Remember legendary performer Isaac Hayes? Meet his adult daughter and son who look just like dad

Legendary soul singer Isaac Hayes left behind two children who are carving a name in the music industry today. Find out why traces of Isaac run through them.

He will always be remembered as the legendary soul singer who became the third African American to win an Academy Award. And today, Isaac Hayes has his children to remind us what a great man he truly was.

A LEGACY PASSED ON

Two of Isaac’s 12 children are featured in this story, Isaac III and Heather Hayes. Both are products of the “Soul Man” singer’s fourth marriage to former model Mignon Hartley. The siblings who look so much like their father also followed into his footsteps and are carving a path in the music industry.

A RECORD PRODUCER AND PUBLISHER

Isaac III who goes by the name “Ike Dirty” is a 43-year-old record producer and voice actor who operates the production company Chart Control and publishing company IKE Father IKE Son. As a music producer, he’s worked with artists like Lil Scrappy, the Yin Yang Twins, Redman, Keith Murray, Too Short, Blaque, Ruff Ryders, Black Coffey, and Chris Robinson, to name a few. His voice-over works include stints with the Atlanta Hawks, the Georgia Lottery, McDonald’s, Publix, American Airlines, and Cadillac. On television, his voice resonates in the character Broodwich for the adult cartoon, “Aqua Teen Hunger Force.” He also had stints with the World Wresting Federation.

A HIGH-ENERGY CROONER

Meanwhile, Heather, is a singer who performs with her high energy band, Heather Hayes Experience. She has also worked with renowned artists such as Beyonce Knowles and Arrested Development. A step ahead of her father, she’s a dancer too who contributed to works of Michael Jackson, P. Diddy, Brian McKnight and James Brown. The streak of her father clearly shines on this one.

HAYES' LEGACY

Isaac died in 2011 leaving an outstanding legacy that included an Oscar in 1972 for his song, “Theme From Shaft.” It was a milestone moment for the singer who became the third African American to win an Academy after Hattie McDaniel and Sidney Poitier. The night was made sweeter by the fact that he brought his grandmother, Rushia Wade as his date. She mostly raised him which is why Isaac’s Oscar trophy remained in her home until her death.

Isaac opened the gates for more African American musicians to be recognized by the prestigious award-giving body. These include Irene Cara for “Flashdance…What A Feeling” in 1983, Stevie Wonder for “I Just Called to Say I Love You,” in 1984, and Lionel Richie for “Say You, Say Me” in 1985.

ANOTHER BLACK MUSICIAN MAKING AWARDS HISTORY

More recently, in 2014, John Legend won an Oscar for his song, “Glory” for the film “Selma.” This year, the singer became the first African American to snag an EGOT – completing all four awards – Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony. Before his Oscar win in 2014, he already raked 10 Grammys in 2006 alone. In 2017, he received a Tony for co-producing the Broadway show, “Jitney.” This year at the Emmys he won as co-producer of “Jesus Christ Superstar Live” completing the four big awards and making new African American history.