From “one true pairing” (OTP) to “main character syndrome” (MC), there’s so much slang we’ve picked up from being in our favorite show’s fandom over the years—half of it we use unironically in conversation now, and no, we’re not apologizing. And now Raven’s Home superstar Issac Ryan Brown has penned his own contribution to the vocabulary with ‘End of the Season,’ a track about knowing when it’s time to say goodbye to that toxic thing in your life you’ve been stringing along for way too many episodes. Co-written alongside Arno Spires, Chris Ballard, and Wayne Hector—who casually has 40 number ones under his belt, from One Direction to Rihanna, so no pressure—the tune is an infectious R&B number that hits like a season finale you didn’t see coming. We spoke to Issac all about it.
You first started singing in church at around three years old, which is a genuinely iconic origin story. Do you think that environment shaped how you approach harmonies and layering in your music now—does that foundation still show up in ways people might not expect?
I think the environment definitely affected the approach to layering vocals. I mean, obviously, I’m not doing crazy “Gospel/Kim Burrell” type runs, but practicing Alto parts with my mom and singing with my Dad in the tenor section helped my ear a ton.
You then auditioned for America’s Got Talent at just six years old, which is elite-level tenacity. What quality from little you do you wish you could tap back into now?
AGT was such a great experience for me, especially at that age. I don’t think at the time I knew how big a stage I was performing on, and so for me it just felt like another performance. But looking back, I wish I could recapture that fearlessness. That feeling of being so confident that my biggest performance ever felt like singing in my living room again.
You’ve spoken about drawing early inspiration from Michael Jackson’s artistry and performance style. What element of that era of music and showmanship resonates with you the most as you shape your own sound?
Honestly, more than anything, MJ’s passion is what resonates with me the most. I remember the first time I watched him give a live performance of ‘Heartbreak Hotel,’ and from the moves to the notes to the music, it all just felt like an extension of his fire. I aspire to be that kind of artist. MJ’s the goat 🐐
You’re most known for Raven’s Home, and that franchise is genuinely legacy-level. Be honest—what sort of music do you think Booker has on rotation?
It depends on what era of Booker we’re talking about…if it’s season 1-3 probably NBA Youngboy or like some turnt rap 😂😶🌫️. But if we’re talking season 4-6 Booker, I imagine his taste matured with age, so prolly some Kendrick or J.Cole mixed with a lil Boyz N Motion (IYKYK).
‘End of the Season’ is a brilliantly self-aware title given your background. You cut your teeth doing music alongside acting on Disney—what did those early collabs (‘Naked Mole Rap Remix,’ we see you) teach you that you’ve carried into your solo sound?
At that time in my life, I was grateful for any exposure to the studio 😭. But working on those songs and soaking up information helped me cultivate my passion.
We love that you’ve basically invented your own slang—merging TV language with real life. ‘End of the Season’ is about recognizing when a relationship has run its course. Are there any other TV tropes you find yourself applying to real life? Like, are you out here shipping your mates together?
If by shipping, you mean I want to see some of my friends with some of my other friends…all the time. I be trying to set folks up the best I can😄. But if by shipping you mean like sending them off, I don’t think so lol.
You co-wrote this track with Arno Spires, Chris Ballard, and Wayne Hector, who’s penned for some pretty massive names. What was the most fun moment from that session?
First off, love those guys, we’ve all built friendships that I hope last for a really long time, but I think for me, it was our slang disconnect 🤣. I remember in one of our earlier sessions, the guys asked me how I was feeling, and I said, “I’m green,” which is a pretty common thing to say in America, like I’m all good! But they were so confused and it took time to explain it…a decent amount of time.
You grew up on set, which means you essentially had a whole crew as your extended family. Has that shaped how you collaborate in the studio—are you someone who thrives off the room’s energy, or do you need your own space to create?
I think growing up on set has definitely affected how I collaborate. Having to adjust to lines being changed/removed or being told to deliver a line a different type of way, it’s not dissimilar to accepting notes in a songwriting or recording session. But I think when it comes to acting, no one knows your character better than you. And as an artist, no one knows what will best suit a track for you than you. I always keep these things in mind when taking direction.
Booker inherited Raven’s psychic visions, which are honestly an elite family heirloom. Do you think songwriting gives you a bit of that same foresight—like, does putting feelings into music help you see where you’re headed before you’ve fully lived it?
LMAO, I don’t know if songwriting gives the same level of foresight as psychic visions, but it’s definitely an outlet for me to express things that I’m currently going through. If I write a song about something that hasn’t happened yet…I’ll just chalk that up to coincidence.
‘End of the Season’ is about knowing when something’s done—but what about the flip side? How do you know when something’s just beginning, whether that’s a relationship, a creative project, or a whole new chapter?
I don’t think you ever truly KNOW when a chapter’s about to start, nor when one’s about to close. We’re all characters in our own movie, but we don’t know the plot lol. But usually when I’m about to face a new endeavor, I feel a little uncomfortable…a little hesitant and sometimes a little afraid. But usually I pray and then send it!
Already scurrying away to start your fan edits to ‘End of the Season’ with one of Issac’s projects? We don’t blame you—the material is right there. Let us know which lyric is perfectly hitting that right scene through our socials—Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook—or honestly, just give ‘End of the Season’ another loop, because soon enough his latest track ‘Lipstick’ will be out, on March 20, to supply you with even more content.
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