Winner of our second Young Lady grant is Wande Isola from Austin, Texas.


Once an aspiring doctor, Wande probably thought she’d one-day write prescriptions but today she pens rhymes about Jesus. Those rhymes won her the YXL grant and the opportunity to develop a career in music that has only begun.

On the Come Up

The YXL grant will fund her upcoming debut project, Elevation, she said. Wande plans to release it between March 15th-20th, the week of the South by Southwest (SXSW) Music festival. She also plans to drop the first single in the very near future.

The title hints at the project’s concept, which encompasses reaching a higher level of standards, excellence, focus on The Most High, as well as hope to overcome low points in life.

“It’s gonna be a mixture between hype songs and chill, soulful songs. I'm even playing with instruments for a live sound,” Wande said.

With producer credits already in place, the project’s production will include D-Flow (Us, Social Club) and a few younger upcoming talents. “We've [D-Flow and I] been planning to work on this project for a long time and so it's nice that it's finally happening,” she said.

Wande connected with D-Flow via Twitter as well as other known artists in Christian Hip Hop, like Andy Mineo, Marty of Social Club and Beleaf Melanin.

Her lyrical inspiration ranges from Christian Hip Hop artists to mainstream. From the Reach Recorders roster (Lecrae, Trip Lee, Tadashii, KB, Andy Mineo and Gawvi) to Big Sean and Drake, she’s challenged to step her bars up.
“When I listen to rappers like that it's like, I can't settle for being 'okay', or settle for being a good rapper. I need to step up my rhymes. I need to strive for excellence in everything.”


MEET WANDE : YXL GRANT WINNER
February 16, 2016
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Jada Fisher


Winner of our second Young Lady grant is Wande Isola from Austin, Texas.


Once an aspiring doctor, Wande probably thought she’d one-day write prescriptions but today she pens rhymes about Jesus. Those rhymes won her the YXL grant and the opportunity to develop a career in music that has only begun.

On the Come Up

The YXL grant will fund her upcoming debut project, Elevation, she said. Wande plans to release it between March 15th-20th, the week of the South by Southwest (SXSW) Music festival. She also plans to drop the first single in the very near future.

The title hints at the project’s concept, which encompasses reaching a higher level of standards, excellence, focus on The Most High, as well as hope to overcome low points in life.

“It’s gonna be a mixture between hype songs and chill, soulful songs. I'm even playing with instruments for a live sound,” Wande said.

With producer credits already in place, the project’s production will include D-Flow (Us, Social Club) and a few younger upcoming talents. “We've [D-Flow and I] been planning to work on this project for a long time and so it's nice that it's finally happening,” she said.

Wande connected with D-Flow via Twitter as well as other known artists in Christian Hip Hop, like Andy Mineo, Marty of Social Club and Beleaf Melanin.

Her lyrical inspiration ranges from Christian Hip Hop artists to mainstream. From the Reach Recorders roster (Lecrae, Trip Lee, Tadashii, KB, Andy Mineo and Gawvi) to Big Sean and Drake, she’s challenged to step her bars up.
“When I listen to rappers like that it's like, I can't settle for being 'okay', or settle for being a good rapper. I need to step up my rhymes. I need to strive for excellence in everything.”


Your Everyday Wande

It was during a class project for Biology that she realized her ability and interest in rapping. Presented with the choice of writing an essay or a rap, Wande chose the rap option, she said. Her friends complimented her work.

As a new Christian, Wande felt she could use the art form to tell people about Jesus. She saw rap as a new tool she could use.

Though only 19 years-old, Wande has a vision of her identity as an artist. She wants to reach the younger audience and has strategic plans of how to reach them, she said. She also has an idea of what they want to hear and exactly what she’ll say.

“My music isn't just something about nothing, it's music is that's actually trying to impact your life and music that will lead you closer to Christ and lead you closer to changing your mindset.”


Wande can be found on all social media platforms and SoundCloud via @omgitswande - Young X Lady

By Kara Rollins
Posted Nov 16 2015 - 12:30am
Tagged #HIPHOP #STAR
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“I’ve always loved hip hop,” explains Wande Isola, a sophomore at the University of Texas at Austin.

“I had a biology project my freshman year of high school and my options were to write an essay, make a power point, or rap,” the broadcast journalism major explains when asked how she got interested in rapping. “I chose to do a rap and performed it for my classmates. They thought it was awesome and gave me encouragement to pursue it. From there it developed into a passion and I've been rapping ever since.”

