King Iso, Lex Bratcher, Taebo the Truth, Unconventional Kingz, DJ Doc

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Josh Ulrich

King Iso on stage.

King Iso

Hip-hop veteran King Iso delivered one of 2023’s most intense releases of any genre with iLLdren, a concept album about struggles with mental health, substance use and other heavy topics. Iso’s rapid-fire, complex raps pack a lot of storytelling into each track. He’s on tour behind the album this spring with Lex Bratcher, Taebo Tha Truth, Unconventional Kingz and DJ Doc.

Midwest Mix-Up.

media release: In October, King Iso uncovered his anxiously awaited new album, iLLdren, out now via Strange Music.

He celebrates the arrival of the record with the music video for the new single “Feel” [feat. Tech N9ne & Matt Phoenix]. Watch the video HERE.

The song kickstarts this body of work with an openhearted lyrical bloodletting and cathartic chorus. Clean guitar underscores the verses as energy builds towards Iso’s starkly honest refrain as he hopes to “Put down the drink and drugs, so I can feel again.” The visual finds Iso, Tech, and Matt behind bars in an ominous holding cell straight out of a sci-fi nightmare. It brings the push-and-pull of their words to life.

About the song, Iso commented, “I was a teenager during my last suicide attempt. I took a bunch of pills, and I ended up at this church. I prayed to God. I wanted him to let me save that young boy who is me. I woke up the next day, and I had another breath. After I was admitted last year, I hadn’t been clean for a long time. I was smoking and drinking, and I had a bad breakdown. I felt all of the traumas come back. On the song, Tech, Matt, and I are all discussing our childhood pain and tragedy. It’s a beautiful way to begin.”

Right out of the gate, iLLdren has garnered glowing acclaim. Folk N Rock christened it “one of the most powerful albums of the year,” going on to rave, “With this album, King Iso proves that he’s not just a rapper; he’s a modern-day bard whose tales are as enlightening as they are entertaining.”

Thus far, he has bulldozed the way for iLLdren with the likes of “Nightmare,” “Young” and “Way You Are.” Opening up about his son’s Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis on the latter, the song has really begun to resonate. Autisticana affirmed, “This song shows just how important neurodivergent are to society as they can help raise awareness with their abilities and special needs, despite them being ‘different’.” Dancing About Architecture asked, “When was the last time such a song said anything this timely and universally relevant, yet this honest and personal…this important? Not for a long time, I’d guess.” In addition, it picked up plugs from Music Existence, Folk N Rock, and more.

Maintaining a prolific pace, “Way You Are” followed the equally tender “My Kids.” Beyond gaining traction at DSPs, it also landed plugs from VENTS Magazine, HipHop Over Everything, and more.

It landed in the wake of “Step Daddy.” The latter has already generated 293K streams and 152K YouTube views on the music video. It continues to gain steam though buoyed by fan enthusiasm, reaction videos, and excitement.