Isaac Hayes

Isaac Hayes was an American soul singer, songwriter, producer, and actor, born August 20, 1942, in Covington, Tennessee, and raised largely by his grandparents after the early loss of both parents. He rose to prominence at Stax Records in Memphis, where alongside songwriting partner David Porter he wrote and produced hits for Sam & Dave, including «Soul Man» and «Hold On, I’m Comin’», helping define the sound of Southern soul in the 1960s.

As a solo artist, Hayes transformed soul music with his 1969 album Hot Buttered Soul, pairing extended, orchestral arrangements with his deep baritone voice and spoken-word introductions, a style that became known as progressive soul and paved the way for the sound of 1970s funk and disco. His 1971 «Theme from Shaft», written for the film Shaft, won both an Academy Award and a Grammy, making him the first African American to win an Oscar for Best Original Song, and became an enduring symbol of Black cultural pride.

Hayes continued to record prolifically through the 1970s, with songs like «Walk On By», «By the Time I Get to Phoenix», and «The Look of Love» showcasing his gift for reimagining pop and R&B standards as sprawling, cinematic soul epics. Later in his career he found new audiences through acting roles and as the voice of Chef on the animated series South Park, including the novelty hit «Chocolate Salty Balls (P.S. I Love You)», extending his cultural reach well beyond his foundational work in soul music.