Izzy Spears

Izzy Spears
Born
Isaac Benyamin

Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
OriginAtlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Genres
Occupationssinger, songwriter, composer
InstrumentVocals
Years active2019–present
LabelKRS Records
Formerly ofDeaddogs, Anonymous Club
AwardsDesign and Art Direction Award, Clio Music Award, Berlin Music Video Award, Berlin Commercial Award

Isaac Benyamin, known professionally as Izzy Spears, is an American singer, songwriter, and composer from Atlanta, Georgia.[1][2] He has released multiple EPs, including Monstar (2022),[3] M*A*D (2023),[4] and Blood, Sweat and Damnation (2024).[5] His work also includes the short film and music video for his single "Burn" featuring Leya,[6] which earned him a Design and Art Direction Award for Music Video,[6] a Clio Music Award for Music Film and Video Craft,[7] and a Berlin Music Video Award for Best VFX.[8]

Early life

Spears grew up in Atlanta, Georgia.[9] He was raised Jewish in a household led by his mother, who supported eight children.[10][11] He has described music as a formative influence from an early age, noting his brother's rap group and his own attempts at writing raps with the hope of joining the group.[11][12]

Spears began making his own music while in high school.[11] He has stated that he largely disengaged from formal education by the seventh grade and left school after completing the tenth grade.[11]

Career

In 2019, Spears began his music career as one half of punk duo Deaddogs with musician, and boyfriend at the time, Nigel Mackenzie.[9][13] The duo later gained wider attention within Atlanta's underground music scene.[9] In August, 2019, Deaddogs released their first song, "Regina", and opened for Upchuck during their Afropunk shows in Brooklyn and Atlanta.[9] Later in 2019, Spears was introduced to Shayne Oliver and joined his musical collective Anonymous Club.[14]

In August 2022, Spears released the single "FIST" after opening for Yves Tumor on the European stretch of his tour.[15][16] In late 2022, he released his debut EP, Monstar.[3] The following year, he was a supporting act for Tumor on select North American dates of his tour.[17] Spears then released his second EP, M*A*D in December 2023.[18] In October 2024, he collaborated with Jack Powers for the song "Hey There".[19] That same year, he released his third EP, Blood, Sweat and Damnation.[19]

Spears released the single "Burn" featuring Leya in 2025.[20] The short film and music video for the single was directed by the collective Ataka51.[21] The project was inspired by The Wizard of Oz, and was highlighted for its multidisciplinary use of music video, fashion, and short film.[5][21] The film features imagery where "dolls come to life" in a city that is "filled with living mannequins."[22][23]

"Burn" was shortlisted for Best Production Design at the Kinsale Shark Awards[24] and nominated for Best Visual Effects in a Video at the UK Music Video Awards.[25] It went on to win a Design and Art Direction Award for Music Video and a Berlin Music Video Award for Best VFX.[6][8]

In January 2026, "Burn" won a Clio Music Award for Music Film and Video Craft.[7]

Artistic style and influences

Spears's musical style draws on aspects of rock, punk, hip hop and grunge.[14] One critic described him as making "sweaty gay electro-punk with a cynical sneer".[26] Another critic described his work as "raw and uncensored", calling his songwriting "autobiographical".[1] George Clinton, André 3000, and Yves Tumor have been cited as influences on his work.[27]

Personal life

Spears resides in Los Angeles.[28] He identifies as gay.[19]

Discography

Extended plays

  • Monstar (2022)[3]
  • M*A*D (Miss American Dream) (2023)[28]
  • Blood, Sweat and Damnation (2024)[27]

Singles

  • "FIST" (2022)[15]
  • "Freaks" (2022)[29]
  • "Serena" (2023)[27]
  • "Hey There" ft. Jack Powers (2024)[19]
  • "Burn" ft. Leya (2025)[20]

Videography

Music videos

Awards and nominations

Music, video, and media awards

Year Organization Category Work Result Ref.
2025 Berlin Commercial Festival New Generation Award Burn Won [30]
Berlin Music Video Awards Best VFX Burn 2nd Place [8]
Design and Art Direction Awards Music Videos: Visual Effects Burn Wood Pencil [6]
Kinsale Shark Awards Music Video - International: Best Production Design Burn Shortlisted [24]
Prix Club des Directeurs Artistiques (Club des DA) Art Direction Burn Silver [23]
Prix Club des Directeurs Artistiques (Club des DA) Design & Production Burn Silver [23]
UK Music Video Awards Best Visual Effects in a Video Burn Nominated [25]
2026 Clio Music Awards Music Film & Video Craft: Animation Burn Bronze [7]

Listicles

Publisher Year Listicle Result Ref.
Them 2022 Our 24 Favorite Songs by LGBTQ+ Artists in 2022 Placed [31]
The Face 2022’s Sexiest, Silliest and Most Brilliantly Strange Musicians Placed [32]
The Guardian 2023 2023’s Most Promising Musical Newcomers Placed [2]
Alternative Press 2024 24 of the Most Exciting Rising Artists to Watch in 2024 Placed [33]

