Issac Ryan Brown is entering a new phase, and he knows it. At 20, the actor, performer and rising pop/R&B artist has already lived several creative lives. Many first discovered him through television, from Raven’s Home to Black-ish and Family Guy, while others will remember his early spark on America’s Got Talent. Now, he is stepping fully into music with the confidence of someone who has been preparing for this moment all along.
After scoring a UK iTunes number one with “End of the Season” and gaining Capital airplay, Brown followed the momentum with “Lipstick” and a spotlight interview with Mo Gilligan. His profile has continued to grow rapidly, including more than two million followers on TikTok and a recent live appearance with DJ AG in Camden. But for Brown, this is not simply about visibility. It is about evolution.
“I would describe this chapter of my life as the next step of my evolution,” he says. “Like when Charizard grows into that big version of himself with the flaming tail.”
His latest single, “Life of the Party,” captures that sense of arrival. Blending smooth R&B melodies, nostalgic pop energy, live guitar and a feel-good party spirit, the track positions Brown as an artist with one foot in classic showmanship and the other firmly in the present. Inspired by the timelessness of early 2000s R&B and the soul of the greats before him, the song is built around freedom, movement and the feeling of stepping into the best night of your life.
Comparisons to Michael Jackson, Usher, Bruno Mars, Luther Vandross and Stevie Wonder have already followed him, but Brown carries them with humility. He respects the legacy, but he is not trying to be a replica. Instead, he is shaping his own lane, one defined by performance, personality and a refusal to be placed in a box.
In conversation, Brown reflects on his creative evolution, the making of “Life of the Party,” growing up in the entertainment industry, learning from Wayne Hector, meeting Beyoncé, and why the best is still ahead.
You’re entering what feels like a real breakthrough moment. How would you describe this chapter of your life and career right now?
I would describe this chapter of my life as the next step of my evolution. Like when Charizard grows into that big version of himself with the flaming tail… all my Pokémon fans will relate 😭.
Your new single Life of the Party feels confident, vibrant and full of personality. What was the starting point for the song?
The starting point for the song was honestly just wanting to make something that feels good. The first two records I dropped earlier this year are a little more up-tempo and have a little more punch sonically, whereas this one is a little more chill while still making people wanna move. I wanted people to hear it and instantly feel nostalgic, excited… like they just walked into the best night of their life and they’re hearing a song they’ve listened to a thousand times. We weren’t overthinking it, we were chasing a feeling.
The track has that nostalgic R&B and pop energy, with a hint of rock guitar running through it. What kind of mood did you want to create sonically?
Sonically, I wanted it to feel timeless. Like something you could hear at a party in the early 2000s, but it still sounds fresh today. The R&B melodies on top of the live guitars… all of it was meant to feel big, colourful and fun.
The lyrics tell a story of instant infatuation. Do you usually write from personal experience, imagination, or a mixture of both?
Definitely a mixture of both. Sometimes I’ll pull directly from real experiences and other times I’ll exaggerate emotions or create scenarios to make the song more cinematic. I think the best songs are a mixture of both. Take Billie Jean for example, MJ said it was inspired by something that happened with one of his brothers, but not every detail occurred in real life. I think that mix is where the magic happens, at least lyrically.
The title Life of the Party suggests someone who lights up a room. Are you that person in real life, or is this song showing a different side of you?
Nahhhh, that’s definitely me in real life. I feel like if you work hard, you should play hard.
You’ve been compared to artists like Michael Jackson, Usher, Bruno Mars, Luther Vandross and Stevie Wonder. How do those comparisons make you feel?
I truly appreciate people putting my name in conversations with the greats. Some of the names mentioned above are a few of my favourite artists. But a part of me doesn’t really like it. They’ve accomplished so much in their careers and mine is just getting started. I suppose it’s an honour coming from others, but I wouldn’t be so arrogant as to say it myself.
Which artists have shaped your understanding of performance, vocals and showmanship the most?
I’m not sure how to go about this because I could list like 10 people and still feel like I’m leaving someone out, but… Michael Jackson for performance and attention to detail, Usher for smoothness and stage presence, Chris Brown for versatility, and then my two old-school GOATs, Jackie Wilson and James Brown. Like I said, I definitely left a few people out, but you guys get the point 😂.
