Fans of TDE’s secret weapon were caught completely off-guard earlier this year when Isaiah Rashad’s privacy was blatantly violated by a hacker.
The leaker unearthed a sex tape allegedly showing Isaiah involved with two men last month — and with no immediate response from Zay — listeners and peers alike were left hoping and praying that he was feeling safe and secure.
With his previous bouts of addiction and struggles with mental health, concern for the “RIP Young” rapper’s well-being reached an all-time high as support flooded in.
Choosing to address the controversy on his own time, Rashad took the stage at this year’s Coachella festival with an unexpected introduction — a montage of podcasters and radio hosts showing their unmitigated advocacy for his artistry regardless of his personal preferences.
Following the heartwarming compilation, Zay hopped on stage saying, “I see all the messages and all that shit, all the positivity. Y’all done kept me alive these last couple months.” Following the leak, his numbers went up rather than down, proving whoever did this heinous act wrong and nullifying their attempt to embarrass him.
Isaiah’s last album, The House Is Burning, received critical acclaim after the rapper’s five-year hiatus, reminding fans why they loved him in the first place. Collaborations with Lil Uzi Vert, Smino, Duke Deuce, SZA, 6LACK and more ushered in a new era for Isaiah — reviving his career and making him one of the most coveted artists of 2021.
With this unexpected speed bump out of the way, it seems like he is ready to get back to the music and continue about business as usual. Clearly he isn’t letting the ill will get to him — and we couldn’t be happier about it.
Check out Zay’s deluxe of ‘THIB’ below!