Wande also doesn’t shy away from sharing her personal testimony through her music. “I find inspiration for my songs through life experiences. Also reading my bible and listening to sermons inspires me as well. I like to use my music to inspire conversations and topics that people wouldn't normally talk about on an everyday basis.”

The rap star has been performing across campus and in Austin. “One of my most memorable performances was at the Texas Revue. It feels great getting to share my songs with others and the look in their eyes when I say something they can relate to.” This upcoming Spring she will be performing at the star-studded SXSW event occurring in Austin during Spring Break. You can find her performing at the Kingdom Experience showcase!

Wande is not only a talented rapper, but she is extremely involved in campus, “I am apart of Umoja, IGotSole Dance Company, Texas Student Television, Sigma Phi Lambda, African Student Organization, and Black Student Alliance.”

So if you are in the market for some entertainment for your next UT organization event or if you just want to check out some new tunes, be sure to be on the lookout for Wande Isola! You follow her on twitter @OMGitsWande - Her Campus

By: Kate Bartick, Selena Depaz, Shannon Smith

Create a Powerpoint, write an essay or make a rap.

These were three options Wande Isola’s biology teacher gave her to explain the process of cellular transport. Isola had never pictured herself as a musician—never mind a rapper, but she saw an easy A in the third option. And so she wrote her first rap, an educational A+.

Three years later, 19-year-old Isola has graduated from rapping about biology and switched her musical focus to her faith, society and political unrest. She has performed at talent shows, church conventions and showcases.

The Road to SXSW: Wande Isola
Feb. 22 Comments Off
Photo: http://schedule.sxsw.com/2016/events/event_MS35416
Photo: http://schedule.sxsw.com/2016/events/event_MS35416

By: Kate Bartick, Selena Depaz, Shannon Smith

Create a Powerpoint, write an essay or make a rap.

These were three options Wande Isola’s biology teacher gave her to explain the process of cellular transport. Isola had never pictured herself as a musician—never mind a rapper, but she saw an easy A in the third option. And so she wrote her first rap, an educational A+.

Three years later, 19-year-old Isola has graduated from rapping about biology and switched her musical focus to her faith, society and political unrest. She has performed at talent shows, church conventions and showcases.



To say the least, she’s grateful she didn’t choose the Powerpoint option. Today, that decision translates into an opportunity to perform at South By Southwest (SXSW).

Isola had long dreamed of being a featured act in SXSW. So much, that it was in fact her deciding factor in choosing to stay local and attend the University of Texas in Austin.

“I was like I’m gonna use this opportunity, I’m gonna figure it out, and I’m gonna be in that showcase,” said Isola.

Applications for artists open a year in advance. Aware of this, Isola took time last March to prepare her tape, write a biography and answer the supplementary questions. However, one day past the deadline, she realized she forgot to submit her package.

Taking a chance, she emailed her late application to a SXSW contact. Ten minutes later, she received a call.

“Okay we’re gonna give you a chance; I don’t know why, but we’re gonna give you a chance,” said the SXSW organizer.

Within the hour, she was enthusiastically placed as an artist into The Kingdom Experience the premiere Christian Gospel music showcase.

But her work isn’t over yet. Unlike many other performers, Isola won’t be recycling her old work. She is working on an original five-song project that will be released at her show.

While Isola struggles with the balance of show preparation and life as a student, she remains excited to be part of such a diverse music festival and expand her network. She hopes to gain respect as an artist, while also connecting with a new fan base.

As for her already loyal fans… they seem just as excited as Isola.

“I can’t wait to see Wande’s music reach that next level. I really believe in her talent and her as a person. South By is gonna be a great platform for her,” said fan, Darien Younce, who was quick to add that “of course [she’s] gonna be right there supporting her.”

Isola is scheduled to perform on Friday, March 18, at 7:40 p.m. and chances are—you won’t hear her rapping about cellular transport. - Multimedia Newsroom

A podcast interview of Wande Isola. - Adair Odom

With songs ranging from high intensity raps, to chill contemplative poetic rhymes, Wande is definitely a dynamic artist that you'll find yourself adding to your playlist. She has a unique mix of culture due to being Nigerian as well as an Austin, Texas native. Wande's latest single "They Didn't Know" can be found on soundcloud.com/omgitswande. You can connect with her and follow up on all her music endeavors at @OMGitsWande. - SXSW