Ishmael Sadiq Montague (born on April 19, 1997), known professionally as ISM, is an American record producer and songwriter from Raleigh, NC. ISM developed his passion for music upon receiving his first drum set at 3 years old. This lead to his playing drums in church and later in high school (this passion can still be seen today in his production as he is most known for his drums). At the age of 15 he began teaching himself how to make beats and landed his first placement with Chief Keef’s “Michelin” in 2015, while still in highschool. But, it was after graduating from Enloe High School that he took a greater leap in order to take his talent to the next level. Instead of attending university where he applied and was accepted, ISM booked a one-way ticket to Los Angeles, California where he began working with his manager and music label executives at Atlantic Records. Within a year of working, he got his first major album placement with Ty Dolla $ign’s “My Song.” Shortly after that in 2016, ISM secured his first Billboard Top 40 placement at the age of 19 by producing “Party” by Chris Brown featuring Usher and Gucci Mane.