Isaac Hayes 

Isaac Hayes was an American singer, actor, songwriter, and composer born in Covington, Tenn., and was one of the creative forces behind Stax Records, where he served as an in-house songwriter, session musician, and record producer. His musical score for Shaft in 1971 earned him the Oscar for Best Song, making him the first African American to win that honor. Hayes was inducted posthumously into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002, and he and his songwriting partner David Porter were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005. Throughout his life, he used his fame to advocate for African American civil rights and the need to celebrate black culture.

 Stax’s Isaac Hayes proudly displays his Academy Award Oscar, which he received for his “Theme from Shaft.” The Theme for the motion picture “Shaft” was named “Best Song of the Year.”