Sound, Style & Self Love: Going Deep With Rising Pop Artist/Producer Izza

  • Story by Ashley Joy Parker / Photography by Von Robinson / Videography by Charles Ewudo / Make-up & Hair by Cassandra Corley

Get inspired by this fierce LA native….

Los Angeles is filled with aspiring pop stars. Many know how to get attention, but very few know how to keep it. And then there are the truly rare ones, like singer/songwriter/producer Izza, who are so refreshingly genuine, that you can’t help but be drawn in.

A native Angeleno, Izza brings a unique authenticity and purpose to her craft. As a young teenager, she discovered songwriting as a way to channel her emotions and work out what life threw at her. What began as a therapeutic outlet, soon developed into a deep passion for music and creating art.

Izza released her first single, the hard hip-hop beat heavy “405” in 2020 and quickly set the digital music scene on fire. Over the next few years, her sound evolved from dark and moody electronic tracks to vibrant, baddie “trap pop” hits like “Love Bracelets,” “Nintendo Bitch” and “United States of Robbery.” In 2023, Izza dropped her second EP, STARGIRL, featuring infectious songs like “Going Rogue,” “Galaxy” and “X-RAY”.

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And while her music will certainly get you groovin’, Izza’s message is much deeper than a good time. A fierce advocate for mental health, Izza encourages her fans to embrace their vulnerabilities and practice self-love. Her first public performance as an artist was at 320 Festival, co-founded by Talinda Bennington, the wife of the late Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington. The mental health music fest also featured Chris Martin of Coldplay, Elohim, and Social House. 

More recently, she shared the stage with the likes of Maroon 5, One Republic and Kelly Clarkson at Audacy’s 10th Annual We Can Survive stadium concert in support of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Loop caught up with the inspiring, multi-faceted artist in DTLA to talk about her festive new single, her sick Y2K-inspired style, her own self-care practices, her fav LA hotspots and more. Check out our exclusive interview with Izza.

Tell us the origin story of Izza.

I got my name because I did dance when I was younger. My real name is Isabella and my whole family calls me Bella, but I had this girl in my dance class and one day she said, “have you ever gone by Izza” and I’m like, “no I haven’t like that’s actually really cool.” So I always had that name in the back of my mind because I always knew I wanted to be an artist. So I’m like, that’s the name I’m gonna use when I start making music. That’s how that came to be.

Your music has been described as “trap pop.’ What exactly is that and how would you describe your own signature style sound? 

I love pop music and hip hop music so I just kind of infused both of them into my own sound. It’s definitely very upbeat and high energy so that’s what I like to make.

How has being an LA native influenced your sound? 

I mean, just being in the city, having grown up here, I’m just always so inspired. There’s so much to do and I’m just getting inspiration from a night out or just hanging with my friends and their stories. There’s always inspiration flowing.

You are also a producer. How does producing your own music influence the final product? Is it a lot to take on both? Is it more rewarding?

I started producing my music because I would want to work with different producers and they would always say, “ok, send me a demo.” And I was like, well, how do I give you a demo if I don’t know how to produce or how do I share my music with you in order to get you to help me make music? It’s very counterintuitive, so I kind of just did it out of necessity because I needed something to share. I just learned along the way and then I just really enjoyed it so much and it just helped my songwriting process. Now I do it for all my songs. So I also work with my co-producer, Noah Barer, and he’s the best. I love making music with him. It’s so much fun to do all these different facets of the music-making process.

Let’s talk about your recent performance at Audacy’s We Can Survive stadium concert at the at Prudential Center in New Jersey, in support of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. You beat out 15,000 artists to be the opening act. What was that experience like?

It was the most insane experience ever. It was life-changing. It was just so unreal to be in an arena on such a big stage and performing. It was probably one of the best days of my life. I went into the crowd after and I got to meet so many people and they came up to me and it was just such a fun night.

Tell us about why it’s important for you to use your platform to advocate for mental health. 

Mental health is so important to me. The first performance I ever did was for a 320 Festival, which was a mental health festival. And then We Can Survive. I just want to be able to help people who also struggle with mental illness, like myself. I just think it’s an important part of life and it’s just important to be happy and do what you love. And I do that through my music.

You really encourage your fans to practice self-love and embrace their vulnerability. How do you do that for yourself in your daily life?

I love to exercise. I used to play tennis, so being active is a big part of my life. I just feel more clear-minded and I’m taking care of my body and having fun as well. So that’s a great way for me to maintain my mental health. Also just getting enough sleep, eating right. I think it’s the little things that matter, so I just try to focus on that.

You have a fun new single out called “Holiday Secret.” How did this festive bop come about?

I did my first Christmas song last year called “Naughty or Nice” and everyone was super into it. So I had to run it back this year and bring more holiday cheer. So I made Holiday Secret.

"I definitely wanted to keep that same energy as “Naughty or Nice.” Super dancey, high-energy, pop. I’m really happy with how it turned out"

So this Christmas, is Izza on the Nice List or The Naughty List?

I hope I’m on the Nice List! I think I’ve been a good girl. We’ll find out I guess on Christmas.

Let’s talk about your personal style. Where do you draw your inspiration from? 

I love Pinterest. I’m always on Pinterest making boards and looking at all the fashion there. I think it’s so fun to see what all the different trends are and look back at different styles from different decades. I think that’s where I get all my inspiration from.

Who are some of your style icons? 

Rihanna is such a slay. I love Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears from the early 2000s.I think they killed it then. So I definitely draw a lot of inspo from them.

What do you think it is about that Y2K time period and those stars that really resonate with you?

It’s just really fun. I think I love just incorporating color and just playing with my makeup and hair. They took a lot of risks and I think that’s really dope.

What are a few things in your closet you cannot live without? 

I love big black boots. I love height, so anything with a big chunky heel I love. I’m definitely a jackets girl, so I’m always collecting vintage jackets. One of my favorite pieces I have is my Ferrari jacket I love. I’m always wearing it.

Is there a trend that you’ve seen in fashion that you are just never going to try?

I try not to wear all black, but I definitely am a victim to doing that a lot, so I try not to do it, but that’s something I don’t want to do anymore. But I’m open to anything, honestly.

What is your go-to karaoke song? 

I love “Hotel California.” That’s my favorite song.

Who’s your dream collaborator?

I love Pharrell and how he worked with Gwen Stefani, so collaborating with him would be dope.

Do you remember the first concert you went to? 

The first concert I went to was Ally & AJ at the Gibson Amphitheater, RIP. It doesn’t exist anymore. It’s actually Harry Potter World at Universal Studios. I must have been like six or seven years old, I think.

When it comes to LA nightlife, what are some of your go -to spots? 

"My favorite bar is Bar Flores. I love that. I feel like I'm always on the east side because that's where all the music people are at. I also love Gold Line. That's a really cool bar."

Where can people usually find you at 2 a.m.? 

I’m always writing and making music. So, if I’m not writing or making music, I’m probably out with friends or at a show or something.

What’s up next for you?

I have new music coming out early next year, 2024. It’s about situationships, which I feel like everyone can relate to. I’m excited to release that. 

What era is Izza in right now? 

Izza is definitely in her Boss Girl Era. Her Reputation Era. Just ready to conquer the world. 

Follow Izza: Instagram | X | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube | Website

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