Los Angeles based rising R&B songstress Isla George is calling for action with her latest single and music video “Be Kind To The People,” which were both released on March 31st. A powerful anthem for all who believe in the importance of spreading positivity and compassion, “Be Kind To The People” urges listeners to recognize the value in not only loving yourself, but also those around you - especially during the hard times, like right now, when the world feels so divided.
The neo-soul track shines a spotlight on the artist's sophisticated vocals, while the accompanying music video draws attention to social injustices like racism, LGBT+ rights, and climate change, amongst other issues.
“I personally have a tendency to feel everything and everyone. For so long I felt crushed by my empathic nature and I started feeling the weight of the world. I consistently found myself asking what can I do and how do we heal the world together? I just wish we could all be kind. A lot of my focus became outward, which I feel a lot of us do and I began questioning how can we change and inspire others? How do we inspire kindness? What I realized is all along I wasn’t being the kindest to myself. It was outward focus for me until I wrote this song.”
-Isla George
Produced by multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated music producer, songwriter, and artist Adrian Gurvitz (Andra Day, Stevie Wonder), “Be Kind To The People” showcases Isla’s authentically raw talent as she evokes the golden age of soul and offers a modern R&B twist that is as refreshing as it is timeless. The track also takes inspiration from Michael Jackson’s “Man In The Mirror” which is known for its socially-conscious lyrics about making a change within yourself before you can try to make the world a better place.
We recently had the honor of sitting down with Isla to talk about her life and career. Not only were we impressed with her music and artistry, but she blew us away with her passionate personality and good-hearted nature.
Hi, Isla! It's so nice to chat with you today. Your new single "Be Kind To The People" is about just that - being kind to people, showing compassion and spreading positivity. What advice do you have for listeners about not only being kind to other people, but also to themselves?
My advice would be to keep it simple! Start with yourself! I feel the words compassion, kindness, and even spreading positivity have a tendency to focus on everyone and everything outside of ourselves. It becomes a verb, an action, versus a way of being and an energy you cultivate within yourself.
Cultivating kindness and compassion and spreading positivity in your own life naturally creates a ripple effect to everything you come into contact with. The frequency of kindness and compassion are some of the highest frequencies we can tap into as human beings. Energy and vibration is real and living intentionally can have a massive impact on not only your world, but the world around you.
Your debut single "LA" currently has over 850K streams on Spotify. That's impressive! What made you fall in love with Los Angeles and how has the city influenced your music?
Thank you! It has been such an exciting time seeing so many listeners resonate with the song! I feel blessed.
My relationship with LA has been the most challenging, yet rewarding experience. It was a deep love that called for me to step into my power and the highest version of me.
I always joke and say the city pressed me to coals and showed me what it could look like to be a diamond. This city showed me who I am not, who I am, why I'm here, and what my purpose is, so it was only fair that I wrote it a love letter to say thank you.
Los Angeles has had a massive impact on my sound. This city reconnected me to my roots and my culture. It gave me permission to be unapologetically Black AF. In a world where I felt my female Black voice didn't matter, LA gave me the courage to speak up and sing SOUL from my soul!
Your music has a mixture of soul and R&B influences. Who were some of the artists you grew up listening to? Who are some artists you currently have on your playlists?
Yes. Soul raised me. It gave me access to culture that I didn't have as a kid. Artists like Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, and Etta James inspired me to be the woman I am today. They were my teachers. Teachers of culture, love, and purpose.
My current playlist consists of mainly artists from the 60’s and 70’s, honestly. While I listen to a lot of current artists like Tems, J. Cole, and Kendrick Lamar, to name a few, I would have to say my heart and ears are stuck in the 60's-70s era.
We believe diversity is so important, especially in today's world. You are a big supporter of LGBTQ+ rights and BIPOC communities. How do you incorporate diversity into your career and how can others do the same?
I can't speak for others, but as a Black woman and a woman who is LGBTQ, I feel like I have so many different diverse facets of myself. I relate to so many different people. I am these people. Telling my story honestly and authentically and being vulnerable as an artist I feel is naturally diverse. I know what it feels like to not be represented in mainstream culture.
Music to me is about unity and feeling heard, seen, valued, loved, and a feeling of belonging and community. I hope that everyone and anyone who listens to my music feels this way. There are so many chords that make up an infinite amount of songs in the universe. Just like each note and chord is unique, so are we. Music IS diversity.
If you weren't a singer/songwriter and recording artist, what career path do you think you would have chosen?
I feel like I would have been a traveling nomad medicine woman. Traveling the world, doing service and being a healer of some kind. My heart has always been pulled towards service and giving back to those around me. Just happens to be that I chose to heal and do service through music in this life.
If you could have dinner with 3 notable people, dead or alive, who would you choose and why?
Marvin Gaye, Martin Luther King, and Aretha Franklin. They are healers, activists, and stand for everything I believe in. I would love to hear their stories and ask for their advice about how they would show up in the world today. What would they be doing now?! What art/speeches would they be creating to continue the push towards revolution and equality?
What else can fans expect from you in 2023?
In 2023 you can expect more music! More community outreach and projects planned to continue to unite the black community! And definitely expect more Soul.
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