Your music bridges classic ’80s and ’90s R&B with a modern pop sound. How important is it for you to honour the past while still sounding fresh?
It’s super important to me because a lot of the music that inspired me had soul to it. I always want to respect the eras that paved the way, but I also want younger audiences to hear my music and feel like it belongs to them too.
You worked on Life of the Party with Arno Spires, Chris Ballard and Wayne Hector. What did that collaboration bring out of you creatively?
Working with them pushed me creatively in the best way. Everybody brought different influences and ideas to the table, so it became this really collaborative process where we were all trying to make the song feel as alive as possible.
Wayne Hector has written for some of the biggest names in music. What did you learn from being in the room with someone with that level of experience?
Wayne taught me a lot about simplicity and confidence in songwriting. Wayne would sometimes tell me that the songs don’t come from us, they come from above, and we just need to be ready to receive them. Watching someone with that level of experience move around the studio so calmly was inspiring.
End of the Season gave you a UK iTunes #1 and Capital airplay. What did that moment mean to you?
That moment meant a lot because it was reassuring that people were really connecting with the music. Getting that kind of support, especially internationally, is super motivating and extremely humbling 🙏🏾.
You followed that momentum with Lipstick and now Life of the Party. Do you feel like each release is revealing a new layer of who you are as an artist?
100%. I feel like every release is another piece of me people are getting introduced to. I’m still evolving creatively, still experimenting, still learning myself as an artist, so I hope my fans enjoy this journey we’re on.
You started out in entertainment very young, from America’s Got Talent to Disney’s Raven’s Home, Black-ish and Family Guy. How has growing up in the industry shaped your confidence?
Growing up in the industry definitely forced me to mature early. Being on sets and stages from a young age taught me professionalism, discipline and confidence. But it also taught me how important it is to stay true to yourself.
A lot of people first knew you as an actor. Was there ever a moment where you felt you had to prove yourself as a serious musician?
Nah, not really. I think whenever people know you from one thing first, there’s naturally gonna be scepticism when you branch out. But I’ve always loved music just as much as acting, and I’ve always been willing to put the work in. So for me, it was never about proving people wrong… it’s about proving to myself that I can take this thing as far as it can go.
Mo Gilligan spoke with you about your journey and even suggested you could become a future late-night host. Is hosting or presenting something you would want to explore one day?
Honestly, yeah, I’d be open to it. I love entertaining people in general, whether that’s through music, acting, hosting or just making people laugh. I used to host a few different shows back in the day and I’d love to hop back in the saddle.
You also spoke about meeting Beyoncé at The Lion King premiere. Looking back, what did that moment mean to you?
That moment was surreal. Beyoncé is somebody who represents excellence at the highest level, so even being near her was enough to make my legs buckle a lil bit, but she actually kissed me on the cheek 👀 and I think that was the first time in my life that I was actually speechless 😂.
You have built a huge following online, including over 2 million followers on TikTok. How do you balance creating for social media with building a long-term music career?
I mean, it’s essential now for building an intimate connection with your fans, as well as catching the eyes and ears of potential new ones. But I try to use social media as a tool instead of letting it define me. It’s great for connecting with people and building community, but I’m focused on making music and creating moments that can last beyond trends.
At only 20, you have already moved through television, voice acting, music and live performance. What keeps you grounded as things continue to grow?
My family honestly keeps me grounded. The people around me have always reminded me who I am outside of entertainment. And I try to always remain grateful to the man above because I know not everybody gets opportunities like this.
When people hear Life of the Party for the first time, what do you hope they feel?
I hope they feel free. I hope it makes them want to dance, have fun, go outside, meet somebody, meet a few people 😂, live life a little. I just want the song to bring people good energy.
This feels like the beginning of a much bigger era for you. What can fans expect from Issac Ryan Brown next?
Fans can expect a lot more music, a lot more performances and honestly, a lot more risks creatively 🔥. I’m entering a phase where I really want people to understand who I am as an artist, performer and someone who doesn’t want to be placed in a box. But the best is yet to come 🙏🏾.
