgesang lyrical style. Culturally, Tricky encourages an intertwining of societies, particularly in his musical fusion of rock and hip hop, high art and pop...
, Kid CudiKid CudiScott Ramon Seguro Mescudi , better known by his stage name Kid Cudi , sometimes stylized KiD CuDi, is an American rapper, singer and actor. He first gained major attention after the release of his debut mixtape A Kid Named Cudi. In 2009, his single "Day 'n' Nite" reached the top five of the...
, Perez HiltonPerez HiltonMario Armando Lavandeira, Jr. , better known as Perez Hilton , is an American blogger and television personality. His blog, Perezhilton.com , is known for posts covering gossip items about celebrities...
and others.
Song Placements
Born to Dance
Born to Dance
Born to Dance is an American musical film released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, and directed by Roy Del Ruth.The film stars dancer Eleanor Powell and was a follow-up to her successful debut in Broadway Melody of 1936...
- S. 1 E. 6 - NANA Power
Bad Girls Club
- Episode #501 – Airdate 8/3/10
09:11 Empire Isis - “Get Up On It”
- Episode #502 – Airdate 8/10/10
29:28 Empire Isis - “False Friend”
- Episode #503 – Airdate 8/17/10
09:25 Empire Isis - “Get Up On It”
23:02 Empire Isis - “False Friend”
- Episode #504 – Airdate 8/24/10
08:36 Empire Isis - “Get Up On It”
24:51 Empire Isis - “Participate”
- Episode #505 – Airdate 8/31/10
10:34 Empire Isis - “Get Up On It”
- Episode #506 – Airdate 9/14/10
24:53 Empire Isis - “Four In The Morning”
- Episode #507 – Airdate 9/21/10
0:00 Empire Isis - “Get Up On It”
- Episode #512– Airdate 11/02/10
28:27 Empire Isis - “Participate”
- Episode #601 – “It's Hotter In Hollywood"
“Blackcloud” - 38:31 (:29) (BV)
- Episode #702 – “Call Me Karma”
“Throwing A Shade” - 0:45 (:13) (BI)
- Episode #707 – “Cat Scratch Fever”
“Blackcloud” - 07:02 (:28) (BV)
- Episode #711
“Build An Army” - 0:52 (:13) (BV)
“Rich Girl” - 21:57 (:38) (BI)
The Hills
The Hills
The Hills is a reality television series which originally aired on MTV from May 31, 2006 until July 13, 2010. The show uses a reality television format, following the personal lives of several young adults living in Los Angeles, California, but tends towards a narrative format more commonly found...
- Eps 405
- Eps 406
- Eps 413 - Participate
- Eps 515
Khloé & Lamar
Khloé & Lamar
Khloé & Lamar is an American reality television series, produced by Ryan Seacrest, that debuted on E! in the United States and Canada on April 10, 2011. The show is the third spin-off of the show Keeping Up with the Kardashians...
Burn Notice
Burn notice
A burn notice is an official statement issued by one intelligence agency to other agencies. It states that an individual or a group is unreliable for one or more reasons...
Robson Arms
Robson Arms
Robson Arms is a Canadian television series that began airing on CTV on June 17, 2005 and ended on June 30, 2008. Robson Arms is a co-production between Vancouver-based Omni Film Productions Limited and Halifax's Creative Atlantic Communications....
Notes from the Underbelly
Notes from the Underbelly
Notes from the Underbelly was an American sitcom that debuted on ABC as a midseason replacement. The series is based upon the novel of the same name by Risa Green, and is produced by Eric and Kim Tannenbaum for Warner Bros. Television...
Discography
- Empress Gangstress (2005)
- featuring Half Pint and BushmanBushman (reggae singer)Bushman is a Jamaican reggae singer. He was raised in the Rastafari culture from a young age.-Biography:Born Dwight Duncan in Prospect Beach, St. Thomas, Jamaica in 1973, he was raised as a Rastafarian. He attended the Lysson All Age School, where his music teacher noticed his potential for music...
- featuring Half Pint and Bushman
- Sound The Trumpets (2007)
- featuring SizzlaSizzlaSizzla Kalonji, or simply Sizzla in are de reggae musician. He is one of the most commercially and critically successful contemporary reggae artists and is well-known for his above-average prolificacy...
and TurbulenceTurbulence (Musician)Turbulence is a Jamaican reggae artist. He is a self-proclaimed member of the Rastafari movement. He was discovered in 1999 by Philip "Fatis" Burrell...
- featuring Sizzla
- Brand New Style (2009)
- Crack The Code (2011)
Awards
Some awards and nominations Empire ISIS has received are listed below.- Gala SOBA (Sounds of Blackness AwardSounds of Blackness AwardSounds of Blackness Award also known as S.O.B.A. or SOBA is an annual Canadian awards in hip hop and urban music in Quebec and Canada....
s)- 2008: Winner – Best English Single of the Year
- 2008: Winner – Best World Music Music Artist of the Year
- GAMIQ(Quebec Indie Music Awards)
- 2008: Nominee – Best World Album
- Hollywood Music Awards
- 2008: Nominee – Best Pop Artist
- International Reggae & World Music Awards
- 2005: Nominee – Most Promising Entertainer
- Montreal Hip Hop Awards
- 2010: Winner – Female Artist of the Year
- Toronto Exclusive
- 2007: Winner – Best New Artist
- 2007: Winner – Best New Single
- 2007: Winner – Best New Female Artist
- Toronto Independent Music AwardsToronto Independent Music Awards- About the Toronto Independent Music Awards: :Toronto Independent Music Awards, otherwise known as the TIMAs, is an independent awards ceremony, showcase series and seminar founded in 2004 by Daniela Oliva. The concept evolved out of a desire to support independent musicians and bring together the...
- 2008: Winner – Best Out-Of-Province – "QuebecQuebecQuebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
"
- 2008: Winner – Best Out-Of-Province – "Quebec
- Underground Urban Music Awards
- 2008: Winner – Best International Artist