iZad Casanova

My name is iZad Casanova, and I was born in New York City on November 11, 1989. I'm a first-generation American, still living in the Bronx, and still chasing a dream. I graduated from Monroe College with a degree in Computer Analysis, but life hasn't made things easy. Despite the obstacles, I've kept pushing forward.

Between 1996 and 2006, I lived in the Dominican Republic after my parents and family were indicted for drug trafficking. Their decisions shaped my path and brought a lot of struggle into my life. Ever since then, I've been fighting to rise above it—to create a future beyond the shadows of my past. I've been offered many opportunities tied to criminal activity, but I've never let my soul fall. I remain strong, choosing to do what's right.

Music is my therapy. It's how I deal with emotions, depression, pain, and survival. It's the voice I use when words fail me. I've faced betrayal and heartbreak, especially from my own siblings who have turned their backs on our mother and our sister—who's battling leukemia. I've carried the weight alone: paying rent, medicine, food, and everything else, often at the cost of my own dreams.

But I'm not chasing fame for money. I'm chasing fame to mentally go to war with the system—to challenge injustice, to speak up for the unheard, and to help humanity live a better life. My mission is bigger than me.

I believe in something greater. I believe in Allah, in Judgment Day, and in karma. I live by values rooted in faith, resilience, and love. Helping others is what brings me peace—and I want to take that mission even further through my music.

Outside of music, I'm passionate about technology—from coding (SQL, CSS, HTML) to content creation and even sustainable agriculture. I've developed a unique method to grow fruits and vegetables sustainably, using techniques that could benefit under-resourced communities. But like many of my ideas, it's stuck on the shelf—not because of lack of vision, but because of lack of funding. I believe this project could change lives, but without the resources to get it off the ground, it remains a dream waiting to be realized.

Most importantly, I'm a proud father of two—a daughter and a son. Their existence gives my life meaning. They are my reason to keep dreaming, to keep fighting, to never give up.

Through my music, I don't just want to be heard—I want to be felt. I want people to hear my story and know that they're not alone. That no matter how broken life gets, there's still hope.