Written by Nick Halili | DUB Magazine | September 12, 2007
"I'm a good girl with a bad attitude," says R&B artist Miss Issa when asked to describe herself in a nutshell. Issa Bayaua's personality embodies this obvious contradiction in a myriad of ways. Once a shy teenager who lived in the shadow of her older brother, Issa is now a singer who is known for her sultry, sensual voice as well as her exotic beauty.
She's willing to open up aspects of her world in the lyrics of her music, but prefers not to have her personal life be overexposed on reality television. Issa sometimes loves the thrill of smoking cocky street bike riders in her custom orange Lamborghini, yet is perfectly happy enjoying an evening at home watching her favorite horror movie or TV show. The duality of Miss Issa's nature has helped drive her to follow her dreams of being an artist and performer. Today, Issa displays this attitude by always insisting that she keep some control of her work, which is often uncommon in young, up-and-coming artists.
DUB: What made you want to become a singer?
Issa: I've been singing since I was five. My mom was the one who got me to sing. Later on, I started singing for people at school and parks.
DUB: How'd you get your foot in the door in the music industry?
Issa: I auditioned for [multi-platinum R&B group] TLC's "R U the Girl" [a reality show/singing competition]. Actually, I was a finalist, but I didn't go through with it because there were things in the contract that I didn't agree with.
DUB: What were some of the things in the contract you didn't like?
Issa: Well, they have the right to videotape you all the time; that's not cool. I don't like my life being displayed like that.
DUB: So you have no interest in being a reality show star?
Issa: If it was just a talent show like "American Idol," that's cool, but not like something where they go, "Let's go look at her life."
DUB: How would you describe your music?
Issa: I would say it's urban pop with a Latin twist.
DUB: Who are your biggest influences?
Issa: My mom is No. 1 on the list. She brought me up listening to Aretha Franklin and Gladys Knight, all those soulful, old school artists back in the day. Jermaine Dupri is a big influence. I talked to him the other day, and he won an award for his songwriting. Year after year, he's so successful; that's where I want to be.
DUB: Whom would you really like to work with?
Issa: I'm currently working with the best producer out there, Jermaine Dupri. He will be the biggest influence on my music career. Timbeland is also a great producer. Maybe someday I will work with him. As far as writing, I like Beyonce' and Alicia Keys - Ne-Yo's a really good writer, too. I've been listening to Robin Thicke; he's a deep writer.
DUB: When you were young, did you always dream of being a performer or did you have other interests?
Issa: When I was 10, I wanted to become a veterinarian. I love animals, and pretty much have a zoo at home. When I got older, I was interested in going to the FBI, so I studied criminal justice. Today, I'm still going off on tangents. I want to get into all kinds of other things, like designing clothes.
DUB: You ever have any strange jobs before you got into the business?
Issa: Well, when I was 16, I worked at a movie theater. I found out that they would keep re-cooking the hot dogs they didn't sell. To this day, I don't ever have a hot dog when I go to the movies.
DUB: What were you like growing up: popular girl or awkward late-bloomer?
Issa: Well, let's see...I was a lazy tomboy who was only popular because of my older brother. Everyone knew him, even after he graduated. I liked sports, like basketball - we called it "Jungleball" because we'd hit anyone going up for a shot.
DUB: What is your ethnic heritage?
Issa: My father is Filipino and my mother is Hispanic. I have the best of both worlds, like with the food: adobo and pancit (on the Filipino side) and tacos and enchiladas (on the Spanish side). I speak more Spanish than Tagalog, but one day I'd like to record a track in Tagalog.
DUB: Have your looks ever worked against you as an artist? Do you ever get treated as just "a pretty face"?
Issa: I think a lot of people judged me on how I look, especially on my first CD. But I always have a lot of creative input. In my first album, I think I had 50 percent control of the beats and what I wanted to say. I had more freedom because I signed with an independent label, Sound On Sound.
DUB: What's the first car you've ever owned?
Issa: It was a gold 1995 Saturn. It was actually nice until I owned it.
DUB: Uh, oh. So, tell me about it. Any memorable car stories?
Issa: Well, one time, my friends and I went to a club and we got into (an argument) with some other girls. Later on, I found out someone kicked a big dent in the door, and I knew it was them. Another time, there were these two lanes merging on the freeway and I was kind of sandwiched by two big rigs; my sister was in the car with me, and she was pregnant.
DUB: But no one got hurt, right? Other than your poor gold Saturn, that is.
Issa: Yeah (laughs).
DUB: Tell me about your cars.
Issa: My Escalade EXT was the first brand new car I've ever owned. I have a Hummer, too. My new Lamborghini Gallardo taught me how to drive with caution. Her name is Milania. It took me a while to get used to because it's so high-performance. I wouldn't say I have a need for speed, but every now and then it's nice, especially when taking her down the coast.
DUB: Yeah, it's a bit of a change to go from a Saturn to a Lambo.
Issa: Yeah, just a little bit!
DUB: So you're a pet person, right? Tell me about your dogs.
Issa: I have three dogs, but I didn't bring Nala, my Pitbull, with me. I brought TJ, whose nickname is "Diablo" because of his badass eyes. I also brought Molly, who's my little Yorkie. She takes on my personality a lot - aggressive at times, but real friendly.
DUB: What kind of movies do you like?
Issa: I'm a big horror fan. One of the scariest movies is The Grudge (Sony Pictures Entertainment, 2004). I like movies that trip me out, like Se7en (New Line Cinima, 1995).
DUB: What sports do you follow?
Issa: Football; I'm from San Diego, so I follow the Chargers. I like boxing and the UFC. My favorite fighters are Chuck Liddell, Andre Arlovski and Mirko Cro Cop. I just saw a fight on TV where Rampage Jackson picked up some guy and, like, body slammed him.
DUB: What kind of music do you like to bump when you're driving?
Issa: I listen to anything that sounds good - Ludacris, 50 Cent, Ying Yang Twins. I'll listen to rock music to pump me up, like Disturbed. If I'm calm and laid back, Carrie Underwood is one of my favorite artists. Old school stuff too, like Full Force or even country, like Reba McIntire.
DUB: What do you want to accomplish in the future? Where do you see yourself in five years?
Issa: I want to be on my fourth album. Maybe even doing movies. I'd love to design my own clothes. There are lots and lots of things to do. It's a matter of staying positive, being hard working and going through with it.