References

  1. ^ a b Kroll, Julian (April 28, 2023). "IZZY SPEARS". Gayletter. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
  2. ^ a b D'Souza, Shaad; Snapes, Laura (December 29, 2022). "Ukrainian hardcore, Nigerian alté and Red Bull-soaked bloghouse: 2023's most promising musical newcomers". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
  3. ^ a b c Friesen, June (November 30, 2022). "New Music Revue: Izzy Spears showcases musical fusion, raw emotion | Nexus newspaper". Nexus. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
  4. ^ Maclean, Andrew (March 16, 2024). "Dorian Electra Brings Their Fanfare Symphony to Toronto". MUSIC SCENE MEDIA. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
  5. ^ a b Salvadó, Arnau (March 18, 2025). "Izzy Spears: Blurring the Limits of Reality". Metal Magazine. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
  6. ^ a b c d "Burn - Izzy Spears x ATAKA51". Design and Art Direction. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
  7. ^ a b c "Izzy Spears: Burn - Izzy Spears - The Clios". Clio Awards. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
  8. ^ a b c "Berlin Music Video Awards". Berlin Music Video Awards. June 15, 2025. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
  9. ^ a b c d Hahn, Rachel (August 22, 2019). "Meet the Young Models Bringing Atlanta's Underground Music Scene to New York City". Vogue (magazine). Retrieved March 11, 2026.
  10. ^ Moffit, Evan (November 18, 2024). "IZZY SPEARS". Butt (magazine). Retrieved March 11, 2026.
  11. ^ a b c d "Spoke From My Skull". Office Magazine. October 6, 2022. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
  12. ^ Staff, I-D. "10 things you need to know about Atlanta hardcore duo Deaddogs". i-D. Retrieved March 13, 2026.
  13. ^ Rudolph, Willa (August 18, 2020). "Get a Taste of Dead Dogs". Office Magazine. Retrieved March 13, 2026.
  14. ^ a b Moen, Matt. "Izzy Spears Shares "FIST" Off Upcoming Debut EP - PAPER Magazine". Paper (magazine). Retrieved March 10, 2026.
  15. ^ a b Major, Michael. "Izzy Spears Announces Debut EP & Shares 'FIST' Single". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
  16. ^ Renshaw, David (March 15, 2023). "Yves Tumor shares new song "Parody"". The Fader. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
  17. ^ Blistein, Jon (January 30, 2023). "Yves Tumor Gets the Gruesome 'Gulliver's Travels' Treatment in New 'Echolalia' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 13, 2026.
  18. ^ King-Clements, Eloise (December 18, 2023). "Izzy Spears Tells Us His Dream Collaborator and Musical Red Flags". Interview (magazine). Retrieved March 10, 2026.
  19. ^ a b c d Guzman, Ivan (October 8, 2024). "Izzy Spears and Jack Powers Pull the Trigger on 'Hey There'". Paper (magazine). Retrieved March 10, 2026.
  20. ^ a b "Izzy Spears's BURN Ft. Leya". Office Magazine. February 6, 2025. Retrieved March 14, 2026.
  21. ^ a b c "Izzy Spears drops new video for Burn". shots. February 5, 2025. Retrieved March 14, 2026.
  22. ^ Ulitski, Rob (February 5, 2025). "Izzy Spears ft Leya 'Burn' by Ataka51 | Videos". Promo News. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  23. ^ a b c "Archives | Le Club des Directeurs Artistiques". Club des D.A. Retrieved March 14, 2026.
  24. ^ a b "Burn". Kinsale Shark Awards. Retrieved March 14, 2026.
  25. ^ a b "The nominees for the UK Music Video Awards 2025 have been announced". Dazed. October 1, 2025. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
  26. ^ D'Souza, Shaad (December 12, 2022). "Freak show: 2022's sexiest, silliest and most brilliantly strange musicians". The Face (magazine). Retrieved March 10, 2026.
  27. ^ a b c d Hardman, Neville. "Izzy Spears chases the American dream in new "Serena" video". Alternative Press Magazine. Retrieved March 14, 2026.
  28. ^ a b Getachew, Samuel (December 7, 2023). "Izzy Spears Goes M*A*D". Office Magazine. Retrieved March 14, 2026.
  29. ^ LeSuer, Mike. "Izzy Spears Shares an Anthem for the Freaks with New Single". FLOOD. Retrieved March 14, 2026.
  30. ^ "Burn". Berlin Commercial Festival. Retrieved March 14, 2026.
  31. ^ Velasquez, Juan (December 6, 2022). "Our 24 Favorite Songs by LGBTQ+ Artists in 2022". Them (magazine). Retrieved March 14, 2026.
  32. ^ D'Souza, Shaad (December 12, 2022). "Freak show: 2022's sexiest, silliest and most brilliantly strange…". The Face (magazine). Retrieved March 14, 2026.
  33. ^ Hardman, Neville. "24 of the most exciting rising artists to watch in 2024". Alternative Press Magazine. Retrieved March 14, 2026.
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