Iz
Israel Kaʻanoʻi Kamakawiwoʻole – born in Honolulu, Hawaii on May 20, 1959 – was a singer, songwriter and musician better known as IZ and Bruddah Iz. In 1976, he and his brother Skippy founded the group The Mākaha Sons of Niʻihau together with other musicians. The group released numerous albums and received many honors from the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards and the Hawaii Music Awards. In the early 1990s, IZ left the band to focus on a solo career. He released four studio albums and, in his lyrics, was always campaigning for the interests of the Hawaiians and the protection of nature. He achieved his greatest success during his lifetime with the album Facing Future (1993) which included the single "Somewhere Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World." This unique medley of Judy Garland's "Over the Rainbow" and Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World" was a sizable hit but would become an international hit several years later. IZ dealt with obesity all of his life - at one point weighing 757 pounds – and this led to his death of respiratory failure on June 28, 1997. Two years after his death, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World" became a hit after it was featured in advertisements as well as major motion pictures and television series. By 2004, the song had been downloaded more than two million times. By 2020, the video had been viewed more than a billion times on social media. "Somewhere Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World" was inducted into the National Recording Registry as part of the heritage in American recoded sound in 2021. Since IZ’s death, the song has become an international classic and has received numerous honors including platinum album awards in countries like Switzerland, Germany, and Austria.
©Copyright Music Story Stephen Schnee 2023
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Unforgettable
Iz, The Mākaha Sons of Ni'ihau
World - Released by Poki Records on 3 Dec 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Somewhere Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World
Pop - Released by Columbia - B1 Recordings on 9 Jul 2021
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Unnnhhh
Dance - Released by Classic Music Company on 24 Apr 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Big Dreams (The Remixes)
Hip-Hop/Rap - Released by RCA Records Label on 15 Mar 2024
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
PORTAL (feat. maak4seven)
Alternative & Indie - Released by 12Tribez on 21 Mar 2024
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Big Dreams (Naod x Rambow Remix)
Hip-Hop/Rap - Released by RCA Records Label on 26 Jan 2024
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Astral Zen
Quantum Yogi, Miracle Earth, Iz
Pop - Released by dynasty music on 11 Jan 2024
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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IZ 1ST MINI ALBUM 'ALL YOU WANT'
Asia - Released by Music K on 31 Aug 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Wiggle While We Work (EP)
Dance - Released by Classic Music Company on 4 Aug 2003
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo