Isaac Hyaes, noted musician and voice of South Park’s Chief, passed away today. In reading his biography, I stumbled across this:
In 1995, fully enshrined as one of the forefathers of hip-hop and newly converted to Scientology, Hayes emerged with two concurrent releases, the vocal Branded and instrumental Raw and Refined. Under the official name Nene Katey Ocansey I, he also served as a member of the royal family of the African nation of Ghana while continuing simultaneous careers as an actor, composer, and humanitarian.
A lot of musicians get labeled as the “king” of this or that genre but it looks like Hayes decided to make a shot at the real thing.
I wonder what the story is about his late Lordship?
This Hayes bio explains how he became a Ghanian king. Turns out he was a very charitable man. A touching story.
And, of course, the man who gave us “The Theme from Shaft” has left a permanent mark on our culture. To hear it is to breathe the very air of the early 1970s.
RIP, sir.